Apps That Give You Free Food in the UK (2026 Guide)
Food prices are still painfully high, and whether you’re genuinely struggling or just fed up with overpaying, free food apps can make a real difference.
But here’s the truth most lists won’t tell you: not every “free food app” actually gives you free food.
Some apps genuinely give food away with no purchase.
Some sell surplus food cheaply.
Others only reward you after you’ve spent a fair bit.
To save you time (and disappointment), I’ve broken down which free food apps in the UK actually work in 2026, and which ones are just loyalty schemes in disguise.
🟢 Apps That Give You Free Food in the UK (No Spend Required)
Olio
What you get:
Completely free food from people and local businesses in your area
Is it actually free?
✅ Yes — no purchase required
Best for:
Anyone struggling with food costs or wanting to cut waste
Worth downloading?
Yes. This is the only app on this list that gives genuinely free food with no spending.
🟠 Apps That Don’t Give Free Food — But Slash the Cost
Too Good To Go
What you get:
£10+ worth of surplus food for around £3–£5
Is it actually free?
❌ No — heavily discounted, not free
Best for:
People in towns or cities who can collect at short notice
Worth downloading?
Yes. One of the best-value food apps in the UK if you’re flexible.
Greggs (Sign-Up Bonus)
What you get:
A free hot drink just for downloading and registering the app
Is it actually free?
✅ Yes — sign-up only, no spend required
Best for:
Anyone who occasionally visits Greggs
Worth downloading?
Yes. One of the easiest “instant wins” on this list.
Krispy Kreme
What you get:
A free doughnut for signing up, plus a free birthday treat
Is it actually free?
✅ Yes — no purchase required
Best for:
Anyone with a Krispy Kreme store nearby
Worth downloading?
Yes. One of the best instant free food offers in the UK.
🔴 Fast Food Loyalty Apps (Spend Required)
McDonald’s Rewards (2026 Update)
What you get:
Free items after collecting points
Is it actually free?
❌ No — requires spending first
Best for:
Regular McDonald’s customers
Worth downloading?
Maybe. As of March 2026, rewards are slower — basic items now require around a £20 spend.
Subway Rewards (Revamped)
What you get:
Cash-style discounts rather than free subs
Is it actually free?
❌ No — cashback-style rewards
Best for:
People who eat Subway regularly
Worth downloading?
Yes, but expectations need resetting. 150 points = £1 off, not free food.
Costa Club
What you get:
1 free drink after 8 purchases (or 4 with a reusable cup)
Is it actually free?
❌ No — loyalty scheme
Best for:
Regular Costa drinkers
Worth downloading?
Yes. Still one of the fastest coffee loyalty schemes in the UK.
Also worth reading
If you’re a hot drinks fan, find out how to save more money with the best coffee loyalty schemes.
KFC Rewards Arcade
What you get:
A chance to win free food after playing a rewards game
Is it actually free?
❌ No — requires a £3 spend to unlock the game
Best for:
Occasional KFC customers
Worth downloading?
Maybe. I’ve won free food, but there’s no guarantee.
Burger King App
What you get:
Free items after earning points, plus app-only discounts
Is it actually free?
❌ No — loyalty rewards
Best for:
Regular Burger King customers
Worth downloading?
Yes — discounts are often better than in-store deals.
Nando’s App
What you get:
Free chicken and sides after collecting Chillies
Is it actually free?
❌ No — rewards after spending
Best for:
People who eat at Nando’s fairly often
Worth downloading?
Yes. Rewards are still decent if you go regularly.
🔵 Sign-Up & Trial Deals
Tastecard
What you get:
2-for-1 meals during the free trial
Is it actually free?
✅ Yes — during the trial period
Best for:
Eating out cheaply for a short time
Worth downloading?
Yes — but many deals now exclude Fridays and Saturdays.
Meerkat Meals (2026 Update)
What you get:
25% off restaurant bills or 50% off pizza delivery
Is it actually free?
❌ No — requires a qualifying Compare the Market purchase
Best for:
Cheap meals and takeaway deals
Worth downloading?
Yes — still excellent value, but no longer mainly 2-for-1.
Further food discounts with cashback
Before you make any purchases, check out some of these cashback apps. They allow you to buy discounted gift cards and many popular retailers and are a great way to save money.
You can combine gift cards with receipt-scanning apps that reward points for every receipt you photograph. These points can then be exchanged for cash or vouchers.
Further reading
If you’re struggling with the cost of food, why not take a look at my post about where to find cheap and free food?
Or find out if it’s actually cheaper to do your supermarket shopping online.
FAQ
What apps give you free food in the UK?
Olio is the best app for genuinely free food in the UK, with no purchase required. Greggs and Krispy Kreme also offer free items when you sign up.
Are there any apps that give free food with no spend?
Yes. Olio allows you to collect free surplus food without spending any money. Greggs and Krispy Kreme also offer sign-up freebies with no purchase required.
What is the best free food app in the UK?
Olio is the best free food app in the UK because it offers completely free food rather than discounts or loyalty rewards.
Do free food apps really work?
Yes, but only if you understand the difference between genuinely free food apps and loyalty schemes that require spending first.
Are fast food apps actually free?
Most fast food apps do not give instant free food. They usually reward customers after spending money through loyalty schemes.
Is Too Good To Go free?
No. Too Good To Go sells surplus food at a discount. You usually pay £3.50–£6.00 for food worth significantly more.
