- Earns cash back at gas stations, restaurants, and convenience stores.
- Link any credit card to earn both in-app cash back and credit card rewards.
- Great way to get a rough estimate of gas prices near you.
The Best Gas Saving Apps of 2024
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Personal Finance
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updated: September 10, 2024
One of the most agonizing credit card swipes nowadays happens at the gas station. The amount of money you pay for the privilege of getting from point A to point B is likely putting a dent in your wallet.
Gas apps can help cut your fuel costs. From earning rewards on your gas station purchases to helping you pinpoint the cheapest nearby pump, gas apps are a no-brainer (and largely effortless) way to save money on a necessary purchase. Here are seven of the best gas apps to maximize your savings.
Our recommendations
Best for cash back
Upside
Best for cash back
Upside
Android rating
4.7
iOS rating
$4.8
Browser extension
N/A
Why we like it:
Upside gives you a percentage of cash back that varies by location. Within the app is a map that shows you prices for nearby gas stations, along with each station’s unique cash back offer.
Upside can alert you when you’re close to a high-return opportunity. Using the app, finding gas stations offering 10¢ or more per gallon is not particularly difficult.
You can scan your receipt with the app or link your credit card to get paid. You’ll tap on the gas station you want to use, pay with your linked card, and then tap the “I’ve paid” button in the app.
Upside will deposit cash into your rewards account. You can redeem your cash back as a direct deposit to your bank or PayPal account or for gift cards.
Pros & cons:
Pros:
Cons:
- You must activate an offer before you make a qualifying transaction.
- Only available in the U.S.
Best for finding cheap gas
GasBuddy
Best for finding cheap gas
GasBuddy
Android rating
4
iOS rating
$4.7
Browser extension
Google Chrome
Why we like it:
GasBuddy is primarily known for its crowdsourced, up-to-date gas prices nationwide. It’s super handy for quickly scanning your immediate area. It even gives you the option to add your destination so it can find gas stations along your route.
GasBuddy also has the power to award cash back—but you’ll have to opt for and use the free GasBuddy card at the pump. It works similarly to a debit card in that you’ll need to link a bank account to use it. You can increase your earnings by enrolling in a paid membership.
Pros & cons:
Pros:
- Super accurate gas prices.
- Helps you plan your trip according to cheap gas stations.
- No account is necessary.
Cons:
- Only available in the U.S.
- The best version requires a paid subscription.
Best for international travel
Waze
Best for international travel
Waze
Android rating
4.4
iOS rating
$4.8
Browser extension
Google Chrome
Why we like it:
Waze is a crowdsourced navigation app. Besides getting you to your destination, users can report things like crashes, speed traps, cars on the side of the road, and—you guessed it—gas prices.
Waze does one thing that many of the best apps do not: It works outside the U.S. There are some exceptions. Germany, for example, doesn’t allow Waze to show gas prices But for the most part, Waze is hard to beat for finding cheap gas during international travel.
As a side note, the Waze app partners with Shell and ExxonMobil to allow you to pay for your gas in-app after you’ve pulled up to the pump at select gas stations.
Pros & cons:
Pros:
- One of the best navigation apps available.
- Shows gas prices in many countries.
Cons:
- No additional rewards for booking through the mobile app.
- International prices may not be as up-to-date as within the U.S.
Best for tracking expenses
Fuelio
Best for tracking expenses
Fuelio
Android rating
4.4
iOS rating
N/A
Browser extension
N/A
Why we like it:
Fuelio is a go-to solution for finding cheap gas. It crowdsources prices similarly to GasBuddy but has comparatively few users, meaning the prices may not be as current.
But Fuelio makes up for this with other features, such as the ability to manage vehicle expenses by category (think tolls, repairs, parking fees, etc.), track your fuel consumption, and receive automatic reminders when it’s time to service your card. If driving is a big part of your job, you’ll love the app’s organizational features.
Pros & cons:
Pros:
- Easily track your fill-ups, gas consumption, and more.
- Find cheap fuel as reported by other users.
Cons:
- No direct discount offers.
- Crowdsourced by relatively few users compared to more mainstream gas apps.
Best for Shell customers
Fuel Rewards
Best for Shell customers
Fuel Rewards
Android rating
4
iOS rating
$4.7
Browser extension
N/A
Why we like it:
Frequent Shell customers should consider joining Fuel Rewards. The program provides an automatic discount that varies based on your status.
When you sign up, you’ll receive automatic Gold status. This gives you 5¢ off per gallon whenever you fill up. But if you fill up 12 times in three months (minimum 10 gallons per visit), you’ll receive Platinum status—which offers 10¢ off per gallon.
Fuel Rewards also partners with popular brands like T-Mobile and Bank of America to accelerate savings for customers of those brands through various promotions.
Pros & cons:
Pros:
- Effortless cash back on every gallon.
- Cash back stacks with credit card rewards.
Cons:
- You must fill up at least four times monthly for the highest return rate.
- Fuel Rewards can’t be combined with certain other promotions.
Best for BP/Amoco customers
BPme Rewards
Best for BP/Amoco customers
BPme Rewards
Android rating
4
iOS rating
$4.7
Browser extension
N/A
Why we like it:
For BP and Amoco customers, BPme Rewards offers two enticing features. First and most straightforward, you’ll receive a discount of 5¢ per gallon just for joining. Once you’re at the gas station, you’ll open the app and indicate which pump you plan to use. Then, after you pay, you’ll instantly see savings of 5¢. You can even pay in-app.
Beyond that—and more intriguing—is the Price Match feature, which scans competing gas stations within a two-mile radius. If the app finds a cheaper price, it will attribute an additional 5-cent savings per gallon. In other words, you can save up to 10¢ per gallon with BPme Rewards. Just note that you’ll have to pay 99¢ monthly to be eligible.
Pros & cons:
Pros:
- Easy 5¢ savings per gallon.
- Price Match feature offers a potential extra 5¢ savings per gallon.
Cons:
- Price Match is a paid subscription.
- Other apps have a higher return rate.
Best for Speedway customers
Speedy Rewards
Best for Speedway customers
Speedy Rewards
Android rating
4
iOS rating
$4.7
Browser extension
N/A
Why we like it:
Speedy Rewards is a less straightforward loyalty program that earns points instead of cash back. You’ll earn 10 points per gallon at the pump and 20 points per dollar spent in-store.
You can redeem your points for gift cards, food, fuel discounts, and more. And the value you receive per point depends on how you use them. For example, a $10 Speedway food and merchandise card costs 7,900 points (a value of 0.12¢ per point), while a $25 Amazon Gift Card costs 30,000 points (a value of 0.083¢ per point).
Perhaps more relevant is the potential fuel discounts. A 10¢ discount per gallon requires 1,750 fuel points. If you were to fill up a 12-gallon car, you’d save $1.20—giving you a value per point of 0.06¢ per point. That’s not great. But Speedy Rewards has many other benefits, such as every fifth car wash free, every seventh pizza slice free, easy savings with partners, and more.
Pros & cons:
Pros:
- Many opportunities to earn bonus rewards.
- Open a credit card to earn points exponentially faster.
- Lots of freebies for being a member.
Cons:
- Points aren’t worth much.
- Earning rewards takes more scheming than many competing apps.
Best apps for saving on gas compared
| Title | Best for |
|---|---|
Upside | Cash back |
GasBuddy | Finding cheap gas |
Waze | International travel |
Fuelio | Tracking expenses |
Fuel Rewards | Shell customers |
BPme Rewards | BP/Amoco customers |
Speedy Rewards | Speedway customers |
Methodology
We chose the best gas apps according to price, utility, and return rate. We also considered the accuracy of apps that claim to offer real-time prices at nearby gas stations. Finally, we chose gas station apps for the most widely-available fuel brands.
How to choose a gas app
Choosing the best gas app for your situation requires assessing your spending habits. For example, if you’re loyal to one chain of gas stations, you might want to use its proprietary app. If you’re traveling internationally, find an app that helps you to save money outside the U.S.
These apps are generally free, so there’s no harm in experimenting to see which one best suits your lifestyle.
How do gas apps help users save money on fuel?
Gas apps can have many purposes, such as locating the cheapest nearby gas stations, helping you efficiently plan a stop at a gas station along your route, or offering bonus rewards by linking your credit card in-app.
Because each app has a unique purpose, you may elect to use more than one app at once to maximize your fuel savings.
Safety and security features for peace of mind
Gas apps implement several features that can enhance the security of your commute.
Several services allow you to pay in-app, providing an additional layer of security for your payment. Gas stations are notorious for credit card skimmers and other scams that can steal your credit card information. Paying in-app effectively neutralizes this threat.
Some apps also offer the ability to help you out of a bind in the event that you need roadside assistance. For example, Waze touts a Roadside Help option that sends an SOS to your friends or other app users. You can even pinpoint the exact issue—be it a flat tire, a dead battery, or otherwise.
Finally, navigation apps can help you prepare for the unexpected, such as traffic or obstacles.
Environmental impact and eco-friendly options
Some driving apps specialize in helping you find alternative fuels like EV charging stations and hydrogen stations. This is a critical feature for those with more “eco-friendly” vehicles. Alternative fuel stations aren’t nearly as prevalent as gas stations—meaning it’s wise to plan your next fill-up as early as possible.
Apps like the Fuelio can also track your driving habits to help you figure out a more efficient way to drive. By analyzing Fuelio’s simplified timeline of your commutes, you can learn to keep your gas consumption to a minimum.
Alternatives to gas apps
If you’re not into gas apps, there are other ways to save money at the pump. However, combining these strategies with a gas app can help you to save even more.
Gas credit cards
Many credit cards reward you for gas purchases by offering bonus cash back or travel rewards points. These bonus categories are (usually) automatic, with no need to enroll or enter your payment information into an app.
For example, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express earns 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations. This is an excellent return that, for anyone who spends a meaningful amount of money on fuel, could translate into hundreds of dollars in savings each year.
Buy gas gift cards at a discount
You may be able to buy gift cards to specific gas station brands for less than they’re worth.
There are a few ways to achieve this:
- Purchase a gift card from a website selling discounted gift cards.
- Purchase a gift card through an online shopping portal to earn cash back.
- Purchase a gift card from a merchant that codes as a bonus category with your credit card.
Again, using more than one of these strategies at once may be possible.
Wholesale club membership
Membership wholesale warehouses such as Costco and Sam’s Club typically sell gas for considerably less than regular gas stations. However, memberships incur an annual fee. If you can justify the price tag by saving on shopping, the extra cheap gas is an excellent bonus.
TIME Stamp: Gas apps can save even the casual driver money.
Gas apps serve many purposes. They can give you a return on spending, find you the most efficient route to your destination, and send an alert when you need roadside assistance. They can also track and analyze your behavior.
Using multiple gas apps in tandem can amount to considerable savings, even if you don’t spend thousands of dollars annually on fuel.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Are gas prices in gas apps accurate and up-to-date?
Gas prices listed in gas apps are generally accurate, as they often depend on crowdsourcing. Many millions of users can input the price they paid to keep the information current.
Are gas apps free to download and use?
Gas apps are typically free to download and use.
Do gas apps require users to create an account?
Depending on the gas app you’re using, you may need to create an account to use it. However, some apps, like GasBuddy, don’t require an account.
What app has the most accurate gas prices?
GasBuddy tends to have the most accurate gas prices, as millions of users report current prices daily.
Are gas apps available for both iOS and Android devices?
Gas apps are available for both iOS and Android. If an app is available for one, it’s likely available for the other.
The information presented here is created by TIME Stamped and overseen by TIME editorial staff. To learn more, see our About Us page.
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