Comparison

MINI vs Rivian

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

MINI

Manage your MINI vehicle remotely with this app. Check status, control features like climate and locks, plan trips with navigation and charging information, and book service appointments. Explore MINI news and products, or try it in demo mode.

Highlights
  • Check vehicle status (location, fuel, locks)
  • Remote control (climate, locks, lights)
  • Trip planning with navigation and traffic
  • E-mobility services (charging, range)
  • Service appointment booking
  • MINI news and shop access
  • Demo mode for non-owners
Features
Read full description

MINI App – the essential companion for your MINI. Check vehicle status, use remote functions, plan trips, manage charging, book a service, and explore MINI features directly from your smartphone. Get started early with pre-delivery mode as soon as you receive your VIN, and prepare before your MINI arrives. Check vehicle status • View your vehicle’s location • Check fuel or battery level, tyre pressure, and vehicle alerts • Receive notifications if the alarm is triggered or your vehicle is hit while parked • Add widgets for faster access Use remote vehicle controls • Schedule and start climatisation • Lock/unlock doors, access the boot, and operate the horn and lights • Capture images from inside and outside the vehicle • Update vehicle settings and onboard apps remotely Plan trips and navigation • Plan routes and monitor traffic • Use the live map for charging, fuelling, and parking information • Send destinations directly to your vehicle, including from third-party apps • Review trip history with monthly and yearly summaries Manage electric charging • Find charging stations with pricing and nearby amenities • Use intelligent trip planning to optimise charging stops and estimate costs • Track charging session history and statistics • Connect to and control your MINI Wallbox via the app Explore MINI services • Discover MINI products, services, and subscriptions • Watch tutorial videos tailored to your vehicle model • Link your financial services account for easy access Manage maintenance and service • Monitor required services • Book service appointments in the app • Chat with your service partner • Request roadside assistance when needed The MINI App is optimised for vehicles built from 2018 onwards. Availability of features depends on country, vehicle model, equipment, app version, MINI Connected contract, and service availability. Displayed screens show representative data and may vary depending on vehicle, region, app version, and feature availability.

About

Rivian

Control and manage your electric vehicle with your smartphone. Use your phone as a key, monitor charging, plan trips with charging stops, and access vehicle support and service. Keep your vehicle updated and ready for your next adventure.

Highlights
  • Phone as vehicle key
  • Remote lock/unlock
  • Remote climate control
  • Trip planning with charging stops
  • Charger and point of interest map
  • Vehicle status monitoring
  • Service and roadside assistance
Features
Read full description

The Rivian app works with your R1T and R1S to make driving and owning your Rivian simple. Use your phone as a key, manage charging sessions, tap into support and so much more: • Accept delivery of your Rivian • Make your phone a key to your R1T or R1S • Lock and unlock your vehicle remotely • Warm up or cool down your vehicle before you get in • Plan trips in the app to see recommended routes and charging stops based on your preferences • Search the map for points of interest and nearby chargers—and send any destination to your vehicle • Check your Rivian's range and current charging status • Connect with our support team to ask questions and troubleshoot • Request and track vehicle service and roadside assistance • Start available vehicle software updates from the app • Connect with your home Rivian Wall Charger Keep the World Adventurous Forever.

Screenshots

MINI4 screens
Rivian4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: MINI at 4.8 against Rivian's 4.4. MINI also leads on monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases) and ratings volume (26K vs 1.3K). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

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

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

MINI holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: MINI has 26K ratings behind it against 1.3K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 60% of MINI's written reviews are positive against 45% of Rivian's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

MINI ships an update fortnightly, Rivian every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 17, 2026 and October 15, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
MINI versus Rivian: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMINIRivian
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (26K ratings) — better4.4 (1.3K ratings)
Positive reviews59.6% of reviews — better45.1% of reviews
Number of ratings26K — better1.3K
Update frequencyFortnightly — betterEvery 3 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, Apple WatchiPhone, Apple Watch
Requires iOS16.0 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size499 MB419 MB
Age rating4+17+
DeveloperBMWRivian

Customer experience

MINI

All ratings25,676 ratings
Positive96.0%
Neutral1.7%
Negative2.3%
Written reviews544 reviews
Positive59.6%
Neutral10.5%
Negative30.0%

Rivian

All ratings1,343 ratings
Positive84.4%
Neutral4.4%
Negative11.2%
Written reviews224 reviews
Positive45.1%
Neutral12.1%
Negative42.9%

User reviews

MINI

From 26K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Nice app
  • 🚀 Easy to use
  • 🚀 Works flawlessly
  • 🚀 Convenient access to information
  • 👍 Useful features

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Connectivity issues
  • 🐛 Charging status not updating
  • 🐛 Bluetooth connection problems
  • 🐛 App crashes frequently
  • 🐛 Unreliable app performance

Rivian

From 1.3K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Great app design
  • 👍 Useful features like climate control and charging management
  • 💎 Continuously improving with updates
  • 🔒 Secure phone-as-a-key functionality

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Connectivity and reliability issues
  • 🔍 Limited functionality compared to Tesla app
  • 🔋 High battery drain on phone
  • 🕰️ Slow app response times

Bugs and requests

MINI

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • Time displayed incorrectly in charging notifications
  • Unable to update charging timer
  • Destination send to car feature not working after update
  • App disconnects from VIN after uninstall/reinstall
  • Repeated login required due to app forgetting vehicle

Requested features

6 requests
  • Remote start/stop function
  • Ability to make car payments through the app
  • Notifications for open windows/doors
  • Charging timer setting
  • Improved EV consumption tracking
Show 1 more
  • Apple Watch app support

Rivian

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Widgets disappearing after app updates
  • Inconsistent phone-as-a-key performance
  • Charging status not updating correctly

Requested features

4 requests
  • Remote access to cameras and Gear Guard videos
  • Ability to control more vehicle functions like windows, frunk, and charge port
  • Integration with Apple Watch and other smart devices
  • Customizable charge scheduling and energy cost tracking

In-app purchases

None

MINI

No in-app purchases

None

Rivian

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is MINI free?
MINI is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Rivian free?
Rivian is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, MINI or Rivian?
MINI is rated higher. MINI averages 4.8 out of 5 from 26K ratings, while Rivian averages 4.4 from 1.3K ratings.
Do MINI or Rivian have ads?
Neither MINI nor Rivian shows ads.
Which is updated more often, MINI or Rivian?
MINI ships an update fortnightly, and Rivian every 3 weeks. Most recently, MINI was updated on October 17, 2026 and Rivian on October 15, 2026.

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