Using supermarket apps and price comparison tools in Australia

The landscape of grocery price tools in Australia

Australian shoppers have more price visibility than ever before, between retailer apps, online catalogues and third-party comparison tools. Each has different strengths, and understanding what each one can and cannot reliably tell you makes them more useful.

What the Woolworths app offers

The Woolworths app shows current shelf prices, promotional specials, and member-only Everyday Rewards pricing in real time for your nominated store. It allows you to build a shopping list, check weekly specials before visiting and scan items in store.

It is the most reliable source of truth for Woolworths prices at your specific store. Prices shown are based on your selected location, which matters because some promotions vary by store.

What the Coles app offers

The Coles app works similarly — current prices, Down Down items, Flybuys member pricing, weekly specials and a shopping list function. Like the Woolworths app, it reflects prices at your selected Coles store.

Both apps are the right place to confirm a price before you commit to a trip, especially for big-ticket items or half-price specials that might vary between stores.

What Aldi offers online

Aldi does not have a full-feature app in the same way. Their website lists current everyday prices and the upcoming Special Buys schedule. For everyday Aldi grocery prices, the website or in-store labels remain the main reference.

What third-party comparison tools add

Tools like TrolleyChecker pull pricing from across multiple retailers to allow side-by-side comparison without switching between apps. They are particularly useful when you want to know whether a product is cheaper at Coles or Woolworths this week before you choose where to shop.

The key limitation is that data from third-party tools can lag real shelf prices — retailer apps and checkout screens reflect current pricing more reliably for any specific purchase. Use TrolleyChecker search for directional comparisons on stable packaged products, and confirm at the retailer's own app or in store before a significant spend.

Catalogue apps and aggregators

Apps like Lasoo and Shopfully aggregate weekly catalogues from multiple retailers into one view. These are useful for browsing what is on special across chains, but they do not show everyday prices or allow direct comparison of non-promotional items.

The most effective workflow

For most households, a practical approach combines tools:

1. Before writing your list: browse this week's specials in the Coles and Woolworths apps, or in a catalogue aggregator, to see what is on special that you buy anyway.
2. For specific items: run a search on TrolleyChecker to compare which chain is currently cheaper on your high-spend staples.
3. Before checkout (online): review your cart in the retailer's own app to confirm current prices — what was in your saved list last week may have reverted to full price.

Our guide on how to compare grocery prices online covers the general principles behind this workflow.