With the cost of living soaring, many motorists are looking for new ways to save. Thankfully, these gas saving apps will help take the edge off at the pumps. So if you’re looking for ways to save on fuel in 2023, this guide will make your life a whole lot easier.
Read on to find out about the best gas rewards apps and gas cashback apps to get right now, plus hints and tips about how to get cheap and even free gas at the fuel station.
*Blog updated on 15th February 2023.
What’s happened to fuel prices?
Fuel prices reached record highs in 2022, climbing in line with global oil market prices that more than doubled. Petrol and gasoline prices are now dropping in 2023 for the first time, however some supermarkets are adding extra margins on fuel which is keeping prices high. The idea of getting cashback on fuel is more appealing than ever, which is where gas rewards apps and gas cash back apps can help.
Cash back on gas
Powered by clever location-based technology, these apps can help you find cheap fuel, rewards and get cash back on gas in your local area. To start making savings, simply download the app to your smartphone. Once downloaded, it will ask to access your location so that it can identify relevant deals for you. Once you enable location services on your phone and in the app, it will provide you with personalized offers and show you the best deals nearby.
What are gas rewards apps?
Many petrol stations now have free gas rewards apps that allow you to get cash back on gas, discounts and rewards on your fuel purchases. You pay the way you normally do, and cashback is deposited into your app account. There’s no limit on what you can earn, and they work with other coupons, discounts and loyalty programs.
Known as ‘gas saving apps’, ‘gas rewards apps’ or simply ‘gas apps’, they work with geofencing and geocoding to help you find the best deals nearby. Businesses with apps can set up virtual boundaries around a specific location. And when a customer enters or leaves that area, they can receive location-based notifications, discounts and deals.
For example, you’re looking for fuel discounts in your local, and you drive near your local fuel station. Then your smartphone pings with a notification for a discount off your fuel purchase. This is how mobile geofencing can be used to drive app downloads and boost footfall and sales for businesses.
Read on for our rundown of the top gas saving apps and gas rewards apps to download right now. Are you a fuel station owner looking to develop a gas app? Then check out our guide about how mobile geofencing can boost sales at your gas station.
Best gas rewards apps to get cash back on gas
Whether you’re in the UK, USA or beyond, here’s a list of gas apps and gas rewards apps that save you money and get you cash back on gas. You’ll find a variety of options, from fuel location and price comparison apps, to rewards, cash back and discount apps that can help you find cheap fuel, gasoline and freebies.
1. Upside (formerly GetUpside)
The gas app that gives you cash back on gas
This free, simple-to-use gas rewards app can save you up to 65 cents per gallon every time you get gasoline. Simply download the Upside app and find the best offers in your area, then fill up using your credit or debit card at the pump. Follow the app instructions (either upload a receipt or check in), and you’ll earn cash back on gas in form of points directly in the app.
Available at thousands of fuel stations, restaurants and grocery stores across the U.S. Upside is an easy way to earn money back on purchases you make every day. And if you refer a friend, you’ll get money back on their gas purchases, too. You can cash out quickly and easily whenever you want via Paypal, your bank account or digital gift card.
Download it on iOS or Android.
Check out the video below to find out how to use the Upside gas app to save money:
2. GasBuddy
Best gas app for cash back and rewards
Hailed as one of the best gas saving apps in the USA, GasBuddy is the app to download today. Find cheap fuel using the handy map and filters that let you sort by price, location and stuff like restrooms. Once you’ve filled up, pay at the pump using the free Gasbuddy fuel card which saves you up to 25 cents per gallon.
It can help you save money in other ways too. You can track your driving habits, get gas rewards, report up-to-date fuel prices, log your fill ups and even get alerts about important recalls for your car. Plus you can win free gas! Complete challenges in the app to earn points and enter the daily prize draw for a $100 gas card.
Download it on iOS or Android.
3. Google Maps
Petrol station prices and directions
It might not be the first thing that springs to mind for fuel prices, but Google Maps lets you compare gas station prices and get directions, all in an app that you probably have installed on your smartphone. The popular navigation app uses your current location to help you find the nearest fuel station and gives yo up-to-date gas prices displayed in the station’s business profile. Simply open the app, search for fuel and tap the station you want to look at. You might not see prices for all petrol stations on the map, but it’ll definitely make your life much easier.
Download it on iOS or Android.
4. Checkout 51
Gasoline and grocery rewards
One of the best gas rewards apps for 2023, the aptly named Checkout 51 lets you get cashback and save tons of money on all your favorite brands. And with its new fuel rewards offers, drivers can now get cash back on gas too. With more than 10 million downloads, and nearly 75,000 top reviews, this simple, easy-to-use app lets you buy from any store including over 5,000 gas stations, snap a photo of the receipt and earn cash back.
Download it on iOS or Android.
5. Gas Station and Fuel finder
Fuel location app
This clever fuel location app lets you find fuel stations nearby, wherever you are in the world. See locations clearly on the map and easily navigate to nearby locations with a simple click. Whether you’re at home, on holiday or traveling around, you’ll never need to worry about finding somewhere to fill up.
Get in on Android.
6. Gas Guru
Cheap gas prices
The Gas Guru app shows you all the fuel prices in your local area. The easy-to-use app makes it simple to filter by distance, fuel grade and fuel prices. Never again will you pull out of a gas station and find cheap gas prices right around the corner! Is Gas Guru a good app? Yes, it is! With more than 500,000 downloads, Gas Guru is a really good app. It also lets you search for other amenities at gas stations, such as convenience stores, car washes and ATMs.
Download it on iOS or Android.
7. FuelGenie App
Best gas rewards app
Another top fuel location app, FuelGenie is a completely free app that lets you easily find the best deals on fuel prices in your area. Easily find your nearest petrol station by allowing the app to access your location services. When you first download the app, you will be prompted to give permission for the app to access your location, then it will automatically show you the nearest fuel locations nearby.
Download it on iOS or Android.
8. Waze
Free gas app
Hailed as the best navigation and free gas app, Waze can show you the nearest gas stations along with up-to-date fuel prices. It even boasts a contactless payment feature at participating fuel stations so you can pay for fuel via your phone. It also tells you about traffic, roadworks, police accidents and more so you’ll always know what’s happening on the roads. All for free!
Download it on iOS or Android.
9. Gas App
An app for gas engineers
A slightly different type of app, this is aimed at gas engineers (not drivers) but we still thought it was worth mentioning here. The multi-award winning app helps gas engineers save time and money with bespoke quoting software, thousands of free manuals, digital forms and much more.
10. PetrolPrices
Best app for cash back on gas in the UK
UK motorists could save more than £200 a year by using PetrolPrices. The free cheap fuel finder app lets you find and compare petrol, diesel and premium fuel prices in your local area. You can search by postcode, town or city, and filter by brands, fuel type or the nearest stations to you.
Hailed as the ‘Trip Advisor’ for petrol stations, it also lets you review petrol stations and report the latest fuel prices for extra rewards. What’s more, you can keep on track with important updates for your car. Simply add your vehicle to the nifty garage feature to get MOT and tax renewal notifications.
Get it on iOS.
11. Beblue
Best gas cashback app
No list of cash back apps for gas would be complete without mentioning Beblue. With top ratings and thousands of great reviews, this innovative app is the gas app that pays you back. Yes, you heard that right. It gives you cashback at thousands of fuel stations, stores and restaurants across Brazil.
It’s easy to use. Simply purchase products and services with your credit or debit card as you normally would, then a real-time refund is made on part of the amount into your Beblue account. Credit never expires and can be used at any of the businesses in the Beblue network.
Download this great cash back gas app for free from Google Play Store or App Store, set up your account and you’re ready to go!
12. Clever-Tanken
Gas rewards app in Germany
Check prices and refuel for less at HEM, Tamoil, GO, SB and many more with the German Clever-Tanken app. Compare prices for Superplus, Premium Superplus, Premium Diesel, natural gas and LPG, get real-time price alerts, make the most of the user-friendly map and enjoy low price guarantees and other special offers – you can even use the app to pay.
Do you drive an electric car? It can also help you find electric car charging stations. You can check the current availability and charging capacities, plus you can start and stop the charging process in the app. Very clever!
13. Trunow
The fuel rewards app that pays you
Trunow is hailed as the best app for gas rewards and cash back on gas. It lets you save on every gasoline purchase you make, no matter where you are. All you have to do is take a photo of your receipt and upload it to the app to earn cashback on all the gas you buy. It also offers a bonus if you get your friends to sign up.
To get started, just download the app to your iPhone or Android device and opt-in to share your location with the app. Once you do that, you can find the gas stations in your area with the lowest prices. The app also gives you personalized deals on your favorite in-store items, so if you want to grab a snack or drink, you still save.
What is the best gas app?
To help you decide, we’ve listed our favorites in order of preference:
- GetUpside: This is the best gas app to earn money, helping motorists save the most money. It’s also a great option if you’re looking for gas apps that take Paypal.
- GasBuddy: Hailed as the easiest to use. GasBuddy works with 95% of the gasoline stations in the USA.
- Trunow: This popular fuel rewards app offers the added benefit of helping you find cheap gas and get extra rewards on in-store purchases.
- PetrolPrices: The best fuel discount app in the UK.
- Beblue: Submit your receipts and get cashback straight into your account.
- Clever Tanken: One of the most popular gas cash back apps in Germany.
- Waze: The best navigation and fuel location app.
- FuelGenie: Another great fuel discount app to download.
What is a free app for gas?
All of the apps in list are free but here’s our top picks:
- Gasbuddy: The free gas fuel card lets you save on every gallon at a big selection of stations. You don’t have to hunt around for deals. Just link your payment card, use it to pay and save up to 25 cents per gallon. Plus you can win free gas.
- Upside: This free app for gas lets you get cash back at gas stations, grocery stores, restaurants and more.
- Trunow: Trunow lets you get cash back and rewards on your every day gasoline and grocery purchases without changing the way you shop.
- Checkout 51: A new contender and definitely one of the best freebies to download.
- Google Maps: If you haven’t already got it, then you might want to get it!
What is the best app for finding gas stations?
Our favorites from the list for helping you find the cheapest gas nearby:
- Waze: This popular app helps you find cheap gas near you.
- Google Maps: We’ve said it and we’ll say it again! Google Maps can help you search for fuel prices and get directions to the cheapest gas station.
- Gasbuddy: The cheapest fuel station finder with money-saving rewards.
- Upside: The best app for finding cheap gas in your neighbourhood and other participating businesses near you that offer cash back.
- PetrolPrices: Find, compare and review petrol stations and prices in your area with this free app.
- Gas Station & Fuel Finder: Find petrol stations near your location and get the latest prices while you’re on the go, plus you can see information easily on a list and on the map.
How can I get free gas from gas station?
Yes, you heard that right. Believe it or not, it’s possible to get free fuel at stations and save your money. Here are some ways to get gas discounts in 2022 and beyond.
Get free gas rewards cards from Swagbucks
One of the best ways to get freebies at fuel stations is to do it online through Swagbucks. Perform various tasks such as using their online shopping portal, playing games online, taking surveys and more, and you can get paid in gas rewards points. You can redeem them for gift cards, including free gas station gift cards for Chevron, Sunoco and Exxon. You can also redeem points for cash via Paypal, or opt for a Visa gift card and it use it to get free gas at any gas station.
Join Fuel Rewards loyalty program
When choosing a gas cash back app, check to see if it offers a loyalty program. These allow you to earn cashback or loyalty points to redeem for discounts such as free gas at gas stations. Shell’s Fuel Rewards program helps you save on every fill-up at Shell, plus you can discover an array of ways to earn rewards when you shop, dine, book travel and more. There’s no limit on how much you can save, and rewards apply to any fill-up, up to 20 gallons.
Make the most of gas savings with your credit card
If you use credit cards, you can get rewards for spending at petrol stations, grocery stores and other purchases , then redeem your points for free gas at gas stations. Citi Custom Cash Card lets you earn 5% cash back on gasoline up to the first $500 spent, then 1% cash back thereafter. 20,000 ‘Thank You Points’ can be redeemed for $200 cash back to spend however you want.
Use Raise to get gas discounts
Save money on gasoline by using Raise, an online store that lets you buy and sell discounted gift cards. This option isn’t necessarily a way to get free gas at gas stations, but it can help you get discounts off your gas costs. For example, if you buy $100 of gas cards, you’ll spend just $90. Shell, BP and Speedway gas cards are just a few of the many discounted gift cards on offer. And if you’re a new customer, you’ll get an extra $10 off your first order or 100% or more – that means a whopping 20% off your gas costs!
Get free gas by taking online surveys
Online surveys are a great way to get free fuel rewards, and with an array of survey sites to choose from, it couldn’t be easier. Survey Junkie lets you earn points for taking surveys, and you can redeem your points for Paypal or e-gift cards to spend on anything. While sites like InboxDollars let you earn cash back for reading emails, playing games and watching videos.
Is there a gas app that pays you back?
Yes, GetUpside is an app that saves you an impressive amount of money. The gas rewards app actually pays users to fill up their vehicles with gas. You can get cashback for transactions at gas stations, restaurants, grocery stores and more. In fact, some users says they save hundreds by using the app.
Is GetUpside app legitimate?
Yes, GetUpside is legitimate app that offers cash back on gasoline, restaurant and grocery purchases. Boasting 5 million downloads, over $1,000,000 is earned every week. This popular fuel rewards app offers generous cash back and gas rewards.
Other ways to save money on fuel
While there are plenty of ways to get great deals using cash back gas apps, you should always be mindful of how to reduce your fuel and gas costs all round. From driving less, to using smartphone apps to find the nearest gas station, here are some tried and tested ways to save money on gasoline.
Don’t buy premium fuel
Remember that premium fuel means premium prices. Unless your car needs the top stuff, stick to the regular grade gas to save cash.
Use navigation apps like Waze
Have you ever asked yourself how to get cheap gas near me? There are smartphone apps like Waze that can help you locate gas stations nearby and find gas discounts and cheaper gas. On Waze, you can search for gas stations nearby or along your route, and filter your search by distance, price or brand. The prices are listed so you can see which stops offer the cheapest gas.
Conserve the gasoline in your tank
Driving speed and breaking have a big impact on your vehicle’s gas consumption. One way to save money on gas is to drive smarter, avoiding rapid acceleration and unnecessary breaking.
Go electric
One of the best ways to save money on fuel it to buy an electric car. If that’s not an option, using the above tips will help take the edge off your gas costs.
Walk or cycle for short trips
Many of us depend on our cars, but you can save money on petrol by driving less. If you can walk or cycle for short journeys you’ll save cash, plus it’s healthier for you, and the planet!
Are you a gas station with an app or website?
Did you know you can drive engagement, sales and brand awareness through the use of a free gas app and other location technology?
PlotProjects’ SDK, APIs and dashboards offer all the tools you need to build accurate and efficient location functionalities into your websites and mobile apps. We can help you all of your location needs, from geofencing and beacons, to address autocomplete and geocoding, to places search, routing or developing geo ads and hyper local marketing for the web.
We can also assist you with the execution of your local marketing needs. Let digital advertising empower your local store and branches. Our specialists are ready to help you to advertise on the leading digital channels with the most effective advertising formats, so you can focus on running your business successfully.
If you need help getting started with location-based marketing, or you want to find out more about how our platform can drive results for your business, contact PlotProjects today.
Other useful resources:
- How mobile geofencing can boost sales at your gas station
- How to Set up Geofencing: Using Geofencing Software vs Building Your Own
- Beacon Technology: Why the Market is Booming
- What is Geofencing?
- Geofencing for Mobile Apps – How to Get Started
- Bluetooth beacons in Retail
- The best geofencing software
- Money saving apps and deals
- Android 12 vs Android 13
- Best Delivery Management Software