The holiday season is in full swing, and it’s likely you’re far from finished shopping for every loved one on your list. Fortunately, the plethora of free shopping apps out there put coupons, comparisons and special offers in your pocket, making last-minute holiday shopping a breeze. From store-specific apps for Amazon and eBay to price scanners and discount calculators, here are the best apps for smartphones to get you deals.
1. Amazon (Free; iOS, Android)
Carry the world's biggest online marketplace in your pocket with the free Amazon Mobile app [iOS download]. This shopping companion allows you to peruse Amazon's vast selection, view and edit orders, and even scan bar codes in-store to compare Amazon's offers with those of your local retailer. This could get you price-matching deals at stores such as Walmart. Be warned, though; the app's 1-Click buying function might lead to impulse purchases for you and your loved ones.
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2. eBay (Free; iOS, Android)
Never miss an auction's final seconds again. eBay's free mobile app [Android download] gives you all of the buying and selling power of the full website and then some. The sleek interface makes it easy to shop for hot products, and the app's push notifications help give you the best chance of winning an auction. The app also makes a great in-store companion, as the integrated RedLaser feature allows you to scan any item's bar code and browse all of eBay's available deals on that product.
3. Target (Free; iOS, Android, Windows Phone)
The superstore's free app is a must-have for any Target devotee. You can finally trash your piles of paper ads, as the Target app [iOS download] allows you to view the store's weekly and holiday catalogues right on your phone. If you've found the perfect gift and don't want to wait for it to ship, you can add items to your cart and pick them up at your local Target later.
4. Best Buy (Free; iOS, Android, Windows)
Chances are you have at least one tech geek on your holiday list, and the free Best Buy app [Android download] will make shopping for them a breeze. Aside from standard purchases, this app allows you to browse weekly ads, view your gift card balance and check trade-in value for your old video games. Once you check in to a physical Best Buy store using the app, you'll be able to earn My Best Buy points and view store-specific deals.
5. Walmart (Free; iOS, Android)
Most major retail shops have a supplemental app, and Walmart's is especially useful for when you're doing some in-person shopping. The app allows you to create a shopping list by typing, speaking or scanning items, and you can keep an eye on your total cost as you add items to your cart. You'll be able to get your holiday shopping done quicker than ever with the app's Scan & Go feature, as you can check yourself out once you've found the perfect gifts for everyone on your list.
6. Black Friday Shopping (Free; iOS)
Black Friday can be one of the most stressful shopping days of the year if you're not prepared, but the Black Friday Shopping app will help you get ready weeks in advance. This free app aggregates Black Friday ads from a variety of major stores, such as Kmart and Macy's, and can send you alerts whenever a new catalogue surfaces. You can collect your favourite deals with the convenient Wishlist feature, so you know exactly what to buy yourself and your loved ones when the big day arrives.
7. TGI Black Friday (Free; iOS, Android)
With the free TGI Black Friday app [Android download], every day can feel like the year's biggest shopping holiday. This application allows you to download scans of every major Black Friday ad, and deals can be easily filtered by price or category. The iOS 7 version of TGI Black Friday has enjoyed a sleek redesign, and the app showcases sales from dealcatcher.com long after the big day has passed.
8. FatWallet Black Friday Deal Finder (Free; iOS, Android)
FatWallet's take on the Black Friday app is one of the best for mental shopping preparation. Aside from being able to browse deals by store, category or ad scan, the app's integrated FatWallet Blog provides a constantly updated feed of news and Black Friday survival guides. If you're looking to make it out of your favourite store unscathed, FatWallet's free app is a solid choice.
9. ShopSavvy Barcode Scanner (Free; iOS, Android)
You might not always have your best friend around to help you shop, but the ShopSavvy app makes it feel like you do. This bar code scanning app doubles as a mini social network, as you can view your friends' shopping lists to get some last-minute holiday inspiration. It also functions as a standard scanning app, as you'll see the cheapest online and in-store prices for anything you scan or search.
10. Clutch Shopping (Free; iOS)
It's tough to imagine what would be easier than a shopping app that reminds you it's time to buy a gift for your friend's birthday. The Quick Gifts feature can find gift cards at local shops, too. Clutch is good for more than last-minute purchases, as the price comparison feature will help you make your gift decisions well in advance.
11. Pounce! (Free; iOS)
Stop tearing out circular pages to sit down online and go shopping. With Pounce! you can scan items from any of your paper circulars and immediately be taken to a page where you can buy them online. You can still save big if you don't have any paper ads around, as the built-in deal browser allows you to shop sale items from Macy's, Toys R Us, Babies R Us and Target.
12. Sale Price (Free; iOS)
If you find it exhausting to do mental math when browsing the discount aisle, Maglevity Labs' free Sale Price app will solve that problem. This calculator app is built specifically to calculate in-store discounts. Simply enter a product's original price, discount percentage and a percentage for any additional markdowns to find out if what you're getting is really a deal.
13. Shopkick (Free; iOS)
Even if all your shopping time is spent buying gifts for others, Shopkick [iOS download]makes sure you get to reap some of the benefits. The free app gives you points (called kicks) just for checking in to popular stores such as Old Navy, American Eagle and Crate & Barrel. You can redeem your kicks for gift cards to those very same shops, which is a great way to save big on your holiday shopping list this year.
14. Wish (Free; iOS, Android)
The free Wish app is like a Pinterest for shopping addicts, as you can browse large tiles showcasing your favourite products and buy them with a single touch. The app syncs with Facebook, making it the perfect tool for finding out what's on your friend's wish list. If you end up with holiday gifts you'd rather part with, you can take part in Wish's Sale Parties. Simply choose a limited-time category like "Necklaces" or "Video Games," take a picture of your product, choose a price and Wish users will be able to buy your extra stuff.
15. CardStar (Free; iOS, Android)
Thanks to CardStar [iOS download], you can finally trash that keychain filled to the brim with store discount cards. This free handy app uses your phone's camera to import rewards cards so you'll be able to access them digitally wherever you go. The app supports membership cards for major stores such as CVS and Best Buy, and you can create a custom digital card for any of your accounts that don't have bar codes. Holiday shopping is draining enough, so let CardStar save you the hassle of sifting through piles of plastic.
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