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Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

Avis vs National Car Rental

Avis 4.7★ · Free to download 65
Winner Avis
National Car Rental 4.8★ · Free to download 40

National Car Rental's app is currently experiencing significant login and functionality issues, making Avis the more reliable choice despite its own set of app frustrations.

Full reviews: Avis · National Car Rental

While both Avis and National Car Rental face user complaints regarding their apps, National's recent updates have led to widespread login and error issues, rendering it frequently unusable. Avis, though not perfect, offers a more consistent experience for booking and managing rentals.

Head to head

App Reliability & Stability edge: AvisR1R5R10R12
Avis Avis users frequently report issues with forced updates, constant password resets, and biometric login failures R1R12. Some also experience slow performance and errors when trying to edit reservations or verify documents R10R18R30. However, recent updates have been noted as improvements by some R5R43.
National Car Rental National Car Rental users are experiencing severe and widespread issues with the app, including inability to log in, constant error messages, and the app being 'bricked' after updates R61. Many report the login button being grayed out or non-functional, forcing them to use the website .
Booking & Reservation Management edge: AvisR10R17R18R38
Avis Avis users find the app generally easy for booking and managing reservations, including making changes and selecting cars R17R43. However, some report difficulties editing existing reservations, leading to accidental cancellations or loss of rates R10R18. There are also complaints about not being able to apply discount codes R38 or edit drop-off locations .
National Car Rental National Car Rental users praise the ease of booking when the app works . However, many recent reviews indicate that core functionalities like extending rentals or modifying reservations are broken or require calling customer service R86R88. The app also doesn't always pick up corporate codes from profiles or show company-booked reservations .
Customer Service & In-person Experience tieR2R3R8R11
Avis Avis receives positive feedback for helpful and friendly counter service at various locations R2R8R11. However, there are significant complaints about reservations not being honored due to no cars being available R3, and difficulty reaching local agents for questions .
National Car Rental National Car Rental is highly praised for its Emerald Aisle service, which allows for quick car selection and pickup, saving time . Users also commend the in-person staff for excellent service . However, some users report that reservations are not always honored and that the Emerald Checkout feature doesn't work with newer iPhone cameras .
Transparency & Fees tieR7R19R25R34
Avis Avis users express frustration over unexpected fees, including late pickup charges R7, cleaning charges R19, cancellation fees R25, and unexplained charges on credit cards R34. There are also reports of being charged for weeks they didn't have the car .
National Car Rental National Car Rental users complain about the rewards program, feeling that earned free days are not properly applied or expire too quickly . Some also find the service expensive even with rewards and report issues with being charged extra for certain car models .
App Features & UI tieR6R12R15R30
Avis Avis users request features like dark mode, adding member cards to digital wallets R6, and printer-friendly receipts R15. Some find the app slow and report issues with document verification R30 or inability to edit profile settings . The iPhone version is noted as better than Android R12.
National Car Rental National Car Rental users desire features like dark mode and an updated aesthetic . They also want the ability to copy their member number and for the app to stop sending unwanted text messages . Recent updates have removed the option to share receipts and car details from current rentals . The calendar integration is also criticized for requiring full access .
Pick Avis if

You prioritize a more consistently functional app for booking and managing reservations, even with occasional glitches and password issues R17R43. You are looking for potentially better prices R5.

Pick National Car Rental if

You are an Emerald Club member and value the speed and convenience of the Emerald Aisle for car selection and pickup, provided the app is working for you . You are willing to deal with potential app login issues or use the website as a workaround .

Evidence note: National Car Rental's recent reviews are heavily skewed negative due to widespread app login and functionality issues, which significantly impacts its score despite positive feedback on its in-person service and Emerald Aisle program. Avis also has app issues, but they appear less critical and widespread than National's current problems.

Frequently asked

Which app is better for managing existing reservations?
Avis generally offers a more reliable experience for managing existing reservations, with users finding it easy to update bookings and make changes, though some report issues when trying to edit specific details R17R43. National Car Rental's app is currently plagued with errors that prevent users from modifying or extending rentals directly within the app, often requiring a phone call R86R88.
Do either of these apps have issues with login or password resets?
Both apps have issues with login and password resets, but National Car Rental's problems are currently more severe and widespread, with many users unable to log in at all due to grayed-out buttons or constant error messages R61. Avis users frequently report forced updates, continuous password reentry, and issues with biometric login syncing R1R12R54.
Are there hidden fees or unexpected charges with either company?
Both companies have users reporting unexpected fees. Avis customers mention late pickup fees, cleaning charges (up to $125), cancellation fees, and unexplained charges on their credit cards R7R19R25R34. National Car Rental users complain about issues with applying free rental days and being charged extra for certain car models despite membership status .

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. [R1] Avis 1/5 · US Continuous forced updates and password reentry: Every time I open the app it is forcing an update, with no option to skip, this is just bad software development, bc never is the app getting better. All I want to do is check my rental!
  2. [R5] Avis 4/5 · US New v22.22 is a huge improvement: Love it! The only thing I’d change is how you earn points. It takes longer than other brands. But their prices are typically the best!
  3. [R10] Avis 2/5 · US App Will Modify Res: I had an existing reservation and wanted to make another reservation within the app. I thought I was booking something new, but after the confirmation screen the app told me it modified my existing reservation. I lost out on the rate I had booked previously and when I rebooked it was nearly twice the cost. Extremely frustrating the app would rebook my existing reservation with
  4. [R12] Avis 3/5 · US Decent App Experience Poor Password Recovery Process: If you forget your password, your account is locked on 3rd attempt. Then, the link to reset it is expired upon arrival, so you have to request a 2nd link. When the app is updated, it can lose the sync between your biometric and password. Hence, the frequent frustration with password management. Lastly, iPhone version of the app is significantly
  5. [R17] Avis 5/5 · US Effortless Booking Experience: The Avis app is super easy to use and makes managing reservations seamless. I love how simple it is to update bookings and make changes on the go without any hassle. Everything is clear, efficient, and user-friendly, which makes the entire rental experience feel smooth from start to finish. Definitely a go-to for convenience and flexibility.
  6. [R18] Avis 3/5 · US Tried to edit: I tried to edit a reservation two weeks before it was to pick up the car. The app tried to make me either confirm or cancel. I needed to edit it but it was unclear that it was talking about my existing reservation or making a duplicate reservation that was lightly different. I ended up canceling the reservation because there did not appear to be a way to clarify if I was changing or
  7. [R38] Avis 1/5 · US Rental: I used the app to book a car and have a 2 day discount and there was no place to put the code in to get the discount.
  8. [R2] Avis 5/5 · US Thanks: Great counter service at SDF! Thank you for helping us get the perfect car for our trip.
  9. [R3] Avis 3/5 · US Disappointed: I reserved my vehicle several days in advance or my pick up date. When I arrived this morning, I was told there were no vehicles available. I questioned why and was told “this happens all the time and the next vehicle wouldn’t be available until about 11a”. My pick up time was scheduled for 8:30a. How is it possible that NO VEHICLES are available?!?! Never again will I frequent this
  10. [R8] Avis 5/5 · US Helpful Team: Thank you Diana at the RDU airport for helping me get to my flight on time!! You were very helpful- appreciate you!!
  11. [R11] Avis 5/5 · US Best customer service ever!: Khy did an outstanding job getting us our rental and making sure we were completely satisfied. Would rent here again!
  12. [R7] Avis 1/5 · US Extra fees: I’ve always liked Davis but now they are charging an extra fee. If you pick up more than 30 minutes or an hour late, I will never use again!
  13. [R19] Avis 1/5 · US cleaning charge scam: Be aware before renting from Avis. My first experience with Avis turned into a very disappointing one. I rented a vehicle for $195, but was later charged an additional $125 for “cleaning” over what amounted to minor dust and dirt. Charging such a significant fee for normal post-rental condition feels excessive and unreasonable. After being a loyal Enterprise customer for ov
  14. [R25] Avis 5/5 · US Cancel: I think you are the only rental car company that charge a cancellation fee Anyway I still love your services.
  15. [R34] Avis 1/5 · US Charge to my CC with no explanation as to what it is for: I have had several issues with Avis in the Salt Lake City airport They over charged me for fuel one time that I actually sent the receipt to them and showed a picture of the fuel gauge showing full but did not get a refund and this time there is a charge for $15.45 with no explanation as to what it is for and it is after the initial $ 156.5
  16. [R6] Avis 3/5 · US Dark mode status card wallet: Add the option of dark mode in the app And the ability to add the member card in the wallet
  17. [R15] Avis 3/5 · US Receipts: Having a printer-friendly receipt should be simple and easily accessible.
  18. [R30] Avis 1/5 · US Useless document verification: I have a reservation coming up and need to verify my documents. First of all the camera can’t be focused. The pictures are blurry and the app is complaining about the quality of the picture. Well, that is an app-issue, not me. Second of all, after taking the selfie the app goes in an endless loading loop. Absolutely useless. I tried multiple times and now I’ll try to
  19. [R43] Avis 5/5 · US Great app: I use it all the time to manage my rentals, with the latest updates it has been working really well. I love that I can change my assigned car if it doesn’t match my preferences, and just go to my spot when I get to the rental area. Express exit code is super convenient.
  20. [R86] National Car Rental 1/5 · US Errors: Can’t extent a rental. Just keep getting errors. It’s 2026 and you’re making me call. And on top of that you’re telling me to use the app while I’m on hold. Fix your app National
  21. [R88] National Car Rental 1/5 · US WHY WE CANT EXTEND THE RENTAL FROM THE APP?: Tried to extend my rental from the app like I use to be able to do and can’t do it any more. They want you to call in and talk to an agent from another country that can barely speak English and mess up your whole rental agreement. What going on with that national why we can’t extend our rental from the app anymore? That is so inconvenient.
  22. [R54] Avis 1/5 · US Constant Password Resets: Seriously Avis how after all these years can your app just keep making us change our passwords every time we have to login to your app?!?!?! Then we change it via email close the app, re-open and still it doesn’t update. So now I’m on the Hertz app because it works every time!
  23. [R61] National Car Rental 1/5 · US 50/50 if it works: I travel for work and use this app every week. The last two months I get an error every time I open the app and it doesn’t work. Hertz doesn’t have this problem.

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