Customer Reviews (500)

BeadNut • 2025-03-12T20:42:07-07:00

I have used this app for several years. It’s been good to go back and check things…. However tonight I went to check on mileage a year ago only to find out all my gas fill ups etc, now only starts in May 2024. I don’t know when this changed, but I’m disappointed. Other than that, it has been a good app.

4orMoore • 2025-03-01T06:54:22-07:00

It has everything you want and need in an app for keeping track of your vehicles. Super helpful

BT-43 • 2025-02-28T18:40:11-07:00

Fantastic app! Phenomenally deep and wide in functionality. , Well-thought out implementation provides vast tools and capabilities.

Summary of Key Insights

Road Trip MPG is a highly regarded app for tracking vehicle fuel economy, maintenance, and expenses. The app boasts a strong positive sentiment due to its comprehensive feature set, ease of use, and responsive developer. Key strengths include detailed tracking capabilities, customizable options, and reliable data backup. The main weaknesses revolve around feature gaps like receipt scanning, better EV support, and improved family sharing. The app enjoys a high overall rating, with a significant percentage of users consistently awarding it 5 stars, indicating strong user satisfaction over a long period.

  • Overall Rating: High positive sentiment
  • Score Distribution: Predominantly 5-star ratings (86.8%), indicating high user satisfaction.
  • Key Strengths: Comprehensive features, ease of use, reliable data backup, responsive developer.
  • Key Weaknesses: Lack of receipt scanning, limited EV support, issues with family sharing, some UI complaints.

Data & Methodology Overview

  • Data Sample Size: 500 reviews
  • Time Frame: Reviews span from 2008 to 2024, indicating a long-term user base.
  • Analysis Methods: Sentiment analysis (identifying positive, negative, and neutral comments), keyword extraction (identifying frequently mentioned features and issues), and trend analysis (observing changes in user feedback over time).

Key User Pain Points

  • Lack of Receipt Scanning/Attachment: Many users desire the ability to attach photos or PDFs of receipts to expense entries for better record-keeping and tax purposes.
  • Limited EV Support: Users with electric vehicles (EVs) or plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) find the app lacking in specific tracking features for electricity usage and costs.
  • Family Sharing Issues: Some users report problems with family sharing, where family members are prompted to purchase the app despite it being shared through Family Sharing.
  • Syncing Issues: A few users have reported syncing issues between devices, particularly with iCloud.
  • Data Loss: Some users have experienced data loss due to OS updates or app errors, highlighting the need for robust backup and restore mechanisms.
  • Date Picker UI: Some users dislike the date wheel UI element, finding it clunky.
  • Map Pins: Some users dislike changes to the Map Pins in recent updates.
  • Loss of Data: Some users have had all of their data erased at some point.

Frequently Requested Features

  • Receipt Scanning/Attachment: Ability to attach images or PDFs of receipts to expense and maintenance records.
  • Enhanced EV/PHEV Support: Dedicated tracking for electric vehicle data (kW.h usage, charging costs) and better integration for plug-in hybrid vehicles that use both electricity and gasoline.
  • iCloud Sync: More reliable iCloud syncing as an alternative to Dropbox.
  • iPad Version Improvements: Some users desire better integration between the iPhone and iPad versions.
  • WebDAV Support: Support for WebDAV to allow users to host their data themselves.
  • Reports by Gas Station/Fuel Type: Reports that allow users to compare fuel efficiency and costs by gas station and fuel type.
  • Tip Jar: A way for users to tip the developer.

Strengths and Positive Aspects

  • Comprehensive Feature Set: Users appreciate the app's wide range of features, including fuel economy tracking, maintenance logs, expense tracking, trip reporting, and detailed statistics.
  • Ease of Use: The app is generally considered easy to use, with an intuitive interface and straightforward data entry.
  • Reliable Data Tracking: Users trust the app to accurately track their vehicle data over long periods, with many having used it for several years.
  • Responsive Developer: The developer, Darren Stone, is praised for his responsiveness to user inquiries and bug fixes, providing excellent customer support.
  • Data Backup and Export: The app offers automatic backup to Dropbox and CSV export, ensuring data security and portability.
  • Customization: Users appreciate the customizable settings and options, allowing them to tailor the app to their specific needs.
  • No Ads/Tracking: Users value the app's privacy-focused approach, with no ads, tracking, or subscriptions.
  • Long-Term Support: Many users have used the app for over a decade, appreciating the consistent updates and maintenance.

Prioritized Action Recommendations

PriorityRecommendationJustification
HighImplement Receipt Scanning/AttachmentThis is a consistently requested feature that would significantly improve user experience and utility, especially for expense tracking and tax purposes.
HighEnhance EV/PHEV SupportWith the increasing popularity of electric vehicles, adding dedicated EV tracking features is crucial to remain relevant and attract new users.
MediumImprove Family Sharing FunctionalityAddress the issues with Family Sharing to ensure that family members can seamlessly access the app without being prompted to purchase it again.
MediumStrengthen Data Syncing and BackupImprove the reliability of data syncing, especially with iCloud, and provide clear instructions on how to backup and restore data to prevent data loss.
LowConsider WebDAV support.More advanced users would appreciate the ability to host their data themselves.
LowAddress UI complaints regarding date picker.Some users find the date wheel UI clunky. Consider alternatives.
LowConsider options to revert Map Pin updates.Some users dislike changes to the Map Pins, so allowing users to revert to the old style would be ideal.

Opportunities for Startup Ideas

  • AI-Powered Receipt Scanning: Develop an AI-powered receipt scanning feature that automatically extracts relevant information from receipts and populates the app's fields.
  • Smart EV Charging Integration: Integrate with smart EV chargers to automatically track charging sessions, costs, and energy usage.
  • Predictive Maintenance: Use historical data to predict upcoming maintenance needs and provide personalized recommendations.
  • Gamified Fuel Efficiency: Introduce gamification elements to encourage users to improve their fuel efficiency, such as badges, leaderboards, and challenges.

Trends and Observations

  • Long-Term User Loyalty: The app has a loyal user base, with many users having used it for over a decade, indicating strong satisfaction and stickiness.
  • Positive Sentiment Persistence: The positive sentiment has remained consistently high over the years, demonstrating the app's enduring value.
  • Feature Request Consistency: Some feature requests, such as receipt scanning and iCloud sync, have been recurring for several years, indicating their importance to users.
  • Shift to EV/PHEV: There's an increasing demand for EV/PHEV support, reflecting the growing adoption of electric vehicles.

Conclusion

Road Trip MPG is a well-regarded and feature-rich app that provides significant value to its users. By addressing the key user pain points and implementing the frequently requested features, the developer can further enhance the app's appeal and maintain its competitive edge. The strong positive sentiment and loyal user base provide a solid foundation for continued success. The app should focus on receipt scanning, EV/PHEV integration and syncing stability.

Original App Link

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/road-trip-mpg/id298398207?uo=2