The Best Shopping Apps of 2024
Written by: BestApp.com App Testing Team - Updated: Mar 18, 2022
When it comes to online shopping apps, our top pick is Wish because of its low prices and fun shopping experience. But if you’re looking for a specific type of product or you want the fastest shipping times, try one of these nine other shopping apps instead. Here are the 10 best shopping apps for iOS and Android.
Top 10 Shopping Apps to Try
- Wish — Top Pick
- Amazon — Best Free Trial
- eBay — Best for Rare Finds
- AliExpress — Cheapest Shipping
- Etsy — Best for Arts and Crafts
- Poshmark — Best Buy and Sell App
- Chairish — Best for Home Decor
- Rakuten — Best Rewards
- Zulily — Best Flash Sales
- Rent the Runway — Best Rental Program
How We Chose the Best Shopping Apps
To put together our list of the best shopping apps, we looked for apps that provide key features like a wishlist, order tracking, and delivery notifications. Since some features may be more important to you than others, be sure to do your own research before signing up for an account or joining a subscription service.
Choose the shopping app that’s right for you
The best shopping app for you will depend on whether you want to shop from multiple retailers or get everything all in one place. Using a single shopping app for everything can be convenient, but you might miss out on good deals or hard-to-find items that are only available from specific retailers. Always double-check shipping costs and refund policies before making a purchase.
Watch out for scams
Online shopping is more popular than ever, but scams can and do happen. Look out for third-party sellers with poor reviews, and always make sure you’re buying directly from a legitimate website, not a knockoff. Check out the AARP’s list of do’s and don’ts for more tips on how to recognize deals that are too good to be true.
Our Shopping App Reviews
Wish — Top Pick
Download: Android ★★★★★★★★★★ | iOS ★★★★★★★★★★
Wish is a relative newcomer to the e-commerce scene, but it has quickly developed a reputation for great deals on a wide range of products. Wish is similar to eBay and Amazon Marketplace in that customers purchase items from third-party sellers instead of a central warehouse. This can make for longer shipping times and a variable inventory, but if you’re on the lookout for low prices on clothing, electronics, and household goods, it can be a great place to find a deal. You’ll get up to 30 days to request a refund, and returns are handled by the customer service department, so you don’t have to haggle with sellers directly. Plus, for $5.99 per month, you can sign up for Wish Access to get free shipping on all your orders.
Notable features:
- Free version available
- Subscription plans: Wish Access: $5.99/month
- Support available: Email, Phone, Help Center
| Wish Pros & Cons | |
|---|---|
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Low prices | Long delivery times |
| 30-day returns | No sales alerts |
Amazon — Best Free Trial
Download: Android ★★★★★★★★★★ | iOS ★★★★★★★★★★
Amazon started out as a bookstore, but now you can use it to buy everything from electronics to groceries. Some items are shipped directly by Amazon, while others are handled by third-party sellers. Amazon offers same-day delivery on some orders and two-hour deliveries on groceries. You don’t need a membership to use the shopping app, but Amazon Prime members get free delivery on their orders, as well as access to Amazon Prime Video and Music. Subscriptions start at $14.99 per month, and you can test it out for free with a 30-day trial.
Notable features:
- Free version available
- Subscription plans: Amazon Prime: $14.99/month or $139/year; $7.49/month for students
- Support available: Email, Help & Customer Service, Forum
| Amazon Pros & Cons | |
|---|---|
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| 30-day free trial | Inventory varies by seller |
| Free shipping with Amazon Prime | |
eBay — Best for Rare Finds
Download: Android ★★★★★★★★★★ | iOS ★★★★★★★★★★
eBay has grown from being an auction-only site to a general online marketplace where you can find offerings from major brands or buy used goods directly from other users. If you don’t know the name of the product you’re looking for, you can even use an image search to help you find it. Like Amazon, you can rely on user reviews to determine the reliability of the seller and the accuracy of the item description. eBay offers daily deals, as well as discounts on refurbished items. Shipping costs aren’t usually included and can vary from seller to seller.
Notable features:
- Free version available
- Subscription plans: eBay Plus: $4.99/month
- Support available: Email, Help & Customer Service, Forum
| eBay Pros & Cons | |
|---|---|
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Image search | Shipping costs extra |
| Barcode scanner | |
AliExpress — Cheapest Shipping
Download: Android ★★★★★★★★★★ | iOS ★★★★★★★★★★
AliExpress is a lot like the other shopping apps on our list. The main difference is that it’s based in China and offers great deals on products produced there. It’s a good choice for international buyers because many products are available with free worldwide shipping. Keep in mind that standard shipping speeds can be slow, so if you want something faster you may need to pay more for it. Either way, you can track the status of your order from the AliExpress app. If you don’t know the name of a product, you can use the image search tool to find it.
Notable features:
- Free version available
- Subscription plans: None
- Support available: Email, Help Center, FAQs, Chat
| AliExpress Pros & Cons | |
|---|---|
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Free international shipping | Slow shipping speeds |
| Image search | |
Etsy — Best for Arts and Crafts
Download: Android ★★★★★★★★★★ | iOS ★★★★★★★★★★
Etsy is the go-to shopping app for anything vintage or handmade, such as jewelry, artwork, and clothing. Etsy focuses on individual artists and creators, so it’s the ideal platform for selling your own items, too. The Etsy app is free to use, while sellers can subscribe to Etsy Plus or Pattern to upgrade their Etsy storefront. Shipping costs and return policies vary from seller to seller, so be sure to read the reviews to ensure you’re buying from a trusted seller. Etsy also touts a 100% renewable energy policy to offset emissions caused by shipping and its data centers.
Notable features:
- Free version available
- Subscription plans: Etsy Plus: $10/month; Pattern: $15/month
- Support available: Email, Help Center, Forum
| Etsy Pros & Cons | |
|---|---|
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Personalized, handmade items | Return policies can vary |
| Focus on individual creators | |
| Powered by renewable energy | |
Poshmark — Best Buy and Sell App
Download: Android ★★★★★★★★★★ | iOS ★★★★★★★★★★
Poshmark focuses mostly on clothing, home decor, and other trendy items, including big-name brands like Nike and Lululemon. If you’re interested in a luxury item that costs more than $500, Poshmark can authenticate it for free by inspecting it at their headquarters before shipping it to you. Poshmark also hosts “Posh Parties,” in which users interested in similar items can all shop and share their listings at the same time. On this platform, sellers earn 80% of the sale price on items $15 or above, and Poshmark takes a flat commission of $2.95 for sales under $15. These fees cover all backend logistics including payments, managing the shipping process, and customer service, and Poshmark will only release payment to the seller when the buyer accepts the item. Sellers can withdraw the money via direct deposit to their bank account or request a check.
- Free version available
- Subscription plans: None
- Support available: Email, FAQs
| Poshmark Pros & Cons | |
|---|---|
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Multiple withdrawal options for sellers | High prices |
| Free item authentication | No wishlist |
Chairish — Best for Home Decor
Download: Android ★★★★★★★★★★ | iOS ★★★★★★★★★★
Chairish is all about furniture and home decor, with new and used items available for “chic and unique homes.” You can search by category, such as desks, sofas, and rugs, or by collections, such as “Tropical Escape” or “European Hotel.” One of the best parts of the Chairish shopping app is the View in Your Space tool, which allows you to see what an item would look like in your home. It’s free to list up to 10 items of your own, or pay $149/month for Chairish Elite to get additional tools for selling items and connecting with verified buyers.
Notable features:
- Free version available
- Subscription plans: Elite: $149/month
- Support available: Email, Help Center, FAQs
| Chairish Pros & Cons | |
|---|---|
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| View in Your Space feature | High prices |
| Vintage and antique items | Limited inventory |
Rakuten — Best Rewards
Download: Android ★★★★★★★★★★ | iOS ★★★★★★★★★★
Rakuten offers great deals on major bands like Dell and Old Navy, with the option to get cash back via check or PayPal. Unlike other online marketplaces, you won’t be buying directly from Rakuten. Instead, you’ll click a referral link from Rakuten and order from the online stores where you already shop. You can either use the Rakuten app or the Chrome browser extension to get started. Rakuten will keep track of your purchases and send you cash back on a quarterly basis. Currently, Rakuten has coupons and promo codes for over 2,500 stores, and offers discounts on travel through sites like Vrbo and Tripadvisor.
Notable features:
- Free version available
- Subscription plans: None
- Support available: Email, Help Center, Phone
| Rakuten Pros & Cons | |
|---|---|
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Shop from brand-name retailers | No wishlist |
| Coupons and cash back | No direct purchases |
Zulily — Best Flash Sales
Download: Android ★★★★★★★★★★ | iOS ★★★★★★★★★★
If you’re looking for flash sales and last-minute deals, then Zulily may be the shopping app for you. You’ll find everything from clothing and furniture to toys and baby gear. Zulily also offers free shipping on bulk food purchases of $49 or more though their BOXED program. The main downside to Zulily is that shipping can take a while because they don’t maintain a warehouse. Instead, they receive your items from their brand partners and then ship them to you. Still, you can get cheaper shipping with Zulily than with many other shopping apps, making it a great choice for stocking up on household goods or getting a head start on holiday shopping.
Notable features:
- Free version available
- Subscription plans: Zulily+: $50/one-time purchase
- Support available: Email, Phone, Help Center/FAQs, Live Chat
| Zulily Pros & Cons | |
|---|---|
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Bulk food purchases | Slow shipping speeds |
| Free shipping options | |
Rent the Runway — Best Rental Program
Download: iOS ★★★★★★★★★★
Rent the Runway takes an entirely different approach to online shopping: Instead of buying the clothing you want, you rent it. That makes it easy to try out multiple styles or get access to the latest fashions for less money than it would cost to buy them. Memberships start at four items per month in a single shipment, and you can keep them as long as you want before swapping them out for new items. Rent the Runway stocks dresses, maternity wear, accessories, and more, and everything is cleaned and ready to wear right out of the garment bag. If you like something, you can pay to keep it, or get a Free Fit Do-Over if it isn’t the right size.
Notable features:
- Free version not available
- Subscription plans: 4 items: $89/month; 8 items: $135/month; 16 items: $199/month
- Support available: Email, Phone, Help Center, FAQs
| Rent the Runway Pros & Cons | |
|---|---|
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Flexible shipments | No wishlist |
| Clearance sales | No sales alerts |
Shopping Apps: Features Summary Table
| Shopping Apps Comparison Table | ||
|---|---|---|
| App | Subscription Fees or In-App Purchases | Features |
| Wish — Top Pick | Wish Access: $5.99/month | ✓ Wishlist X Sales Alerts ✓ Order Tracking ✓ Delivery Notifications |
| Amazon — Best Free Trial | Amazon Prime: $14.99/month or $139/year $7.49/month for students |
✓ Wishlist ✓ Sales Alerts ✓ Order Tracking ✓ Delivery Notifications |
| eBay — Best for Rare Finds | eBay Plus: $4.99/month | ✓ Wishlist ✓ Sales Alerts ✓ Order Tracking ✓ Delivery Notifications |
| AliExpress — Cheapest Shipping | Free | ✓ Wishlist ✓ Sales Alerts ✓ Order Tracking ✓ Delivery Notifications |
| Etsy — Best for Arts and Crafts | Etsy Plus: $10/month Pattern: $15/month |
✓ Wishlist ✓ Sales Alerts ✓ Order Tracking ✓ Delivery Notifications |
| Poshmark — Best Buy and Sell App | Free | X Wishlist ✓ Sales Alerts ✓ Order Tracking ✓ Delivery Notifications |
| Chairish — Best for Home Decor | Elite: $149/month | ✓ Wishlist ✓ Sales Alerts X Order Tracking X Delivery Notifications |
| Rakuten — Best Rewards | Free | X Wishlist ✓ Sales Alerts ✓ Order Tracking X Delivery Notifications |
| Zulily — Best Flash Sales | Zulily+: $50/one-time purchase | ✓ Wishlist ✓ Sales Alerts ✓ Order Tracking ✓ Delivery Notifications |
| Rent the Runway — Best Rental Program | 4 items: $89/month 8 items: $135/month 16 items: $199/month |
X Wishlist X Sales Alerts ✓ Order Tracking X Delivery Notifications |