Money
The best fuel apps to help you save at the pump
Whether you’re still a daily driver or mostly retired from the freeway of life, a fuel price app is one of the easiest ways to reduce your fuel costs.
By Bron Maxabella
Let’s be honest: keeping a car on the road these days feels like a luxury. Between rego, servicing, insurance and gulp fuel, it's no wonder many of us are rethinking even the short trips. And very few things sting quite like filling up, driving 100 metres, and spotting the exact same fuel cheaper down the road.
If that sounds familiar, it might be time to get a fuel app in your pocket. These clever little tools show you the cheapest fuel near you in real time, so you can dodge the pricier pumps and save a few dollars every time you fill up.
This could help too: 13 genius ways to save big money on your car insurance premiums
We’re not suggesting you drive 15km out of your way to save 5 cents per litre, but if you’re already on the road, knowing where to turn can make a real difference. With prices hovering where they are now, the savings from one of these fuel apps can add up faster than you’d think.
The apps are all free and easy to use. Most work with live data, some are powered by crowd-sourcing, and a few are supported by state governments. Whichever one you choose, just make sure you’re comfortable with how it uses your location and data (always check the settings).
Here are our top picks for fuel-finding apps that help you fill up without the financial ouch.
Simples
Best for: Finding cheap fuel fast on regular routes
From Compare the Market (yes, the one with the meerkats), Simples maps out nearby fuel stations and shows their current prices. You can even check fuel prices at your destination and along your regular routes by setting up favourites. Handy if you’re doing the same daily commute or supermarket run each week.
EzySt
Best for: Fuel and convenience deals
If you're someone who loves a good deal (who doesn’t these days?), EzySt might be just the app for you. More than just a fuel price finder, it also shows you current promotions and fuel discounts at nearby service stations, helping you double up on savings.
You can filter by fuel type, brand, or even by who’s offering loyalty rewards. EzySt also lets you store all your fuel loyalty cards in the app, so you won’t be fumbling through your wallet when it’s time to scan and save.
MotorMouth
Best for: Community vibes and long-term tracking
MotorMouth has been around for years and reports prices for about 4,500 stations daily. It collects data from fuel retailers and its own users, who earn credits by reporting prices. There’s even a "heads up for your mates" feature so you can tip off friends about a bargain near them.
Bonus: you can track your fuel use over time and spot price trends like a total fuel-saving boss.
Petrol Spy
Best for: Accuracy with a little reward
Covering every capital city, Petrol Spy uses crowd-sourced data and is rated by CHOICE as one of the most accurate fuel apps around. It also offers a fun little incentive: upload 5 fuel prices, earn 5 points, and go into a daily draw to win a $25 fuel card.
It’s not quite retirement funding, but hey, free money is free money.
Speaking of which: 6 ways to find free money and put it back in your pocket
Petty
Best for: Simple, no-fuss feel
Petty keeps things, well… petty in size, but big on usefulness. This independent Aussie app helps you find the cheapest fuel near you with just a few taps. It’s designed to be quick, easy and fuss-free. No clutter, no ads, no weird gimmicks. Just the fuel info you actually need.
The interface is clean and intuitive (perfect if you’re not in the mood to wrestle with tech), and it works across all of Australia. You can also filter by fuel type and see historical prices if you like spotting trends or timing your fill-up for a better deal.
FuelCheck
NSW only – but very accurate
FuelCheck is one from the NSW Government, so it doesn’t rely on the public to upload prices. Instead, more than 2,000 service stations in NSW are legally required to update their prices in real time. That means no guessing games or dodgy figures—just cold, hard data you can trust.
If you’re in NSW, this is your go-to.
Even if your state doesn’t have its own app like NSW, you’re not left high and dry. These states have mandatory fuel price databases that other apps (like Petrol Spy and Fuel Map) tap into:
- WA – FuelWatch
fuelwatch.wa.gov.au
Daily prices direct from retailers. - NT – MyFuel NT
myfuelnt.nt.gov.au
Great for Darwin and surrounds. - QLD – Real-time fuel data
While Queensland doesn’t have its own app, it provides data to apps like Simples, Petrol Spy and Fuel Map, so you’re covered.
Fuel Map Australia
Best for: Long drives across the country
Fuel Map Australia shows crowd-sourced price info directly in the app, and if you're in WA, NSW or QLD the prices are pulled straight from government sources. This app is particularly good if you’re planning road trips or long drives through multiple states.
Simple, clean interface. Solid reliability. What’s not to love?
Pumped
Best for: Road trippers and EV drivers
Pumped goes the extra mile by showing more than just fuel prices. You’ll find details like whether the station has a toilet, snacks, or a mechanic on site. It also includes electric vehicle charging stations, which is particularly great if you’re on an EV road-trip.
It’s like the Swiss Army knife of fuel apps: a little bit of everything.
Navigation apps
Best for: Handy fuel checks while you’re already on the road
You might already be using Waze or Google Maps to get from A to B, but did you know they can also show you fuel prices along the way? Both apps let you search for nearby petrol stations and display the current prices along your route.
Even better, they work with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, so you can use them as you drive along. Easy, useful, and already built into apps you probably use every day.
Feature image: iStock/bee32
Other practical ways to reduce transport costs: