Tracking my finances and reducing my carbon footprint
As someone who cares deeply about the environment and is very aware of how much waste we generate, I’ve honestly avoided calculating my carbon footprint because I was worried I’d open a Pandora’s box that would feel overwhelming to address.
Downloading Commons completely changed that. The onboarding process was incredibly smooth, especially linking my financial accounts, and I was impressed by how clearly the app presents my carbon footprint. I also love that it highlights which brands are more sustainable and explains their ratings in a way that’s easy to understand rather than overwhelming. I love the gentle tips and challenges I can sign up for each month to reduce my carbon impact and how the app easily offers ways for me to offset them.
One feature I’d really love to see is the ability to compare the sustainability of different brands or flights before making a purchase, rather than only seeing the impact afterward. Having that information upfront would make it much easier to make more sustainable choices. I’d also like to see the brand rating methodology and evaluation criteria made more visible and easier to find, perhaps with a dedicated, more accessible section on the website.
Downloading Commons completely changed that. The onboarding process was incredibly smooth, especially linking my financial accounts, and I was impressed by how clearly the app presents my carbon footprint. I also love that it highlights which brands are more sustainable and explains their ratings in a way that’s easy to understand rather than overwhelming. I love the gentle tips and challenges I can sign up for each month to reduce my carbon impact and how the app easily offers ways for me to offset them.
One feature I’d really love to see is the ability to compare the sustainability of different brands or flights before making a purchase, rather than only seeing the impact afterward. Having that information upfront would make it much easier to make more sustainable choices. I’d also like to see the brand rating methodology and evaluation criteria made more visible and easier to find, perhaps with a dedicated, more accessible section on the website.
Show more
You won’t find a more fulfilling app
I've been using the commons app for about three months now. Loving the app so much, I've told plenty of people that it's the best thing on my phone. The new watchlist feature is great!!! Helpful to know both what to avoid and what to look for. Wondering if there could ever be a “getting started” module with some easy links and tips to begin living sustainably? The podcasts and news articles are wonderful but also overwhelming, I'd like to know some of the quickest and easiest things (or most important) to get started with first, and grow from there!
Show more
Response from developer
Thank you so much for the kind words, Ethan! We are thrilled to hear that our app has been so helpful for you.
Great idea not great execution
I love the idea behind it but the way they calculate emissions and what you spend money on are not accurate, leading to feeling guilty about numbers and habits. For instance I got a few snacks at a racetrack gas station, and it auto states that I spent that money on gas. I don’t drive, I don’t have a car, I don’t even have a license. Same goes for DoorDash, due to the not driving sometimes I do need to order groceries especially when I don’t have a friend to drive me. I ordered pads as an immediate need, and it added it against my goal to eat in more / order out less. Like I said, a great idea, but the execution is unfair. I definitely see how it’s helping people, it’s just not for me for reasons worth noting imo.
Show more
Response from developer
Hi, thank you for giving our app a try and sharing your feedback with us! You are right that at least for now our app is limited in the way we can let you track your purchases, right now it does require a card connection and we can only see your transaction with a brand, not exactly what you bought there. Please keep in touch as we are actively working on improving the app experience for everyone!
needs all ur data?
could be cool if it wasn't a data scam. why do I need to agree to terms of service that include reading my push notifications? why do I need to agree that you're allowed to sell my data to third parties in order to shop sustainably? weird. it's also weird to offer logins from big companies like facebook and google when your whole app is about not funding billionaires. (also the loopholes of facebook data scams in ur privacy policy r weird) weirdos. not to mention the other reviews about how you store ssn's? hmmm. weird....
Show more
Response from developer
Fair questions — trust is the whole point of what we're building. Quick facts: we don't read your notifications (that clause covers the device info needed to deliver them), we don't store SSNs or payment details (Stripe handles payments), and social login is optional. We don't sell your personal data. You've convinced us some of our legal language needs plainer wording, and we're on it. Anything else, we're at info@thecommons.earth.
Useless
Might be a good idea on paper. But there’s no reason I need to give them any more personal info than I already do
Bad UI
Can’t do anything unless you give them your data. Font is not accessible. The whole main page feels spammy like when you open Microsoft edge and a ton ridiculous articles are screaming at you to open them. Unclear purpose and concept for the app. Overall an overwhelming experience, and I got nowhere since i didn’t want to give my phone number.
Show more
It's ok
I don't like that they are labeling Costco as a bad company just because it is a big company doesn't automatically make it a bad company they support DEI and so does ALDI Costco and ALDI cares about the people a lot of companies don't like Target Walmart and Amazon so I would fix your app DEI is really important for the people
Pls get back to me thx Commons
Pls get back to me thx Commons
Show more
Unable to remove linked cards
Very unethical to not have an easy “unlink” button. I have to go through third party app or email them (no response after multiple days) to remove my linked cards. Questionable.
Added AI feature?
It is know that AI data centers are guzzling gallons of water per response. Is this not what you’re fighting against?
Aimed at upper middle class + incomes
It’s a good tool for noting your spending, though I had been expecting an option to input it manually, which there is not.
I don’t care about the points honestly since I’m no buy unless it’s a replacement or a necessity or something I know I will get good use out of, so shopping discounts don’t motivate me.
However, if I did want the points I would be disappointed in how it’s run. This month for example is a closet clean out challenge. I was doing that anyway so I signed up, but it turns out it only counts as participating if you have brand name goods to sell through upscale consignment shops online. My stuff (that’s in good enough condition for resale) is just donated to a local second hand store.
It’s nice to see the ratings for shops and it’s helpful to see the graphs about impacts. It’s nice to have the information and another way to make informed choices. I won’t be recommending the app to anyone though. It seems more designed to guide you to certain slightly upscale retailers than to truly help people better their shopping habits.
I don’t care about the points honestly since I’m no buy unless it’s a replacement or a necessity or something I know I will get good use out of, so shopping discounts don’t motivate me.
However, if I did want the points I would be disappointed in how it’s run. This month for example is a closet clean out challenge. I was doing that anyway so I signed up, but it turns out it only counts as participating if you have brand name goods to sell through upscale consignment shops online. My stuff (that’s in good enough condition for resale) is just donated to a local second hand store.
It’s nice to see the ratings for shops and it’s helpful to see the graphs about impacts. It’s nice to have the information and another way to make informed choices. I won’t be recommending the app to anyone though. It seems more designed to guide you to certain slightly upscale retailers than to truly help people better their shopping habits.
Show more
Response from developer
Hi, thank you so much for your feedback and being a part of the Commons community! As of right now we are only able to reward your climate actions that have a transaction associated with it but we are actively working on figuring out ways we can reward "no buy" climate actions in the future! We do already reward all public transportation, farmers markets, and secondhand purchases as well as donations to climate nonprofits. Keep up your climate journey!
Scammy app, not worth it
After you redeem, they change the gift cards to coupons and only one time use a time. I always have evidence so I gave them screenshots but they still do not behave ethically. Ironic given what the app is for.
Amazing must download!!
Commons does a great job of making everyday spending feel more intentional without making it complicated. I really like how clearly it connects my transactions to climate impact in a way that is easy to understand and actually useful.
The insights are thoughtful, not overwhelming, and the design feels calm and well considered. Instead of just showing numbers, Commons helps you pause and reflect on habits, which is what sets it apart from most finance apps.
It feels purposeful, transparent, and genuinely built with care. An app I keep coming back to, not just one I download and forget.
The insights are thoughtful, not overwhelming, and the design feels calm and well considered. Instead of just showing numbers, Commons helps you pause and reflect on habits, which is what sets it apart from most finance apps.
It feels purposeful, transparent, and genuinely built with care. An app I keep coming back to, not just one I download and forget.
Show more
Response from developer
Thank you for being a part of the Commons community and your kind words! So glad you love the app and find it helpful on your sustainability journey! 💙
Yup
Frustrated not user friendly
Best app I’ve ever used
Amazing, I track all my spending here, I don’t even have to do anything! They have GREAT tips for reducing and saving. Perfect alternatives and hacks for a healthier life for you and the planet. 100/10!
Disappointed
You can’t access any challenge unless you first connect your credit card.
Right off the bat frustrations
I downloaded, tried to make an account, sign in with google, signed in. It took me back to the starting “not logged in” page, tried 3 more times, nothing. Tried to make an account using my email and password instead, got “this email is taken” error. Ok so my signup worked? So maybe I need to just login with google, tried logging in with the same account, right back to the starting page. NEVER was able to actually make it to being logged in. Annoying way to start my day. App deleted.
Show more
Response from developer
Hi there, We are sorry that your first experience with our app was so full of technical difficulties! We had a temporary app outage that day due to a huge inlfux of new users (good problem to have but we are sorry it resulted in poor experience for you!) We hope you did manage to set up the account the next day. If you have any other problems with the app or just feedback, please email us at info@thecommons.earth or submit it via the form on the app. We read them all! 🙂 - Team Commons
Making it Ez
Thanks for this great tool and community!
10/10
love this app, helping me to visualize my impact and has great information for making a difference in our environment and communities! great features and reviews of everyday brands
The app is cool
but connecting your card isn’t. Shortly after I connected my card it got hacked, and I haven’t put it anywhere else. But I like the app itself just do not connect your cards
Bad Advice
I enjoyed the idea and beginning uses of the app, but then I read an article they posted about pet ownership and how pets can cause as much emission as a person in dozens of countries. And also suggested a plant based diet for your pet. Most typical pets being dogs and cats, that’s absolutely terrible advice.
Show more
