When it comes to saving money while shopping online, timing is everything. You’ve likely experienced the frustration of buying something at a total price only to see it go on sale the next day. It’s a classic case of “if only I had waited.” Well, we’ve got good news for you: price drop alert tools can save you from ever feeling that regret again. These tools are like your personal shopping assistants, watching prices around the clock and notifying you the moment they drop. But with so many options, how do you know which one to choose?
In this post, you’ll learn:
- What are the best price drop alert tools, and how do they work.
- The top 7 price drop alert tools for various shopping needs.
- How to use these tools effectively to maximize your savings.
- About expert-level strategies for using price drop alerts.
What Are Price Drop Alert Tools?
Price drop alert tools are a savvy shopper’s secret weapon. Think of them as the Sherlock Holmes of online shopping. These tools monitor the prices of items you’re interested in, and when the price drops, they notify you instantly. Whether through email, a mobile notification, or even a browser pop-up, you’ll know exactly when to strike and make your purchase.
But here’s the kicker: not all price drop tools are equal. Some specialize in particular retailers, while others offer more comprehensive coverage across the web. Some are mobile apps, while others are browser extensions. Knowing which suits your needs can be the difference between scoring that dream deal and missing out entirely.
The 7 Best Price Drop Alert Tools
Here’s a rundown of the best tools to help you save money on your online purchases. We’ve handpicked these based on usability, coverage, and reliability. Let’s get started.
1. Honey
Best For Amazon shoppers and frequent deal hunters.
Honey isn’t just a browser extension; it’s a game-changer. This tool finds coupon codes at checkout and has a nifty feature called Honey Droplist. You can add items to your Droplist, and Honey will notify you when the price drops. It works particularly well on Amazon, where prices can fluctuate multiple times a day.
How It Works:
- Install the Honey extension on your browser.
- While shopping, add items to your Droplist.
- Honey will notify you when a price drop occurs.
Pro Tip: Combine Honey’s Droplist with its coupon-finding feature for double the savings. Plus, Honey Gold rewards can earn you cash back on select purchases.
2. CamelCamelCamel
Best For Amazon price tracking over time.
If you’re an Amazon fan, CamelCamelCamel is your best friend. This tool offers detailed price histories and alerts for products on Amazon, so you can see if a “sale” is a good deal or just a clever marketing trick.
How It Works:
- Visit the CamelCamelCamel website or use their browser extension.
- Search for an Amazon product and check its price history.
- Set up an alert to get notified when the price drops below your desired amount.
Fun Fact: The name CamelCamelCamel comes from the idea of a camel’s humps, representing the ups and downs of price changes over time.
3. Keepa
Best For Advanced Amazon tracking and international shoppers.
Keepa takes Amazon price tracking to another level with its extensive feature set. This tool provides price drop alerts and lets you track prices in multiple currencies, a boon for international shoppers. Keepa also shows the price history for items sold directly by Amazon and third-party sellers.
How It Works:
- Install the Keepa browser extension or use their website.
- View detailed price history charts for any Amazon product.
- Set up alerts for price drops, availability, and even when an item returns in stock.
Pro Tip: Keepa has a “daily deals” feature highlighting significant price drops across various categories.
4. Slickdeals
Best For: Deal hunters looking for community-driven insights.
Slickdeals isn’t just a price alert tool; it’s a bustling community of deal-savvy shoppers. With millions of users posting and voting on deals, Slickdeals offers price alerts and crowd-sourced recommendations on where to find the best bargains.
How It Works:
- Sign up for a Slickdeals account or download their app.
- Set up price alerts for specific products or categories.
- Get notified when a deal matches your criteria or a community member finds an unbeatable offer.
Pro Tip: Join the Slickdeals forums to engage with other shoppers and learn about deals before they go mainstream.
5. PriceBlink
Best For: Quick price comparisons while browsing.
If you like comparing prices across multiple retailers before purchasing, PriceBlink is the tool for you. This browser extension scans the web for lower prices and coupons as you shop, ensuring you get the best deal every time.
How It Works:
- Install the PriceBlink extension on your browser.
- Shop online as usual, and PriceBlink will automatically find and display lower prices or available coupons.
- Click on the alert to visit the retailer with the better deal.
Pro Tip: PriceBlink also shows shipping costs and availability so you can make a fully informed decision.
6. ShopSavvy
Best For: Mobile shoppers who love on-the-go price comparisons.
ShopSavvy is a mobile app designed to help you compare prices while you shop in-store or online. Just scan a barcode, and ShopSavvy will show you the prices from various retailers, both online and nearby.
How It Works:
- Download the ShopSavvy app on your smartphone.
- Scan the barcode of an item in-store or search for products within the app.
- View price comparisons from various retailers and set alerts for price drops.
Pro Tip: Use ShopSavvy’s location feature to find nearby stores with the item in stock at a lower price.
7. Earny
Best For: Price drop refunds after purchase.
Earny is a bit different from the other tools on this list. Rather than alerting you to price drops before you buy, Earny helps you get a refund if the price drops after your purchase.
How It Works:
- Sign up for Earny and connect your email and credit card.
- Earny monitors your purchases and looks for price drops.
- If a price drop is detected within a certain period, Earny automatically claims a refund on your behalf.
Pro Tip: Earny also tracks price protection policies from major credit cards, so you can claim refunds even if the retailer doesn’t offer them directly.
How to Use Price Drop Alerts to Maximize Your Savings
Now that you know the top tools, let’s talk strategy. Price drop alerts are powerful but even more effective when combined with other money-saving tactics.
1. Stack Your Discounts: Use price drop alerts, cashback apps, and coupon codes to maximize your savings. For example, wait for a price drop alert, then apply a cashback offer or coupon at checkout.
2. Timing is Everything: Some tools, like Honey and Slickdeals, offer insights into when prices are likely to drop. Use this information to time your purchases for maximum savings.
3. Monitor Multiple Products: Don’t just set alerts for the exact item you want. Consider setting up alerts for similar products or models to increase your chances of scoring a deal.
4. Take Advantage of Sales Events: Price drop tools are handy during major sales events like Black Friday or Cyber Monday. Set up alerts in advance so you’re ready to pounce when the deals go live.
Expert-Level Strategies for Using Price Drop Alerts
By now, you’re well-equipped to start saving big with price drop alerts. But why stop there? Let’s take your savings to the next level with a few expert-level strategies.
1. Use Multiple Tools Together
No rule says you can only use one price drop tool at a time. Combining multiple tools can help you cover all your bases. For example, CamelCamelCamel can track Amazon prices, Honey can track coupon codes, and Earny can protect post-purchase prices. This way, you maximize your savings at every stage of the shopping process.
2. Set Alerts for Similar Products
Sometimes, the item you’re eyeing might be too expensive, even after a price drop. In these cases, consider setting up alerts for similar products. For instance, if you’re looking for a specific laptop model, set alerts for the previous model or a similar brand. You might find that the price drops more significantly on these alternatives.
3. Keep an Eye on Seasonal Sales
Price drop alerts are particularly effective during major sales events like Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Prime Day. Set up alerts for items you’re interested in so you can act quickly when prices drop. Remember, these sales events often come with limited-time offers, so being prepared can help you snag the best deals before they’re gone.
4. Don’t Forget About Price Matching
Many retailers offer price-matching policies to match a lower price found at a competitor. Use your price drop alerts to identify these opportunities and request a price match from your preferred retailer. Getting the best price is easy without shopping around at different stores.
5. Share Your Finds
Finally, don’t forget to share your savings strategies with friends and family. After all, the only thing better than saving money is helping others save, too! Use tools like Slickdeals to share your finds, or simply spread the word about your favorite price drop alert tools. Who knows, you might just become the go-to shopping guru in your circle.
Comparing the Top Price Drop Alert Tools: Which is Right for You?
Now that we’ve covered the basics, it’s time to dig deeper. Each price drop alert tool we’ve discussed has unique strengths. Whether you’re a casual shopper looking for quick savings or a deal-hunting pro seeking the best bargains, there’s a tool out there for you. Below, we’ll compare these tools across several key factors to help you decide which best suits your shopping style.
Tool | Best For | Platform | Features | Notable Limitations |
Honey | Amazon shoppers, deal hunters | Browser extension | Coupon finding, Droplist, Honey Gold rewards | Limited to participating retailers, no mobile app |
CamelCamelCamel | Amazon price tracking | Website, browser extension | Detailed price history, alerts for Amazon products | It only works with Amazon; there is no mobile app |
Keepa | Advanced Amazon tracking | Browser extension | Multi-currency tracking, detailed price history, daily deals | Limited to Amazon, complex interface for beginners |
Slickdeals | Community-driven insights | Website, mobile app | Price alerts, deal forums, curated deal lists | Alerts can be overwhelming, as they rely on user submissions |
PriceBlink | Quick price comparisons | Browser extension | Automatic price comparison, coupon alerts, shipping cost visibility | Limited to supported retailers, no mobile app |
ShopSavvy | On-the-go price comparisons | Mobile app | Barcode scanning, location-based price comparisons | Inconsistent results for some lesser-known retailers |
Earny | Price drop refunds | Website, mobile app | Automatic refund claims, price protection monitoring | Requires linking email and credit card, privacy concerns for some users |
Conclusion
Start using price drop alert tools today and take control of your shopping experience. These tools help you save more and spend less, whether you shop online or in-store. Stay tuned to Dealhack for more tips and tricks on how to shop smarter. If you enjoyed this guide, check out our blog post on cashback apps and websites for more ways to maximize your savings.
If you enjoyed this guide, check out our latest blog post on cashback apps and websites to learn more about maximizing your savings on every purchase. Happy shopping!
FAQ
A price drop alert tool is an online service or app that monitors the prices of products you’re interested in and notifies you when the price drops. These tools help you buy quickly, ensuring you never miss a deal.
Price drop alerts work by tracking a product’s price over time. When the price falls below a certain threshold (set by you or the tool itself), you receive a notification, usually via email, a browser pop-up, or a mobile app alert.
Most price drop alert tools are free to use, though some may offer premium features for a fee. Tools like Honey, CamelCamelCamel, and Keepa provide extensive free services, while others might have additional benefits in their paid versions.
Yes, you can and should use multiple price drop alert tools together. Each tool has its strengths, and using them in combination can help you cover all your shopping needs, from finding coupon codes to tracking Amazon prices.
Not all price drop alert tools work with every online store. Some, like CamelCamelCamel and Keepa, are specific to Amazon, while others, like Honey and PriceBlink, have broader coverage across many retailers.
Price drop alerts are generally very accurate, especially for well-known retailers. However, price fluctuations can happen rapidly, so it’s a good idea to act quickly when you receive an alert.
Some price drop alert tools require access to your email or browser data. While most are secure, it’s essential to read the privacy policy of each tool and ensure you’re comfortable with the level of access they require.
Yes, most price drop alert tools allow you to set alerts for multiple products simultaneously. This feature is handy during sales events when you’re monitoring prices on several items.
A price drop alert notifies you when a product’s price decreases, whereas a price comparison tool compares prices across different retailers in real-time, helping you find the lowest price.
Combine price drop alerts with cashback apps, coupon codes, and loyalty programs to maximize savings. Set alerts before significant sales events, and consider using tools like Earny for post-purchase price protection.