# Bruster's vs The Drive In

The clearest difference is ratings volume: Bruster's at 1.2K against The Drive In's 16. Bruster's also leads on update cadence (every 5 months vs every 15 months). The Drive In's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 4.7) and monetization model (ad-supported vs free with in-app purchases). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

The Drive In holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Bruster's has 1.2K ratings behind it against 16, so its average is the more settled of the two.

Bruster's ships an update every 5 months, The Drive In every 15 months. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Bruster's | The Drive In |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.7 (1.2K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/brusters/id1132180307/reviews) | **[5.0 (16 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-drive-in/id1270926420/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **1.2K** | 16 |
| Positive reviews | 58.5% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 5 months** | Every 15 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Ad-supported** |
| Size | 128 MB | 102 MB |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 | **10.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Bruster’s Ice Cream, Inc](https://appshunter.io/developer/1132180306) | [ChowNow](https://appshunter.io/developer/553996348) |

## What reviewers say

### Bruster's

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/brusters/id1132180307)

This app enhances your loyalty program experience, making it easier to earn rewards and enjoy exclusive offers. Find nearby locations, order ahead for pickup, and manage your points seamlessly.

**Highlights:** Sweet Rewards loyalty program management, Earn points for purchases, Store locator with hours and flavor updates, Order online for pickup, Add missed points with receipt, Exclusive offers and birthday treat

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🍦 Delicious ice cream
- 👍 Great customer service
- 💳 Rewards program
- 🚘 Convenient drive-thru
- 🍨 Wide variety of flavors

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 App crashes and login issues
- 💳 Rewards not usable online
- 🕰️ Slow app performance
- 🗺️ Location selection issues
- 💰 Expensive pricing

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes on newer iOS versions
- Login screen issues with keyboard
- Rewards not tracking properly

**Requested features**

- Display current store flavors in the app
- Improve app navigation and ordering experience
- Integrate rewards program with online ordering


### The Drive In

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-drive-in/id1270926420)

Easily order your favorite meals with a user-friendly menu and secure payment system. Customize your dishes, save preferences, and receive notifications when your order is ready. Plan ahead by scheduling orders up to seven days in advance.

**Highlights:** Browse and customize menu items, Secure saved payment methods, Schedule orders up to 7 days ahead, Order status notifications, Restaurant location and hours

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Bruster's free?

Bruster's is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is The Drive In free?

The Drive In is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Bruster's or The Drive In?

The Drive In is rated higher. Bruster's averages 4.7 out of 5 from 1.2K ratings, while The Drive In averages 5.0 from 16 ratings.

### Do Bruster's or The Drive In have ads?

Both Bruster's and The Drive In show ads.

### Which is updated more often, Bruster's or The Drive In?

Bruster's ships an update every 5 months, and The Drive In every 15 months. Most recently, Bruster's was updated on October 24, 2026 and The Drive In on October 24, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*