Comparison Sites Compared: The 10 Best Sites For Smarter Shopping

As the cost of living continues to rise, a growing number of us are becoming ever more reliant on comparison sites. These sites can compare the best deals on everything from utilities to groceries – helping you to save money on essentials and free up more disposable income for the things worth splashing out on. The problem is that there are now so many comparison sites that it can be hard to know where to look. A comparison of comparison sites is needed – which is exactly what this guide is! Below are 10 of the best comparison sites rounded up, and an explanation of each of their unique features. 

• SmartMove 

SmartMove is a US-based comparison site that has been running for almost 15 years (formerly known as CableMover). It specializes in helping consumers compare prices on internet, TV and mobile packages. On top of comparing prices, consumers can compare features like internet speeds and amount of channels. They can also help consumers compare and set up home automation technology including smart thermostats, smart security systems and smart lighting. 

• Quotezone

Quotezone is a leading insurance comparison site in the UK that provides access to a vast panel of insurance providers. Beyond standard insurance policies, they can also help you to find and compare niche policies such as modified car insurance, boat insurance and pub insurance. While insurance is their bread and butter, you can also use Quotezone to compare other financial products like energy bills and broadband internet. Their extensive network of providers can help you to get the cheapest and most suitable quote. 

• MoneySuperMarket

One of the biggest names in the comparison site industry, MoneySuperMarket allows users to compare prices on a wide range of products from energy tariffs to personal loans. Not only can they help you find the cheapest quotes, but they also provide a vast range of resources to help you better understand different financial products, while also offering gift cards and rewards to help you save money further.

• Go Compare

Go Compare, with its iconic opera-singing mascot, is another giant in the UK comparison market. This site specialises in simplifying the process of shopping around, providing a user-friendly interface for comparing a huge range of financial products including insurance, mortgages, gas and electricity. On top of helping you find the best prices, Go Compare helps to highlight other important information in its quotes to make sure that you find the right solution for your needs.

• Compare The Market

Another major player is Compare The Market – famous for their meerkat mascots, Aleksandr Orlov and Sergei. Like MoneySuperMarket and Go Compare, this site allows you to compare an extensive range of financial products and services. A key standout feature is their ‘Meerkat Meals’ and ‘Meerkat movies’ reward schemes – when you take out eligible policies via their site, you can get access to exclusive discounts on food and cinema tickets. This means that you don’t just get the best insurance or energy deal, but also potentially a free trip to the movies or a discounted meal at a restaurant. 

• Google Shopping

Google Shopping is more of a search engine function than a standalone comparison site, but it’s still highly worth using. When using Google, head over to the ‘Shopping’ tab. Type in a product and it will show you an array of options from across the web. You can sort these by price from low to high, sort them by product rating, and even filter by size and color. It’s a good way to compare the price of specific products, but bear in mind that only limited information is provided per listing – you’ll need to click on each product and visit the webpage for a more in-depth comparison.

• Uswitch

Uswitch specialises in helping customers switch utilities and household bills. Their primary focus is energy tariffs, broadband, mobile plans, and home insurance. They pride themselves in providing unbiased comparisons, while clearly highlighting potential savings. Their site is very easy to use and they provide lots of tips on how to help you switch while avoiding additional fees.  

• Idealo

This powerful price comparison engine allows you to compare prices on a huge variety of products from electronics to clothing. They have access to many different online retailers and can aggregate prices from highest to lowest. A standout feature of Idealo is their price history graph, which allows you to see how the price of a product has changed over time to help you determine whether now is the right time to buy. They also allow you to sign up and set up alerts when a product reaches a certain price. 

• Confused.com

A pioneer of the UK online comparison market, Confused.com started off as a comparison site for car insurance, but has steadily branched out to provide comparisons on all kinds of financial products from home insurance to mobile phone deals (you can even compare petrol prices in your area). The site aims to simplify complex products, helping to make the comparison process easier and more stress-free. They offer gift card rewards when you buy certain products through their site. 

• PriceRunner

PriceRunner is similar to Idealo in that it scours the web for the best deals on products by comparing various retailers. They provide detailed information on each product beyond the price, including user reviews and popularity score. Previous price information allows you to see how much products have been discounted. Like Idealo, you can also use their site to set up price alert notifications so that you know when a product drops in price. 

Choosing the right comparison site

Some comparison sites are better for certain products – think about exactly what it is you’re looking for and find a comparison site that caters to that product. It’s also worth looking into rewards and extra features like price alerts. 

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Becky

Meet the award-nominated UK lifestyle blogger behind Spirited Puddle Jumper – a mum of three living in South East London! Becky shares the real ups and downs of family life, parenting tips, and lifestyle inspiration, proving that being a mum doesn’t mean you stop being fun or having other interests! Follow along for honest insights into UK family life and opinions on a whole range of topics, from travel and food, to beauty reviews, home and DIY, business and health and wellness.