Tech

These Are the Best Price-Tracking Tools I Use As a Deals Writer

By Alex • June 12, 2026
These Are the Best Price-Tracking Tools I Use As a Deals Writer

These Are the Best Price-Tracking Tools I Use As a Deals Writer

Ever felt totally duped by a "great deal" that turned out to be... not so great? You’re not alone. Retailers are masters of psychological warfare, often sneaking price hikes before major sales (yes, even Amazon's Prime Day isn't immune!) or using tricks to get you to spend more. As a shopping editor, constantly watching fluctuating prices is my job. But you don't need to make it yours. I've been using these battle-tested price-tracking tools for years to ensure I'm always bagging the actual best deal.

The Amazon Powerhouse: Camelcamelcamel

When it comes to Amazon, Camelcamelcamel is your secret weapon. This free tool (available as a website or browser extension for Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera, and Safari) lets you peek behind the curtain of Amazon's pricing. Just paste an Amazon link or product name, and boom! You get a detailed chart showing how the price has moved over time, distinguishing between Amazon direct and third-party sellers. Sign up for a free account, and you can set up alerts to notify you when an item drops below your target price or hits an all-time low. No more guessing if "now" is the time to buy.

For Most Retailers (with a caveat): Honey

You might remember Honey from some past controversies, but when it comes to price tracking across multiple retailers, its "Droplist" feature is still a go-to. The Honey browser extension (available for most browsers) allows you to add items to a Droplist. It then monitors those products across various major retailers and alerts you if prices drop. Crucially, it lets you see the price history before a sale, helping you distinguish a genuine discount from a fake markdown. Just remember to use your own judgment on where you complete your purchase.

The Ultimate Price Comparison Shopper: Capital One Shopping

Formerly Wikibuy, Capital One Shopping is a fantastic tool for comparing prices on the fly. Its browser extension (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari) instantly scans other retailers while you're browsing a product, telling you if it's cheaper elsewhere. It gives you a concise summary of price history, delivery times, and total cost, including tax and shipping. Plus, it’ll notify you if a product you've viewed drops in price. You can even earn credits at partner sites for gift cards.

For the Gamers: CheapShark

Gamers, rejoice! CheapShark is your dedicated deal hunter. It aggregates prices for PC games across platforms like Steam, GoG, Green Man Gaming, and more. Search for any game and see its cheapest-ever price, when that deal happened, and which retailer currently has it available. You can filter by games on sale, or set price alerts to snag that new release when it finally hits your budget.

Quick Checks & Honorable Mentions

  • Amazon's Own Price History: For a quick glance, Amazon itself sometimes offers a basic 30-to-90-day price history next to the listing, powered by Rufus AI. Not as detailed as Camelcamelcamel, but useful for a fast check.
  • Keepa: Very similar to Camelcamelcamel, Keepa offers detailed price history graphs directly on the Amazon product page via its extension. It also tracks eBay prices and sends alerts.
  • SlickDeals: Known for community-found deals, SlickDeals also offers a web-based price tracker for various sites. While its historical data isn't as robust as the dedicated trackers, it's great for setting alerts and tapping into a community always hunting for the best bargains.

Don't let retailers trick you into overspending again. Arm yourself with these tools, and you'll always be ready to pounce on a real deal. Happy hacking your shopping!