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4 Browser Extensions to Save You Money Online

These add-ons to your web browser activate discounts, can help you earn cash back

By

Scott Adams,

 
AARP
Comments
Published July 06, 2023
/ Updated July 30, 2024
a computer arrow in a shopping cart
Paul Spella

In this story

Online bargain hunting • Honey • Rakuten • Capital One • Coupert • Other extensions • AARP Perks • Keep in mind

Online shopping has its perks: You can shop in your underwear, the merchandise is delivered to your door and return policies are very liberal.

Money-saving browser extensions can also help you enjoy maximum discounts.

What’s a browser extension? It’s a module that you can download from your web browser’s store to help you customize your shopping experience. Stores pay the companies that develop the browser extensions to send shoppers their way, and the companies send some of that money to you as cash back.

When you shop, the extension works in the background to compare its list of discount offers against the pages you’re on. When it finds a match, an offer will pop up right on the page so you can activate discounts or earn cash back.

Be aware that your shopping behavior is being observed. That’s the price you pay for the added discounts.

Here are four money-saving browser extensions based on trust and reputation, ease of use and features, cash back, rewards, discount performance and shopping partnerships.

Honey says it won’t sell data on your shopping habits

Los Angeles-based Honey will compare prices among online retailers, alert you to price drops and offer coupons on purchases, when available, in addition to earning rewards points for cash back. It will also make suggestions and track prices using a unique best-price tracking feature.

Paypal is its parent company, and Honey’s sign-up terms include the promise that it will not sell your data to other companies.

a computer screen
Getty Images

Safety tip: Be cautious

Browser extensions will search for and apply discount codes when you’re checking out online at a retailer’s site. But they also track your behavior to deliver specific ads to you.

If this creeps you out, one solution is to use more than one web browser on your computer. You could have one with the extension for shopping and another without the extension for general use.

Honey’s account and payment system is fully integrated with PayPal, so it can offer you the most flexible cash-back process, allowing money transfers with as little as a $10 threshold.

Participating stores: More than 10,000 in the United States

Refer a friend to Rakuten for more cash back

​Tokyo-based Rakuten, whose roots in the U.S. come from Buy.com and Ebates, offers $30 cash back if you refer a friend who signs up and makes a purchase within 30 days using the browser extension, mobile app or website.

It also has a cash-back rewards program using PayPal in addition to other options. Rakuten cash-back payouts are scheduled quarterly.

Participating stores: More than 3,500

Banking giant Capital One also helps you comparison shop

The platform, launched in 2016 as Wikibuy, was acquired by Capital One in 2018. Capital One Shopping, based in Plano, Texas, automatically compares prices, searches for coupons and offers rewards among the largest number of participating retailers of any browser extension.

Its rewards program will net you 2.5 to 10 percent of your purchase, depending on the merchant. The caveat? The rewards are paid out in gift cards rather than cash back.

Participating stores: More than 30,000 worldwide

With Coupert, the world is your oyster

Coupert, based in Hong Kong, has coupons, deals and promotions from online stores around the world. You earn cash back as a percentage of the money you spend and can redeem it via PayPal once you reach its $10 threshold.

Participating stores: More than 200,000 worldwide

Other browser extensions to consider

  • For coupon searches, cash back: BeFrugal, RetailMeNot and TopCashback
  • For price tracking: CamelCamelCamel, which specializes in Amazon stores
  • For cash back on receipts: Fetch Rewards and Ibotta

AARP Perks: An extension that’s not just for members

AARP’s Perks browser extension isn’t for shopping, but you can earn points through AARP Rewards and redeem them for a chance at a $500 gift card, discounts on the purchase of gift cards, and free e-greeting cards and streaming services.

Earn points by visiting aarp.org daily, watching videos and taking quizzes. Members earn 750 AARP Rewards points for installing the browser extension and up to 15 AARP Rewards points daily with use. Nonmembers can earn 500 AARP points for installing the extension and 10 points daily for activities such as reading an article or learning about member benefits. The extension alerts you to relevant AARP benefits, stories and tools as you browse.

More about using web browser extensions

a shopping cart with logos for browser extensions
James Clapham

Logging in. Most reputable browser extensions will ask you to create an account using your Google, Facebook or Apple ID or an email address.

The best option for Google Chrome users is to create a Gmail account dedicated to online shopping and use this account as your Chrome browser shopping ID. Microsoft Edge users are advised to use a dedicated Hotmail or Outlook account. Avoid using your Facebook or Apple ID, because the extension and the app will share information about you.

Extension overload. Don’t run all the extensions at the same time. It could affect performance and create app conflicts.

For example, running both Honey and Rakuten may cancel out all the available discounts. Test at least three apps to find the one that works best for you, then remove all but the app you want to use.

Cybersafety first. Make sure your smartphone or computer is set up for automatic system updates, which may contain security patches, as well as application updates, says Domenica Lee Crognale, a cybersecurity engineer and certified instructor with the SANS Institute in the Washington, D.C., area. You want strong security because you might need to link the coupon app to a payment app, such as PayPal, to receive any cash-back rewards.

Which way to pay? Using the PayPal integration keeps you information online for future use. However, if you choose to use a credit card that offers a rewards program, you will benefit from discounts in the extension and the discount from your credit card rewards program.

This story, originally published on July 6, 2023, was updated with additional information.

Contributing: Kim Porter, Chris Morris and Lexi Pandell, AARP

Scott Adams is the syndicated host of The Scott Adams Show, owner & station manager of a national radio station and the founder of the nonprofit Bugle Call, Inc. Scott is also a proud member of the Upper Mattaponi Native American Indian Tribe and the son of former Chief Raymond Adams. A native of the Ohio Valley, Scott currently resides with his wife in Arlington, Va.

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