If you shop online, the Honey browser extension (now branded PayPal Honey) is one of the simplest ways to bring down checkout totals and earn extra rewards.
It is free to install and automatically looks for coupon codes and cash-back offers on thousands of retail sites.
Below is a clear guide to how it works, the prices (including reward values), and the smartest ways to use it without hype.
What Honey is—and What You Get for Free
PayPal Honey is a free shopping extension that tests available coupons at checkout and surfaces cash-back offers (via PayPal Rewards) on a wide range of retail sites.
You don’t pay a subscription or per-use fee; savings come from valid promo codes or rewards funded by partner merchants.
Honey also ties into PayPal Rewards, so eligible purchases can earn points that convert to cash back at a typical rate of 100 points = $1 USD.
You can redeem to cash in your PayPal account or to gift cards, with occasional limited-time promos that may change the rate.
Core Features that Actually Move the Price
Each of these characteristics makes Honey app a strong choice.
Click Honey to run code tests; don’t assume it auto-runs.
Automatic coupon testing at checkout
When you click Honey during checkout on supported stores, it tries known promo codes and applies the best one it finds—no manual copying.
That’s the primary way it reduces the sticker price you pay today.
Cash-back via PayPal Rewards
Beyond coupons, many stores offer a points rate (varies by store) on the item subtotal before tax and shipping.
Those points accumulate in your PayPal Rewards balance for later redemption—so this lowers your net price after you cash out.
Droplist price tracking
You can add an item to Droplist and set a target.
Honey emails you if or when it detects a meaningful drop, helping you time the buy for a lower sticker price.
Amazon price intelligence
On Amazon, Honey compares sellers (including shipping and your Prime status) and shows price history over recent months.
So you can see if today’s price is high or low before you purchase.
Supported Browsers and Setup
Honey offers installers for the major browsers—Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, and Opera.
Installation is straightforward: add the extension from your browser’s store, create or sign in to a PayPal/Honey account to enable rewards, and you’re set.
Pin the extension so it’s visible when you shop.
What the “Prices” Look Like in Practice (with real math)
Because Honey itself is free, the relevant “prices” are the item price after coupons and the effective net cost once you redeem rewards.
Here’s a concrete example using PayPal’s typical conversion rate.
Cart price: $120 running shoes at a participating retailer.
Honey coupon found: 10% off → $12 off at checkout → new total $108 before tax/shipping.
Rewards offer: say 6 points per $1 (example rate; each store sets its own). On the $108 subtotal, you’d earn 648 points.
Cash value of 648 points: at 100 points = $1, that’s $6.48 you can later redeem to cash or gift cards.
Effective net cost after redemption: $108 − $6.48 = $101.52 (plus tax/shipping).
Rates vary by store and change over time. Always check the rate shown on the store page before you buy.
Rewards typically apply to the item subtotal and exclude tax, shipping, and certain categories.
Redemption value can change during promos. The typical conversion is 100 points = $1, but special offers can temporarily change the rate.
How to Use Honey to Reliably Lower What You Pay
Install and pin the extension. Keep the Honey icon visible so you actually click it at checkout. Clicking ensures it runs the full code test.
Create/sign in to enable Rewards. Without an account, you won’t accrue points—so your “price” will only reflect coupon savings, not cash-back later.
On Amazon, check the price history panel. If the graph shows a recent lower price, consider waiting or adding the item to Droplist with your target amount.
Stack: coupon → rewards → payment card perks.
Additional Steps
Honey discounts and PayPal Rewards are separate from your credit/debit card rewards; combining them further reduces your effective price.
Set Droplist alerts for “want-but-not-urgent” buys.
You’ll get an email when the price drops below your threshold—often the easiest way to pay less without constant checking.
Where Honey Shines—and Where to be Cautious
Best for:
- Routine retail purchases (apparel, beauty, home, sports)
- Seasonal sales where coupon codes proliferate
- Amazon listings with many third-party sellers (because seller comparison plus history exposes inflated “sale” pricing).
Less impact on:
- Price-controlled categories (e.g., many electronics and luxury brands)
- Stores that rarely honor third-party coupons.
In these cases, Droplist timing (waiting for the historical low) may deliver more savings than coupon testing.
Transparency and Safety
Honey generally earns an affiliate commission when its users buy from partner stores; a share of that funding powers rewards.
The broader industry has occasionally faced scrutiny about how affiliate attributions work and how deals are surfaced.
This has prompted closer attention to labeling and disclosure.
As a shopper, this doesn’t change that the extension is free or that coupons/rewards can reduce your price—but it’s good to be informed.
Privacy and platform notes
Review the extension’s permissions in your browser and Honey’s privacy statement to understand data collection and use.
Like any shopping add-on, Honey needs certain access (e.g., to detect checkout pages) to function.
If you’re uncomfortable, uninstall is one click away in your browser’s extensions page.
Bottom Line: How Much Can You Expect to Save?
There’s no single “savings number,” because coupons and rewards are store-specific and time-sensitive.
But the direct price cut from a good code plus the cash value of PayPal Rewards can shave meaningful dollars off routine buys.
Since Honey is free, the only “cost” is your attention: clicking at checkout, checking rates, and waiting for the right price when you can.
