As prices at the pump keep on rising constantly, people are increasingly relying on alternatives for savings. Gas apps can act as a godsend amidst the catapulting fuel price by helping drivers locate cheap gas nearby, plan the best routes and benefit from an array of cashback and rewards. Explore some of the best free gas apps which can help you ring in major savings.
10 Best Free Gas Apps to Save Money at the Pump
- GasBuddy
- GasGuru
- Mapquest
- AAA TripTik Travel Planner
- GetUpside
- Waze
- Google Maps
- Trunow
- Fuel rewards
- Fuelio
1. GasBuddy
This well-known app has been around since 2000. You can use the app by entering your zip code which pops up the gas prices of different stations in the area. The handy map and various filters help sort the gas stations according to location, price, and availability of restrooms. Drivers can calculate gas costs for trips using both the free app and its upgraded version. Since GasBuddy offers a card, you can double up the savings with other apps like GetUpside. This card connects to your bank account after you have furnished your driver’s license information, address, and checking account routing number. You can become a valued member by helping the GasBuddy community and earn additional perks like entries into a daily draw offering a grand prize of a $100 gas card.
Features:
- You don’t need to upload the receipt for getting the savings.
- Drivers can cash out their savings without having to accumulate too many savings.
- GasBuddy is associated with 95% of the gas stations in the U.S.
- You can calculate your vehicle’s fuel economy using the Fuel Logbook.
- The application process for getting a GasBuddy debit card is simple and doesn’t require any credit check.
- GasBuddy can help drivers save up to $.25 per gallon on every fill-up.
- You can earn and redeem free gas by signing up for the free GasBuddy card and saving five times more than using the app alone.
- For enjoying deeper savings, you can upgrade to GasBuddy Plus and save $.40 per gallon or GasBuddy Premium and save $.20 per gallon up to 50 gallons monthly alongside roadside assistance.
Loopholes:
- Since the funds come directly from your checking account, you cannot earn credit card rewards using GasBuddy.
- The driving habits and location of users are shared with a third-party company Arity, owned by Allstate.
2. GasGuru
GasGuru fetches the gas prices directly from the Oil Price Information Service (OPIS) rather than other app users leading to the most accurate results. This Yellow Pages-owned company serves as a rich resource for drivers requiring other services like finding an auto repair shop while being far away from home. The USP of this app is its “Best Nearby” feature which can help you find the best price without having to scroll through the entire list. You will automatically be navigated to the best deal near you by clicking the Best Nearby star at the bottom corner of the screen.
Features:
- Users can search for various gas-station amenities like ATMs, mini-marts, repair shops, or restaurants nearby to grab a bite while running errands.
- You can set filters by fuel grade, price of the gas, and distance.
- You can save your favorite gas stations.
- The app shows when it was last updated so that you can gauge the accurate price.
Loopholes:
- The app is available only in English.
3. Mapquest
Make the most of your long road trips with Mapquest which helps to plot the entire route and also find cheap gas along the way. You can get estimated fuel-cost estimations for various routes on the browser depending on the average-MPG vehicles set up in your account. After mapping the best route Mapquest offers turn-by-turn directions that can be read aloud accompanied by live vector maps and satellite imagery so that you can save more by reaching your destination more efficiently.
Features:
- Users can enjoy a greater level of flexibility compared to Google Maps.
- You can easily locate Covid-19 testing centers and other resources.
- The app is available in Spanish, English, and Indonesian language.
- Users can enjoy real-time traffic updates and roadside assistance.
- You can share your ETA with friends and family to help them prepare accordingly.
Loopholes:
- The app voice might not be audible at all times.
4. AAA TripTik Travel Planner
American Automobile Association (AAA) has been around for quite some time and has been helping drivers solve various driving issues. You can avail of the app’s TripTik planning feature to ring in massive savings by locating the cheapest gas station and also planning the most efficient route. Users can enjoy various gas-saving tips with AAA TripTik Travel Planner.
Features:
- Other than gas stations, the app also shows charging stations for electric vehicles.
- You can plan long trips with up to 25 stops.
- Offers roadside assistance to users which can be helpful if the same is not covered under your current insurance plan.
- It also offers traffic-related information to help users plan the best route.
- Restaurant reservations can be made using the app.
Loopholes:
- Available only in English.
- Gas station listings are not organized by price or location making it difficult for users who have to scroll through them.
5. GetUpside
Enjoy savings of up to $.25 on each gallon of gas with GetUpside, operational at 30000 participating gas stores spread across 48 states. You can check the price of gas at available stations on a real-time basis and also avail of various offers which can help you earn cashback on gas, groceries, and restaurants. This free app allows users to save 25 cents per gallon every time they get gasoline. You just need to download the app and browse through the best offers in your locality to fill up gas using your debit or credit card. By following the app instructions, you will earn cashback points directly in the app. The app will reveal a map of the gas stations alongside their current prices and the amount of discount you can earn by shopping from them.
Features:
- Users can enjoy cashback through bank transfer, PayPal, or e-gift card.
- Available at thousands of restaurants, gas stations, and grocery stores across the U.S.
- Users can get additional cashback on purchases made every day by their referred friends.
- The “check-in” feature of GetUpside allows users to pay in a couple of clicks using their debit or credit card without having to take a photo of the receipt.
- Users can save up to 45% at selected restaurants and up to 30% on groceries.
Loopholes:
- Available only in English.
- Users have to take photos and save receipts to get cashback at some gas stations.
6. Waze
Waze was founded in 2008 and has been owned by Google since 2013. You can search for “gas” using the Waze app which will reveal all the nearby gas stations alongside the price per gallon and a breakdown by fuel grade. Drivers can also plot the best route and avoid traffic along the way for reaching their destination fast. Waze also announces accidents, roadside hazards, and police activity for offering greater help to the drivers. This Israeli-designed app has already gained worldwide accolades for delivering road and traffic updates on a real-time basis including alerts of ambulances, police activity, speed traps, and accidents ahead without relying heavily on your phone’s data. You can also gain knowledge on which route to take for avoiding tolls and when you need to leave for being on time for various items and events on your calendar.
Features:
- All the traffic-related information is crowdsourced by Waze from more than 130 million users.
- Easy to use filters help in finding different gas stations.
- Sends a sound alert to drivers every time they cross the speed limit.
- Spotify integration entertains the drivers.
- The app is available in 51 languages.
- The app supports a contactless payment feature at its participating ExxonMobil and Shell stations so that you can pay the price of the fuel using your smartphone.
- Users can view when the gas price was last updated to enjoy up-to-date data.
Loopholes:
- The pop-ups can cause a distraction while driving.
7. Google Maps
Search for gas along your route after filtering them by brand, price, and distance using Google Maps. An eco-friendly routing service uses a green and white leaf to indicate the most fuel-efficient route. Google has revealed that it can prevent one million tons of carbon emissions every year with its eco-friendly routing. This is equivalent to removing 200000 plus cars from the road.
Features:
- Available in 74 languages.
- Users are offered the option of adding gas stops.
Loopholes:
- Gas prices aren’t updated regularly.
- The app relies extensively on the internet.
8. Trunow
Save on every gasoline purchase irrespective of your location with Trunow. For earning a cashback on all the gas bought, you will simply have to click a photo of your receipt and upload it to the app. Once you download it on your Android or iPhone, you will simply have to permit location share and this will collate all the gas stations in your locality offering the lowest prices.
Features:
- Users can earn a referral bonus on getting their friends to sign up.
- The app offers personalized deals to users on their favorite in-store items so that they can save while grabbing a snack or having a drink.
Loopholes:
- The app has ample room for improvement in the department of user experience.
9. Fuel rewards
This gas rewards program is specially made for those saving money while buying gas from the Shell gas stations. You can join this program for free and become eligible for different rewards with just one swipe. It becomes easy to find gas stations nearby and redeem your rewards as Shells have more than 13000 locations.
Features:
- On becoming a member of the program, you will automatically get Silver Status and enjoy 3 cents off per gallon. You can reach the Gold Status and enjoy 5 cents off per gallon on filling up at Shell 6 times within three months.
- Currently, new users are automatically offered Gold Status for 6 months.
Loopholes:
- Despite Shell being an international brand, this rewards program is available only in the US.
- There is no cash component of the rewards earned and it can only be redeemed for future gas purchases at Shell stations.
10. Fuelio
If you drive a lot, then you can use the Fuelio app to track your fill-ups, find cheaper gas, manage your vehicle expenses and maintain a mileage log. The customizable platform of Fuelio helps keep tabs on different aspects concerning the gas consumption and mileage of your vehicle.
Features:
- Users can visualize their fill-ups on Google Maps.
- While the data is stored locally, you can also opt for cloud storage to ensure that the data is never lost.
Loopholes:
- Since it uses crowdsourced data for finding the cheapest gas prices, the information might not always be accurate.
Other than the gas apps mentioned above, you can also save on your gas expense by checking your tire pressure regularly. Under-inflated tires are infamous for causing your gas mileage to drop. It is also advisable to clean your air filters regularly. People tend to go on road trips on weekends and gas stations try to profit from the same by raising gas prices on Thursday afternoons, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Thus, it is best to refuel on Wednesday or Thursday before 10 a.m. Idling is infamous for wasting gas even when you are doing to warm up your car every morning. Last but not the least, you should drive with care and try using cruise control to keep things smooth on the road.
