Ever tried to buy a laptop, headphones, or even a dorm lamp online and found yourself lost in a sea of prices, tabs, and “special” deals? If you’re a college student, every dollar counts—so finding the best price isn’t just nice, it’s necessary. Two tools promise to make this easier: PriceGPT (inside the Blitz app) and Google Shopping. But which one actually helps students save more? Let’s break it down.
What is PriceGPT?
PriceGPT is a smart shopping assistant built for students. It lives inside the Blitz app, which is already packed with student-focused financial tools. PriceGPT’s whole mission is to help you buy smarter—no matter if you’re shopping for dorm essentials, tech, or just your next bottle of shampoo.
How PriceGPT Works:
- Scan product barcodes or upload receipts to compare prices at local and online stores.
- Type in what you’re shopping for (“compare laptop prices”) and get real-time price comparisons.
- Set alerts for price drops, restocks, or student-only deals.
- Get personalized prompts—like “find cheapest mini fridge” or “show me deals on headphones”—tailored to what students actually buy.
- Track price history to see if now’s the best time to buy or if you should wait for a sale.
- Get flagged for student discounts and group buying deals.
Everything happens inside the Blitz app, so you can also track your spending, set budgets, and even find student jobs—all in one place.
What is Google Shopping?
Google Shopping is the giant of the price comparison world. It’s built right into Google Search and gives you a bird’s-eye view of prices for millions of products from thousands of online and local stores.
How Google Shopping Works:
- Search for a product, click the “Shopping” tab, and see prices from different retailers.
- Filter by price, brand, store, or even product condition (new/used).
- View price history graphs and see if a price is high, low, or typical.
- Turn on price tracking to get notified when a product drops in price.
- See ratings, reviews, and store trust badges.
- Buy directly from some retailers through Google, with the Google Guarantee for returns and support.
It’s a powerhouse for anyone who wants to compare lots of options fast—but it’s not built specifically for students.
PriceGPT vs. Google Shopping: Side-by-Side
| Feature | PriceGPT (Blitz App) | Google Shopping |
| User Experience | Chat-based, student-focused, personalized prompts | Search-based, broad, not student-specific |
| Price Comparison | Real-time, local + online, tailored for students | Massive catalog, mostly online, broad filtering |
| Price Alerts | Price drops, restocks, student deals | Price drops only |
| Student Discounts | Yes, automatically flagged | No, must search manually |
| Group Buying | Yes, coordinate with roommates/friends | No |
| Budget Integration | Yes, with Blitz budgeting tools | No |
| Purchase Timing Advice | Yes, based on price history and trends | Yes, with price history graphs |
| Extra Features | Dorm checklists, spending tracking, job search | Store ratings, Google Guarantee, reviews |
User Experience: What’s It Like to Shop?
PriceGPT:
It’s like texting a super-savvy friend. You just type what you want, or scan a barcode, and PriceGPT does the hunting. It remembers you’re a student, so it surfaces student discounts and deals you’d actually use. If you’re shopping for a dorm, you can even upload your checklist and get the best prices for every item.
Google Shopping:
You search, filter, and scroll. It’s fast and covers a ton of ground, but it won’t remind you about student discounts or help you split costs with roommates. You’ll need to do more of the legwork yourself, especially if you want to check for local in-store prices or student-specific deals.
Price Comparison Capabilities
PriceGPT:
Great for price comparison both local and online prices, especially for things students buy a lot—laptops, headphones, snacks, dorm gear. It can even tell you if you’re better off waiting a week for a sale, based on price history. Plus, it’ll flag if a store near campus has a better deal than what you see online.
Google Shopping:
Covers a huge range of products and retailers, especially online. You’ll see price history, typical prices, and can filter by store, but local store comparisons aren’t always as detailed. It’s fantastic for big-ticket items and general shopping, but not as tuned to student life.
Student-Specific Features
PriceGPT:
This is where PriceGPT shines. It’s built for students, so it knows what you’re likely to buy, when you’ll need it (think: move-in season), and how to find the best student discounts. You can set alerts for student-only deals, coordinate group buys with friends, and even get tips for sticking to your budget.
Google Shopping:
No student focus. You can still find great prices, but you’ll have to hunt for student discounts yourself. There’s no way to split costs or see deals tailored for college life.
Alerts and Notifications
PriceGPT:
Set alerts for price drops, restocks, or when a student deal pops up. You’ll get notifications right in the Blitz app, so you never miss out.
Google Shopping:
You can track prices and get alerts when something drops in price, but that’s about it. No alerts for student deals or group buying.
Integration and Extras
PriceGPT:
Part of the Blitz ecosystem, so you can manage your budget, track spending, find jobs, and discover deals—all in one app. It’s a one-stop shop for student finances and shopping.
Google Shopping:
Integrates with your Google account and lets you buy directly from some retailers, but doesn’t offer budgeting, job search, or personalized financial tools.
Real-World Scenarios: Which Tool Wins?
Scenario 1: Buying a Laptop
If you’re looking for a new laptop, both tools will show you a range of prices and let you track price drops. But PriceGPT will also flag student discounts (like the ones Apple or Dell offer), help you time your purchase, and show you if a local store has a better deal. Google Shopping will give you more options, but you’ll have to do the work of checking for student deals and local prices.
Scenario 2: Dorm Essentials
PriceGPT is built for this. Upload your dorm checklist, and it’ll find the cheapest options for everything—plus student discounts and group deals. Google Shopping will show you lots of options, but you’ll need to compare and organize everything yourself.
Which Should You Use?
If you’re a student who wants the absolute lowest price, plus student discounts, group buying options, and budgeting help, PriceGPT inside the Blitz app is the way to go. It’s designed around your needs and helps you save time and money on every purchase.
If you want to cast the widest net and compare prices from as many stores as possible—especially for big-ticket items—Google Shopping is a powerful tool. Just be ready to put in a little extra effort to find student-specific deals.
Try Them Out and See What Works
Every student shops a little differently. The best way to see which tool fits your style is to try both. Download Blitz, explore PriceGPT, and run your next shopping list through Google Shopping too. See which one actually saves you more—then stick with the one that works for your budget and your brain.
If you want to make your money stretch further this semester, it pays to shop smart. And with the right tools, you’ll never wonder if you could’ve gotten a better deal.
