Ask Difference

Voucher vs. Coupon — What's the Difference?

By Tayyaba Rehman & Fiza Rafique — Updated on September 11, 2023
A voucher is a document that serves as proof for a transaction and often entitles the holder to a service or a specific value. A coupon is a promotional tool offering a discount or rebate on a particular product or service.
Voucher vs. Coupon — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Voucher and Coupon

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Key Differences

A voucher and a coupon, while similar, have distinct roles in the consumer world. A voucher is generally a prepaid document that can be redeemed for something of value, like goods or services. Vouchers often cover the entire cost of an item or service and are used as a form of payment. Coupons, on the other hand, are discounts on the purchase price of goods or services and usually require another form of payment to cover the remaining cost.
Vouchers are commonly used in a variety of settings, including as gift cards for retailers or as proof of entitlement to a specific service, like a hotel stay. Coupons are generally issued by manufacturers or retailers as part of sales promotions to encourage the purchase of a product or service. Coupons are often time-limited and may require meeting certain conditions, like a minimum purchase.
The issuance of a voucher typically involves an exchange of money or an equivalent value. For example, one might purchase a $100 voucher for a spa day. In contrast, coupons are usually distributed freely in various forms such as in newspapers, mailers, or online. Coupons do not have a prepaid value and simply reduce the amount needed to be paid at the time of purchase.
Both vouchers and coupons can be physical paper documents or digital codes. However, vouchers are more often associated with higher-value, longer-term services like travel bookings or special experiences, while coupons are more commonly used for everyday items and are often valid for a shorter period.

Comparison Chart

Nature

Prepaid value
Discount or rebate
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Use

Used as a form of payment
Used in conjunction with another form of payment

Typical Settings

Retail, services, travel
Retail, groceries

Duration

Often longer-term
Usually shorter-term

Monetary Exchange

Usually involves upfront payment
Generally no upfront payment

Compare with Definitions

Voucher

A voucher is a prepaid document redeemable for goods or services.
She redeemed her spa voucher for a relaxing day of treatments.

Coupon

A coupon is a promotional tool that offers a discount.
He used a coupon to save 20% on his new shoes.

Voucher

Vouchers act as a form of payment for a specific value or service.
I used a travel voucher to book my flight.

Coupon

Coupons usually have a time limitation and may have conditions.
The coupon expires at the end of the month and requires a minimum purchase.

Voucher

A voucher serves as proof of a transaction or entitlement.
He showed the meal voucher to the waiter for his free dinner.

Coupon

Coupons are often issued by manufacturers or retailers.
The grocery store had a coupon for $1 off cereal.

Voucher

Vouchers are often used in retail and service industries.
I have a voucher for a free oil change at the dealership.

Coupon

Coupons are typically used for consumer goods and retail items.
She clipped coupons for her weekly grocery shopping.

Voucher

A voucher can be either a physical paper or a digital code.
She scanned the QR code on her digital voucher for a discounted museum entry.

Coupon

Coupons can come in various forms like paper, digital, or code.
I downloaded a coupon code for an online store.

Voucher

A voucher is a bond of the redeemable transaction type which is worth a certain monetary value and which may be spent only for specific reasons or on specific goods. Examples include housing, travel, and food vouchers.

Coupon

In marketing, a coupon is a ticket or document that can be redeemed for a financial discount or rebate when purchasing a product. Customarily, coupons are issued by manufacturers of consumer packaged goods or by retailers, to be used in retail stores as a part of sales promotions.

Voucher

A small printed piece of paper that entitles the holder to a discount, or that may be exchanged for goods or services.

Coupon

A voucher entitling the holder to a discount off a particular product.

Voucher

A piece of substantiating evidence; a proof.

Coupon

A form in a newspaper or magazine which may be sent as an application for a purchase or information.

Voucher

A written record of expenditure, disbursement, or completed transaction.

Coupon

A person's face
He had a big beaming smile on his coupon

Voucher

A written authorization or certificate, especially one exchangeable for cash or representing a credit against future expenditures.

Coupon

(of a business) issue or distribute coupons or vouchers offering discounts on particular goods or services
The company announced plans to reduce its couponing and just cut prices instead

Voucher

To substantiate or authenticate with evidence.

Coupon

A code or detachable part of a ticket, card, or advertisement that entitles the holder to a certain benefit, such as a cash refund or a gift.

Voucher

To prepare a voucher for
Properly vouchering each transaction.

Coupon

A periodic interest payment due to the holder of a bond.

Voucher

To issue a voucher to
A company that vouchers employees when the payroll cannot be met.

Coupon

The interest rate of a bond that pays a coupon.

Voucher

A piece of paper that entitles the holder to a discount, or that can be exchanged for goods and services.
This voucher can be redeemed at any Walmart in the state until March 31 2013.
A voucher for a free kettle
This voucher entitles the bearer to a 20% discount on frozen goods.

Coupon

One of a set of small certificates that may be detached from a bond certificate and redeemed for interest payments.

Voucher

A receipt.

Coupon

A section of a ticket, showing the holder to be entitled to some specified accommodation or service, as to a passage over a designated line of travel, a particular seat in a theater, a discount, etc.

Voucher

One who or that which vouches.

Coupon

A voucher issued by a manufacturer or retailer which offers a discount on a particular product.

Voucher

(advertising) A copy of a published advertisement sent by the agency to the client as proof of publication.

Coupon

A certificate of interest due, printed at the bottom of transferable bonds (state, railroad, etc.), given for a term of years, designed to be cut off and presented for payment when the interest is due; an interest warrant.

Voucher

(historical) A mechanical device used in shops for automatically registering the amount of money drawn.

Coupon

(finance) Any interest payment made or due on a bond, debenture or similar (no longer by a physical coupon).

Voucher

(transitive) To establish the authenticity of; to vouch for.

Coupon

The letter sent to parliamentary candidates at the 1918 general election, endorsing them as official representatives of the coalition government.

Voucher

(transitive) To provide a vouch for (an expenditure).

Coupon

(Scotland) A person's face.

Voucher

(transitive) To provide (a beneficiary) with a voucher.

Coupon

(manufacturing) A small sample of a bulk material, prepared so that test failure will be representative.

Voucher

One who vouches, or gives witness or full attestation, to anything.
Will his vouchers vouch him no more?
The great writers of that age stand up together as vouchers for one another's reputation.

Coupon

To use coupons to a such extent that makes the user actively looking for coupons in magazines, online and whatever they can be found.

Voucher

A book, paper, or document which serves to vouch the truth of accounts, or to confirm and establish facts of any kind; also, any acquittance or receipt showing the payment of a debt; as, the merchant's books are his vouchers for the correctness of his accounts; notes, bonds, receipts, and other writings, are used as vouchers in proving facts.

Coupon

A certificate of interest due, printed at the bottom of transferable bonds (state, railroad, etc.), given for a term of years, designed to be cut off and presented for payment when the interest is due; an interest warrant.

Voucher

The act of calling in a person to make good his warranty of title in the old form of action for the recovery of lands.

Coupon

A section of a ticket, showing the holder to be entitled to some specified accomodation or service, as to a passage over a designated line of travel, a particular seat in a theater, or the like.

Voucher

A document attesting to a credit against certain defined expenditures; a recipt for prepayment; - often used in pre-arranged travel plans, to provide evidence of pre-payment of the cost of lodging, transportation, or meals.

Coupon

A ticket or form allowing the bearer to purchase a specific quantity of rationed goods; - such coupons are typically issued by a governmental agency.

Voucher

Someone who vouches for another or for the correctness of a statement

Coupon

A printed form, often distributed as part of an advertisement, entitling the bearer to purchase a specific item of merchandise at a discount; or, a similar form which may be submitted to the issuer to obtain goods or information. Such coupons may be issued by the manufacturer (manufacturer's coupon) or by a retail establishment; in the latter case they may then be redeemed only at that particular retail store.

Voucher

A document that serves as evidence of some expenditure

Coupon

A negotiable certificate that can be detached and redeemed as needed

Voucher

A negotiable certificate that can be detached and redeemed as needed

Coupon

A test sample of some substance

Common Curiosities

Can you use a voucher and coupon together?

It depends on the retailer's or service provider’s policy.

Are vouchers and coupons the same?

No, vouchers usually cover the entire cost while coupons offer a discount but require additional payment.

Are vouchers refundable?

It varies by issuer; some may allow refunds while others may not.

What is a Coupon?

A coupon is a promotional document that offers a discount on a product or service.

Do vouchers expire?

Some do, while others might have a very long validity period.

Are coupons only for groceries?

No, coupons can be for any type of product or service.

Can you use multiple coupons for one item?

Store policies vary, but it is generally uncommon.

Do digital coupons work the same as paper coupons?

Yes, they offer the same discount but in a digital form.

What is a Voucher?

A voucher is a prepaid document that can be redeemed for goods or services.

Do coupons require a purchase?

Most coupons require a purchase and only provide a discount on the item or service.

How are vouchers typically distributed?

Vouchers are usually purchased or earned through loyalty programs.

Which is more valuable, a voucher or a coupon?

Vouchers often have higher monetary value as they cover the entire cost, while coupons usually offer only a discount.

Can coupons be exchanged for cash?

Generally, no, coupons have no cash value.

Are vouchers only paper documents?

No, they can also be digital or in code form.

Is a gift card a type of voucher?

Yes, a gift card acts as a prepaid voucher redeemable at a specific retailer.

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Author Spotlight

Written by
Tayyaba Rehman
Tayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Fiza Rafique
Fiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.

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