Customer Reviews (500)

A E T • 2025-03-27T05:45:06-07:00

I don’t know of another mileage tracker that is as powerful (and free!) for what I do. The past two tax seasons were far more simplified due to Gridwise. I love this app.

Israel A1 • 2025-03-22T12:37:18-07:00

Good app saves money and helpful

Elwa30 • 2025-03-21T05:48:07-07:00

Tris App I recomend ir

Summary of Key Insights

Gridwise is generally well-received as a valuable tool for gig workers, particularly for mileage tracking, expense management, and earnings aggregation. The app simplifies tax preparation and offers insights to maximize earnings. However, recent changes to subscription models, issues with syncing, and concerns about location tracking have generated negative feedback. While many users praise its ease of use and helpful features, others express frustration with features being moved behind a paywall and technical glitches. Overall sentiment is positive, but recent changes have created some dissatisfaction.

Quantitative Metrics:

  • Overall Rating (implied from score distribution): High (majority of reviews are 5-star)
  • Score Distribution: {"1":46,"2":13,"3":13,"4":22,"5":406}
    • 5-star: 81.2%
    • 4-star: 4.4%
    • 3-star: 2.6%
    • 2-star: 2.6%
    • 1-star: 9.2%

Key Strengths:

  • Accurate mileage tracking
  • Earnings and expense aggregation
  • Simplification of tax preparation
  • Airport insights
  • User-friendly interface

Key Weaknesses:

  • Recent shift of previously free features behind a paywall, leading to user dissatisfaction.
  • Syncing issues with various gig platforms
  • Location tracking concerns
  • Accuracy issues with earnings reporting and mileage tracking in some cases
  • Customer support responsiveness issues

Data & Methodology Overview

  • Data Sample Size: 500 reviews
  • Time Frame: Not explicitly stated, but likely spans a significant period given the app's version number and user comments referencing past tax years.
  • Analysis Methods: Qualitative analysis of review content, including sentiment identification, keyword extraction, and thematic analysis to identify recurring patterns, pain points, feature requests, and positive aspects.

Key User Pain Points

  • Loss of Free Features/Paywall: The most prominent pain point is the movement of previously free features, such as automatic earnings syncing, behind a Gridwise Plus subscription. This has led to significant user dissatisfaction and uninstallations.
  • Syncing Issues: Many users report problems with syncing earnings and mileage data from various gig platforms (e.g., DoorDash, Uber, Instacart). This includes incomplete data, delayed syncing, and complete failure to sync.
  • Location Tracking Concerns: Users express discomfort with the requirement to "always allow" location access for the app to function correctly, raising privacy concerns.
  • Inaccurate Data: Some users report inaccurate mileage or earnings data, undermining the app's core value proposition.
  • Customer Support: Some reviews mention difficulty getting in touch with customer support or delays in resolving issues.
  • Airport Passenger Numbers inflated: Some claim the passenger numbers at airports are inflated to encourage drivers to go to the airport.

Frequently Requested Features

  • Improved Manual Expense Tracking: Users want the ability to upload receipt photos and add comments to manual expense entries.
  • More Granular Mileage Categorization: Users desire the ability to categorize mileage as personal, work-related (and for which gig), medical, etc., for more accurate tax deductions.
  • Estimated Tax Calculation: A running tally of estimated taxes owed is a highly requested feature.
  • iPad App: Some users want an iPad-optimized version of the app.
  • Auto Mileage Tracking Improvement: Better automatic mileage tracking with the ability to distinguish between business and personal trips more accurately.

Strengths and Positive Aspects

  • Mileage Tracking: The app is widely praised for its ability to track mileage automatically and accurately, simplifying tax preparation.
  • Earnings and Expense Aggregation: Users appreciate having all their gig earnings and expenses in one place, making it easier to manage their finances.
  • User-Friendly Interface: Many reviewers find the app easy to use and navigate.
  • Airport Insights: The airport arrival and departure information is considered a valuable feature for rideshare drivers.
  • Tax Preparation: The app's ability to generate tax reports is highly valued.
  • Reminder Notifications: Notifications reminding users to start or stop tracking are helpful.
  • Perks and Discounts: Some users appreciate the perks and discounts offered to Gridwise users.

Prioritized Action Recommendations

High Priority:

  • Address Syncing Issues: Investigate and resolve the widespread syncing problems with gig platforms. This is critical for maintaining user trust and the app's core functionality.
  • Re-evaluate Subscription Model: Consider offering a more generous free tier or a one-time purchase option for essential features like earnings syncing. The current paywall is causing significant user backlash.
  • Improve Location Privacy Options: Provide users with more control over location tracking, such as the ability to track only while the app is in use, without sacrificing functionality.
  • Enhance Customer Support: Improve response times and provide more effective support to address user issues promptly.

Medium Priority:

  • Improve Data Accuracy: Implement measures to ensure the accuracy of mileage and earnings data, such as cross-checking with gig platform data and providing users with tools to verify and correct discrepancies.
  • Implement Manual Expense Tracking Enhancements: Add the ability to upload receipt photos and add comments to manual expense entries.
  • Develop Estimated Tax Calculation Feature: Add a feature that provides a running tally of estimated taxes owed.
  • Investigate and correct inflated airport passenger numbers.

Low Priority:

  • Develop iPad App: Create an iPad-optimized version of the app.
  • Improve Automatic Mileage Tracking: Enhance the automatic mileage tracking feature to better distinguish between business and personal trips.
  • Add More Granular Mileage Categorization: Allow users to categorize mileage for more accurate tax deductions.

Opportunities for Startup Ideas

  • Gig Worker Financial Planning Platform: Expand beyond mileage and expense tracking to offer comprehensive financial planning tools tailored to gig workers, including budgeting, retirement planning, and insurance options.
  • AI-Powered Earnings Optimization: Develop an AI-powered feature that analyzes gig data and provides personalized recommendations on when and where to work to maximize earnings, taking into account factors like local events, traffic conditions, and driver density.
  • Gig Worker Community Forum: Create a built-in community forum where gig workers can connect, share tips, and support each other.

Trends and Observations

  • Negative Sentiment Shift: There is a noticeable shift in sentiment towards the negative side due to the recent changes to the subscription model.
  • Feature Importance: Mileage and earnings tracking are the most highly valued features.
  • Accuracy is Paramount: Data accuracy is crucial for user trust and satisfaction.
  • Privacy Concerns: Location tracking is a sensitive issue for users.
  • Multilingual Support: The app is used by a diverse user base, including Spanish speakers.

Conclusion

Gridwise is a valuable tool for gig workers, but recent changes to its subscription model and technical issues have created dissatisfaction among some users. Addressing the syncing problems, re-evaluating the subscription model, and improving location privacy options are critical for retaining users and maintaining a positive reputation. By focusing on accuracy, ease of use, and user privacy, Gridwise can continue to be a leading app for gig workers. Overall, it is recommended that Gridwise address the high-priority issues immediately to prevent further user churn.

Original App Link

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/gridwise-gig-driver-assistant/id1215991382?uo=2