Groupon burst onto the scene over a decade ago, revolutionizing how we find local deals and effectively creating the modern market for group buying sites. For years, it was the undisputed king of discounts on everything from spa days to restaurant meals. But today, the digital landscape is filled with a vast array of deal sites like groupon, each offering a unique approach to saving money.
Navigating this crowded marketplace can be overwhelming. Are you looking for a local experience, a coupon code for your favorite online store, or the absolute lowest price on a new laptop? The answer determines which platform is right for you. This guide will break down the ultimate groupon vs competitors showdown, comparing the original pioneer against the top groupon alternatives to help you discover the best deal sites for your specific needs.
Table of Contents
- The Groupon Legacy: Is It Still Worth It?
- Who Are Groupon’s Main Competitors?
- A Closer Look at Top Groupon Alternatives
- Comparing the Platforms: Groupon vs. The Field
- How to Find the Best Local Deals: A Savvy Shopper’s Guide
- Frequently Asked Questions
The Groupon Legacy: Is It Still Worth It?
Before exploring other sites like groupon, it’s essential to understand the platform that started it all. Groupon’s primary model involves partnering with local businesses—restaurants, salons, fitness studios, tour operators—to offer time-sensitive vouchers at a significant discount. You buy the "Groupon" and redeem it directly with the merchant. Over time, it has expanded to include "Groupon Goods" for products and "Groupon Getaways" for travel.
Its key strength remains its hyper-local focus. If you’re looking for something to do in your city this weekend, Groupon is still one of the best local deal sites available. However, with increased competition, many users ask, is groupon still worth it? For local experiences and services, the answer is often yes. The platform’s vast network of merchants is hard to beat, but for other types of savings, exploring alternatives to groupon is a smart move.
Who Are Groupon’s Main Competitors?
The question of who are groupon’s main competitors is complex, as different companies tackle different aspects of the discount market. There isn’t just one single groupon competitor; there are dozens of websites like groupon, each with a unique value proposition. Some are a direct website like groupon, focusing on similar local deals, while others specialize in coupon codes, cashback, or curated product discounts.
The classic Groupon vs LivingSocial rivalry defined the early days of the industry. While LivingSocial is now owned by Groupon, it still operates as a distinct brand and is a major player. Beyond that, the field of groupon competitors includes community-driven forums, cashback portals, and editor-curated deal aggregators. Understanding the groupon vs competitors dynamic is key to becoming a master deal-hunter. Many companies like groupon have carved out successful niches by doing one thing exceptionally well.
A Closer Look at Top Groupon Alternatives
When searching for a groupon alternative, you’ll find a wide variety of platforms. Here’s a breakdown of the most popular groupon like sites and how they differ.
LivingSocial
Often seen as the most direct comparison, LivingSocial is incredibly similar to groupon. It focuses heavily on local experiences, travel packages, and events. Since its acquisition by Groupon, there can be some overlap in deals, but it maintains its own branding and often features a unique selection of offers, making it a worthy platform to check alongside Groupon.
Woot
An Amazon-owned company, Woot is one of the original daily deal sites. Its model is simple: it offers a heavily discounted "Deal of the Day" with limited quantities. While it started with electronics, it has expanded to categories like home goods, apparel, and even wine. It’s not the place for a spa deal, but it’s an excellent alternative to groupon for product-specific savings.
Slickdeals
Unlike Groupon, Slickdeals is a community-powered platform. Its massive user base finds, shares, and votes on deals from all over the internet. The best offers get voted to the front page, creating a highly curated list of the best daily deals available anywhere. It’s a fantastic resource for everything from tech gadgets to household essentials and is one of the most respected online deal sites.
RetailMeNot
If you’re looking for instant savings on your online shopping cart, RetailMeNot is a must-visit. It’s one of the largest coupon websites, offering a massive database of digital coupon codes, printable coupons, and cashback offers for thousands of retailers. While some apps similar to groupon focus on experiences, RetailMeNot focuses on direct discounts at the point of sale.
Brad’s Deals
Brad’s Deals takes a different approach. Instead of relying on user submissions, a team of expert editors scours the web to find and verify the best deals. They curate lists of top-tier discounts on everything from mattresses to laptops, ensuring every deal is legitimate. This human touch makes it one of the most trusted discount websites.
DealNews
DealNews is another editor-curated deal site, much like groupon in its mission to save you money, but with a strong emphasis on electronics, computers, and tech gadgets. Its team posts hundreds of deals daily, complete with price-tracking history and expert analysis, helping you decide if a deal is truly a bargain.
Rakuten
Formerly known as Ebates, Rakuten isn’t a direct deal site but rather a cashback portal. You start your shopping trip on the Rakuten site or through its browser extension, click through to your favorite retailer, and make a purchase as you normally would. Rakuten then gives you a percentage of your purchase back as cash. It can be stacked with other coupons and is an essential tool for any serious online shopper.
Comparing the Platforms: Groupon vs. The Field
So, what is better than groupon? The answer truly depends on your goal. This table breaks down the key differences between these powerful sites similar to groupon.
| Platform | Best For | Deal Type | How It Works |
|---|---|---|---|
| Groupon | Local experiences, restaurants, spa, activities | Vouchers | Buy a discounted voucher, then redeem with the merchant. |
| LivingSocial | Events, travel, unique local activities | Vouchers | A groupon similar platform; buy vouchers for experiences. |
| Slickdeals | Everything (tech, apparel, home goods) | Aggregated Links | Community finds and votes on deals from other retailers. |
| Woot | Electronics, home goods, limited-time items | Flash Sales | Deeply discounted "Deal of the Day" with limited stock. |
| RetailMeNot | Online shopping at major retailers | Coupon Codes | Find and apply discount codes at checkout. |
| Rakuten | Earning money back on everyday shopping | Cashback | Shop through their portal and get a percentage of your purchase back. |
Ultimately, many savvy shoppers use a combination of these platforms to maximize their savings across different categories.
How to Find the Best Local Deals: A Savvy Shopper’s Guide
Becoming an expert deal-finder requires more than just visiting one site. Here are some pro tips on how to find the best local deals.
- Use Multiple Apps: Don’t rely on a single source. Download the apps for Groupon, LivingSocial, and other coupon apps to compare offers in your area. Sometimes the same service is available on multiple platforms at different prices.
- Check Community Forums: For major purchases, check a site like Slickdeals first. The community will often comment on product quality and price history, giving you valuable context.
- Read the Fine Print: This is crucial for local deal sites. Pay attention to expiration dates, blackout dates, and any other restrictions on your voucher.
- Verify the Value: Before buying a deal, do a quick search for the business’s regular prices. Ensure the "discount" is a genuine value and not based on an inflated original price.
- Look for Promo Codes: Even deal sites run their own promotions. Look for sitewide promo codes on Groupon or LivingSocial that can provide an extra 20-30% off a local deal, further sweetening the savings. Following this advice will help you navigate the best websites for local deals with confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best deal site?
The truth is, there is no single what is the best deal site for everyone. It depends entirely on what you’re shopping for. Groupon is excellent for local services and experiences. Slickdeals is fantastic for community-vetted product deals. Rakuten is unparalleled for earning cashback on everyday online shopping.
Are there better sites than groupon?
Whether there are there better sites than groupon is subjective. For someone who exclusively buys physical goods online, a site like Slickdeals or Brad’s Deals could be considered "better." However, for finding a discount on a local massage or a new restaurant, Groupon often remains the top choice due to its massive merchant network.
What is the main difference between Groupon and Slickdeals?
Groupon is a direct seller. You purchase a voucher from Groupon and then redeem it with a local business. Slickdeals is a deal aggregator and community forum. Users post links to deals being offered by retailers like Amazon, Walmart, or Best Buy, and you complete the purchase on the retailer’s website.
Are apps like groupon free to use?
Yes, all major deal-finding apps, including Groupon, Slickdeals, and RetailMeNot, are free to download and use. You only pay for the products or vouchers you decide to purchase through them. Many apps like groupon make their money through partnerships with retailers.
Can I still use LivingSocial if it’s owned by Groupon?
Absolutely. Although Groupon owns LivingSocial, they are operated as separate brands. You can and should check both platforms, as they often have different deals and promotions running at any given time.
