How to find the best deals using price comparison websites | MoneyHelper (2023)

Golden rules to using comparison sites

Don’t use a single price comparison site

Individual price comparison sites don’t all give you the same results, so check out a few before you decide to switch lender, supplier or buy a product. This might take you a bit more time, but it’s worth doing as it could save you a lot of money.

Make sure the product fits your needs

Do some research before you make a final decision to make sure the product is right for you. The cheapest deal available might not necessarily be best for your specific needs. Should you go for a short- or long-term fixed price energy deal? Does this bank account have all the features you’re looking for?

First isn’t always best

Comparison sites don’t give ‘regulated advice’.

That means they provide you with product information but not whether a policy has the type and level of cover suitable for your needs.

So, don’t assume the first result is the best. Especially because the first result in the list might be ‘sponsored’.

Comparison sites make their money from you

Comparison websites don’t sell products themselves; they show you details and prices from insurers and make their money in several ways:

  • They get paid from advertising which appears on their site.
  • From ‘click-throughs’ where the site earns commission when a customer clicks through to the insurer’s website and buys a product.
  • Some sites earn money from sponsored listings, where companies pay to have their products appear at the top of the search results.

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Is your household incomegettingsqueezed?

If you’re facing higher living costs, but have little or no extra money coming in, find out about extra sources of income and support available to help you manage your household bills and save money in our guide Living on a squeezed income

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Using a price comparison site

How you use a price comparison site differs depending on what you’re using it to search for. Here we run through where to start your search.

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Looking for the best insurance deal? Find out more in our guide How to buy insurance using comparison sites

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(Video) How to get the best deal from a price comparison website | UK's Competition and Markets Authority

Energy (gas and electricity)

You can read more about why switching might not be the best idea at the moment in our guide What to do if you’re worried about your energy bills rising

If you do decide to switch the whole process shouldn’t take more than six weeks and you won’t be cut off at any point. The only change you’ll notice is a new supplier sending you your bills (if you switch supplier) and lower rates.

Price comparison websites help you compare the different energy deals available and they’re a great way to see what’s available.

They don’t all work with the same suppliers, so use a few to make sure you don’t miss out on the perfect deal.

We suggest using sites thatOfgemOpens in a new windowrecommends and that have been accredited with the Confidence Code.

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Beware of switching

Energy prices are very high. For many people whose fixed deal has come to an end the Energy Price Guarantee will be the cheapest rate available.

You can read more about why switching might not be the best idea at the moment in our guideWhat to do if you’re worried about your energy bills rising

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Find out more in our guide How to save money on gas and electricity bills

Can I switch supplier if I rent my home?

If you pay for your own gas and/or electricity, it doesn’t matter if you rent or own your own home, you can switch supplier.

If you rent and your landlord pays your energy bills then they have the right to choose the supplier.

Can I switch my gas and electricity if I’m on a prepayment meter?

Yes, but not all energy suppliers offer a prepayment tariff so make sure you switch to one that does.

You should be able to filter these when searching on a price comparison website.

Can I switch supplier if I’m getting the Warm Home Discount?

If you get the Warm Homes Discount and you’re switching energy supplier, make sure your new supplier offers the discount. If they don’t, your bills could go up.

How to find the best deals using price comparison websites | MoneyHelper (17)

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Find out more about the Warm Home Discount in our guide
(Video) Price tracking and price drop alerts: The best sites and apps

What is an energy switching club?

Energy switching clubs offered by reputable brands like Which? and MoneySavingExpert are basically comparison sites just for your energy bills.

The website will hold your hand through the whole process, from filling in details from your current energy bill, to searching the whole of market to find a better deal for you, if one is available, and liaising with your chosen new supplier to carry out the switch.

What about my water bills?

Unlike gas and electricity, you can’t switch who supplies your water. But you might save money by switching to a water meter.

Find out more in our guide How to save money on water bills.

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Broadband, landline phone and TV

You can make great savings by switching to a cheaper phone, TV or broadband deal.

It’s a good idea to start searching websites accredited by Ofcom. Despite their names, the following sites allow you to search for paid TV, landline phone as well as broadband deals:

  • BroadbandSearch by postcode or phone number for relevant deals in your area. Splits prices into monthly and annual cost and displays a reliability score
  • BroadbanddealsSearch by postcode. Prices automatically shown in monthly costs, but can be filtered by year
  • BroadbandcomparedSearch by postcode
  • BroadbandchoicesOpens in a new windowSearch by postcode and it will show you the average monthly cost while you’re in contract. This number takes into account any cashback or freebies offered by the site and any setup fees

  • Money SupermarketOpens in a new window This site compares a lot of different products as well as broadband and mobile deals and will show you an average cost per month

If you’re looking for a package deal of broadband, phone and/or TV, you can also try the ‘Bundle’ search offered at MoneySavingExpertOpens in a new window

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Find out more in our guide How to save money on your home phone and broadband

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Mobile phone contracts

Making sure you’re on the right deal and not paying for calls, text and data you don’t use, or regularly going over your allowance, is a great way to cut costs.

As with broadband, there are a few comparison sites that Ofcom approves.

Billmonitorwill analyse your online bills or allow you to enter your regular or required limits manually. It will then find the most suitable offers on the market and direct you to the relevant retailer

HandsetExpertselect the handset you want and then enter your calls, text and data requirements. The website will then display the best offers available and you can go directly to the retailer’s website

Mobile-phonesallows you to search by phone and SIM-only deals

CompareDialOpens in a new windowcompares phone contracts that include a handset as well as SIM-only offers

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Find out more in our guide How to save money on your mobile phone
(Video) How to Find The Cheapest Price for Every Product

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Join our Facebook group

Join our private group for money-saving tips and support from a community of savers.

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Bank accounts

Comparison websites can be a good starting point for anyone trying to find a current or savings account tailored to their needs.

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Use our Bank account fees and charges comparison tool to see all the fees and charges that apply to bank accounts – it shows everything from overdraft fees to foreign cash withdrawal charges

Here are a few websites that compare current and savings accounts:

Be aware that comparison websites won’t all give you the same results. So make sure you use more than one before deciding.

It’s also important to do some research on the type of product and features you need before making a purchase or changing supplier.

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Find out more in our guide How to choose the right bank account

Mortgages

Taking out a mortgage is a big financial decision that shouldn’t be made lightly.

While comparison sites can be useful to get an idea of the best rates on the market, it’s best to make sure you know exactly what you’re searching for and decide if you need to use a dedicated mortgage broker.

Find out more about applying for a mortgage in our guide.

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General shopping (like furniture or technology)

Comparison sites aren’t only useful for bills and bank accounts. They’re also useful to find bargain prices on everyday essentials and gifts, as well as more expensive purchases like technology or furniture. However, there are so many sites offering reduced prices, it can be difficult to be sure you’re getting a great deal.

Comparison sites can help you cut through misleading sales and discounts by tracking an item’s price over the years and showing you which site is really giving you the best deal.

  • CamelCamelCamelShop regularly at Amazon? You can use CamelCamelCamel to set up price alerts and track price history
  • IdealoWill compare current prices across trusted e-tailers and high street stores like Currys, Argos, John Lewis and Amazon. You can also see past prices and set up email notifications for when prices drop
(Video) How do price comparison websites work?

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Budget Planner

To help you manage your money, use our free and easy-to-use Budget Planner

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How do I use a price comparison website?

Many price comparison websites will ask you for personal details before presenting you with a list of providers.

Be as accurate as you can with this information, as it will be used as the basis for the quotes you’ll be shown.

Some price comparison websites have contracts with select suppliers and receive a commission every time you switch or take out a product.

Beware of pre-selected tick boxes, pre-set filters and any questions which ask if you want to run a whole of market comparison.

Some websites use these techniques to try to guide you towards picking one of their partner suppliers, even if they aren’t necessarily the best choice for you.

Some products don’t provide a link through to the provider’s website.

If this is the case, you’ll need to go directly to the supplier’s website.

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Use our Money Navigator Tool

Have you got money worries because of coronavirus? If so, you’re not alone.

For instant money guidance based on your circumstances, get started with our Money Navigator Tool

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FAQs

How do I find the best price for a product online? ›

The top 30 price comparison websites and apps
  1. Google Shopping. Google Shopping is probably the largest and best-known comparison shopping engine. ...
  2. PriceGrabber. PriceGrabber is owned by Connexity. ...
  3. Shopping.com. ...
  4. Shopzilla. ...
  5. Become. ...
  6. Pronto. ...
  7. Bizrate. ...
  8. Camelcamelcamel.
19 May 2022

Is there a website that shows prices of items from multiple places? ›

Price.com lists billions of products from thousands of stores, including Amazon, eBay, Walmart, Target, and other retailers!

Is Confused com better than compare the market? ›

Confused is an extremely close second to Compare the Market, and some will even prefer the design, which doesn't feature the cluttered dark blue colour scheme of its rival.

How do price comparison websites work? ›

Comparison sites make their money from you

From 'click-throughs' where the site earns commission when a customer clicks through to the insurer's website and buys a product. Some sites earn money from sponsored listings, where companies pay to have their products appear at the top of the search results.

How do you find the best pricing strategy? ›

How to choose a pricing strategy
  1. Understand costs.
  2. Define your commercial objective.
  3. Identify your customers.
  4. Find your value proposition.
  5. Cost-plus pricing: a simple markup.
  6. Competitive pricing: beating out the competition.
  7. Value-based pricing: customers perceived value of a product.
  8. Price skimming: higher, short-term profits.
29 Sept 2022

Is there a price comparison website? ›

Google Shopping is most likely the biggest and most well-known price comparison site. With the help of Google's beta benchmarking tool, you can use specific metrics such as average product price, benchmark product price, and benchmark product price difference to find out how you are performing.

How do I find the cheapest price for a product? ›

Best Price Comparison Websites
  1. Google Shopping. ...
  2. 2. Yahoo Shopping. ...
  3. BizRate. ...
  4. CamelCamelCamel. ...
  5. NexTag. ...
  6. Pronto. ...
  7. Shopping.com. ...
  8. Shopzilla.
5 Oct 2020

What is the easiest way to find selling price? ›

How to Calculate Selling Price Per Unit. Determine the total cost of all units purchased. Divide the total cost by the number of units purchased to get the cost price. Use the selling price formula to calculate the final price: Selling Price = Cost Price + Profit Margin.

What is the name of the app that compares prices? ›

BuyVia helps you find the lowest prices on products from both online and local stores, it also aggregates all of your favorite deal sites in one place so you can compare prices. UPC Barcode scanner, QR code, and search function allow you to find the lowest price.

Is there a price match app? ›

Price Match, a simple, easy-to-use price comparison app for the registered trade items, that are sold online. This app is powered using the Semantics3 product API. The data ranges over a wide number of items. Scan the UPC barcode to find the best price online.

What's the best comparison website? ›

The top 30 price comparison websites and apps
  1. Google Shopping. Google Shopping is probably the largest and best-known comparison shopping engine. ...
  2. PriceGrabber. PriceGrabber is owned by Connexity. ...
  3. Shopping.com. ...
  4. Shopzilla. ...
  5. Become. ...
  6. Pronto. ...
  7. Bizrate. ...
  8. Camelcamelcamel.
19 May 2022

Is GoCompare the same as GoCompare? ›

GoCompare has today announced a new brand name and logo – Go. Compare. This means that anyone now looking to use the comparison service will be able search on any device using “Go. Compare”, and they will be taken directly to the website.

Is Confused owned by Admiral? ›

Confused.com was part of the Admiral Group plc until its sale to RVU on 30 May 2021.

What is the best way to compare two things? ›

Adjectives and adverbs can be used to make comparisons. The comparative form is used to compare two people, ideas, or things. The superlative form with the word "the" is used to compare three or more. Comparatives and superlatives are often used in writing to hedge or boost language.

What is the comparison trap? ›

The trap of comparison is that we're stuck in a negative loop if we feel less than someone else or even better than another person. It's actually the opposite side of the same coin in either case. All of this is an insatiable ego game that ultimately sets us up to lose.

What can I use instead of comparison? ›

synonyms for comparison
  • analogy.
  • connection.
  • contrast.
  • correlation.
  • example.
  • identification.
  • juxtaposition.
  • observation.

What are the disadvantages of price comparison websites? ›

Comparison sites tend to focus entirely on price, and ignore quality. Customers often find a correlation between higher prices and better products. Some companies may charge more but provide better customer service, more flexible refund options, etc., that the price comparison site user will not be made aware of.

What are the advantages of using a price comparison website? ›

PROs of Comparison Sites
  • Helps you Save Money. In a modern world where every penny counts, getting the best deal is a priority for most. ...
  • Efficient. ...
  • Focuses on Costs Only. ...
  • Not all Providers are Listed. ...
  • Lack of Contact.

What are the five steps of comparison shopping? ›

The Petco executive suggested five other strategies for effectively using comparison-shopping engines:
  • 1) Define your marketing objectives. ...
  • 2) Optimize your product data. ...
  • 3) Advertise the right products. ...
  • 4) Minimize click costs. ...
  • 5) Maximize profitable orders.
15 Feb 2007

What are the 3 most popular pricing strategies? ›

Cost-Based Pricing. Value-Based Pricing. Competition-Based Pricing.

What is the most used pricing strategy? ›

1. Cost-plus pricing. Many businesspeople and consumers think that cost-plus pricing, or mark-up pricing, is the only way to price. This strategy brings together all the contributing costs for the unit to be sold, with a fixed percentage added onto the subtotal.

What is the most successful pricing strategy? ›

Value pricing is perhaps the most important pricing strategy of all. This takes into account how beneficial, high-quality, and important your customers believe your products or services to be.

How do you ask for a lower price example? ›

We'll get in touch soon.
  • 'All I have in my budget is X. ...
  • 'What would your cash price be? ...
  • 'How far can you come down in price to meet me? ...
  • 'What? ...
  • 'Is that the best you can do? ...
  • 'I'll give you X if we can close the deal now. ...
  • 'I'll agree to this price if you will throw in free delivery.
15 Jun 2020

How do you find the true price of a product? ›

Total product costs can be determined by adding together the total direct materials and labor costs as well as the total manufacturing overhead costs.

How do you find the selling price with price and gain? ›

Divide the total cost by the number of units bought to obtain the cost price. Use the selling price formula to find out the final price i.e.: SP = CP + Profit Margin.

How do you find the selling price without a calculator? ›

Percent Off Price Formula
  1. Convert 25% to a decimal by dividing by 100: 25/100 = 0.25.
  2. Multiply list price by decimal percent: 130*0.25 = 32.50.
  3. Subtract discount amount from list price: 130 - 32.50 = 97.50.
  4. With the formula: 130 - (130*(25/100)) = 130 - (130*0.25) = 130 - 32.50 = 97.50.
  5. 25% off $130 is $97.50.

How do you find the lost sales price? ›

The lost sales cost for an item is computed by multiplying the annual sales potential (i.e. sales that would have occurred if all demand was satisfied) by the portion of sales that we were not able to satisfy by the shortage factor.

What app is #1 in shopping? ›

App App NameStore Rank App's store ranking in the chosen store; country, category and leader board updated daily.
1Amazon Shopping1
2Walmart Shopping & Grocery2
3Temu3
4SHEIN-Fashion Shopping Online4
46 more rows

What app has the cheapest stuff? ›

Even the new items often go for cheaper than you'd find in stores.
...
These six apps are the best choices when you simply can't wait to get your merchandise.
  • OfferUp. 3 Images. ...
  • Carousell. 3 Images. ...
  • VarageSale. 3 Images. ...
  • 4. Facebook Marketplace. 3 Images. ...
  • Craigslist. 3 Images. ...
  • eBay.
9 Jan 2021

Which app is lowest price for shopping? ›

Megastores
  • Amazon. Android | iOS. ...
  • SnapDeal. Android | iOS. ...
  • Shop Clues. Android | iOS. ...
  • Ajio. Android | iOS. ...
  • Koovs. Android | iOS. ...
  • Limeroad. Android | iOS. ...
  • Yaantra. Android | iOS. ...
  • Health and glow. Android | iOS.

What is price matching strategy? ›

Price matching strategy, what is it ? Price matching is a strategy used by retailers in order to provide the best price for customers in a certain competitive market, by offering the same product for a lower price to increase sales, catch customers' attention and strengthen customer loyalty.

How do you ask for price match? ›

Ask to speak to a manager, show him the competitor's lower price, and explain that you understand that the store could not match the price but ask whether he can offer a manager's discount so you can buy the item there instead of from the competitor.

Is price matching a good strategy? ›

Companies use price match policies to improve their business operations and attract more customers. This policy is an excellent way to increase brand loyalty. It focuses on beating the price of the same product to your competitors.

Are all comparison sites the same? ›

Comparison websites cover different providers and products – remember not all providers appear on comparison sites.

Is there a free version of Beyond Compare? ›

Beyond Compare offers a 30-day free trial for new users, after which the software is available across 7 pricing tiers, details of which are outlined below - 1-4 Users - $30/user (Standard Edition) or $60/user (Pro Edition) 5-9 Users - $22.50/user (Standard Edition) or $45/user (Pro Edition) 10 - 49 Users - $19.50/user ...

What is a comparison website called? ›

Comparison Shopping Engines (CSE) are also known as price comparison websites. From a retailers' perspective, comparison shopping engines are a method of online advertising. They allow retailers to upload their product data feeds, set bids for particular products or product categories.

Is compare the market and compare the meerkat the same? ›

Compare the Meerkat is an advertising campaign on British and Australian commercial television for comparethemarket.com, a price comparison website, part of BGL Group.

Why has Go Compare changed to go compare? ›

On August 30, 2022, an official press release explained the motivation behind the rebrand. By changing it to Go.Compare, customers who search the phrase are instantly directed to the website. “It's basically taking out the middleman and making it easier for people to find us directly,” they stated.

How do you get a Compare The Market Meerkat? ›

Take out a qualifying product (For qualifying products click here). To claim your rewards, go to 'Your Account' and select 'Your rewards' and follow the instructions. Search 'Meerkat' on Google Play or the App Store, and download the Meerkat app.

Is Aviva the same as Admiral? ›

Admiral and Aviva are two of the largest car insurance companies in the UK. Both come with many 'must-have' features, but they do not offer equal products. The team at NimbleFins has compared each company's car insurance offering to help readers trying to decide which might be the superior product for their needs.

Are Admiral and elephant the same company? ›

Elephant is a trading name of EUI Ltd, an Admiral Group plc company. Our offices are located at Ty Admiral, David Street, Cardiff, CF10 2EH (Company Number 2686904).

Are Uswitch and confused the same company? ›

London-based RVU, owner of comparison site Uswitch and financial planning outfit Money.co.uk, has announced a deal to buy Confused.com from Admiral Insurance. RVU will pick up Confused.com as well as the market leaders in insurance comparison in both Spain and France. The sites were ultimately owned by Admiral.

How do you find the price comparison? ›

To compare prices, divide the cost by the weight or quantity of the item. Then you can compare the two items.

What is the best price comparison website UK? ›

1. PriceSpy. We have listed PriceSpy at the top of our best shopping comparison site UK list because of its unbiased price comparison and a number of valuable options for retailers to understand their competition.

How do you find the better buy? ›

We are asked sometimes to determine which of any two given items is a "better buy". We find the unit price of each item, then comparing the unit prices, we decide that the item with the smaller unit price is the "better buy".

How do you find the price analysis? ›

How to Perform a Pricing Analysis, Step by Step
  1. Step 1: Assess Your Competitors' Prices. It's important to look at your product not only in isolation but in the scheme of the market as a whole. ...
  2. Step 2: Identify and Analyze Your Target Consumers. ...
  3. Step 3: Consider Legal or Ethical Price Limitations. ...
  4. Step 4: Ask the Consumers.
3 Jun 2022

Is MAP pricing legal in UK? ›

MAP pricing is not legally binding, but rather a mutually beneficial agreement to price products at or above a set price. The key word is advertised—retailers can sell products below MAP, but not advertise those prices.

Do stores have to match online prices UK? ›

Quite simply, yes. We don't have price regulation in the UK – there is nothing obliging a store to homogenise pricing over its various outlets.

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