What are the best shopping apps?

Mobile shopping apps make shopping easier – whether you’re hunting for a bargain or browsing product reviews, with an app you have all the information you need at your fingertips. No wonder 86% of shoppers consult their smartphone while shopping. But with so many apps available, how do you know which ones you should be using? Here are some of our favourites:

RedLaser: one of the most popular iPhone shopping apps in the App store, and with good reason. While in store, you simply scan the product you’re interested in with the app’s barcode scanner, and it will list all of the item’s prices in your local area – so you can see where the best deal is. The app only displays those retailers with the product in stock, and if you don’t want to visit the store, you have the option of purchasing the product via your mobile. As an added bonus, you can scan and save all your loyalty card data with RedLaser – so all your loyalty information is organised in one place, making your purse a lot lighter without all those cards!
Verdict: you’ll never miss a bargain again!

GoodGuide: some shopping apps help you spot a bargain and save money, but the GoodGuide app find products that are good for you and the environment. The app uses a scientific rating system to rate products for their impact on health, the environment, and society. 
Verdict: ideal for the ethical shopper looking to make better choices. 

Shopstyle Australia: like a ‘Google for fashion’, Shopstyle collates the best fashion from around the globe, letting you search and organise brands according to style, colour, size and price. For your convenience, the app only displays products which can be shipped to Australia, with prices in AUD.  You can also sign up for a ‘sale alert’ to make sure you’re the first to know when your favourite brands go on sale.
Verdict: perfect for the time-poor fashionista.

GrocerEaze: while strolling down Woolworths shopping aisles, this handy little app can organise your grocery shopping list and track costs while you shop. It also helps you keep track of what you have on hand in your kitchen and can suggest recipes based on the contents of your fridge and pantry. 
Verdict: an absolute life saver for the budget-conscious shopper who needs a hand with meal planning. 

FoodSwitch: grocery shopping can be a headache, and if you’re trying to eat more healthily, it’s easy to be overwhelmed by the amount of products on the supermarket shelf. And who actually has time to read nutrition labels? Thankfully, now you don’t need to. Simply scan a product with the app and FoodSwitch will display the results for energy, saturated fat, sugar, and salt so you can see at a glance how healthy a food is.
Verdict: if you want to shop more healthily but have no idea where to start, this app is for you.

Stashd: using the addictive ‘tinder-swipe’ style function, Stashd allows users to swipe left or right on designers’ wares and either ‘stash’ or ‘trash’ them. All your stashed items are collected into an online wardrobe which you can purchase or share online with your friends.
Verdict: if you loved Tinder, you’ll love Stashd!

Frustrated with online shopping? We have the possible solution for you.