10 Best Clothes Shopping Apps for Shopping on a Budget

Online shopping has really changed the way we buy. If we want a new outfit, new book, or pretty much anything else, we no longer have to go to a physical location to pick it up. In fact, according to a 2018 study from Marist College and NPR, 76% of adults say that they shop online. Of those, 16% say they make purchases online at least once per week and 25% shop online at least once per month. Besides being able to shop from the comfort of the couch, many consumers are turning to online vendors and clothes shopping apps to find better deals than what’s available in-store.

If you’ve checked off all of the signs you’re a shopaholic and scoured through budgeting tips to help bring balance to your shopping addiction with no avail, you’ll be relieved to know that there are some tools that can help you get the best of both worlds. Today, there are plenty of clothes shopping apps, online coupon extensions, and shopping scan calculators that will help you find the best price on jeans, accessories, or whatever else you’re looking for.

Here are 10 of the best clothes shopping apps to help fuel your fashion game without having to compromise on your monthly budget.

1) Zulily

Love the thrill of finding incredible deals at discount retailers but could go without the effort of digging through rack after rack to find something great? Zulily offers the same concept, elevated with the convenience of online shopping.

From designer clothing to household items, the clothing app humbly brags about big benefits—up to 70% off on inventory that’s renewed daily. Simply sign up online or on the app to find budget-friendly items to add to your closet today.

Download Zulily for iOS or Android

2) thredUp

thredUp is another one of the best clothes shopping apps for shopaholics on a budget. thredUp specializes in secondhand fashion, which means there are new items in the store nearly every day. What’s cool about this app is that you can filter results by discount, size, and brand, which takes out the stress of thrift store shopping while enabling shoppers to find equally exciting deals. What’s more, the app’s circular fashion mindset encourages shoppers and clothing manufacturers to make more environmentally-friendly decisions by prioritizing secondhand clothing options.

Whether you want to buy, sell, or do a little bit of both, thredUp could be a really positive change for your closet, wallet, and the environment.

Download thredUp for iOS or Android

3) Rent the Runway

If you’ve reached that “adulting” period in your life where every one of your friends is getting married, throwing dinner parties, and you’re stuck attending numerous dressy events, your clothing budget can quickly be thrown out of whack. Rent the Runway is an online clothing app that allows subscribers to rent out both formal and casual clothes based on a flat monthly fee.

While renting out all of your clothes might not be the most economical decision for your budget, this option could end up saving you money if you find yourself constantly having to purchase new outfits for every event you attend.

Download Rent the Runway for iOS

4) Rue La La

Rue La La is a clothing app that’s designed for style-conscious people who are shopping on a budget. You need to be a member to take advantage of the deals offered by the site. Each deal is only available for 48 hours, then it’s gone for good.

The Rue La La app is available for both Android and iPhone. Some reviews of the app have noted that it’s not very fast, so if you’re shopping for an in-demand item, you might miss out if you’re using the app version and not the site.

The app also lets you preview upcoming sales and set reminders to yourself so that you don’t miss out on any desirable deals.

Download Rue La La for iOS or Android

5) Gilt

is another member-based clothing app that was actually acquired by Rue La La in 2018. Like Rue La La, Gilt features daily sales on designer clothing, home goods, and artisanal foods. The site was originally by invitation only but has since opened up. You have to be a member to shop through Gilt, but you no longer need an invite.

You can also preview future sales, so you can plan ahead. The app version of Gilt is quicker than the online version, so you have a better chance of snagging a deal before it sells out.

Download Gilt for Android

6) Poshmark

One way to save money on clothes is to buy fashionable, but gently used garments. Poshmark lets you do just that. The app is designed to help people buy and sell stylish clothing that they no longer wear. It’s like having access to the closets of fashionable women across the country, all tucked away in your pocket.

Another major perk to Poshmark is that you can also sell your clothes through the app. Simply take pictures of your clothing, describe the items, and price them accordingly. If someone buys your clothing, the app helps you take care of shipping and sending it to them.

Download Poshmark for iOS or Android

7) Depop

If you’re looking for unique vintage and creative clothing, Depop may be your new favorite store. With over 10 million collectors, vintage sellers, and stylists on the app, there are plenty of places to find inspiration and great deals through this clothing app.

By following different sellers and “liking” items on the platform, Depop helps you create a sort of vision board that’s curated according to your style preferences.

To buy, sell, and browse the Depop store, you’ll need to create a free account. There’s also an online version, but the app is much more user-friendly and has added features that aren’t available on the website.

Download Depop for iOS or Android

8) OfferUp

You can think of OfferUp like Craigslist, but infused with Silicon Valley’s user-friendly expertise. Since it’s a local marketplace, OfferUp isn’t all clothes-focused, but you really never know what you might find on there. Better deals than the department store? You can pretty much count on it.

Download OfferUp for iOS or Android

9) Amazon

If you’ve done any online shopping at all, you’re probably familiar with the Amazon interface. The company is currently the biggest e-retailer in the U.S., bringing in approximately $232 billion in net sales in 2018 alone. Whether you’re shopping for clothing, accessories, or even groceries, you’re more than likely to find what you need in an instant—better yet, it’s delivered straight to your door.

As for deals, Amazon highlights their “Deal of the Day” on their homepage—impulsive shoppers beware! If you regularly shop online, you might benefit from signing up for a Prime membership which entitles you to free shipping on hundreds of items.

Download Amazon for iOS or Android

10) Honey

Even if you have your heart set on a certain pair of shoes or are just loyal to your favorite brand, you can still find ways to save while shopping online. Honey is one of the best online shopping apps out there. It’s primarily a browser extension that automatically applies coupon codes to your purchase at checkout, but it also has a feed that allows you to browse the day’s sweetest deals. Honey isn’t limited to clothing apps and websites, so you can find deals on just about anything from office supplies to sporting goods.

Download Honey for iOS or Android

What apps do you use to save money when shopping?

Kelly Anderson is a financial planner who blogs about financial advice you can use in your everyday life. Connect with her on Twitter, Facebook and Google+.