We’ve all been there – your stomach’s growling, but your bank account is whispering,
“Nope, not today, buddy.” Fear not, fellow food enthusiasts!
We have the ultimate guide to the apps that’ll have you dining like royalty, minus the expense.
So buckle up because we’ll take you on a culinary journey you will remember!
Table of Contents
The Crème de la Crème: Top 17 Apps That Give You Free Food In The UK
1. Swagbucks
What I would consider the ultimate way to get free food is through an app called Swagbucks.
Now an app founded in 2009, I came across back when I was a mid-teen in 2015 and was looking for a way to get free food and earn money.
Through Swagbucks, you can collect what is called SB by watching videos, listening to music, playing games, and filling in surveys.
With these ‘SB,’ you can use them like I did to get free pizza from Domino’s, burritos from Chipotle, or even coffee from Starbucks – the endless possibilities!
You could even get a Tesco gift card instead to pay for next week’s shopping.
To give you a head start, Swagbucks have given me a limited-time sign-up reward where you can get £5 just for creating an account.
2. Too Good To Go
I first came across Too Good To Go from watching a YouTuber called Toba (who shares excellent tips on getting free stuff and saving money!)
But this app interested me from this video, has one that is on a mission to fight against food waste.
To do this, they offer what is called ‘Magic Bags,’ which is essentially food which your stores and restaurants no longer need.
Well what does this mean for you? You can therefore pick up really cheap and sometimes even free food just by keeping eye on what is added on the app.
Now any of you who like a deal, you can get started by downloading the app of the app store and creating an account.
Once you’ve done this, as well added your location and payment details you can start collecting these ‘Magic Bags’.
Now from the video I watched with Toba that I alluded to above these bags can literally have anything in them.
So if you want cheap or free food, this app is a must get, if you want to save money.
3. Olio
An app which I guess you could consider quite neighborly is an app called Olio, of which isn’t just perfect for food, but for all types of times.
With Olio, you can get your hands on but also list up free food that you no longer want.
So lets say you cook a meal and you have done enough to feed a street of people, then why not give out your food to those who need it.
On the other hand if your hungry, and you want to save money, using an app like Olio will show you people local that are willing to give away food they no longer need.
You could find yourself with a few bits of bakery to a left over (but also tasty!) Indian takeaway.
Now the system is simple here you just create an account, send a message to the user who has the food and arrange a time to go and pick up the goods.
4. Karma
Have you heard of Karma? And I’m not refering to the payment system which seems to often be meemed at these days.
Instead I am referring to a food app, which honestly looks to be a steal (not literally!) when it comes to picking up free and discounted food.
By siging up using either your email address of a social media account, you will unlock the door to a whole host of delicious food at a delicious price.
I mean whats not appealing about free, right?
Simply gander around the app, look for what appeals and add it straight to your cart to go pick up similar to how Olio works.
5. Greggs Rewards
Whether your go to is Sausage Roll or its a Steak bake, becoming the latest signing of the Greggs Rewards is a no brainer.
Using this app you can get treated to exclusive offers, discounts as well as freebies, and a points system for all purchases you make.
Which if I haven’t already mentioned is completely free to join and take part in!
Now if that isn’t enough to tempt you to get this app, which I would be surprised.
But don’t tell anybody this secret, they give out a free hot drink when all you do is download the app.
6. McDonald’s App
The one thing I love about McDonalds, is the amount of promo’s they offer to there customers during a calendar year.
Right now you have a few promo’s and this starts with the McDonald’s app, which if you ask me is your golden ticket to getting free food with the fast food chain.
On this app, they will give you free points for each item you purchase, give you discounted and sometimes free items on certain days, such as a complimentary side or drink with your meal.
All you need to do is create an account, order through the app, and you’ll be munching on free McNuggets in no time!
7. KFC Colonel Club
From one fast food giant to another, switching the Nuggets for that signature fried chicken we have KFC.
Now with Saunder’s you have the KFC Colonel Club, which you can join completely free of charge.
What doing this does, allows you to feed your cravings (which for KFC I get alot!) with exclusive offers, discounts, and rewards.
All you need to do is like the others download the app and create an account using your email.
Before you know it you will have enough points from all those purchases, to indulge on some elite popcorn chicken, which will be finger-lickin’ good!
8. Subway’s MyWay Rewards
You will want to go Subway’s MyWay instead of the high way!
This Sandwich giant, is targeting lovers of the restaurant with the lure of free food, for choosing Subway to eat with.
A scheme I joined back when I was a early teenager, offers you free points for each item you buy from the store.
Once you have 500 points you can cash in on a 6-inch and if your extra hungry then you can get a foot long for 1000 points.
Obviously you will need to accumulate these through your visits, but luckily they don’t take too long to build up.
So before you know it you will be chowing down on free sandwiches in no time!
9. Pret A Manger’s Pret App
Next up on the the list of apps that give you free food in the UK is Pret A Manager’s Pret app.
If your partial to an early coffee, or just so happen to live in London, where there’s one at every corner, joining the Pret A Manger’s app scheme is a great choice.
All you need to do is download the app onto your phone, in order to access various exclusive offers, that you can get your hands on.
From free food to huge discounts on your favourite items, this is a great app to add to your phone.
Order through the app, and you’ll be sipping on.
10. Wetherspoon’s Order and Pay App
I don’t know many people who don’t love a weatherspoons, however I know plenty who don’t like those long queues at the bar.
Especially if its a Friday/Saturday night.
This is where the Weatherspoons Order and Pay App enters the frey, as you can skip that while also taking advantage of the exclusive offers.
You will be able to get your hands quite literally on burgers and drinks at discounted prices.
One of these promotions includes the Steak Club, this is a promo where depending on the day you can treat yourself to a Steak meal at a cheaper price.
Getting started with this app consists of you downloading the app, sitting back and waiting for the free grub to come your way.
11. Burger King App
Calling all Burger lovers or just those who want an alternative to McDonalds, you have a whopping proposal of getting exclusive discounts via the BK app.
Ever since I moved to an area where there are more Burger King’s I have found myself checking in from time to time to see what they have to offer.
Some of the freebies you can expect to see are free and discounted meal items, this includes your burgers, nuggets and fries.
The sooner you download it, the quicker you can start eating like a King with this one.
12. Starbucks
Just like with Pret, Starbucks as there own rewards scheme that is free for all there customers to install.
Not only is it a great app, for getting free food, but I’d say its a must use for anybody who finds themselves down there local Starbucks often.
From finding out the local times and being able to keep up to date with the new innovating food and drink items they bring out, are a few bonus reasons for having the app.
The main feature of this app though is the stars, what these are is a currency that allows you to swap these out for your favourite drink’s and food.
More stars you collect the more you can redeem.
13. Costa Coffee Club
The last of the three coffee shop apps on this list to offer free drinks is Costa Coffee Club.
Which in my eyes is essentially your passport to free coffee and more at your favourite café chain.
For each point you earn, you can put towards redeeming your latte, cappuccino or what ever your go to Costa drink is of your choice.
All you need to do is download the app, sign up with your email to get set on your way to not only earning points.
But to also along the way, unlock useful discounts, exclusive offers, and free food items.
14. Nando’s Peri-Peri App
If you enjoy a cheeky Nando’s, then the Nando’s Peri Peri app is what you need to spice it up a notch.
Not only will you be able to tuck into your favourite spiced chicken, but in the process you will earn ‘Chillies’ that will unlock free food for your future visits.
When I talk about free food, I’m not just talking about your side of halloumi sticks, as they give out as much as whole chickens for you to devour.
15. Dominos Pizza App
Consider this your Friday night sorted, as with the Dominos Pizza App you can collect points for you to redeem your favourite Pizza for your next takeaway night.
How the Dominos Pizza App works is for every time you order food you will earn points. Over time these points will compound to the point where its on the house.
While this is cool, I must also highlight there robot AI, that does a terrific job of letting you know exactly where your food is once you’ve ordered it.
Whether its in the oven or on its way, you will be kept up to date at all times via this.
So if you are a Pizza fanatic like myself, then your doing yourself a disservice by not getting on the action.
16. Pizza Express App
Coming up 16th on the list of apps for free food in the UK is Pizza Express.
If your a pizza lover, well this is perfect!
As along with Dominos, you also have the Pizza Express App that you can use to your advantage.
On the Pizza Express App, they will give you offers exclusive to you, discounted items and you love to hear it, but also free food.
Now as the theme as been so far, this is again a case of for every order you do, you will get points to use in the future.
So if you want to start tucking into more American and Margareta pizza’s (personal faves of mine!), then I’d recommend downloading the app to start earning rewards.
17. Green Jinn
If the idea of getting free items from the supermarket appeals, then the GreenJinn app is one to look into.
I first came across GreenJinn in 2017, as I was looking to save money on Groceries at the time, and this certainly worked.
In the end I was getting paid by them to eat food instead.
What they do, is they have a catalogue of items sorted by supermarket, which you can either pick up for a very cheap price or on occasion for free.
You pay for the items, then upload it onto the GreenJinn app who will reimburse you the amount you spent in the shop.
The products you can find on this app vary from fresh produce to ready meals.
Just purchase the item, upload your receipt to the app, and watch the savings roll in. With enough cashback, you’ll feel like you’re scoring free groceries!
FAQ: Your Burning Questions Answered (With a Side of Sarcasm)
Q: How do I get free food in the UK, or is this just a myth?
A: Now you would think surely it is a myth, but let me tell you it really isn’t!
These apps all benefit through running schemes like this as it helps improve there connection with there customers by rewarding them for visiting there chain.
So all you need to do is take part, and you can do just that by downloading fantastic apps like Too Good To Go, Olio, and Swagbucks, and watch the free food rain down like manna from heaven.
Now I know there is a slight catch with some of them in that you will have to be a customer to some extent, but if you can benefit from getting some scrumptious freebies, then I’m sure you agree its a small price to pay?
Conclusion: The End of the Free Food Adventure
So there you have it, folks. That brings us to the end of this guide on the best apps for free food in the UK.
With 17 at your disposal, you have everything to choose from.
If you want a burger, you can choose Mcdonald’s or Burger King. If you enjoy morning coffee, you have various Coffee shop options.
I also wouldn’t ignore the apps like Too Good To Go, Olio, and Karma in your local community, where you can easily pick up food for free.
But also reciprocate by giving back to others, which is why I especially recommend them if you want 1 or 2 to download.
So there you have it. Now go forth and conquer the world of free food!
