Downloads of gasoline worth comparability app PetrolPrices have surged by almost 500% as motorists seek for the most cost effective petrol station amidst hovering prices.
PetrolPrices was the thirty ninth most downloaded app by Apple customers on Monday, placing it forward of of Deliveroo, Fb and WhatsApp. Downloads have been up by 500% for the final seven days in contrast with the week earlier than the beginning of the Iran battle, based on information from Similarweb shared with The Grocer.
The information reveals 330,159 folks used PetrolPrices throughout iOS and Android gadgets within the week to fifteen March 2026, in contrast with 134,431 through the week to 1 March 2026. PetrolPrices mentioned a further 100,000 folks have been utilizing its net app on a regular basis to plan the place to refill their automotive.
The worth of a litre of petrol has risen by 15.7p, or 11.8% to 148.6p, and diesel by 31.5p or 22.1% to 173.8p since 28 February based on RAC Gas Watch [24 March 2026]. Which means the common price to refill a 55-litre petrol automotive has climbed from £73.06 to £81.70.
Brent crude has rocketed to over $100 a barrel in contrast with $67 earlier than the beginning of the most recent battle within the Center East.
Forecourt costs range wildly. With 43ppl between the most cost effective and costliest petrol fascias drivers at the most costly forecourt might pay £23.65 greater than these refuelling on the most cost-effective.
Daniel Reid, principal insights analyst, mentioned: “This goes to point out there’s a robust need for shoppers all over the place to economize. It’s develop into ingrained in folks to look to make financial savings wherever they’re. With expertise making it simpler to take action each trade faces elevated worth competitors. That’s right here to remain even when petrol costs come down.”
PetrolPrices makes use of information from the federal government’s Gas Finder scheme, which went reside on 2 February in addition to different sources.
A number of different gasoline worth comparability websites and apps have launched since 2 February, translating the federal government’s printed information into consumer-friendly comparability websites and apps.
Clare Lafferty, gross sales director at PetrolPrices proprietor myAutomate mentioned: “The latest surge in utilization we’ve seen at PetrolPrices is primarily being pushed by rising costs and ongoing strain on family budgets. When costs are unstable, shoppers naturally develop into extra price-sensitive and actively hunt down the perfect worth. Media protection highlighting instruments like PetrolPrices, and the provision of Gas Finder information inside our app, can have contributed to elevated consciousness and utilization. Nevertheless, each traditionally and at present, the most important driver of spikes in engagement is worth volatility itself. We noticed the same sample initially of the Ukraine battle.”
Lafferty mentioned that rising shopper consciousness of forecourt pricing comparisons would drive competitors. “As pricing information turns into extra seen and accessible, forecourt operators can have a clearer view of how they’re positioned relative to close by opponents. That mentioned, within the UK retailers have lengthy had understanding of their native aggressive panorama.”
She added: “Pricing behaviour remains to be influenced by a variety of things, together with wholesale provide prices, location, working prices, and the sites-customer combine. Transparency doesn’t take away these parts, however it does make pricing extra seen to shoppers, which might improve aggressive strain.”
Lafferty mentioned she anticipated “a significant proportion” of latest customers would preserve utilizing the app.
“We noticed the same surge on the onset of the Ukraine battle, and since then haven’t solely retained these customers however continued to develop our buyer base. Whereas worth volatility is the first driver of spikes in utilization, it additionally performs a job in onboarding new customers to the platform. Throughout extra steady pricing durations, utilization naturally concentrates amongst our most engaged and price-conscious prospects, who depend on the service persistently to seek out the perfect worth,” she mentioned.
