Even before the pandemic made it a necessity, online shopping was threatening to overtake retail.
Since people have been forced to use apps for everything from buying shoes to getting their groceries and prescription meds, they’ve become accustomed to the convenience of having almost anything they need brought to their door.
Now, there’s no stopping the trajectory of online shopping.
However, greater demand means more apps to sort through. Not only have most businesses with an online presence developed proprietary apps, third party apps are filling the virtual shelves of Google Play and the iOS App Store.
In an effort to help you sort out the good from the bad among the more than 1.85 million apps currently on the market, here is our Top 15 list for online shopping apps for both Android and Apple iOS smartphones.
Note that the ranking below is in no particular order.
1. SHEIN-Fashion Shopping Online
Average User rating: 4.8
Developer: Shein Group Ltd
Price: Free
This proprietary shopping app brings everything you love about the fashion brand’s website to your mobile device.
The app provides access to their full line of apparel, and you can filter searches by a range of criteria, including new arrivals, trends, or best-selling items. In addition to making their affordable clothing easily accessible, the app also provides styling tips, live-streamed events, and customer reviews.
Daily use offers perks like:
- Daily flash sales on select merchandise
- Free shipping for orders over $49
- 80 percent off your first order
- Early access alerts and discounts
The SHEIN app gives you several ways to pay, such as PayPal or credit card, “Style now, pay later”, and “Pay in four” installments. Customer support is available 24/7 by email or in-app chat.
2. Amazon Shopping
Average User rating: 4.9
Developer: AMZN Mobile LLC
Price: Free
Your favorite shopping platform now has an app on both the Apple Store and Android Google store.
Both apps (Android and iOS) have excellent ratings and help millions of people shop with ease from the comfort of their smartphone using Amazon on the Go.
The features promote mobile use with real-time order tracking, 360° product views, and a mobile-friendly layout.
You can even set alerts to let you know when a wishlist item goes on sale. It’s available in seven languages and supports Wallet and Family Sharing.
3. Joom
Average User rating: 4.4
Developer: Joom
Price: Free
The Joom app is a great platform for general shopping merchandise from around the world. The goal is to provide wide access to affordable products.
Available goods include sporting and leisure, arts and crafts, clothing, personal items, household goods, and more.
In addition to daily discounts, one of the best advantages is free shipping on all orders worldwide. You can also play games to win discounts. All products originate from Asia and Europe.
Features include:
- Online purchasing and refunds
- 24/7 support
- Personalized promotions and product suggestion
- User reviews
4. eBay
Average User rating: 4.7
Developer: eBay Mobile
Price: Free
This companion app for the popular online auction site eBay, allows you to upload items for sale, manage your account, and make purchases.
It basically works as a mobile responsive version of their website. Searches can be filtered by category, brand, condition, and other criteria.
Image search is enabled by tapping the camera icon on the search bar. This is a convenient way to find products you are looking for easier.
5. Walmart app
Average User rating: 4.7
Developer: Walmart
Price: Free
Bringing Walmart into your home is easier with the app. In fact, many items from the store are now available only online.
You can schedule a delivery, have the item shipped to another location within their service area, or order online and arrange an in-store pickup.
The best thing about this app is the sheer number of features, which include:
- Fuel prices and store maps by location
- Mobile order scheduling and tracking
- Personalized suggestions
- Intuitive search
- Shopping list
- Weekly deals
- Push alerts
- Mobile scan and go/barcode scanner
6. Klarna
Average User rating: 4.6
Developer: Klarna Bank AB
Price: Free
Klarna is a payment platform (pay in 4 installments anywhere) that allows you to search any affiliated store and pay through the app in a simple three-step process. Partner brands include:
- H&M
- IKEA
- Expedia
- Abercrombie & Fitch
- Nike
- Peleton
- AliExpress and more
You can add items to a wish list and receive alerts when they go on sale. This app also offers several customer incentives, include a $30 gift card when you refer five friends who download the app and 1:1 bonuses.
For every dollar you spend, you accumulate one point. Points can be redeemed for brand discounts and rewards.
Payments are done on a Pay-in-four installment plan, and the app can even be used for in-store purchases at partner locations.
This allows you to make an initial payment at the point of sale and make the remainder of the payments interest-free from the app.
You can also auto-track shipments from the app. Klarna is downloadable by scanning a QR code right from your mobile device.
7. Rakuten: Cash Back
Average User rating: 4.1
Developer: Rakuten Rewards 800
Price: Free
Another shop and pay platform, Rakuten is partnered with more than 3,500 brands to give you deals and cash back with every purchase.
They also have a customer referral program that offers $30 for each friend who downloads the app. New users will receive an immediate $10 bonus on their first purchase over $25, and the app can be used in-store.
Partner brands include:
- Old Navy
- Nordstrom
- Macy’s
- Kohl’s
- Priceline
- Target etc
8. Banggood
Average User rating: 4.7
Developer: Banggood
Price: free
Banggood is an online shopping app with access to everything from clothing to household goods, electronics, toy & hobby, and more.
The reach is global and pricing is displayed in local currency from your location. Shipping is handled through one of 37 warehouses located all over the world.
Features and benefits include:
- In-app payment from more than 40 payment platforms
- 24/7 live chat support
- In-app global shipping and tracking
- New user bonus and daily flash sales
- $0.01 snatch deals
- 10 percent app-only discounts
- Very user-friendly interface
9. CloudMall
Average User rating: 4.9
Developer: CloudMall
Price: Free
CloudMall is a price comparison app that offers a lowest price guarantee from most major online shopping sites, including Amazon, eBay, AliExpress, and Walmart. The site features access to more than 150,000 different products, with an average of 1,500 new arrivals daily.
Benefits include:
- In-app order tracking
- Shopper’s Choice 90 percent discounts
- Daily giveaways
- Free shipping
- 15 percent new user discount
- Secure payment portal
10. ASOS
Average User rating: 4.4
Developer: ASOS
Price: Free
This apparel shopping app offers free shipping and savings on hundreds of brands and more than 60,000 items, with new ones being added daily.
Searches can be filtered by apparel type, size, brand, or color, and deliveries or return are free. You can also save and sync your purchases over other device and share to your social platforms.
Features include:
- Camera scan-and-store for credit cards
- Push notifications when a sale begins or ends
- Catwalk video to view cut and fit
- Delivery to 242 countries
- 24/7 customer service via in-app chat, email, and Twitter
11. H&M
Average User rating: 4.5
Developer: H&M
Price: Free
This proprietary app from H&M allows you to access your favorite brand without ever leaving your home.
You can get updates on sales and orders, track shipping, and even upload photos to search for similar items at their stores.
The app can also be used in store to unleash instant sales and discounts or scan tags.
Push notifications alert shoppers when their favorite brand or designer is releasing a new line. Save items to a wish list by tapping the heart icon next to the product listing.
12. Dosh
Average User rating: 4.5
Developer: Dosh
Price: Free
Dosh goes beyond mere online shopping to offer discounts on dining and hotel bookings, restaurants etc and also receive cash back when you shop.
You can also access to online merchandise from more than 10,000 brands like Walmart, ASOS, Proactive, and Disney as well as restaurant chains throughout the country and save money.
Intuitive curation shows you personalized selections and suggestions. The app even syncs with your favorite payment portal for truly one-stop shopping. They won’t store your card information, either, so you can feel extra secure.
Features and benefits include:
- Instant cash back on purchases
- Automatic bank transfers for cash back balances over $25
- Integration with PayPal and Venmo
- 256-bit encryption
- No data storage or sales
- Option to donate cash back rewards to charity
- Supports family sharing
- $5 friend referral program
- Offers tab for discounts and other bonuses
- Unlimited card linking (no Discover or pre-paid cards)
13. Drop
Average User rating: 4.2
Developer: Earn With Drop
Price: Free
This app allows you to earn reward points as you shop online for your favorite brands, play in-app games, and through monthly point drops.
You simply browse affiliated brands via the app and accumulate points when you make a purchase. Rewards can then be redeemed for gift cards from companies like Amazon, Starbucks, and Uber.
Affiliated brands include:
- Adidas
- Uber and Uber Eats
- Nike
- WP
- Sephora
- Gap
- Disney
- Coinbase etc
14. Wish
Average User rating: 4.6
Developer: Wish Inc
Price: Free
Wish is a well-known app developed in the US that strives to simplify online shopping. They connect users directly with merchants from all over the world via in-app search.
Products are mainly knock-offs of top brands that you can get super cheap. Product lines range from unusual items to apparel, electronics, footwear, and household goods.
If it exists, you can probably find it through Wish.
Features and benefits include:
- Global and express shipping
- 30-day refund guaranty on all purchases
- Order tracking
- In-app reviews and product video
- 24/7 in-app chat support
Wish offers very cheap products but some people complain about slow shipping and low quality though.
15. Mercari
Average User rating: 4.6
Developer: Mercari, Inc
Mercari is basically a high-end resale marketplace and shopping platform where you can upload unwanted items and list them for sale.
You can also shop for merchandise ranging from vintage goods and collectibles to electronics, apparel, and household items.
Easily find major brands at bargain prices via search, which is filtered by item category, price, and other criteria.
Features include:
- Instant C2C purchases/sales
- Printable shipping labels
- Buyer guarantee
- Seller rating system
- Escrow service
Final Thoughts
There’s an app for almost everything. Some aren’t so good in terms of functionality or security, others are somewhere in the middle.
In this article we have curated some popular and trusted shopping apps for both Android and Apple iOS users.
In the end, the best app for you is one that addresses your needs, is easy to use, and provides you with the security and privacy you deserve.
This concludes our list of the best 15 online shopping apps. What’s your favorite?
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