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

Firehouse Subs vs SONIC Drive-In

Firehouse Subs 4.9★ · Free to download 45
Winner SONIC Drive-In
SONIC Drive-In 4.9★ · Free to download 55

SONIC Drive-In's app has a slight edge over Firehouse Subs due to its broader menu customization options and generally smoother ordering experience, despite both apps facing significant payment and technical issues.

Full reviews: Firehouse Subs · SONIC Drive-In

Both Firehouse Subs and SONIC Drive-In apps struggle with technical glitches, payment processing, and rewards redemption. However, SONIC's app offers more customization for drinks and food, and its issues, while frequent, appear less severe than Firehouse Subs' recurring 'duplicate order' problem and payment failures.

Head to head

Features and Customization edge: SONIC Drive-InR9R17R42R56
Firehouse Subs Firehouse Subs users appreciate the ability to accumulate points and easily reorder past items R42R56. However, they express frustration over missing additional ingredients available in-store R17R9 and the inability to add gift cards to the app R42.
SONIC Drive-In SONIC Drive-In users enjoy the deals and rewards, and some appreciate the option to remove buns for gluten-free diets . However, many are frustrated by the inability to add multiple quantities of condiments and the lack of options for complex drink customizations .
Ease of Use edge: SONIC Drive-InR8R15R29R37
Firehouse Subs Firehouse Subs users report a confusing interface, especially when logging in or changing locations, which often empties the cart R8R15R29. The app also forces account creation for pickup orders R37 and has issues with font size and style making ingredients hard to read R8.
SONIC Drive-In SONIC Drive-In users find the app generally easy and smooth for ordering . However, some find the drink selection menu unorganized and navigating to add payment methods can be difficult .
Reliability and Technical Issues tieR1R3R4R6
Firehouse Subs Firehouse Subs users frequently encounter payment errors R1R3R13R33, login problems , and a persistent 'duplicate order' glitch that forces a 5-minute wait even when no order was placed R4R6R12. The app also has issues with location selection and cart resets R15R29.
SONIC Drive-In SONIC Drive-In users report frequent technical difficulties, including payment processing failures , issues with location tracking , and problems with the app not loading or sending orders . Login issues are also common .
Rewards and Deals tieR7R24R25R27
Firehouse Subs Firehouse Subs users appreciate coupons and deals R24 and the ability to accumulate points R42. However, many report issues redeeming rewards R7R27, offers not appearing in the app R35, and problems with birthday rewards R25.
SONIC Drive-In SONIC Drive-In users value the half-price drink deals . However, there are widespread complaints about the rewards system not working R64, rewards being removed from the cart , and recent changes making half-price drinks less accessible or removing them entirely .
Payment Options tieR1R3R13R29
Firehouse Subs Firehouse Subs users report consistent issues with various payment methods, including Apple Pay, credit cards, and gift cards, often resulting in error messages or double charges R1R3R13R29.
SONIC Drive-In SONIC Drive-In users experience problems with Apple Pay and credit card payments . They also wish for Discover card acceptance and struggle with combining low-balance gift cards .
Pick Firehouse Subs if

You prioritize the quality of the food itself and are willing to tolerate significant app frustrations, or if you prefer to order in-store and only use the app for deals .

Pick SONIC Drive-In if

You frequently order customized drinks or food items and value the convenience of mobile ordering, even if you might encounter occasional technical issues or limitations with condiment quantities .

Evidence note: Both apps have a high volume of recent negative reviews related to technical issues, payment problems, and rewards programs, despite their high lifetime ratings. The free-to-download nature means a broader user base, including those who may be less patient with app glitches.

Frequently asked

Do these apps reliably process payments?
No, both apps frequently experience issues with payment processing, including Apple Pay, credit cards, and gift cards, often resulting in error messages, failed orders, or even double charges R1R3R13R33.
Are the rewards programs effective?
Users report significant problems with the rewards programs for both apps; Firehouse Subs users struggle to redeem points and find offers missing R7R27R35, while SONIC Drive-In users frequently find their rewards not applying or being removed from their cart, and recent changes have made popular discounts like half-price drinks less accessible R64.
Do the apps have issues with location services or order placement?
Yes, both apps have issues with location services and order placement; Firehouse Subs often empties the cart if the location is changed and has a 'duplicate order' glitch that causes a 5-minute delay R8R12R15R29, while SONIC Drive-In frequently reports users are miles away even when in the parking lot, preventing check-ins .

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. [R9] Firehouse Subs 3/5 · US Seasoning: Need to be able to add jerk seasoning to build you own subs
  2. [R17] Firehouse Subs 4/5 · US Almost there: The app is great but it doesn’t offer all the additional ingredients on the app that they offer in the store
  3. [R42] Firehouse Subs 4/5 · US Feedback: I love Firehouse Subs! It is one of my go to spots. Using the app has been great and I like that I can accumulate points. I would love to be able to upload gift cards into the app. That way I can do a pick up order and pay in advance when I have a gift card.
  4. [R56] Firehouse Subs 5/5 · US Easy to use!: Everything organized in one place. You can see your points, you can re order them easily! Love it
  5. [R8] Firehouse Subs 4/5 · US Good Enough But…: The app is fine, but it is frustrating that the cart is emptied if you need to change location. Also, the ingredients are difficult to read on mobile because of the size and style of the font. But the sandwiches are great so I’ll continue to use the app!!
  6. [R15] Firehouse Subs 3/5 · US App is clunky, inconsistent geolocation: The back end is fine… my orders make it and it manages my points well enough. But some basic things are kind of frustrating. Logging in as an existing user is awkward and tries really hard to send you through the flow for a new user. The old interface was cleaner. I also see inconsistent results with store selection. Recently drove to the store 3 miles
  7. [R29] Firehouse Subs 1/5 · US Fix this…: 1 star because you should ASK the location before we start our order because if you forget to change it and put in your order and go to change the location it resets your entire order and you have to start over. NO Other apps do this but Firehouse! Stupid! Thumbs down. Also it wouldn’t take my husband’s CC in applepay same card as mine on my phone in my app which worked. Annoying!
  8. [R37] Firehouse Subs 1/5 · US Forcing me to make an account, nope!: Any app that forces me to make an account just to place a pick up food order, absolutely not. You don’t force me to make an account when I order at counter! Deleted.
  9. [R1] Firehouse Subs 1/5 · US Won’t let me pay: Something’s wrong with your app. Won’t let me use Apple Pay or a credit card. Keeps coming up with an error message. I have to go into the store to place the order.
  10. [R3] Firehouse Subs 3/5 · US Problems with Delivery Orders: Can’t place a delivery order because they try to charge your card the wrong amount and then the order gets automatically cancelled because of it and it’s the same on the website
  11. [R4] Firehouse Subs 1/5 · US 5 minutes?: Why the hell do I have to wait 5 min to place my order if I update my card. In 5 minutes I’ll be dead from starvation and subway is only 3 minutes away. Stupid app.
  12. [R6] Firehouse Subs 3/5 · US Review: I almost always have an issue when first trying to submit my order and then it won’t allow for a duplicate order even though it isn’t a duplicate. It always sets me back at least 5 minutes sometimes longer.
  13. [R7] Firehouse Subs 2/5 · US Technical issues: I love firehouse subs, however past month I’ve not been able to use the app which includes my rewards balance. They also won’t let you redeem earned points in the store which is crazy to me
  14. [R24] Firehouse Subs 5/5 · US Inexpensive Sandwich’s: Inexpensive sandwich when you use the coupon or their deals save a lot of money! And they taste great!!
  15. [R25] Firehouse Subs 1/5 · US No birthday sub for me!: This app sucks! I tried to use it to get my free birthday sub, but it won’t allow me to enter my birthday. It says that my birthday is 11/30/1900!
  16. [R27] Firehouse Subs 1/5 · US Rewards: I tried redeeming my rewards and it would not work and took my reward. I contacted firehouse sub and they would not help me in any way. I would have given them no stars if I could have.
  17. [R13] Firehouse Subs 1/5 · US The app has problems: I recently made an order through the app, when I opened it back up to see if I was in the time frame to pick up my order, it said there was an error with my payment and asked me if I wanted to retry. I did… it charged me twice. Will only be going in store from now on because their app is trash. Love firehouse, but their app is a scam
  18. [R33] Firehouse Subs 1/5 · US This app never works for me: I tried paying with a gift card, Apple Pay and a credit card and it would not work on any of them. I haven’t ordered for so long because the last time I tried to place an order, it didn’t work.
  19. [R35] Firehouse Subs 1/5 · US Offers and Deals no longer available on app.: Something has happened to the app where offers and deals never show up. I’ll get an email that I have an offer for 50% off and I click the deal in the email link and brings up the app, only that the app never shows the deals.
  20. [R64] SONIC Drive-In 1/5 · US Rewards: App will remove rewards and take your full price money idk smh
  21. [R12] Firehouse Subs 3/5 · US Please make this minor improvement.: When ordering on the app. When placing an order, sometimes I select the wrong card on checkout. Even though nothing happened, the 5 minute lag, need to wait cause the system believes it’s a dup order! How? It wasn’t submitted. I’m hungry and don’t want to wait 5 minutes. 5 minutes feels like an eternity when you’re hungry. 5 more minutes for be me to overly dr

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