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

National Car Rental vs Avis

National Car Rental 4.8★ · Free to download 55
Winner Avis
Avis 4.7★ · Free to download 60

Avis has a slight edge due to a more reliable app experience and better customer service, despite both apps having significant user complaints.

Full reviews: National Car Rental · Avis

Both National Car Rental and Avis apps face significant user complaints regarding functionality and login issues. While National Car Rental users appreciate its Emerald Aisle program, the app's instability and login problems are frequently cited. Avis, despite its own app glitches and some customer service issues, appears to offer a slightly more consistent experience.

Head to head

App Reliability & Functionality edge: AvisR1R3R4R5
National Car Rental Many National Car Rental users report frequent errors, login issues, and slow loading times, with some stating the app is 'broken' or 'useless' R1R3R4R10. Specific issues include inability to modify reservations, add payment methods, or extend rentals R26R28. Some users also report being logged out frequently despite checking the 'keep me logged in' option R5. However, a few users state the app works fine for them .
Avis Avis users also experience app issues, including forced updates, frequent password re-entry, and login problems . Some report the app not working for express check-in or displaying 'something is wrong' messages . There are also complaints about difficulty editing reservations, leading to cancellations or unintended modifications R70R78. Despite these issues, many users find the app easy to use for booking and managing rentals, with recent updates improving the experience .
Features & User Experience tieR2R14R15R17
National Car Rental National Car Rental users appreciate the Emerald Aisle for quick pick-up and choice of cars . However, there are complaints about the app not honoring calendar permissions R2R14, missing corporate code options , inability to share receipts , and lack of dark mode or modern aesthetics R17. Some users also report issues with booking references not updating and missing car details R15.
Avis Avis offers features like changing assigned cars and express exit codes, which users find convenient . However, users desire more car options when selecting vehicles and the ability to add member cards to digital wallets . The password recovery process is described as poor, with expired links and account lockouts . Some users also complain about the app pushing advertising notifications .
Customer Service & Company Policies edge: AvisR6R9R12R13
National Car Rental National Car Rental receives praise for good customer service at specific locations . However, some users report that reservations are not honored and customer service is unhelpful R6. There are also complaints about the rewards program being disappointing and free days expiring R9R12R13.
Avis Avis receives praise for helpful and amazing customer service at various locations . However, many users complain about reservations not being honored due to no cars being available R63R76. There are also significant complaints about extra fees, including cleaning charges and cancellation fees R67. Some users also report issues with applying discounts .
Pick National Car Rental if

You frequently use the Emerald Aisle for its convenience and car selection, and are willing to tolerate occasional app glitches .

Pick Avis if

You prioritize generally reliable app functionality for booking and managing rentals, and value good in-person customer service at the counter .

Evidence note: Both apps have a high volume of recent negative reviews regarding app functionality, which contrasts with their high lifetime ratings. The evidence suggests that while the core services of both companies are generally appreciated, their mobile apps are a source of frustration for many users.

Frequently asked

Do these apps have reliable login and account management?
Both apps frequently cause user frustration with login and account management; National Car Rental users report constant errors and inability to log in R1R4R10R30, while Avis users complain about continuous forced password resets and being locked out .
Can I modify or extend reservations easily through these apps?
Users of both apps report difficulties with modifying or extending reservations; National Car Rental users specifically mention being unable to extend rentals and being forced to call customer service R26R28, while Avis users describe confusing interfaces that can lead to unintended modifications or cancellations R70R78.
Are there issues with reservations not being honored or unexpected fees?
Yes, both companies face complaints about reservations not being honored due to car unavailability R6R63R76. Avis, in particular, has numerous reports of unexpected charges, including cleaning fees , cancellation fees , and unexplained extra fees R67.

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] 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.
  2. [R3] National Car Rental 3/5 · US Loading: Can yall update this app please it is taking too long for stuff to load/pop up even closing out and deleting it and redownloading it is not working at all either.
  3. [R4] National Car Rental 1/5 · US Recent update bricked the app: I have to constantly open and close the app to get ride of a generic “An error as occurred” message in the Home Screen. Still can’t log in
  4. [R5] National Car Rental 5/5 · US Keeps logging me out: Something changed. The app used to keep me logged in. Now the app logs me out every day. Even though the option to keep me logged in is checked.
  5. [R2] National Car Rental 4/5 · US Good app, except for the company not delivering a rental information to my calendar.: Good app, except for the company not delivering a rental information to my calendar under the “Add Only To My Calendar” option. The app does not honor that request of limiting access of my calendar and there seems to corrosion to all “Full Access To My Calendar” in order to save the rentals in my calendar. There
  6. [R14] National Car Rental 5/5 · US Love National - Good App - Calendar Annoying: National is the best. Solid App all around. Wish the calendar didn’t need full permission. “Add Events Only” should be enough for adding reservations to your calendar. No need for “Full Access”
  7. [R15] National Car Rental 3/5 · GB Needs a bit more work: Date and day for bookings are not matched when selecting plus nowhere on the rental agreement is the booking reference so the App doesn't update and when you need to search you need the number from the email. Think it needs a bit more thought guys
  8. [R17] National Car Rental 4/5 · US It’s a good idea, but some recommendations: I use National a lot for work as I travel. It’s a great app, but a few things from a visual standpoint. I think there should be dark mode support and I’d love to see this app updated to adopt the new iOS 26 Liquid Glass aesthetic. It would make the experience feel more modern and cohesive
  9. [R6] National Car Rental 3/5 · US Don’t count on reservation: App works fine until you show up to rent the vehicle you reserved (and were confirmed with). Reservations mean nothing thru this app/company and customer service doesn’t give a rip either! I’ve been a long-time user National and an Emerald member and they’ve just completely lost my trust.
  10. [R9] National Car Rental 3/5 · US Meh…: Even with the Emerald Club rewards it’s getting to be too expensive, and not really worth it.
  11. [R12] National Car Rental 3/5 · US Rental: Getting screwed out of earned free day that was applied but due to expire Labor Day . Tacky
  12. [R13] National Car Rental 1/5 · US Disappointing rewards program: I called today. I’ve rented cars for a couple weeks of January, all of February and March and most of April. Their customer service team said that equates to three free rental days.
  13. [R10] National Car Rental 1/5 · US App broken for iPhone: This app is broken for the iPhone 15. Starts with an immediate error and will not log in.
  14. [R30] National Car Rental 2/5 · US App is a joke: It’s been two months now where I can’t even sign in because the sign in button is always grayed out. So inconvenience when needing to book a rental.
  15. [R26] 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
  16. [R28] 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.
  17. [R70] 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
  18. [R78] 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
  19. [R63] 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
  20. [R67] 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!
  21. [R76] Avis 1/5 · US Disappointed In Avis (No Cars): This first time renting with Avis for a personal trip. I made a reservation for a car, and no cars were available. What is the point of having a reservation? Will rent from Hertz from now on. They always guarantee a car when reserving with them

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