April 22, 2026Comments are off for this post.

Best Apps to Save Money UK 2026: The Ones We Actually Use

Last updated: 10 June 2026

By Stiv · Design, technology and personal finance

There are hundreds of money-saving apps in the UK app stores. Most of them are rubbish. The best apps to save money are the ones we've tested over the past few years, narrowed down and kept on our phones because they actually work. No fluff, no apps we downloaded once and forgot about. Just the ones that earned a permanent spot.

Between the team we've got about 12 money apps installed. Half of them we actually use. The other half sit there judging us. We tried about 20 apps before settling on this list. Some were too fiddly. Some had great ideas but terrible execution. A couple were brilliant but shut down. These are the survivors.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Some apps in this list offer savings and investment features. Your capital may be at risk. CoolCuration is not authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority. This article contains affiliate or referral links. If you click through and sign up I may earn a commission or referral bonus at no extra cost to you. It does not affect my editorial view.

Our top money-saving pick

If you only set up one, make it Chip: it is the app that has quietly saved us the most by moving money before we miss it.

Try Chip

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March 28, 2026Comments are off for this post.

Best Cashback Apps UK 2026: TopCashback, Sprive & Airtime

Last updated: 9 June 2026

By Stiv · Design, technology and personal finance

If you're still paying full price for your groceries, energy bills and online shopping in 2026, you're leaving hundreds of pounds on the table. The best cashback apps UK shoppers use have evolved far beyond basic reward schemes, with some offering instant payouts while others help you pay off your mortgage faster. We tested the UK's most popular cashback platforms to find out which ones actually deliver.

Whether you want passive earnings through card-linked tracking, instant supermarket discounts or mortgage overpayment bonuses, there's a cashback strategy that fits your spending habits. Here's everything you need to know about the best cashback apps UK shoppers are using in 2026.

This article contains affiliate or referral links. If you click through and sign up I may earn a commission or referral bonus at no extra cost to you. It does not affect my editorial view. This is information, not financial advice.

Our top cashback pick

If you only set one app up, TopCashback is the one I reach for first. It covers the most retailers and pays out from just £1.

Get started with TopCashback

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February 8, 2026Comments are off for this post.

Sprive Mortgage App Review UK: Honest Verdict After 4 Years (2026)

Last updated: 19 July 2026

By Stiv · Design, technology and personal finance

This is an opinion piece. Views expressed are the author's own and do not constitute professional advice.

I've been using Sprive with my Nationwide mortgage since October 2021, making £100 monthly overpayments through the app's auto-save feature. In that time I've overpaid a total of £3,294.55, including cashback from Shop with Sprive on our weekly shops. This review is based on over four years of real, daily use.

If you're looking for a realistic way to make progress on your mortgage without committing to rigid overpayments, the Sprive mortgage app is one of the better-known tools in the UK. Sprive has also pushed further into the mainstream in 2026, with a TV advert running on Channel 4 under the line "Shop away your mortgage. Brick by brick." This Sprive mortgage app review focuses on what actually matters: how it works in day-to-day use, who it's good for, and where it falls short. It's not a sales pitch, and it's not a deep dive into regulation or bonuses. If you're mainly concerned about security and FCA regulation, we cover that separately: Is Sprive safe?

This article contains affiliate or referral links. If you click through and sign up I may earn a commission or referral bonus at no extra cost to you. It does not affect my editorial view. CoolCuration is not authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority, and this is an opinion, not financial advice.

Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.

Short on time?

The current Sprive sign-up bonus and how to claim it are kept up to date on one page.

Claim the Sprive referral bonus

Cool Factor

★★★★☆

4 out of 5

Reading up on Sprive? This review is the deep dive. For every guide we have written on the app in one place, see our Sprive guides hub, kept current as the app changes.

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October 8, 2025Comments are off for this post.

What Is Sprive, and How Does the App Work? (UK Guide 2026)

Last updated: 19 July 2026

By Stiv · Design, technology and personal finance

I've been using Sprive with my Nationwide mortgage since October 2021. This guide is based on the actual setup process and over four years of daily use.

If you're trying to figure out what Sprive is and how the Sprive app works, you're probably weighing up whether it's worth the setup effort or whether you'll download it and never open it again. This guide covers the mechanics only: what you do in the app, what happens next, and what to check so you don't accidentally trip over your lender's overpayment rules.

This article contains affiliate or referral links. If you click through and sign up I may earn a commission or referral bonus at no extra cost to you. It does not affect my editorial view. This is information, not financial advice, and CoolCuration is not authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Just here for the sign-up bonus?

The current Sprive offer and the steps to claim it are always kept up to date on our referral page.

Get the Sprive sign-up bonus

Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.

Getting started with Sprive? This guide covers the basics. For everything else, from cashback to the prize draws, see our Sprive guides hub, all in one place.

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