How to choose a fuel log app
A good fuel log app lets you start without an account, has no limit on vehicles, keeps MPG accurate through partial fill-ups, and lets you export your data to a file. Those four points map to the most common complaints in fuel tracker reviews: forced logins, paywalled extra cars, wrong mileage and lost data after a phone change.
Checklist before you install
- Can you start without logging in? Account-based apps often make you log in again and again.
- Can you add a second vehicle for free?
- Does it separate full and partial fill-ups and handle a missed fill-up?
- Can you enter just two of price, amount and total?
- Can you export and import a file such as CSV, for when you change phones?
- Can you choose MPG, km/L or L/100km?
- Does it log other costs like service, parking and tolls?
What to compare
| Feature | What to look for |
|---|---|
| Account | Works with no login |
| Vehicles | Unlimited for free |
| MPG math | Full-to-full intervals, missed fill-up handling |
| Backup | CSV export and import |
| Entry | Third value auto-calculated |
| Display | Dark mode |
Isn't a spreadsheet enough?
Plenty of people use a spreadsheet. It is awkward to fill in at the pump, though, and you have to build the partial fill-up math yourself. Logging in an app and exporting CSV to a spreadsheet gives you both.
How Tankbook fits
Tankbook was built against this checklist. There is no login, vehicles are unlimited, and MPG is calculated only between full tanks. It supports CSV export and import, other car costs and dark mode, all free.
A fuel log that passes the checklist
Get Tankbook on Google Play