Best Chrome Extensions That Help You Save Money While Shopping

Shopping online is fast, convenient, and often cheaper than heading to the store. But most people still overpay — not because they mean to, but because they don’t know how to effortlessly unlock savings. That’s where Chrome extensions come in.

Over the course of a month, I tested five of the most popular Chrome extensions designed to help users save money on their online purchases. These tools promise everything from coupon automation and cashback to price tracking and deal alerts. I used each one on over a dozen websites, from giants like Amazon and Walmart to niche sites like direct-to-consumer apparel and home decor brands.

What I found was that a few extensions consistently delivered real savings — quietly running in the background, applying discounts I didn’t even know existed, and helping me rethink how I shop. Others were more situational or only worked on select websites. But each had its strengths, and depending on how and where you shop, the right one could save you hundreds this year.

This is my honest breakdown of the best Chrome extensions for saving money — who they work for, how they perform, and where they really shine.

🛒 Honey

Tagline: Auto-applies coupon codes at checkout
Best For: Frequent online shoppers looking to save with minimal effort

Honey is one of the most well-known savings extensions, and for good reason. Once installed, it automatically searches for and applies coupon codes when you check out on thousands of websites. It also features price tracking and “droplist” functionality, which lets you monitor specific items and get alerts when the price drops.

I used Honey on sites like Nike, Macy’s, Sephora, and even smaller retailers. In most cases, it popped up in the top-right corner of the screen when I added items to cart, ran its code checker, and saved me money in under 10 seconds.

One time, I bought a pair of shoes from Adidas. Honey found a 20% off promo code I hadn’t seen anywhere else. I saved $26 without leaving the page. Another time, it notified me that a pan I’d been watching had dropped by $15 over the weekend.

Pros

• Instantly applies available coupon codes at checkout

• Works on a wide variety of online stores

• Includes price tracking and wishlist functionality

Cons

• Occasionally tests outdated or invalid codes

• Doesn’t always apply the absolute best deal

Real-World Use Case
Honey saved me $112 over four weeks across nine orders. I did absolutely nothing but click “Apply Coupons.”

💸 Rakuten

Tagline: Earn cashback from your purchases
Best For: Shoppers who want passive cashback for everyday purchases

Rakuten is a cashback extension that notifies you when the store you’re shopping on offers cashback — and it makes it very easy to activate it. While Honey saves you money at the point of purchase, Rakuten gives you money after the purchase — like a digital rebate.

I used Rakuten on Sephora, Best Buy, and Target. It notified me each time that cashback was available and asked if I wanted to activate. A single click, and the rest was automatic.

After three weeks, I had earned $37.48 in cashback from regular purchases I would’ve made anyway. That included 8% back on beauty products and 5% back on some electronics. Cashback is paid out via PayPal or check quarterly, so it feels like a nice little bonus every few months.

Pros

• Cashback offers often exceed 10%

• Easy one-click activation

• Works at hundreds of major online retailers

Cons

• You have to remember to activate it manually

• Not all websites qualify for cashback

Real-World Use Case
Rakuten paid me nearly $40 on things I was already planning to buy. It didn’t change my behavior — just rewarded it.

🔍 Capital One Shopping

Tagline: Price comparison and coupon code tool
Best For: Price-conscious users who want the best deal without extra steps

Capital One Shopping goes beyond coupons — it actually compares prices in real-time across multiple retailers and helps you find a lower price if available. I was skeptical at first, but it genuinely worked.

When shopping for headphones on Amazon, the extension popped up with a notification: “Available for $17 less at Walmart.” That alone won me over. It also applies coupon codes at checkout (much like Honey) and offers Capital One “credits” for certain purchases, which can be redeemed for gift cards.

What’s great is that you don’t need a Capital One account to use it — just install and go.

Pros

• Finds lower prices across the web

• Offers reward credits for using specific stores

• Coupon automation built-in

Cons

• Can be a bit aggressive with pop-ups

• Requires browser access to shopping data, which might bother privacy-minded users

Real-World Use Case
I saved over $85 in just two larger purchases by following Capital One Shopping’s price comparisons. For high-ticket items, this extension is pure gold.

🧾 Cently (Coupons at Checkout)

Tagline: Lightweight discount extension
Best For: Users who want a quiet extension that just finds coupons

Cently is the underdog of savings extensions. It doesn’t have cashback or fancy features — just a clean, simple tool that automatically applies coupons when you check out. For people who don’t want bells and whistles, this is the best choice.

I tested it on several department store sites and had the most success with retailers like Kohl’s, JCPenney, and CVS. It isn’t as flashy or social as Honey, but it worked. It even applied a pharmacy discount at CVS.com that saved me 10% on self-care items.

Pros

• Fast and minimalistic

• Applies discounts quickly with minimal disruption

• Less buggy than some larger coupon tools

Cons

• Doesn’t offer price tracking or cashback

• Not always as effective for international or smaller stores

Real-World Use Case
Cently gave me $8 off a clearance coat that Honey missed — quiet but effective.

📦 Karma

Tagline: Smart wishlist, price tracking, and coupon alerts
Best For: Planners who track prices and buy strategically

Karma (formerly known as Shoptagr) is the extension for patient, intentional shoppers. You build a wishlist, and Karma tracks those items and alerts you when prices drop, stock changes, or a coupon becomes available. It also applies discounts at checkout, like Honey and Cently.

Karma helped me save $42 on a winter coat I’d been watching for three weeks. It also pinged me the moment a limited-run backpack came back in stock. For planned, bigger purchases or seasonal sales, it’s unbeatable.

Pros

• Rich price tracking and stock alert features

• Organizes items across multiple wishlists

• Works on desktop and mobile

Cons

• Not ideal for impulse buying

• Requires login and active use to shine

Real-World Use Case
Karma helped me plan smarter, not just shop cheaper. Over time, it kept me focused and made my purchases feel more intentional.

📎 Download the Best Chrome Extensions To Save Money While Shopping (PDF)

This printable includes:

• In-depth reviews of each extension

• Real savings examples and who they help

• Pros and cons breakdowns

• Focus keywords and SEO-ready info

📥 Click here to download the Best Chrome Extensions To Save Money While Shopping (PDF)