Verithiathe honest score on any app
Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

Shell vs GasBuddy

Shell 4.8★ · Free to download 30
Winner GasBuddy
GasBuddy 4.7★ · Free to download 65

GasBuddy is the better choice for finding cheap gas prices and tracking fuel expenses, despite its own set of bugs and an ad-heavy interface, while Shell's app is plagued by severe functionality issues and unreliable reward redemption.

Full reviews: Shell · GasBuddy

Shell's app, despite its high lifetime rating, is currently experiencing significant issues with payment processing, login, and reward redemption, leading to widespread user frustration. GasBuddy, while also having bugs and an ad-heavy interface, is generally more effective for finding gas prices and offers discounts, though its price accuracy can be inconsistent.

Head to head

Finding Gas Prices & Accuracy edge: GasBuddyR3R12R17R31
Shell Shell's app is criticized for not displaying gas prices directly on the map, requiring users to click into individual stations or scroll a list, which is seen as a downgrade from its previous Fuel Rewards app R3R12R31. Users also report significant inaccuracies in the prices shown, sometimes off by as much as $1/gallon R17.
GasBuddy GasBuddy is widely praised for helping users find the best gas prices and discounts . However, a frequent complaint is that the prices displayed are often inaccurate or outdated, sometimes by $0.50 or more, leading to frustration R61R71R72R91. Some users also note that prices for warehouse clubs like Sam's and Costco are missing .
Payment & Rewards Functionality edge: GasBuddyR1R4R6R9
Shell Shell's app is severely criticized for buggy payment processing at the pump and in-store, often failing to connect or complete transactions R1R4R9R32. Users frequently report issues with rewards not applying or being recognized, leading to frustration and calls for customer service R6R18R25R33. There are also complaints about the app taking surcharges and holding money for extended periods R4.
GasBuddy GasBuddy offers discounts and rewards, with some users finding them beneficial R65. However, there are reports of discounts not displaying properly or disappearing . Recent updates have caused issues with the fuel log, preventing users from changing the price per gallon to reflect discounts or rewards . The receipt snapping feature for points is also reported to be buggy .
Ease of Use & Reliability edge: GasBuddyR9R10R13R14
Shell Shell's app suffers from severe login issues, frequently logging users out, failing to send verification codes, or preventing login due to old phone numbers or account linking errors R10R14R15R21. The user interface is also criticized for being unusable on certain devices, with fields covered up R13. The app is described as finicky, crashing, or not working at the pump R9. There's also a daily purchase limit R9.
GasBuddy GasBuddy users report various glitches and reliability issues, including the app not loading or getting stuck on screens , problems connecting to Facebook , and the app not showing stations in certain areas or along routes . Some users find the interface cluttered with ads and promotions, making it less user-friendly for quickly finding gas prices R72. The inability to easily access favorite stations is also a point of frustration .
Customer Support tieR23R30R32R34
Shell Shell's customer service is widely criticized as poor, unhelpful, and unresponsive R23R30R32R34. Users report being unable to get help with account issues, reward problems, or payment disputes R23R34.
GasBuddy GasBuddy users also report difficulties with customer support, with some stating it's hard to get help when needed . One user reported being unable to get a prize honored and received an unhelpful response from customer service . Another user struggled to cancel an account and stop billing, despite contacting multiple people .
Specific Features / Requests tieR3R7R12R26
Shell Shell users express disappointment with the removal of features from the older Fuel Rewards app, like showing gas prices on the map R3R12R31. There are requests for the app to focus on fuel purchasing rather than 'extra garbage' R7 and to allow buying car washes without pumping gas R26. The app is also noted as being useless for finding Shell Recharge EV charging stations .
GasBuddy GasBuddy users frequently request an option to filter or search for ethanol-free gasoline R65R68R71R77. Other requests include the ability to sort by last reported prices , a trip calculator , and CarPlay integration . Users also want the ability to filter out old or expired prices and see specific octane grades .
Pick Shell if

You are a loyal Shell customer who primarily uses the app for basic payment and are willing to tolerate frequent technical issues and unreliable reward redemption .

Pick GasBuddy if

You prioritize finding potentially cheaper gas prices across various stations and don't mind an ad-heavy interface or occasional price inaccuracies .

Evidence note: Shell's lifetime rating is high, but recent reviews are overwhelmingly negative, indicating a significant decline in app functionality and user satisfaction. GasBuddy has a lower lifetime rating but its issues, while present, seem less critical than Shell's fundamental payment and login problems.

Frequently asked

Does the Shell app reliably apply fuel discounts?
No, many users report that the Shell app frequently fails to apply fuel discounts or recognize rewards, leading to frustration and the need to contact customer service R6R18R25R33.
How accurate are GasBuddy's gas prices?
GasBuddy's gas prices are often reported as inaccurate or outdated by users, sometimes by as much as $0.50 or $1 per gallon, despite the app's aim to provide real-time pricing R61R71R72R91.
Are there common login issues with the Shell app?
Yes, the Shell app has widespread and persistent login issues, including automatically logging users out, failing to send verification codes, not recognizing old phone numbers, and problems linking accounts, making it difficult for users to access the app R10R14R15R21.
Does GasBuddy offer an option for ethanol-free gas?
No, GasBuddy users frequently request an option to filter or search for ethanol-free gasoline, but this feature is not currently available in the app R65R68R71R77.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R3] Shell 3/5 · US Disappointed with map: This map is a step backwards when compared to the Fuel Rewards map. The prices are not readily seen on the map as one needs to push into each station or look at the list of stations. The FR map really needs to be ported to this app.
  2. [R12] Shell 3/5 · US Unwanted “upgrade”: I hate that they are forcing us to use this app instead of the Fuel Rewards app. If they are going to make it mandatory, they should still offer the same features as the FR app (ie: show gas prices, not just where gas stations are. )
  3. [R17] Shell 1/5 · US False Prices: With gas prices sky rocketing im sure lots of people are using the in app feature to find the best price. Unfortunately, this app is inaccurate by $1/gallon. Pretty ridiculous if you ask me. I drove 7miles to fill up (makes sense because I'm in a Prius with high mpg) from E to save some bucks turns out I payed full price due to the app inaccuracy.
  4. [R31] Shell 2/5 · US Station gas prices display: The new Shell app is not as good as the old Fuel Rewards app. I prefer how the FR app shows the fuel prices directly on the map. With the Shell app you now have the extra step of scrolling through the station list to find the lowest priced stations after accessing the map. I will continue to use the FR app until this bug is fixed in the Shell app.
  5. [R1] Shell 1/5 · US Buggy: Pay at pump processing is very buggy. Couldn’t process transaction in store or at pump😡
  6. [R4] Shell 1/5 · US Will gladly take your money: Every time I use the app, it takes the surcharge and takes forever to give that money back because for some reason it just does not want to connect to my car and charge correctly so I end up having to cancel and wait up to 15 days
  7. [R6] Shell 3/5 · US Rewards: Still waiting on my 5 cents off a gallon of gas been waiting for 4years
  8. [R9] Shell 3/5 · US When it works, it’s real good: The app makes it easy to pay at a Shell station. It’s very finicky though. Prepare for hiccups or technical difficulties during purchasing and no way to get out of the loop. It also has a purchase limit per day, so it’s not great for long road trips. It also hasn’t been keeping tabs on my rewards to the next status level. I’d give this an average rating, which is “it
  9. [R10] Shell 1/5 · US Brings surprises and inconvenience: App automatically logged the user out from time to time, showing incorrect information of the pump (e.g., pump in use) and hence exceeded purchases that ban the user from pumping gas. Never improved for years.
  10. [R13] Shell 1/5 · US Unusable UI: You would think a multi million dollar company would be able to make a UI that allows me to access the make a password field. Also blood money and data collection
  11. [R14] Shell 5/5 · US Impossible: Won’t let me login. Keeps wanting to send code to old phone number. Even talked to a live person twice. Second guy was a complete idiot that couldn’t understand basic English. Worst digging app ever.
  12. [R23] Shell 2/5 · US Poor customer service: The app doesn’t always work and trying to get customer service to respond is a joke. I literally gave up on customer service.
  13. [R30] Shell 1/5 · US Liar, liar liar: In all my years, dealing with big companies, I have never been lied to as much as I had been lied to from Michelle Oil company and the last month in the past month, I have been called a immigrant five or six times I am not an immigrant. I was born in Pennsylvania. A little town called Easton. I was in the army in 1966. When the war of Vietnam was going on, they needed volunteered.
  14. [R32] Shell 1/5 · US Not all that: Started good but pay at the pump doesn’t 50% of the time . Pay inside failed also. Didn’t get the race day discount or credit towards platinum status a few times. They sent an email to make you search for help that makes you more frustrated than standing at the pump trying to fuel up while other people wait in line giving you the stink eye, I downgraded my opinion of this app for add
  15. [R34] Shell 1/5 · US Junk nowadays: I’ve used this app for several years with no problems until now. Shell and Imprint have joined together to create a disaster! Shell took my card out and now I can’t add the new card. Imprint and Shell are both blaming the other company for this. Can’t get a strait answer from no one so I’ll just be done with both companies from here on out. Thanks a lot Shell for messing a good thin
  16. [R7] Shell 1/5 · US Dining updates?: How about instead of all the extra garbage that you're throwing into the app you make it work for purchasing fuel I believe that's the original design.
  17. [R26] Shell 4/5 · US Convenient: Want 5 Stars? please allow customers to buy just a car wash without having to pump gas. Fix one thing, get one more star. Thanx
  18. [R18] Shell 5/5 · US App is flaky at best: They’ve tied the Fuel Rewards app with this Shell app. Since then none of my fill ups are being recognized. To the developer please reference the Exxon Mobile app for a useful and functional app. Please do better Another attempt using app. It allows you to go through the motions to pay with card but it doesn’t allow fuel discount App is a scam
  19. [R25] Shell 2/5 · US Rewards don’t count: Every time that fuel up the tank, you need to get in contact with fuel rewards team to manually add your rewards. Painful.
  20. [R33] Shell 1/5 · US Absolutely the worst rewards program: I have my account linked and never ever receive my fuel rewards toward the price per a gallon. Shell is a joke please stay far far away from they lure you in with big rewards but they never apply! Such a total scam. We need to report them to the FTC for false advertising. I’ll be submitting my claim today. Here we come class action lawsuit
  21. [R61] GasBuddy 1/5 · US NOT ACCURATE: I’ve given this app so many chances but I’m done. The app is NEVER updated. Always shows that there is cheap prices but when you drive there the prices are always way higher.
  22. [R71] GasBuddy 4/5 · US Prices/grades: The prices aren’t always accurate, and “ethanol free gas” is not an option.
  23. [R72] GasBuddy 3/5 · US So many notifications!!: Way too many useless notifications about games and things I don’t want. There’s no way to opt out of these notifications. App accuracy depends mostly on users confirming and updating the prices as they change at different suppliers. Sometimes you drive to a location and the price is $0.50 more than shown because users don’t update it. Unless this app makes changes, I’m se
  24. [R91] GasBuddy 1/5 · US Missing accurate prices of most stations missing prices of lots of stations: Installing this app was a waste of my time a lot of the gas stations didn’t have prices while others had inaccurate prices I don’t know what the point of this app is if they don’t have accurate data uninstalling. Additionally, any gas stations where you get cash back charges $.40-$.60 more than the average station. This a
  25. [R15] Shell 1/5 · US Shell has somehow made logins difficult: Used to have Fuel Rewards for many years. Then the Shell App came around (genius to have 2 apps /s). Linked my FR to the Shell app once… then stopped working due to e001 error. Tried deleting accounts to recreate and now it complains my mobile is in use. Way too much aggravation for a few cents off.
  26. [R21] Shell 1/5 · US Not resetting my password: I tried 10 times and I reset the password, but it still saying reset the password 😔
  27. [R65] GasBuddy 4/5 · US 4 Stars: Great app for getting good deals and earning rewards, especially if you become gas buddy+. My only issue is that the surveys to earn more rewards never actually load
  28. [R68] GasBuddy 4/5 · US Ethanol Free gasoline type needed: Great app for fuel prices but there is a needed additional type of fuel that should be listed if available at stations. Ethanol free or also known as Recreational fuel should be added to benefit consumers who look for this ethanol free pure gasoline that is needed for small engines, marine engines and older engines that need to be protected from the corrosive ef
  29. [R77] GasBuddy 4/5 · US Please add ethanol free gas as an option: Please add ethanol free gas as an option

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store