Customer Reviews (500)

GregOdeezy73 • 2025-03-12T17:12:27-07:00

Literally let me put all my stops in to then tell me once I was done I needed to subscribe fro $20/ a month for over 10 stops. Get real!

Maite5.7 • 2025-03-07T17:08:11-07:00

Makes my routes so much easier n Saves me so much time ! 🫡

laylag2 • 2025-02-24T00:23:33-07:00

I had used this app a while back whenever I had multiple shop and deliver orders, and at that time it seemed to serve its purpose well. You enter in all the addresses and the “optimized” the entire route saving one time, gas, and wear and tear on a car. It shows you how much time you saved, and includes the total mileage or your optimized route. Awesome! That was then. I recently tested this app while delivering approx 40-49 packages. It’s pretty easy to use and you can take a pic of the address now, which was also awesome! After the first route I thought for sure I had somehow made an error of some sort. Initially it said it had saved me a couple hours! But once I completed the deliveries, it had actually added over 2 HOURS! I was mad at myself and exhausted to say the least. So I tried a 2nd time but this time, after reporting hours saved again, I compared the total mileage from the normal route to the optimized route— and it was OVER 200 miles MORE. Thank gawd I hadn’t waited till after their ridiculously longer route, to verify time saved. Like seriously, the app is not working properly but it claims it will save you hours of drive time. I wouldn’t trust this ever again. The developers owe me money from that 1st route. I can’t be the only one. Yikes!

Summary of Key Insights

Circuit Route Planner is generally well-received, particularly by delivery drivers and those with multi-stop routes. Users praise its ability to optimize routes, save time and gas, and improve efficiency. The app's ease of use and compatibility with popular navigation apps are also frequently mentioned as strengths. However, several pain points exist, including the $20/month subscription price, occasional routing inaccuracies, the removal of the "restart route" feature, and the lack of certain customization options. Sentiment is predominantly positive, with a high percentage of 5-star reviews, but negative reviews highlight critical areas for improvement.

Key Strengths:

  • Time and gas savings through route optimization.
  • Ease of use and intuitive interface.
  • Compatibility with other navigation apps.
  • Helpful for delivery drivers and multi-stop routes.

Key Weaknesses:

  • High subscription cost ($20/month).
  • Occasional routing inaccuracies (U-turns, wrong locations, backtracking).
  • Removal of "restart route" feature.
  • Limited customization options (e.g., manual stop reordering after optimization, toll road avoidance).

Overall Sentiment: Positive

Quantitative Metrics:

  • Overall Rating: Based on the score distribution, the average rating is approximately 4.4 stars.
  • Score Distribution:
    • 5-star: 73.4% (367/500)
    • 4-star: 10.2% (51/500)
    • 3-star: 7% (35/500)
    • 2-star: 2.2% (11/500)
    • 1-star: 7.2% (36/500)

Data & Methodology Overview

  • Data Sample Size: 500 reviews
  • Time Frame: Not explicitly stated, but based on the update in one of the reviews (5/19/24), the reviews are recent (within the last few years).
  • Analysis Methods:
    • Sentiment analysis (identifying positive, negative, and neutral opinions).
    • Keyword extraction (identifying frequently mentioned terms and topics).
    • Thematic analysis (grouping reviews based on common themes).

Key User Pain Points

  • High Subscription Cost: Many users find the $20/month subscription too expensive, especially compared to the perceived value or features offered. Some suggest a lower price point (e.g., $10-$15/month) or a one-time purchase option.
    • Impact: Limits adoption and drives users to seek cheaper alternatives.
  • Routing Inaccuracies: Several users report issues with the app providing suboptimal routes, including unnecessary U-turns, sending them to wrong locations, suggesting illogical backroads, or backtracking.
    • Impact: Wastes time and gas, increases frustration, and reduces trust in the app.
  • Removal of "Restart Route" Feature: A significant number of users are frustrated by the removal of the "restart route" button, which previously allowed them to easily reuse existing routes. Now, they must manually undo each stop.
    • Impact: Increases time spent preparing routes, reduces efficiency, and diminishes the value of the subscription.
  • Limited Customization: Users desire more control over route optimization, such as manually reordering stops after optimization, prioritizing right-hand turns, or avoiding toll roads.
    • Impact: Reduces flexibility and forces users to adapt to the app's limitations, potentially leading to less efficient routes.
  • Billing Issues: Some users report being charged immediately after starting a trial or having difficulty canceling their subscriptions.
    • Impact: Erodes trust and creates negative perception of the app's business practices.
  • App Freezing/Lagging: Some users experience freezing or lagging, especially after prolonged use.
    • Impact: Reduces efficiency and can be frustrating.
  • Missing Addresses/Stops: Some users have reported missing addresses from uploaded spreadsheets.
    • Impact: Wastes time and gas, increases frustration, and reduces trust in the app.

Frequently Requested Features

  • Lower Subscription Price: A more affordable subscription model (e.g., $10-$15/month) or a one-time purchase option.
  • Manual Stop Reordering: The ability to manually adjust the order of stops after the app has optimized the route.
  • Restart Route Feature: Reinstatement of the "restart route" button for easy route reuse.
  • Toll Road Avoidance: An option to specifically avoid toll roads during route optimization.
  • PC/Web Version: A desktop or web-based version of the app for easier route planning and management.
  • CarPlay Integration: Full integration with Apple CarPlay, including navigation within the Circuit app.
  • Address Scanning Improvements: Better accuracy and speed in address scanning. The ability to scan multiple addresses at once from a list.
  • Package Tracking: Ability to keep track of the number of packages for each stop.
  • Curbside Routing: A setting for rural drivers to prefer routing along the right-hand side of the road (for mailbox access).
  • Route Mileage Tracking: Displaying the total mileage of a completed route.
  • Saved Addresses: Ability to save frequent addresses for quick reuse.
  • Delivery Confirmation Improvements: Streamline the delivery confirmation process within the app.
  • Integration of Pickups with Dropoffs: A feature to link a pickup to a dropoff so the app doesn't send you to the dropoff before the pickup.
  • Bulk Route Deletion: Ability to select and delete multiple routes at once.
  • Color-Coding of Stops: Being able to color code each stop, for example, by commercial vs residential.
  • Announce Address on Arrival: Option to have the app announce the address upon arrival at a stop.
  • View All Information for an Address: Ability to easily view all notes and details entered for a specific address.

Strengths and Positive Aspects

  • Time Savings: The most frequently cited benefit is the app's ability to save time by optimizing routes.
  • Ease of Use: Many users praise the app's intuitive interface and ease of use.
  • Route Optimization: Users appreciate the app's ability to find the fastest and most efficient routes.
  • Compatibility: The app's compatibility with popular navigation apps like Google Maps and Waze is seen as a major advantage.
  • Address Scanning: The ability to scan addresses using the camera is a popular feature.
  • Notes Feature: The ability to add notes to each stop is helpful for delivery drivers and other users.
  • Reliability: Many users find the app to be reliable and accurate in its routing.
  • Efficiency: The app helps users complete more stops in less time, increasing productivity.
  • Organization: Users appreciate how the app helps them stay organized and manage their routes effectively.
  • Customer Service: Some users mentioned positive experiences with customer service.

Prioritized Action Recommendations

High Priority:

  1. Address Subscription Cost: Re-evaluate the subscription pricing model. Consider offering a lower-priced tier (e.g., $10-$15/month) or a one-time purchase option. Conduct market research to determine the optimal price point.
  2. Improve Routing Accuracy: Invest in improving the app's routing algorithm to reduce inaccuracies such as unnecessary U-turns, wrong locations, and backtracking. Implement user feedback mechanisms to report and correct routing errors.
  3. Restore "Restart Route" Feature: Reinstate the "restart route" button to allow users to easily reuse existing routes. This is a highly requested feature and its absence is a major pain point.
  4. Address Billing Issues: Review and improve the billing process to ensure transparency and prevent unintended charges. Make it easier for users to cancel their subscriptions.

Medium Priority:

  1. Implement Manual Stop Reordering: Allow users to manually adjust the order of stops after optimization. This will provide greater flexibility and control over their routes.
  2. Develop PC/Web Version: Create a desktop or web-based version of the app to facilitate route planning and management, especially for users with large numbers of stops.
  3. Improve Address Scanning: Enhance the accuracy and speed of the address scanning feature. Consider adding the ability to scan multiple addresses at once.
  4. Add Toll Road Avoidance Option: Implement an option to avoid toll roads during route optimization.
  5. Optimize App Performance: Address reports of freezing and lagging, especially during prolonged use.

Low Priority:

  1. Explore CarPlay Integration: Investigate the feasibility of full integration with Apple CarPlay, including navigation within the Circuit app.
  2. Implement Package Tracking Feature: Add the ability to track the number of packages for each stop.
  3. Add Curbside Routing Option: Implement an option for rural drivers to prefer routing along the right-hand side of the road.
  4. Implement Route Mileage Tracking: Display the total mileage of a completed route.
  5. Implement Saved Addresses: Allow users to save frequent addresses for quick reuse.
  6. Improve Delivery Confirmation Improvements: Streamline the delivery confirmation process within the app.
  7. Implement Integration of Pickups with Dropoffs: A feature to link a pickup to a dropoff so the app doesn't send you to the dropoff before the pickup.
  8. Implement Bulk Route Deletion: Ability to select and delete multiple routes at once.
  9. Implement Color-Coding of Stops: Being able to color code each stop, for example, by commercial vs residential.
  10. Implement Announce Address on Arrival: Option to have the app announce the address upon arrival at a stop.
  11. Implement View All Information for an Address: Ability to easily view all notes and details entered for a specific address.

Opportunities for Startup Ideas

  • Subscription Management Service: A service that helps users manage and cancel subscriptions for apps like Circuit Route Planner, addressing the billing issues reported by some users.
  • Advanced Route Customization Platform: A platform that offers granular control over route optimization, allowing users to specify preferences such as right-hand turns, toll road avoidance, and preferred road types.
  • AI-Powered Route Correction: An AI-powered system that analyzes user feedback and automatically corrects routing errors, improving the accuracy and reliability of the app.
  • Route Planning for Specific Industries: A route planning app tailored to the needs of specific industries, such as lawn care, pest control, or real estate, with features and customizations relevant to those fields.

Trends and Observations

  • High Value for Delivery Drivers: The app is particularly popular among delivery drivers, who rely on it to optimize their routes and save time.
  • Importance of Ease of Use: Users consistently praise the app's intuitive interface and ease of use, highlighting the importance of a user-friendly design.
  • Price Sensitivity: The $20/month subscription price is a major barrier for many users, indicating a need for more affordable options.
  • Feature Requests Reflect Specific Needs: Many feature requests are specific to certain use cases, such as rural delivery or commercial services, suggesting opportunities for targeted customizations.
  • Impact of Updates: Changes to the app, such as the removal of the "restart route" button, can have a significant impact on user satisfaction.

Conclusion

Circuit Route Planner is a valuable tool for delivery drivers and anyone with multi-stop routes, offering significant time and gas savings through route optimization. However, the high subscription cost, occasional routing inaccuracies, and recent feature removals are major pain points that need to be addressed. By prioritizing improvements to routing accuracy, offering more affordable pricing options, and restoring key features, Circuit Route Planner can further enhance its value proposition and attract a wider user base. Overall, the app has strong potential, but needs to address user concerns to maintain its competitive edge.

Original App Link

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/circuit-route-planner/id1198232244?uo=2