You're not alone if you feel overwhelmed when the holidays come around. For many people, holiday shopping can become a huge source of stress. But shopping for gifts doesn't have to be a massive headache.
With the right apps, you can streamline your holiday shopping experience and save a ton of money. Below, we'll list our nine favorite holiday shopping apps you should install on your iPhone this holiday season.
1. PayPal Honey
Honey is a great way to find amazing deals and earn cashback on holiday shopping this year. Honey partners with stores and retailers to offer exclusive cashback deals on purchases.
And these deals are no joke; sometimes, you can end up scoring 10% or more cashback. Better yet, you can also use Honey to find coupon codes that save you money at checkout.
Honey is also great for keeping tabs on your holiday gift list. If you're hunting for the best price on an item, adding it to Honey's Droplist section lets you monitor and get notified when the price drops.
Download: PayPal Honey for Android | iOS (Free)
2. Fetch Rewards
For many families, eating good food is one of the most important parts of the holidays. If you're one of them, Fetch Rewards is a great way to put some cash back in your pocket, even if you're cooking for 20 this year.
After making a trip to the grocery store, you can scan your receipt with the Fetch app to start earning points. You can then redeem your Fetch rewards points for gift cards and discounts at your favorite stores and brands.
Best of all, Fetch lets you earn points and cashback after your purchase, meaning you can double-dip on rewards from your credit card and Fetch.
Download: Fetch Rewards for Android | iOS (Free)
3. Amazon Shopping
If you're not the type of person who likes scouring the internet for deals, don't worry. Amazon is one of the best one-stop shops for your holiday shopping.
During the holiday season, Amazon offers tons of steep discounts on many of its most popular products. That means everything from the best stocking stuffers for tech enthusiasts to your favorite holiday treats.
And if you're not a Prime member yet, signing up means getting access to great money-saving features like free two-day shipping, Prime-exclusive discounts, and access to tons of binge-able content on Amazon Prime Video.
Download: Amazon Shopping for Android | iOS (Free)
4. Slickdeals
Using Slickdeals is a great way to stay up-to-date on some of the best sales and discounts across the web. Open the Slickdeals app, and you'll be greeted with some of the top sales that are happening right now.
Slickdeals not only gives you discounts on items, but you can also find a ton of store-exclusive deals. That, along with coupons and discount codes, means saving even more money.
S,o whether you're looking for dog food or a new CPU for your gaming PC, Slickdeals can help you get the best price possible.
Download: Slickdeals for Android | iOS (Free)
5. Rakuten
Rakuten partners with brands and companies to offer exclusive cashback deals, meaning you can earn money back on a ton of your holiday purchases.
With the Rakuten app, you can find offers from major brands like Nike, Neiman Marcus, and more. You can then activate an offer from within the app to earn rewards. And Rakuten isn't just limited to cashback. You can also find some great discount codes that can help you save even more money at checkout.
So, if you want to maximize your cashback this holiday season, Rakuten might be the perfect app for you.
Download: Rakuten for Android | iOS (Free)
6. Etsy
Unlike most online stores that are stocked with mass-produced products, Etsy was created as a place to find vintage and handmade items.
Although not everything on Etsy is completely handmade, individuals have created and sold many items on the platform. That means shopping on Etsy is a great way to support small businesses. And if you're into sustainability, you can easily find many items on the app made from recycled materials.
So, if you often find yourself searching for unique gifts with a handcrafted touch, you'll love Etsy.
Download: Etsy for Android | iOS (Free)
7. RetailMeNot
If you're a coupon hunter, using RetailMeNot is a great way to find discount codes that can save you money when shopping online.
Search for a store or brand from within the RetailMeNot app, and you'll find a list of discount codes to enter at checkout. Using the right code can unlock free shipping or a healthy discount on your purchase.
Although you definitely find some great money-saving codes on RetailMeNot, sometimes it takes trial and error to find one that works. But if you're willing to put in the effort, RetailMeNot can save you a ton of money in the long run.
Download: RetailMeNot for Android | iOS (Free)
8. Capital One Shopping
Capital One Shopping is a great way to find exclusive deals on your favorite brands this holiday season. And despite the name, anyone can get in on the action, whether you're a Capital One customer or not.
Using the Capital One Shopping app gives you access to deals, money-saving coupons, and cashback offers from various brands and stores. But unlike most apps on this list, Capital One Shopping deals aren't just limited to retail stores. If you're traveling this holiday season, using Capital One Shopping is a great way to get deals on hotel stays and accommodations from around the world.
Download: Capital One Shopping for Android | iOS (Free)
9. eBay
If you're on the hunt for a hot item that's sold out everywhere, don't forget to check eBay. Due to ongoing supply chain issues, some items are difficult or impossible to find in stock at most retailers.
The PlayStation 5 is at the top of any gift guide for the ultimate PlayStation fan. But if you've got a PS5 on your holiday gift list this year, you'll have a tough time finding one at most stores. Thankfully, you can use eBay to find a reseller. Just keep in mind you'll probably end up paying more than retail.
And because eBay connects buyers and sellers from across the world, it's a great way to find a unique gift. So, whether you're looking for the best retro gifts for Christmas, vintage collectibles, or almost anything else, you'll probably find it on eBay.
Download: eBay for Android | iOS (Free)
Holiday Shopping Doesn't Have to Be Hard
Despite what corporate America may want you to think, the most important part of the holidays is the people, not the presents. So, using the right apps to navigate your gift list can save you time, stress, and money.
That means spending less time worrying about what to buy and more time with the people you love. Happy holidays from MakeUseOf!