Have you ever felt that your mobile phone contract is costing you a fortune? Rather than keep paying out for your phone, have you ever wondered if there's a way to get your phone to really pay off? This month, a study has shown that smartphone ownership in the UK is just below 50%. 75% of all iPhone users have used their iPhones to download apps. These apps range from the extremely useful to the seemingly ridiculous. Android's growing app market also offers their consumers a choice of over 300,000,000 apps. While the majority of the apps on offer might seem like they won't help you out in your daily life, there are certainly a few that might be worth a look. We've analysed our top money-saving apps to help you find them.

WhatsApp

What'sApp was designed as an alternative to SMS messaging. The app provides all smartphone users a platform to exchange messages for free. These messages have no impact on your contracted message limit, nor do they cost to pay-as-you-go customers. A handy app for sending texts once you're past your limit or keeping your top-ups to a minimum.

The Trainline

The app version of their popular website, The Trainline app gives you instant access to the cheapest available train fares. Perfect for planning train journeys in advance. The app also provides you with all the details of each train and gives you a handy feature called 'Next Train Home' which will give you the cheapest option to travel on your next train. Great for helping you avoid those hefty fares for peak travel.

Skype

When used in conjunction with What'sApp, you might find that you're not paying a penny for your calls and texts. With free Skype-to-Skype voice calling and a built in IM platform, the Skype app can be a great alternative to using up those precious minutes. With iPhone 4's Facetime camera, video calls can also be made for free.

VoucherCloud

VoucherCloud is a service which will let you know where the best discounts are in relation to your current location. Opening up the app in the middle of the city will give you a comprehensive list of discounts to be used in nearby establishments. So, if you're in town and looking for a cheap (if not free) lunch, VoucherCloud is a great app to have in your back pocket.

Red Laser / QR Reader

The popularity of QR codes and barcode scanners is sky-rocketing. A lot of brands are beginning to use code-scanning as a marketing ploy. Whether you'll get a great deal from scanning a code is down to the product and the intended use of that code. Keeping this app in the deep recesses of your smartphone could pay off if you're presented with codes that offer free discount vouchers, free MP3 downloads or even just some great product information that you might have missed. Red Laser also allows your smartphone to become a barcode reader, allowing you to compare prices on popular products. A great way of finding the best deal.

Many other apps can offer you great discounts on various products and services. Most of the apps featured in this article are free to use and could end up saving you a packet. Get to the App Store or Android market with your smartphone to find out how you can start saving!