6 Top Online Shopping Apps: Shoppers Share Their Favorites
Online shopping has revolutionized the way consumers purchase goods and services. This article explores the top online shopping apps, as recommended by savvy shoppers who use them regularly. From earning cash back to finding affordable books, these expert-approved platforms offer diverse options for every type of online shopper.
- CouponCabin: Earn Cash Back While Shopping
- Amazon: One-Stop Shop for Convenience
- Shopify: Personalize Your E-Commerce Experience
- ThriftBooks: Affordable Used Books Marketplace
- AliExpress: Direct-from-Manufacturer Shopping Platform
- FreshDirect: Quality Groceries Delivered
CouponCabin: Earn Cash Back While Shopping
CouponCabin offers not only money-saving opportunities, but it also gives you a chance to earn money back for your online purchases. The app organizes coupon codes by store name and category, making it easy to find deals when you need them. Plus, you can earn up to 25% cash back from thousands of online retailers and other service sites. You can earn cash back for just about any online purchase, including takeout and grocery orders, travel bookings, pet supplies, clothing, and more. When spending hundreds of dollars on online shopping each month, that cash back can add up fast!
Andrea Woroch
Consumer Savings & Finance Expert, Woroch Media, Inc.
Amazon: One-Stop Shop for Convenience
I always find myself returning to Amazon for online shopping. It’s not just the variety but the ease of use that makes it my go-to. The personalized recommendations actually help, especially when I’m looking for something specific but don’t want to spend hours searching.
Prime is a big reason, too–fast shipping, exclusive deals, and even access to Prime Video make it feel like more than just a shopping app. What really seals the deal is the review system. Real feedback from other buyers saves me from bad purchases, and I rely on it more than anything.
Beyond that, Amazon makes everything effortless. The checkout is fast, the return process is straightforward, and tracking is updated in real-time, so there’s never any guesswork.
I also love the subscription options for essentials, which means I never run out of things I use daily. It’s not just shopping–it’s convenience, reliability, and peace of mind.
Dhari Alabdulhadi
CTO and Founder, Ubuy New Zealand
Shopify: Personalize Your E-Commerce Experience
As an e-commerce seller, I’ve discovered Shopify to be a fantastic tool to build personalized shopping experiences. It has powerful customization features and integrations to easily customize every customer experience, from product recommendations to personalized email correspondence. But what I like most is that it can continuously monitor customer behavior and use that information to provide a more personal touch by suggesting extras or offering specific discounts. I don’t merely sell plants to customers; I want them to know they matter. With Shopify’s apps, I can make that connection and create pathways for each buyer. It has a super easy-to-navigate interface, and analytics are updated in real-time, so I don’t need to know all the jargon to be creative in my business. Meanwhile, the platform is handling the bulk of the work. It’s an app that matches my dream of creating an unforgettable shopping experience.
Tammy Sons
Founder, TN Nursery
ThriftBooks: Affordable Used Books Marketplace
I use ThriftBooks for online shopping, mainly because it’s a great spot for finding used books at really low prices. It’s not as mainstream as some bigger sites, and I like that it focuses on books specifically–fiction, nonfiction, textbooks, you name it. The selection is huge, and I’ve found some out-of-print gems there that I couldn’t track down elsewhere. The site’s easy to navigate, and they often have deals like “buy 4 for $15” that make it even cheaper to stock up.
For other shoppers, I’d highlight how ThriftBooks shows you the condition of each book upfront–whether it’s “like new” or “acceptable”–so you know exactly what you’re getting. Their rewards program is nice too; you earn points for every purchase, which can add up to free books. If you’re into sustainable shopping, buying secondhand books is a great way to go, and their prices often beat what you’d find in local used bookstores. It’s a solid pick for anyone who loves reading and wants to save money while finding unique titles.
Henry Timmes
CEO, Campaign Cleaner
AliExpress: Direct-from-Manufacturer Shopping Platform
I use AliExpress because I like buying straight from manufacturers. It cuts out the fluff and gives me the same products U.S. retailers mark up for triple the price. Further, I bought LED lighting kits for a shoot, ring lights for creators, and even bulk phone tripods, which are all under budget and delivered on time.
I think, too, that their buyer protection has saved me from bad sellers, and I like the control I have when sorting vendors. The app shows price trends over time, so I can decide when to buy based on real data. It is also useful for testing out product ideas without eating up ad budgets. For me, AliExpress works because it is direct, transparent, and efficient. That matters when I am balancing client campaigns with tight turnarounds.
Spencer Romenco
Chief Growth Strategist, Growth Spurt
FreshDirect: Quality Groceries Delivered
For online grocery shopping, I prefer using FreshDirect. The platform offers a wide variety of high-quality groceries and specialty items, making it easy for me to stock up on fresh ingredients for NYC Meal Prep while saving time. What sets FreshDirect apart for me is its convenient delivery options, which allow me to schedule deliveries based on my needs. I can pick a time that works best for my busy schedule and get fresh ingredients right to my door.
Another feature I really appreciate is their easy-to-navigate interface, which helps me quickly find what I need, whether it’s organic produce, specialty items, or pantry staples. Plus, their customizable delivery options make it possible for me to ensure my orders arrive when I need them, minimizing the stress of last-minute shopping.
Overall, the combination of quality, convenience, and flexibility makes FreshDirect my go-to for grocery shopping, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking to streamline their food shopping while ensuring they get fresh, high-quality products.
Keagan Stapley
Owner, NYC Meal Prep
