Sift Review

I receive what seems like hundreds of emails a week. Many of these emails are exclusive offers and discounts to my favorite stores, but they quickly become buried as new email arrives in my inbox. While it would be ideal to send these to a separate folder, I still have to take the time to sort through them all to see who has the best deals this weekend.

Sift solves the dilemma of cluttered shopping emails by combining them into an HD shopping experience. Instead of sorting and organizing to find the best deals, use Sift to create a personalized shopping list.

To get started, either create an email account or login through Facebook. It’s not required to link an email account, but that’s what makes the app so personalized. Once users link their account, the app begins sorting through all the emails and importing them into the app. Users can then subscribe to their favorite stores, like the best deals or view the top 100 offers from over 3000 brands.

The interface is quite intuitive. I felt like I was browsing through a large interactive mall. It’s easy to like and dislike offers, share promotions with friends and even shop at my favorite stores all with just a few taps on the screen. One of my favorite options is to set a sale reminder so that I never forget when a great deal is happening. A few other great features include the option to move sales to a Sift folder, social connect through Facebook, the ability to shop within the app and notification settings for favorite shops and big savings.

There’s little not to like about Sift. If I had to suggest any improvements it would be to create a mobile iPhone version for when I leave the iPad at home, and the addition of a privacy statement to those users who may be concerned. I was reluctant to enter my email password into the app and let it access all my emails to find sales, and I also felt concerned about why the app is completely free. A little research shows that Sift makes money through affiliate fees when purchases are made through the app. While the privacy information is available on their website, being a little more upfront directly within the app or in the iTune’s description may make users feel more comfortable.

The overall concept of Sift is ingenious. Just when I thought that I had all the apps I need, another one pops up that makes my life a little less hectic. It’s like having a virtual mall in my pocket, and I can’t wait to snag some great deals this weekend without wondering if I missed anything in my email. Since it’s completely free to try, I recommend it to anyone who does a lot of shopping online.