Buying discount shoes online is an easy way to save money while avoiding a trip to the store. In many cases, online shoe stores may have a wider selection since physical stores only carry select brands and styles.
There are several excellent places to buy shoes online for every person in your family.
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Where to Find Affordable Shoes Online
The best online shoe sites offer shoes for both adults and kids. They will also have flexible return policies and free shipping in most situations.
1. Amazon
You can buy almost anything on Amazon, including shoes. If you need to find discount shoes, the online giant can be your first stop.
Amazon has hundreds of brands in stock. If you want a good deal on shoes, you can shop their warehouse offers or filter the results to only show shoes that cost less than $25.
It’s also possible to buy designer brands on Amazon. However, you will need to perform your due diligence. Remember to buy directly from Amazon as some third-party vendors sell imitations yet charge full price.
*Related: Do you hate searching for promo codes only to find they don’t work? Try adding the Capital One Shopping browser extension to your phone or device to find active coupon codes.
Shoe purchases falls under their refund policy. You can return your purchase within 30 days as long as they haven’t been “worn.”
Keep the original packaging to qualify for a full refund. You may be able to exchange your shoes for a different color or size as well.
If you don’t like what you purchased, you can ship it back for free. When shopping, make sure you buy shoes that have the “free returns” label on them.
Pros
- Amazon Prime perks for Prime members
- Easy return and refund policy
- Many brands, options, sizes, and colors available
- Shoes available in nearly any budget
Cons
- Need to make sure shoes have “free return” options
- Designer brands may be expensive
Best for: Amazon is an excellent option for anyone who wants to buy affordable shoes under $25.
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2. Zappos
Zappos is one of the best places for online shoe shopping due to its competitive prices and wide selection. The retailer has been around for over 20 years and is part of the Amazon family.
Amazon Prime members receive special benefits, including free expedited shipping and bonus Zappos VIP rewards points.
The Zappos VIP loyalty program is free to join, offers free expedited shipping on every order, and has a rapid return policy.
If you’re looking for affordable children’s, men’s, or women’s shoes, Zappos is worth a look. Most brands and styles are available on the site. They also have a detailed filter option so you can find exactly what you want.
Zappos is also a legit place to buy designer and name brands. That said, you may not always pay discount prices.
Free standard shipping is available on every order. Zappos also offers free returns and a generous return policy that allows you an entire year (365 days) to return your shoes.
You should receive a refund within ten days. Select VIP members can receive a refund within 24 hours of the initial UPS return shipping scan.
Pros
- Amazing customer service
- Easy to filter options
- Free shipping and returns
- 365-day return policy
- Options for the whole family
Cons
- Can be slightly more expensive than other websites
- They don’t offer coupons (unless you’re a student, teacher, or military member)
Best for: Zappos is great for shoppers who want to buy brand name shoes and need a flexible return policy.
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3. Target
Target makes shopping for cheap shoes online and in-store easy. Many sizes and styles are available for under $30.
Shopping with a Target RedCard can help you save an extra five percent.
On Target’s website, you have a bigger selection of shoes than at the store. You can browse their “shoe deals” section to see the current sales.
Free standard shipping is available for most purchases. Some items may require in-store pickup.
Target’s return policy is more flexible than other sites. You have up to 90 days to return shoes to a local store or take advantage of free return shipping.
Pros
- Larger selection than in-store
- Fast shipping (usually shipped the next business day)
- Free shipping/pickup if shipped to your local store
- REDcard perks (like free shipping on orders $35 and over)
- Generous refund policy
Cons
- Few perks for shipping if you don’t have a REDcard
If you have a large family or like to save money, Target is a terrific choice to buy cheap clothes online as well.
Best for: Target is best for buying shoes under $30 and in-store returns.
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4. Overstock.com
Overstock.com is another excellent choice to find affordable items. They have clothing and accessory sales that often make it easy to buy good shoes at low prices.
If you’re trying to save money on specialty styles like boots or you want designer shoes at a discount, you need to check out Overstock.com.
They have great options for men, women, and children. You can get shoes for the whole family and stay under budget.
Many purchases have free standard shipping. Some offer free two-day shipping.
Return policies vary by vendor. Expect to pay return shipping costs. However, it’s possible to get a refund on the purchase price if you meet the merchant’s conditions.
Some merchants may require you to return your shoes within 15 days to qualify for a refund. Others have a return window of up to 90 days.
Pros
- Great selection of shoes for the whole family
- Free standard shipping on most purchases
- Some sellers offer free two-day shipping
- Often has sales of 20 percent off suggested retail
Cons
- Selection moves quickly
- May need to pay for return shipping
- Return window varies by seller
Best for: Overstock.com is ideal for those looking to shop for cheap shoes online that are also on sale.
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5. Foot Locker
Are you looking for shoes for the athlete in your family? Or do you like to run? If so, Foot Locker is an excellent place to get discount athletic shoes.
You won’t be able to buy sandals, heels, or boots. Thankfully, there are other stores to purchase affordable shoes online for non-sports needs.
Free shipping is available for all orders above $50. It’s possible to get free shipping on smaller orders by joining their free FXL loyalty program.
You will pay more at Foot Locker, but they do have a coupon page you can use to find discounts.
You have 45 days from the original shipment date to initiate a return in-store or online. Foot Locker deducts a $6.99 shipping fee on returns. However, you can pay to ship the item yourself to avoid that fee.
There isn’t a return shipping fee for defective merchandise.
Pros
- Affordable styles for all sizes
- Free shipping on orders above $50
- Great sale options
- 45-day return policy
Cons
- Must have original everything, including tags, to return items
- Have to pay $6.99 to return items
- May be more expensive than other stores.
Best for: Foot Locker is best for buying athletic shoes, including Nike, Jordan, and Vans.
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6. DSW
DSW (Designer Shoe Warehouse) is for fashionistas that love “trendy” and affordable shoes. You can find almost any style at DSW, from boots to the snakeskin heels.
You can outfit the entire family at DSW.
If you’ve seen the DSW stores, they have ample selection. Their website is similar.
You can filter the shoes by these factors:
- Occasion type
- Heel height
- Style
- Features
These advanced search filters can make it easier to find comfortable shoes for foot pain, for example.
Many pairs sell for under $35. This is cheap enough to enjoy the latest styles at great prices.
Free shipping is available on orders that are $34.95 or higher. Joining the free VIP Rewards loyalty program provides free shipping on every order.
Return shipping costs between $7.95 per order (standard delivery) or up to $19.95 (rush delivery). Free returns are available for VIP Rewards members.
All VIP Rewards members qualify for free in-store returns. VIP members must spend $200 annually to qualify for free online returns. Spending at least $500 per year extends the return window from 60 days to 365 days.
Pros
- Trendy and regular options like tennis shoes and sandals
- Hundreds of brands to choose from
- Free exchanges within 60 days of purchase
Cons
- Free shipping on orders $35 or more (unless you join VIP Rewards)
- Online returns cost $7.95
Best for: DSW is best for people who want great prices on shoes that are on point with the latest fashion trends.
Start shopping
7. 6pm
If you didn’t know, Zappos has an outlet store as well. They send their unsold items to 6pm as a last attempt to sell them. As a result, you may find some incredible deals if you want to shop for shoes online.
You can save up to 80 percent at this discount shoe store, according to 6pm. Name brand shoes and other brands you might be unfamiliar with are listed on the site.
Shipping is free on orders above $50 or when buying at least two items.
Returns must be done within 30 days. Buyers are responsible for paying return shipping fees.
Some of their items are considered final sale, so be careful before ordering. 6pm doesn’t offer exchanges either.
Pros
- Free shipping for orders $50 or more, or 2+ items
- Designer styles for rock bottom prices
- Frequent discounts offered
Cons
- Only a 30-day window for returns
- No exchanges
Best for: 6pm is great for people who want to buy shoes at clearance prices.
Start shopping
8. Shoe Carnival
Shoe Carnival is worth considering when buying discount shoes online.
You can find shoes for the whole family and receive free shipping for all orders over $75.
In addition to shopping online, Shoe Carnival lets you earn extra rewards by joining their Shoe Perks loyalty program. It’s free to join.
Some of the Shoe Perks benefits include:
- Earn 1 point per $1 you spend
- Redeem 200 points for a $10 certificate
- $5 Birthday Perk
- No receipt is necessary for returns
Points never expire with this program.
By spending $200 per year, you qualify for the Shoe Perks Gold loyalty tier. One special benefit of Gold status is free standard shipping on all orders.
The return policy is 60 days from the purchase date. Shoes must be new, unused, and contain all original packaging.
There is a $6 fee to return items in-store or by mail. Local dropoff locations include Shoe Carnival, Walgreens, and participating Nordstrom stores.
Pros
- No receipt necessary for returns
- Get $5 on your birthday as a part of Shoe Perks
- Free in-store pickup
- Daily deal each day
Cons
- Only “Gold” members get free shipping under $75 (to qualify, you must spend $200 in a calendar year)
- $6 shipping fee for returns
Best for: Shoe Carnival is ideal for buying affordable athletic and dress shoes.
Start shopping
9. Famous Footwear
Famous Footwear is another store with a massive retail footprint. It’s also an excellent place to shop for name brand shoes online.
You won’t find designer styles at Famous Footwear, but they’re great for something you’ll wear every day.
If efficiency is important to you when shopping online, the retailer carries shoes for the entire family. There are even shoes for infants and toddlers, which is uncommon for some retailers.
Shipping is free on orders over $75.
There isn’t a shipping minimum for the Famously You Rewards members. This program is free to join.
The return window is 60 days. In-store returns are free. Returns by mail have a $7.95 service fee.
Items bought online can be returned locally or by mail. Exchanges are possible as well.
Pros
- Offers infant and toddler sizes
- Hundreds of shoes under $30
- Free in-store pickup
- Free rewards program offers free shipping and money back for purchases
Cons
- You have to pay for return shipping
- Selection for shoes can be small if you’re looking for something specific
Best for: Famous Footwear is best if you want to buy infant shoes and casual adult shoes.
Start shopping
Other Tips to Save Money on Shoes
Getting discount shoes online is a terrific way to save money. There are a couple of ways you can increase savings when shopping online.
Use Valid Coupon Codes
Some cheap online shoe sites list coupon codes on their homepage or in a special “coupons” section.
You can also use a free price comparison tool like Capital One Shopping that can apply active coupon codes and compare prices for specific products.
Read our Capital One Shopping review to learn more.
Get Cash Back on Your Purchase
If you shop online, you can often get a rebate. Ibotta gives you cash back when you shop online using its mobile app.
Once you’ve made your purchase, Ibotta adds the cash to your account. You can redeem your shopping rewards for cash or gift cards with a $20 rewards balance.
In addition to rewards, Ibotta offers cash back on in-store purchases. Most in-store offers are for groceries. Activate the offers and then scan your store receipt to receive credit for buying qualifying items.
You can also receive a $20 bonus with your first qualifying purchase.
Buy Discounted Gift Cards
Another way to save money is to buy discounted gift cards for your favorite stores. You can often combine them with cashback shopping apps or other discounts.
Raise is one of the best places to get discounted gift cards to almost any store, including Zappos and Famous Footwear.
Expect to save up to ten percent on the gift cards you purchase.
Sell Your Old Shoes
Another way to save money on future purchases is by selling your old kicks first. Designer shoes and those in like-new condition can fetch the best price.
Using a local buy and sell app can be the best way to sell your items. You don’t have to pay shipping or selling fees. It’s often free to list your items.
Craigslist is one of the oldest and most popular apps in many cities. You can download the Craigslist app to upload pictures and share a product description.
When a person buys a listing, the seller can arrange a “porch pickup” to avoid social contact. Simply leave what you sold at the front door. The buyer can leave the cash payment in a secure place.
Summary
Buying shoes online is convenient, easy, and often more affordable than buying locally. Free shipping and flexible return policies make it easy to return or exchange anything that doesn’t meet your expectations.
Where do you go to find affordable shoes for your family? What do you look for in a deal?
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