Gaspy Review - Understanding the Petrol Price Comparison App
Gaspy is New Zealand's leading app for tracking petrol prices, with real-time price comparisons, community-driven data, and location-based features. Our review explains how Gaspy works and how it can save on fuel costs.
Updated 10 August 2023
Summary:
To help explain Gaspy in detail, our review covers:
Know This: Nearby petrol stations can have price differences of 5-15 cents per litre, even if they're just minutes apart. Stations independently determine their prices, leading to these variances, even if they are the same brand. Furthermore, every brand's petrol is the same despite what myths exist. For example, Z Energy's 91 and BP's 91 are identical. We observe that Gull and Waitomo frequently set competitive prices, often influencing other stations to reduce theirs, especially in areas where they're present.
- As the cost of living rises, Kiwis constantly seek ways to save money. While New Zealand has tried to pivot away from petrol cars to cleaner EV alternatives (especially with the clean car discount), a large majority of cars are still petrol-based.
- As a result, fuel costs make up a significant expense for many Kiwi budgets. Additionally, petrol prices in New Zealand vary greatly from one service station to another, and keeping track of the best deals can be difficult. This is where Gaspy comes into play. Gaspy has become the leading gas-tracking app in New Zealand.
- Gaspy is popular on social media forums (as outlined in this 2022 Reddit post) and is warmly supported by its membership base, with 500,000+ downloads on Google Android alone. However, while Gaspy is free-to-use, it's also user-generated and there are drawbacks. This Reddit discussion in 2022 flags the problem of fake prices being added which arguably makes the data unreliable.
- If you want to use Gaspy without the adverts, Gaspy Gold is a paid subscription ($1.69 per month) and you can sign up for one month free, as outlined here.
- While Gaspy doesn't require users to update prices, it does request anyone using the app to "please keep updating prices accurately and let us know of any changes to stations". Gaspy only works if users keep it up to date, so it's best if everyone does that accurately.
To help explain Gaspy in detail, our review covers:
Know This: Nearby petrol stations can have price differences of 5-15 cents per litre, even if they're just minutes apart. Stations independently determine their prices, leading to these variances, even if they are the same brand. Furthermore, every brand's petrol is the same despite what myths exist. For example, Z Energy's 91 and BP's 91 are identical. We observe that Gull and Waitomo frequently set competitive prices, often influencing other stations to reduce theirs, especially in areas where they're present.
What is Gaspy?
- Gaspy is a mobile app designed to help New Zealanders find the cheapest petrol prices in their area. Launched in 2016, Gaspy has quickly become a popular tool for Kiwi drivers looking to save money on fuel.
- It operates as a community-driven platform, allowing users to report and share petrol prices from service stations nationwide. Then, by aggregating this data, the app provides real-time price comparisons, enabling users to decide where to fill up their cars for the cheapest price possible.
- The Gaspy app is free for Android and iOS devices. It features a simple interface that makes it easy for users to find petrol stations nearby, view current petrol prices, and contribute to the community by reporting price updates.
- The app also includes additional features, such as the ability to filter results by fuel type (e.g. 91 vs 95 vs diesel), sort petrol stations by price or distance, and receive notifications when petrol prices drop in the user's specified area (such as when Gull promotes their one-day discount days).
What are the main features of the Gaspy app?
The Gaspy app offers a range of features designed to help users find the cheapest petrol prices in their area and save money on fuel. Its combination of real-time data, location-based search and customisation options make it a valuable tool for Kiwi drivers (especially when on a roadie).
Real-time Petrol Price Information
Traditionally, the only way to know the gas prices at a specific station was to drive by and see the current prices on the large signs outside the gas station. However, Gaspy now provides an alternative. Kiwis can check up-to-date petrol price data from service stations across New Zealand with a few phone presses. This enables users to find the cheapest petrol prices in their area and decide where to fill their vehicles.
User-contributed Data
Gaspy has no API or data-sharing agreement with gas station providers (such as Z, Shell or Gull). Therefore, Gaspy relies on its community of users to report and update petrol prices, ensuring that the app remains accurate and up-to-date. This community-driven approach fosters a sense of collaboration and allows users to help each other save money on fuel.
Fuel Type Filters
Gaspy allows users to filter results by their preferred fuel types, such as 91, 95, and 98 octane petrol, diesel, or premium diesel. This ensures that users can find the best prices for their specific fuel requirements (noting that having one fuel type be the cheapest at a specific gas station may not mean it has the cheapest fuel for all fuel types).
Location-based Search
The app uses the user's location data to display nearby petrol stations and their prices. This makes it easy for users to find the most cost-effective options in their vicinity without consistently putting in whatever suburb they're currently driving by.
Sorting Options
If petrol is 1 cent cheaper, it may not make sense to drive 50 kilometres just to fill up there. Gaspy users can sort petrol stations by price or distance, making it easy to identify the cheapest or closest options. This helps users quickly find the best deals and plan their refueling stops efficiently depending on where they're commuting from/to.
User-friendly Interface
The Gaspy app features an intuitive and easy-to-use interface, making it simple for Kiwis to navigate and access its features.
Source: Gaspy (App Store).
Gaspy - Pros and Cons
Pros
There are several advantages to using the Gaspy app, which has contributed to its popularity among New Zealand drivers:
1. Cost Savings
The primary benefit of the Gaspy app is the potential for cost savings. By providing users with up-to-date information on petrol prices in their area, Gaspy enables drivers to decide where to fill up their vehicles. This can result in significant savings over time, particularly for those who drive frequently or cover long distances.
2. Convenience
The Gaspy app is free and allows users to conveniently access real-time petrol price information. With just a few phone taps, Kiwi drivers can quickly find the cheapest petrol stations nearby without having to drive around or visit multiple service stations, saving time.
3. Community-driven Data
One of the strengths of the Gaspy app is its reliance on community-driven data. For example, users contribute to the app's accuracy by reporting petrol prices from service stations they visit. This collaborative approach ensures that the app remains up-to-date and accurate, providing a reliable source of information for users.
There are several advantages to using the Gaspy app, which has contributed to its popularity among New Zealand drivers:
1. Cost Savings
The primary benefit of the Gaspy app is the potential for cost savings. By providing users with up-to-date information on petrol prices in their area, Gaspy enables drivers to decide where to fill up their vehicles. This can result in significant savings over time, particularly for those who drive frequently or cover long distances.
2. Convenience
The Gaspy app is free and allows users to conveniently access real-time petrol price information. With just a few phone taps, Kiwi drivers can quickly find the cheapest petrol stations nearby without having to drive around or visit multiple service stations, saving time.
3. Community-driven Data
One of the strengths of the Gaspy app is its reliance on community-driven data. For example, users contribute to the app's accuracy by reporting petrol prices from service stations they visit. This collaborative approach ensures that the app remains up-to-date and accurate, providing a reliable source of information for users.
Cons
Despite the great benefits of using the Gaspy app, there are some drawbacks to note:
1. Incomplete or Inaccurate Data
As Gaspy relies on user-submitted data, there is always a risk that some information may be incomplete or inaccurate (similar to other crowdsourced platforms like Quora or Wikipedia). While the community-driven nature of the app generally results in reliable data, occasional discrepancies can occur, leading to potential confusion for users. For example, if you end up driving to a store that is 30% cheaper than anywhere else only to find that the data was wrong, you might get frustrated.
2. Coverage Limitations
Gaspy is most effective in urban areas with a higher density of petrol stations and a larger user base to accurately report (and verify) petrol prices. However, in rural areas or regions with fewer petrol stations, the app may not provide as comprehensive or accurate information (as fewer people are providing petrol pricing data), limiting its usefulness for some users.
3. Distracting Advertising
Gaspy is free to download and doesn't require users to enter their credit card information. However, the main way that Gaspy monetises the app is through advertising. This advertising can be particularly distracting or annoying to scroll through, leading to a poorer user experience.
Important: The Gaspy app requires an internet connection, relying on real-time data updates. While New Zealand is well-connected with 4G and/or 5G, in remote areas with poor or no internet connectivity, users may experience difficulty in accessing the app's features or obtaining accurate petrol price information. This can be particularly problematic for those travelling in rural or remote areas, where mobile coverage may be limited.
Despite the great benefits of using the Gaspy app, there are some drawbacks to note:
1. Incomplete or Inaccurate Data
As Gaspy relies on user-submitted data, there is always a risk that some information may be incomplete or inaccurate (similar to other crowdsourced platforms like Quora or Wikipedia). While the community-driven nature of the app generally results in reliable data, occasional discrepancies can occur, leading to potential confusion for users. For example, if you end up driving to a store that is 30% cheaper than anywhere else only to find that the data was wrong, you might get frustrated.
2. Coverage Limitations
Gaspy is most effective in urban areas with a higher density of petrol stations and a larger user base to accurately report (and verify) petrol prices. However, in rural areas or regions with fewer petrol stations, the app may not provide as comprehensive or accurate information (as fewer people are providing petrol pricing data), limiting its usefulness for some users.
3. Distracting Advertising
Gaspy is free to download and doesn't require users to enter their credit card information. However, the main way that Gaspy monetises the app is through advertising. This advertising can be particularly distracting or annoying to scroll through, leading to a poorer user experience.
Important: The Gaspy app requires an internet connection, relying on real-time data updates. While New Zealand is well-connected with 4G and/or 5G, in remote areas with poor or no internet connectivity, users may experience difficulty in accessing the app's features or obtaining accurate petrol price information. This can be particularly problematic for those travelling in rural or remote areas, where mobile coverage may be limited.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Gaspy without an internet connection?
Not reliably - Gaspy requires an internet connection to provide real-time petrol price information. While the app may still function without an internet connection, the data displayed may be outdated, and users cannot report or receive updated petrol prices.
How does Gaspy make money if the app is free?
Gaspy generates revenue through advertising within the app. This allows the developers to provide the app to users for free while still covering development and maintenance costs.
How do I report inaccurate petrol prices on Gaspy?
If you notice an inaccurate petrol price in the Gaspy app, you can report the correct price using the app's interface. Simply navigate to the petrol station, tap on the incorrect price, and enter the correct price. By doing so, you are contributing to the accuracy of the app and helping other users save money on fuel.
Fuel prices are all roughly the same. So is Gaspy even worth using?
It depends. While a few cents may not make a difference to the cost of fueling up at the end of the day, there can be drastic swings in fuel price between different suppliers (such as Gull vs Z Energy or Mobil vs BP). As such, given that it's free to check Gaspy occasionally, it's almost always worth the few minutes it takes to open the app and scan the local gas stations for the best price. However, it may not always be worth it to go out of your way to get the cheapest fuel (unless the fuel is significantly cheaper than any other gas station).
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