Customer Reviews (500)

BlessedSunflower • 2025-03-16T21:22:49-07:00

So much helpful info! Totally worth the small membership fee for year round use!

B_rye1982 • 2025-03-14T16:39:26-07:00

Looked promising until I downloaded it. Why does everything have to be locked behind an expensive subscription.

ralucius16 • 2025-03-12T19:00:41-07:00

Making an account with this app is a bad idea. When you make an account, they email you your username along with the password you chose. I’m honestly surprised Apple allows an app where they use such insecure methods of storing your password.

Summary of Key Insights

The AllStays Camp & RV app is a generally well-regarded tool for RVers and campers, particularly for its comprehensive database of campgrounds, rest stops, and other relevant locations. However, recent changes in the app's business model, specifically the shift to a subscription service, have generated significant negative feedback. Users who previously purchased the app outright are expressing frustration and anger over being asked to pay a recurring fee. Intrusive ads, outdated information, and technical glitches are also recurring concerns. While the app is praised for its extensive data and useful filters, these issues are detracting from the overall user experience.

Key Strengths: Comprehensive data, useful filters, helpful for trip planning, and generally easy to use. Key Weaknesses: Shift to subscription model, intrusive ads, outdated information, technical glitches, customer service issues, and user interface/experience concerns. Overall Sentiment: Mixed, with a significant decline in positive sentiment due to the subscription changes and related issues. Quantitative Metrics:

  • Overall Rating: Based on the review breakdown, the average rating is approximately 3.6 stars (weighted average calculated from the review distribution).
  • 5-Star: 54.2%
  • 4-Star: 8.6%
  • 3-Star: 6.4%
  • 2-Star: 4.8%
  • 1-Star: 26%

Data & Methodology Overview

  • Data Sample Size: 500 reviews
  • Time Frame: Not explicitly stated, but reviews span from 2010 to February 2025, with a concentration in recent years.
  • Analysis Methods: Sentiment analysis based on review text, keyword extraction to identify common themes, and frequency analysis to determine the prevalence of specific issues.

Key User Pain Points

  • Subscription Model: The most significant pain point is the shift to a subscription model, especially for users who previously purchased the app outright. Many feel betrayed and misled, citing broken promises of lifetime access.
  • Intrusive Ads: Users who have paid for the app, or even those on a free trial, are experiencing intrusive pop-up ads, which significantly degrade the user experience.
  • Outdated Information: Several reviews mention outdated campground information, inaccurate listings, and a lack of recent reviews, making the app less reliable.
  • Technical Glitches: Crashing, freezing, login issues, search function failures, and problems with the GPS are frequently reported.
  • Customer Service Issues: Many users complain about unresponsive or unhelpful customer service, especially regarding subscription issues and grandfathered access.
  • User Interface/Experience Concerns: The app is described as clunky, unintuitive, and lacking modern features. Some users find it difficult to navigate and search for specific information.
  • Lack of Updates/Maintenance: Users report that reviews are not being posted and that the app is not being actively maintained.

Frequently Requested Features

  • Save/Favorite Campgrounds: A common request is the ability to save favorite campgrounds or create lists for future reference.
  • Trip Planning/Routing: Users desire trip planning and routing features, including the ability to optimize routes based on RV size and preferences.
  • More Detailed Information: Users want more detailed information about campgrounds, including pricing, availability, and specific site details.
  • Improved Search Functionality: Users are asking for a more robust and user-friendly search function, including the ability to search by campground name and specific amenities.
  • Offline Functionality Improvements: Ensuring offline maps and data are accurate and up-to-date is important for users in areas with limited connectivity.
  • User Reported Cell Phone Reception: A specific request for user-reported cell phone reception/coverage for specific park locations.

Strengths and Positive Aspects

  • Comprehensive Database: The app is praised for its extensive database of campgrounds, RV parks, rest stops, and other relevant locations.
  • Useful Filters: Users appreciate the ability to filter results based on amenities, RV size, and other criteria.
  • Helpful for Trip Planning: The app is considered a valuable tool for planning RV trips and finding overnight stops.
  • Easy to Use: Many users find the app easy to use and navigate, despite some UI/UX concerns.
  • Offline Functionality: The ability to access information without an internet connection is a major selling point.
  • Road Hazard Information: The app provides information on low bridges and steep road grades, which is valuable for RVers.
  • Link to Campground Websites: Users appreciate the direct links to campground websites for booking and additional information.

Prioritized Action Recommendations

High Priority:

  • Address Subscription Issues: Immediately resolve issues related to grandfathered access and ensure that users who previously purchased the app are not charged a subscription fee. Implement a clear and transparent communication strategy to address user concerns.
  • Remove Intrusive Ads: Eliminate intrusive pop-up ads, especially for paying users. Consider a less disruptive advertising model or offer an ad-free subscription option.
  • Improve Customer Service: Invest in customer service resources to respond to user inquiries promptly and effectively. Train support staff to handle subscription issues and technical glitches.
  • Fix Technical Glitches: Prioritize bug fixes and performance improvements to address crashing, freezing, login issues, and search function failures.
  • Update Campground Information: Implement a system for regularly updating campground information, including reviews, amenities, and pricing. Encourage user contributions and verify data accuracy.

Medium Priority:

  • Improve User Interface/Experience: Redesign the app's user interface to make it more modern, intuitive, and user-friendly. Implement a list view for campground search results and improve the search functionality.
  • Add Save/Favorite Feature: Implement a feature that allows users to save favorite campgrounds and create lists for future reference.
  • Enhance Trip Planning/Routing: Add trip planning and routing features, including the ability to optimize routes based on RV size and preferences.
  • Improve Offline Functionality: Ensure that offline maps and data are accurate and up-to-date.

Low Priority:

  • Add More Detailed Information: Include more detailed information about campgrounds, such as site availability and specific amenities.
  • Enhance Review System: Improve the review system to make it easier for users to leave reviews and ensure that reviews are posted promptly.

Opportunities for Startup Ideas

  • RV-Specific Routing App: Develop a dedicated routing app that takes into account RV size, weight, and other factors to avoid low bridges and steep grades.
  • Campground Vetting Service: Create a service that verifies campground information and provides detailed reviews and ratings based on objective criteria.
  • Offline Campground Database: Develop a comprehensive offline campground database that can be accessed without an internet connection.
  • Community-Driven Campground Review Platform: Build a platform that allows RVers and campers to share their experiences and provide detailed reviews of campgrounds, including photos and videos.
  • RV Trip Planning and Booking Service: Offer a comprehensive trip planning and booking service that helps RVers find and book campgrounds, plan routes, and access other resources.

Trends and Observations

  • Shift in Sentiment: There is a clear trend of declining positive sentiment due to the subscription changes and related issues.
  • "Grandfathered" Users: A large number of users report issues with being "grandfathered" in after purchasing the app outright, indicating a problem with the implementation of the subscription model.
  • Outdated Reviews: A recurring theme is the lack of recent reviews, which makes the app less reliable for trip planning.
  • Feature Requests: Users consistently request features such as saving favorite campgrounds, trip planning, and improved search functionality.

Conclusion

The AllStays Camp & RV app has a strong foundation as a comprehensive resource for RVers and campers. However, the shift to a subscription model and related issues have significantly damaged the user experience and brand reputation. To regain user trust and maintain its position as a leading camping app, AllStays needs to address subscription issues, remove intrusive ads, improve customer service, and fix technical glitches. By prioritizing these actions and investing in user-requested features, AllStays can restore its reputation and continue to provide a valuable service to the RV and camping community.

Original App Link

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/allstays-camp-rv-camping/id370820516?uo=2