With m-commerce on the rise, There are many specialized apps that allow you to buy almost any product, from clothing and electronics to cars or houses.
We’ve compiled a list of the top shopping apps that will help you save time, find products and services that are right for you, and get the best deals. These apps can also be used by marketers working in these industries to increase awareness and loyalty among shoppers.
Marketplace shopping apps
Online marketplaces allow sellers and buyers to connect. Marketplaces are not like other shopping apps. They rarely have any inventory.
They facilitate transactions by handling the processing of product showcasing and payment as well as order fulfillment and shipment.
1. Amazon
Amazon has one of the biggest online marketplaces in the entire world. The eCommerce giant enables third-party sellers to sell new or used products in exchange for a percentage of their profits.
Amazon has over 350 million products, including apparel, jewelry and books, consumer electronics, appliances, toys, and other products for babies, children, and adults alike.
Amazon delivers to more than 100 countries and offers overnight and same-day delivery in some areas. Amazon’s mobile app allows you to shop anywhere, with features such as price comparisons and personalized ads, discounts, and sales enabling a world-class online shopping experience.
Also read: Top 20 Products to Sell Online in 2023
Shopping apps for clothes
Clothing is the most popular item consumers order online. Online shopping apps have made it easy for shoppers to shop for fashionable clothes, shoes, bags, and accessories from their own homes.
Clothing apps are often more appealing than brick-and-mortar shops because of features like customer feedback, detailed product information, organized categories, sizing guidelines, free delivery, and unique discounts.
2. ASOS
ASOS offers fashion shopping apps that feature over 850 brands and 85,000 products in categories such as clothing, shoes, and accessories.
It makes it simple for customers to shop for fashionable looks in one place using the app. ASOS offers free shipping and returns and allows users to upload photos or take pictures of products in order to search for similar items.
The retail app ships to over 240+ countries and accepts popular payment methods like PayPal, Apple Pay and Google Pay, Klarna, and major credit and debit cards.
3. ThredUp
ThredUp is an online thrift store where shoppers can search for used fashion items that have been pre-vetted by the company. Some items may also be labeled ‘new with tags’. Find great deals on designer clothing, bags, and accessories
You can find something that fits every budget.ThredUp helps sellers clean out their closets on consignment and ship pre-loved products to the company. The seller is paid cash or credit when an item is sold.
Social media shopping apps
Social media is the new shopping center. Recent data from Sprout Social indicates that 98% of consumers intend to make at least 1 purchase via social media by 2022.
These social media shopping app apps allow consumers to search, review, purchase, and rate products on their preferred social networks.
4. Facebook marketplace
The Facebook marketplace serves as the social network’s native shopping center. Buyers have the option to connect with sellers within their locality or in other cities in order to search for new and used products from various categories.
Facebook Marketplace’s greatest benefit is its ease-of-use and cost-free use. There are no hidden fees to list or buy products, you can interact with sellers and buyers via Messenger and you can even checkout directly from Facebook’s main app.
5. Instagram shopping
Instagram shopping allows businesses to open storefronts on the Social Media App. Additional Instagram shopping features include product tags and videos, product catalogs, product detail pages, and product launches and check out on Instagram.
Instagram users can search for shops, collections, and guides by going to the Shopping tab. Because Shopping is also connected to Instagram’s algorithm. Users can see product recommendations and brand recommendations in their Shopping and Explore tabs.
6. YouTube shopping
YouTube allows creators to link their stores to external eCommerce platforms such as Shopify and promote merch and other products by:
- Tag them in videos or live streams
- Using video screens to show them
- Channel stores will display them
YouTube allows only qualified creators to open a shop. These products can only be purchased by viewers if they are located in the countries listed.
Also read: 20 Best YouTube Business Ideas
Cashback shopping apps
Shoppers who purchase products or services earn cashback from cashback shopping apps.
These apps often have partnerships with brands and pay customers in loyalty points or cash in return for purchases made through affiliate links.
Cashback apps can be downloaded and used for free. They can save consumers a lot of money over time.
7. Rakuten
Rakuten offers cash-back shopping apps that feature over 3500 brands. A browser extension allows shoppers to find online deals through the app. Rakuten customers earn rewards for every purchase made through the app, website, or affiliate link.
Rakuten is loved by consumers for its large selection of partners, which include restaurants and ride-sharing services.
Cashback App has more than 15 million members. It has awarded over $2 billion in cash rewards. Shoppers can get cash back on purchases made by PayPal or check.
8. RetailMeNot
RetailMeNot offers cashback and coupons on products from over 15,000+ brands, both in-store as well as online. You can also download a Chrome extension for free that automatically applies codes as you shop.
After you have made a purchase you will need to wait for approval for approximately 45 days. You can then redeem the money you have earned from RetailMeNot using PayPal or Venmo.
9. Ibotta
Ibotta offers cash back and gift card shopping apps at over 5000,000. You can also earn cashback online with the browser extension. Ibotta offers cash back to buyers for every purchase made through the app or an affiliate link.
Ibotta offers a variety of shopping partners, including retailers, grocery stores, restaurants, and bars.
Cashback apps have paid over $1 billion in cash savings. You can get cash back on purchases made by PayPal and gift cards from your favorite retailers.
Grocery shopping apps
Grocery shopping apps allow consumers to order groceries online. Many apps offer features such as virtual shopping lists, nutritional information, and a curated selection of brands and products.
Grocery apps can be a time saver as they make it easy for shoppers to shop online and not have to travel. Many apps offer special discounts, bundles, and deals that help shoppers save money on the items they buy regularly.
10. Flipp
Flipp isn’t exactly a grocery delivery app. Flipp is a shopping app that helps shoppers find great coupons, deals, and weekly ads from over 2,000 retailers, so they can shop where and what they want.
Online shopping lists can be created by shoppers as well Flipp and the app will show you deals on these products. You can also manually add deals to your shopping cart to save time while you shop.
Mystery shopping apps
Research companies and retailers pay mystery shoppers to review or audit product offerings, customer service, and in-store experiences.
Users can earn rewards by completing specific tasks or gigs with mystery shopping apps. People who are looking to earn extra money on the side often use these apps.
11. Shopkick
Shopkick is a mystery shopping app that works in a different way. Instead of performing tasks and gigs, users can earn rewards (or kicks!) for scanning barcodes at select retail stores.
These rewards can be used to redeem for PayPal credit or online gift cards. To earn kicks, shoppers can watch videos and learn more about new products in the app.
Also read: How to Start A Online Store A Complete Guide
12. Field Agent
Field Agent is a mystery shopping app that allows users to earn money through tasks such as conducting audits, and surveys, reviewing products, leaving reviews, and collecting information about in-store products.
This information is used to assist companies in improving their products and services by learning more about customer experience. Field Agent is available in 8 countries including the US, UK, and Canada.
Car shopping apps
Car shopping apps allow you to buy, sell, trade, or finance pre-owned and new cars online. Although buyers might need to visit the dealership in person before purchasing a car, using an app for car shopping can help them save time.
Advanced search filters, chat, photos, videos, car inspection reports, and loan calculators allow buyers to narrow down their choices and only attend meetings for shortlisted vehicles.
13. CarGurus
CarGurus is a shopping app that allows you to shop for used and new cars. The app is packed with features that help buyers make the best choice. Their deal-rating algorithm, for example, analyzes thousands of points such as price, location, and accident history to determine the best deals.
CarGurus is a great place to sell cars and find financing. Smart tools included in the app simplify the entire process. CarGurus is available in the US and Canada.
14. Carvana
Carvana is a US-only application for selling, buying, and trading cars online. With advanced search filters, you can find the right car for you by adjusting your financing terms.
This app’s best feature is that you can order your car online and have it delivered right to your doorstep. Carvana offers delivery tracking and the ability to pick up at their Car Vending Machines. All purchases come with a 7-day money-back guarantee. Buyers can return any vehicle that isn’t right for them and receive a full refund.
The future of shopping apps
Apps have made it easy for sellers and buyers to communicate in almost any industry. Consumers are choosing e-commerce over in-store shopping because of their busy lives, smartphones, and the convenience of apps. This is especially true when they’re on the move.
What’s more, online shopping has become a social activity rather than a transactional one. For product research and purchase, more shoppers turn to Facebook, Instagram and TikTok
