Apps That Give You Free Food UK: Best Ways To Get Meals Without Paying
Are you looking to save money on food in 2025? We’ve rounded up all the apps that give you free food UK residents can download today.
From restaurant leftovers to supermarket surplus and fast food freebies, these apps can help you eat for less while reducing food waste.
Key Takeaways
- Free Food App Options: Discover the top apps that give you free food UK users can download right now, including how they work and what free items you can get.
- Reducing Food Waste: Learn how these free food UK apps help fight climate change while letting you enjoy delicious meals for free.
- Getting Started Guide: Simple steps to set up and make the most of the best apps that give you free food UK on your phone today.
Fast Food Apps With Sign-Up Freebies
Many fast food chains offer completely free items through their loyalty apps. These are some of the best apps that give you free food when you sign up UK residents should download immediately.
McDonald’s App – Free Hot Drink
The McDonald’s app is one of the most popular options for free food. New users receive a free hot drink from the McCafé range, including tea, latte, or cappuccino. The app also frequently offers deals like free burgers, free fries, and other freebies in the deals section.
How to get your freebie:
- Download the McDonald’s app
- Create an account and verify your email
- Check the ‘Deals’ section to claim your free hot drink
- Collect from your nearest McDonald’s
With the MyMcDonald’s Rewards program, you’ll also earn points with every purchase. For every penny you spend, you get 1 point, and these can be redeemed for free food items across the menu.
KFC App – Free Side Item
KFC rewards new app users with three chicken stamps, which can be redeemed for a free side like 2 Hot Wings, Small Popcorn Chicken, or Regular Fries. Their rewards program lets you earn stamps with every purchase.
How to get your freebie:
- Download the KFC app
- Register and verify your account
- Redeem your free side in the rewards section
According to food savings experts, KFC has recently updated their rewards program, but it still offers good value for regular customers who want to earn free food with their purchases.
Burger King App – Free Whopper
Burger King regularly offers a free Whopper when you download their app and create an account. Their app runs smoothly and is updated regularly with plenty of offers.
How to get your freebie:
- Download the Burger King app
- Register and verify your account
- Check the rewards section for your free voucher
Royal Perks members earn 10 “Crowns” for every £1 spent. After spending £25, you’re eligible for free fast food items. Members can also upgrade their fries, hash browns, or drinks to a larger size at no extra cost.
Greggs App – Free Hot Drink and Treat
Greggs offers new users a free hot drink and a sweet treat, such as a doughnut or cookie. The app also has a rewards system where purchases earn stamps that can be redeemed for free sandwiches and drinks.
How to get your freebie:
- Download the Greggs app
- Sign up and verify your account
- Claim your free hot drink and treat at your local store
While not the most generous rewards system (you need to make nine purchases in the same category to earn a freebie), it’s still worth having for regular Greggs customers.
Krispy Kreme App – Free Doughnut
Krispy Kreme rewards new app users with a free doughnut upon signing up. Their app also offers rewards points with every purchase, which can be saved up for more free treats.
How to get your freebie:
- Download the Krispy Kreme app
- Create an account and verify it
- Check the rewards section for your free doughnut voucher
Krispy Kreme also gives members a free doughnut on their birthday, making it one of the best apps that give free food UK users should have.
Taco Bell App – Free Crunchy Taco
Taco Bell offers new users a free crunchy taco upon signing up, along with bonus rewards points. These points can later be used for treats like free churros or cinnamon twists.
How to get your freebie:
- Download the Taco Bell app
- Create an account and verify your email
- Claim your free crunchy taco in the rewards section
Food Sharing Apps For Reducing Waste
Not all free food apps UK are from big chains. Some of the best apps focus on reducing food waste by connecting you with surplus food in your local area.
OLIO – Community Food Sharing
OLIO is one of the most popular apps that give you free food without paying anything. This local sharing app connects people with neighbours to share food rather than throw it away.
The app works by letting anyone post photos of unwanted food items they don’t need. You simply browse what’s available nearby, message the person, and arrange pick up from a public location.
What makes OLIO special is its focus on the waste less movement today. Not only can you get free food, but you’re also reducing food waste and helping to fight climate change at the same time.
Users can find everything from fresh produce that someone bought too much of, to homemade meals that won’t get eaten. The global community of users makes this a safe space to share resources.
We’ve found this app particularly useful for getting quality ingredients completely free. Sometimes people even post entire grocery hauls they can’t use before going on holiday!
Too Good To Go – Rescue Surprise Bags
Too Good To Go is among the best free food apps UK for getting restaurant and café food at massive discounts. While not completely free, it offers “Magic Bags” of surplus food at around 70-80% off retail price.
The app connects you with restaurants and cafés that have unsold food at the end of the day. Rather than letting this food go to waste, businesses sell surprise bags at a fraction of the original price.
You’ll need to pay a small amount (usually £3-5), but in return, you’ll get food worth £10-15 or more. This makes it one of the most popular apps that give you free food UK without paying full price.
The surprise element is part of the fun – you never know exactly what you’ll get, but that’s part of the experience! From bakeries with surplus pastries to cafés with extra sandwiches, or restaurants with prepared meals, there’s a wide variety of options.
We tried it last week and got an incredible bag from a local bakery – three loaves of artisan bread, four pastries and two sandwiches for just £3.50!
Cashback Apps For Free Groceries
These apps offer a different way to get free food by giving you cashback on your shopping.
Shopmium – Free Samples and Cashback
The Shopmium app offers a different approach to getting free food from apps UK. Rather than focusing on surplus food, it provides cashback and sometimes completely free products through special promotions.
How it works is simple:
- Browse the available offers in the app
- Buy the products in store
- Scan your receipt to get cashback
What makes this one of the apps that give you free food UK is that many offers are for 100% cashback, meaning you get the item for free.
New users often get a free treat when they sign up, like a free chocolate bar. The app regularly updates with new offers, so it’s worth checking frequently to see what freebies are available.
We’ve managed to get everything from free Cadbury chocolate to breakfast cereals and snacks using this app.
CheckoutSmart – Instant Cashback
CheckoutSmart works similarly to Shopmium, offering cashback on specific grocery items. Users can often find free samples or heavily discounted items.
How to use CheckoutSmart:
- Download the app
- Sign up and browse offers
- Purchase the product and upload your receipt
- Wait for your cashback to be transferred
The app frequently has offers for completely free products, particularly for new items that brands want consumers to try.
How To Get The Most From Free Food Apps
To make the most of these apps that give you free food, follow these simple tips:
- Set notifications for all your free food apps so you don’t miss time-sensitive offers
- Check apps daily – the best deals and free items often go quickly
- Be flexible with collection times – especially for Too Good To Go bags
- Join multiple apps for the most opportunities
- Look for referral code opportunities where sharing with friends gives you bonuses
- Combine offers across different apps for maximum savings
Having several of these apps on your phone creates more chances to get free food and helps you save money on your food budget. The faster and smoother experience comes when you know exactly when to check each app for new offers.
Remember that while getting free food is great, the broader benefit is contributing to less waste and supporting a more sustainable food system.
Overall
We think the UK offers an amazing number of apps that give you free food or heavily discounted meals. Whether you’re motivated by saving money during the cost of living crisis or reducing food waste, there’s an app to suit your needs.
From community sharing platforms like OLIO to cashback apps like Shopmium and fast food rewards programs, the options are varied. Each app has its own approach, but they all provide opportunities to eat for less while often helping tackle the important issue of food waste.
The best strategy is to use a combination of these apps that give you free food UK residents love, checking each regularly for the best opportunities. Not only will you save money, but you’ll also be part of the solution to food waste and sustainability challenges.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which apps give completely free food in the UK without paying anything?
OLIO is the main app that gives completely free food UK users can access without any payment. Fast food chains apps like Burger King, KFC, and Krispy Kreme also offer free food items when you sign up without requiring a purchase.
How do I know if the free food on sharing apps is safe to eat?
Most sharing apps have rating systems and community moderation. On OLIO, users have profiles with ratings, and the app provides guidelines on food safety. Use your judgment and check “use by” dates when collecting any free food.
Can I get free groceries using these apps?
Some apps like Shopmium offer 100% cashback on grocery items, effectively making them free. Community sharing apps like OLIO often have grocery items posted by supermarkets at the end of the day or by individuals with excess food.
Do I need to pay for delivery with these free food apps?
Most free food UK apps require you to collect items yourself from either the person sharing or the store/restaurant. This helps keep the service viable and supports the waste less movement today.
How much money can I save using free food apps?
Regular users report saving £20-50 per week using a combination of these apps. The savings depend on how actively you use the apps and your flexibility with collection times and food preferences.
How do these apps help fight climate change?
Food waste is a major contributor to climate change. When food decomposes in landfills, it produces methane, a potent greenhouse gas. By rescuing food through these apps, you’re helping to reduce food waste and lower greenhouse gas emissions.
Are there any paid subscriptions required for these free food apps?
No, all the apps that give you free food UK mentioned in this article are free to download and use. Some, like Too Good To Go, require payment for the discounted food bags, but the apps themselves don’t charge subscription fees.
How often are new free food offers added to these apps?
This varies by app. Fast food apps might update weekly, Shopmium updates offers regularly, and sharing apps like OLIO have new items posted throughout the day as users share surplus food. Checking daily is the best approach for maximum benefits.
