Top Money-Saving Apps You Need Right Now
Let’s be real — saving money can be hard, especially when it feels like life just keeps throwing unexpected expenses at you. Whether it’s your morning coffee habit, last-minute online shopping sprees, or surprise car repairs, it seems like money has a way of slipping through the cracks.
But what if I told you there’s an easy way to start saving money that doesn’t require cutting out every little treat or spending hours budgeting? Spoiler: It’s all about finding the right apps.
Let's uncover some of the top money-saving apps that can seriously change the way you manage your money. Whether you want to save for that dream vacation, build an emergency fund, or simply stop overpaying on bills, there’s an app for that.
Why You Should Be Using Money-Saving Apps
Money-saving apps have taken the guesswork out of managing your personal finances. They offer an easy way to not only track your spending and save money but also grow your wealth over time. Before we get into the specifics, here are just a few reasons why using money-saving apps is a smart move:
- Convenience: Most apps link directly to your bank account, automatically tracking your spending and categorizing it for you. This eliminates the need for manual budgeting and gives you a clear snapshot of where your money is going.
- Automatic Savings: Several apps make it possible to save without even thinking about it. They can round up your purchases to the nearest dollar or set aside small amounts of money automatically, making saving painless.
- Access to Deals and Discounts: Coupon and cashback apps make it easy to save on everyday purchases. Some apps will even find deals and apply them for you, so you’re always getting the best price.
Whether you want to manage your subscriptions, invest spare change, or maximize cashback opportunities, these apps can make it easier to save money in your daily life. Let’s take a closer look at the best money-saving apps that you should download right now.
1. Rakuten: Earn Cashback on Everyday Purchases
Rakuten (formerly known as Ebates) is a popular cashback app that rewards you for shopping at your favorite stores. It’s incredibly simple to use: just sign up, browse Rakuten’s offers, and click through to the retailer’s website when you’re ready to make a purchase. Rakuten gets a commission from the retailer, and they share a portion of that with you in the form of cashback.
How It Works:
- Shop at over 2,500 retailers through the Rakuten app or website.
- Earn cashback on purchases made at stores like Amazon, Walmart, and Target.
- Cash out your earnings via PayPal or check every quarter.
Key Features:
- Browser Extension: Rakuten offers a browser extension that alerts you when a retailer offers cashback. This ensures you never miss an opportunity to save.
- Special Promotions: Rakuten frequently runs double or triple cashback promotions during holidays or major sales events.
- No Fees: There’s no cost to use Rakuten, making it a no-brainer for anyone who shops online.
Why Rakuten is Great:
Rakuten is perfect for anyone who shops online regularly. It’s one of the easiest ways to earn cashback without having to jump through hoops. Whether you’re buying clothes, electronics, or even booking travel, Rakuten can help you save with minimal effort.
2. Honey: Find the Best Coupons Automatically
If you’ve ever spent time searching for coupon codes before checking out online, Honey is about to change your life. Honey is a browser extension that automatically finds and applies coupon codes at checkout. No more wasting time trying outdated codes—Honey does the work for you, ensuring you get the best possible deal on your purchase.
How It Works:
- Install the Honey extension on your web browser.
- Shop as you normally would, and when you’re ready to checkout, Honey will search for available coupon codes.
- Honey applies the best coupon for maximum savings.
Key Features:
- Automatic Coupon Finder: Honey scours the web for valid coupon codes and applies them for you with a single click.
- Honey Gold Program: Earn rewards points on purchases, which can be redeemed for gift cards.
- Price Tracking: Honey also has a price tracking feature that alerts you when prices drop on items you’re interested in.
According to Honey, their users save an average of $126 per year by automatically applying coupons to their purchases.
Why Honey is Great:
Honey takes all the frustration out of finding discounts. It’s especially handy during peak shopping seasons like Black Friday or when you’re hunting for deals on big-ticket items. Plus, with the Honey Gold rewards program, you can earn points and save even more.
3. Oportun Set and Save (Formerly Digit): Automated Saving Made Even Better
Oportun Set and Save (formerly known as Digit) offers an upgraded experience for anyone who loves the ease of automated savings. Much like its predecessor, Oportun Set and Save uses intelligent algorithms to analyze your spending and automatically move money into savings.
The key difference is that the app now offers an even broader range of financial tools and personalized savings plans to help you achieve your financial goals.
How It Works:
- Link the app to your checking account, and it will analyze your spending patterns to determine how much you can save without affecting your day-to-day finances.
- Oportun automatically transfers small amounts of money into savings, based on what it determines you can afford.
- You can set multiple goals, such as building an emergency fund or saving for a big purchase, and the app will allocate funds accordingly.
Key Features:
- Automated Savings: Oportun’s intelligent system transfers money automatically, ensuring you’re saving without having to think about it.
- Personalized Savings Plans: Tailored plans that help you reach specific financial goals, from short-term purchases to long-term investments.
- Budgeting Tools: Oportun Set and Save also offers features to help you budget and manage your finances more effectively.
Why Oportun Set and Save is Great:
Oportun Set and Save is perfect for anyone who needs a nudge to start saving but wants a hands-off approach. With its personalized savings strategies and intelligent algorithms, the app ensures you’re always setting aside money—even if it’s just a small amount.
Users of Oportun Set and Save have reported saving over $1,800 annually on average by automating their savings, all without feeling a financial pinch.
4. Truebill: Manage Your Subscriptions and Cut Unnecessary Spending
In a world filled with subscription services, it’s easy to lose track of what you’re paying for. Truebill helps you identify, track, and cancel subscriptions that you no longer need or want. It also notifies you of upcoming bills and even helps you negotiate better rates on certain expenses.
How It Works:
- Link Truebill to your bank account, and it will identify recurring charges and subscriptions.
- Get notified when a bill is due or when a subscription is about to renew.
- Cancel unwanted subscriptions with a single tap.
Key Features:
- Bill Negotiation: Truebill’s negotiation service helps you lower bills like cable or cell phone plans.
- Subscription Tracker: Get a clear picture of where your money is going with a detailed subscription tracker.
- Budgeting Tools: Truebill offers a suite of budgeting features to help you plan your finances more effectively.
Truebill users save an average of $512 per year by canceling unnecessary subscriptions and negotiating lower bills.
Why Truebill is Great:
Truebill is perfect for anyone who feels like they’re hemorrhaging money on subscriptions they don’t use. With its ability to cancel subscriptions and negotiate bills, Truebill helps you regain control over your spending.
5. Acorns: Invest Your Spare Change and Build Wealth Over Time
Acorns takes the idea of “every little bit helps” and turns it into a wealth-building strategy. The app rounds up your purchases to the nearest dollar and invests the spare change into a diversified portfolio. It’s an easy way to dip your toes into investing without requiring a large initial commitment.
How It Works:
- Link Acorns to your debit or credit card.
- Every time you make a purchase, Acorns rounds up the amount to the nearest dollar and invests the difference.
- Watch your investment grow over time as your spare change adds up.
Key Features:
- Automatic Investments: Acorns automatically invests your spare change into a diversified portfolio.
- Recurring Investments: You can set up recurring investments in addition to the round-ups to grow your wealth faster.
- Portfolio Options: Choose a portfolio that matches your risk tolerance, from conservative to aggressive.
Why Acorns is Great:
Acorns is perfect for beginners who want to start investing but don’t know where to start. It’s a hands-off way to build wealth, one small investment at a time. Over time, those small round-ups can add up to a significant amount, helping you reach your financial goals.
6. Ibotta: Earn Cashback on Groceries and More
If you’re looking to save money on everyday purchases, especially groceries, Ibotta is the app for you. Ibotta offers cashback on a wide range of products, from pantry staples to cleaning supplies, simply by scanning your receipts or shopping through the app.
How It Works:
- Browse offers on Ibotta before you shop.
- Purchase the eligible products at your favorite store.
- Scan your receipt or link your loyalty card to earn cashback on your purchases.
Key Features:
- Cashback on Groceries:
Ibotta partners with hundreds of grocery stores, making it easy to earn cashback on things you’re already buying.
- Bonuses: Earn extra cashback through Ibotta’s bonuses and special offers.
- Retailer Partnerships: Ibotta isn’t just for groceries—you can also earn cashback at retailers like Target, Walmart, and Best Buy.
Why Ibotta is Great:
Ibotta is fantastic for anyone looking to save on groceries and everyday purchases. With its wide range of offers and partnerships with major retailers, it’s a no-brainer for anyone looking to stretch their budget a little further.
How to Combine These Apps for Maximum Savings
The beauty of money-saving apps is that they’re not mutually exclusive. You can use multiple apps to cover all your financial bases. Here’s how to combine them for maximum savings:
- Rakuten and Honey: Use Rakuten for cashback on purchases and Honey to find the best coupon codes at checkout.
- Digit and Acorns: Let Digit automatically save small amounts for you, and use Acorns to invest your spare change.
- Truebill: Track your subscriptions with Truebill and cancel any services you’re no longer using.
- Ibotta: Stack your savings by earning cashback on groceries and retail purchases with Ibotta.
By using a combination of these apps, you’ll be able to maximize your savings and even grow your wealth over time.
Embrace Technology to Save and Build Wealth
With so many fantastic money-saving apps available, there’s no excuse not to take control of your finances. Whether you’re looking to automate your savings, cut down on unnecessary expenses, or find the best deals, there’s an app that can help you get there.
So, why not give one (or all!) of these apps a try? From rounding up your spare change to earning cash back on your regular purchases, these apps offer practical, everyday solutions to help you manage your money better.
Start small, stay consistent, and watch your savings grow — the power of technology is on your side!
