Editor's Note: This story originally appeared on Living on the Cheap.
Are you getting excited about all of the Black Friday deals that are headed your way? More likely, you’re feeling overwhelmed by the constant sneak peeks, early bird deals and Black Friday email blasts flooding your inbox and mailbox this year.
Don’t worry about missing out. Phone shopping apps offer a better way to monitor Black Friday deals and track the best sales. Gone are the days of pulling circulars out of the paper and squinting to read the fine print on doorbuster savings.
If you’re a hard-core Black Friday shopper, make sure you add these apps to your smartphone so you can stay on top of the best deals, make lists and comparison-shop.
Also, don’t forget the apps that will save you money after you’ve shopped.
Scan your receipts to Swagbucks and Ibotta to get points and cash back. (Swagbucks can also help you before Black Friday because you can earn gift cards to do your Black Friday shopping.)
The best discounts for Black Friday
I’m always on the hunt for gifts that are a good price. Here are some options to keep your eyes peeled for to score them at a discount:
- Smartphones/tablets: Look for deals on popular brands like Apple, Samsung, or Google.
- Laptops/computers: Check out discounts on brands like Dell, HP, or MacBook.
- Headphones/speakers: Consider options from Bose, Sony, or JBL.
- Kitchen appliances: Look for deals on mixers, blenders, or coffee makers.
- Smart home devices: Consider smart speakers, thermostats, or security cameras.
- Winter apparel: Jackets, sweaters, and boots from brands like North Face or Columbia.
- Fashion accessories: Watches, jewelry, or handbags from popular designers.
- Toys and games: Popular toys for kids or board games for family fun.
- Books: Bestsellers or special editions for book lovers.
- Personalized gifts: Custom items like photo books or engraved jewelry.
- Beauty products: Skincare sets or makeup from top brands.
- Fitness gear: Equipment or apparel for the fitness enthusiasts.
Here are the best shopping apps for finding the best Black Friday deals.
1. Brad’s Deals
A mainstay in online couponing, the Brad’s Deals app keeps tabs on deep discounts at numerous top retailers, so you stay on top of the best deals.
The formatting is easy on the eyes, too, as it transforms mobile-unfriendly circulars into an itemized list of products.
2. Black Friday Ads & Deals
The Black Friday Ads & Deals app (iOS only) is a must-have resource to keep at your fingertips for the best Black Friday deals. Select products you want and stores you like, and the app will automatically send you personalized deals for Black Friday and every day after that.
This free shopping app stores your preferences in the cloud and delivers the most relevant, personalized sales available. Your shopping preferences and history will be automatically synced across all of your devices (tablet, smartphone, or computer).
A free UPC Barcode Scanner app is built in, using scanning like the red laser you see in stores.
3. The Coupons App
Find the best Black Friday app sales from over 100,000 retailers with The Coupons App. You can set your location so that you’ll be notified when new local deals are available as well as search for discounts from almost any store.
The app also reminds you when coupons are about to expire, so you’ll never miss the chance to get a great deal.
4. Flipp
Get digital versions of all the best Black Friday deals with Flipp, which features deals from major retailers like Walmart and Target.
Plus, if you put in your location, the app will combine these coupons with those from local flyers for additional savings.
5. Price Cruncher
The Price Cruncher deals app (Android only) will help you do the math on all those Black Friday deals and doorbusters.
Quickly calculate the value of sale prices with the built-in discount calculator, build a shopping list and even determine the price per product of bulk purchases.
6. Rakuten
With both an app and a browser extension, Rakuten helps you save whether you’re shopping in store or online. The company is known for its cash-back deals, which users earn through the use of provided promo codes.
In my opinion, this is one of the best Black Friday apps!
7. Santa’s Bag
Although this app for Apple devices won’t help you find Black Friday coupons or deals, it will do something just as important: Make sure you stay under budget. The Santa’s Bag gift list app lets you plan gift ideas and mark preferences for everyone you’re shopping for this season.
You can also set and track a holiday spending budget for each individual.
Plus, the app’s countdown feature will make sure you get all your shopping done in time for the big day, but depending on how successful you are with Black Friday bargain hunting, you might not need that option.
8. ShopSavvy
Want to make sure you’re getting the best deal possible by comparing prices on items across retailers? ShopSavvy is here to help. This app turns your phone into a barcode scanner that pulls up prices from nearby stores for the item you scanned.
It’ll also keep you updated on all the best deals happening around you, making it a multi-use Black Friday deal tracker.
Bonus tip
If you know exactly where you want to shop on Black Friday, download that particular retailer’s app. Target, Walmart, H&M, JCPenney, Best Buy and others offer apps that feature coupons, reviews and more.
Then, as mentioned before, after you’re done shopping, use the Ibotta app to scan your receipts and make money on the things you’ve already purchased. We have an article about how to earn cash with Ibotta here.
Swagbucks can help you here too.
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