# PlugShare vs Autel Charge

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Autel Charge at none against PlugShare's 2. Autel Charge also leads on ads (none vs shown) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 17.0). PlugShare's advantage is ratings volume (144K vs 1.3K) and review sentiment (54% vs 46%). On price, rating, update cadence and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. PlugShare sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.49 per month. Autel Charge asks for nothing beyond the download.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for PlugShare against 4.8 for Autel Charge. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: PlugShare has 144K ratings behind it against 1.3K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 54% of PlugShare's written reviews are positive against 46% of Autel Charge's.

PlugShare ships an update every 3 weeks, Autel Charge every 2 weeks. Both last shipped on November 7, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | PlugShare | Autel Charge |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.7 (144K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/plugshare-charging-stations/id421788217/reviews) | **[4.8 (1.3K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/autel-charge/id1578454464/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **144K** | 1.3K |
| Positive reviews | **54.1% of reviews** | 45.7% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | **Every 2 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#44** | #185 |
| Size | 75 MB | 238 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | **13.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Recargo, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/405168587) | [Autel Digital Power Co., Ltd.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1566849224) |

## What reviewers say

### PlugShare

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/plugshare-charging-stations/id421788217)

**Currently charting:** #44 Top Free · Navigation, #190 Top Grossing · Navigation (US App Store)

Discover and share EV charging stations worldwide. This app provides a comprehensive map with real-time reviews, photos, and filtering options for various plug types and charging speeds. Plan your electric vehicle trips and find compatible chargers easily.

**Highlights:** EV charging station map, Community reviews and photos, Filter by plug type and charging speed, Real-time station availability, EV trip planner, Pay with PlugShare, Add new stations

**Features:** Apple Wallet, Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| PlugShare Ad-Free (Monthly) | $1.49 | per month |
| PlugShare Ad-Free (Annual) | $14.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Comprehensive charging station information
- 📍 Helpful for planning long-distance trips
- ⭐ Useful community-driven updates and reviews
- 🔍 Ability to filter by charger type and network
- 💡 Innovative features like trip planning

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Buggy app updates causing issues
- 🗺️ Mapping and navigation could be improved
- 🔍 Inconsistent or missing charger details
- 🤖 Difficulty updating or adding new stations
- 💸 Concerns about unexpected charges

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes or freezes on certain devices
- Inconsistent behavior when checking in at chargers
- Issues with saving or syncing user preferences
- Incorrect or outdated charger information

**Requested features**

- Improved trip planning with multiple stops
- Ability to view charger availability in real-time
- Integration with in-car navigation systems
- Customizable filters and sorting options
- Notification system for charger status updates


### Autel Charge

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/autel-charge/id1578454464)

**Currently charting:** #185 Top Free · Navigation (US App Store)

Manage your electric vehicle charging experience, whether at home or on the go. Monitor charging sessions, track energy costs, and optimize charging schedules. Find and use public charging stations with ease, including real-time availability and navigation.

**Highlights:** Home charger setup and configuration, Schedule off-peak charging, Real-time charging statistics, Public charger availability map, Filter public chargers by connector/power, Navigate to charging stations, Home charger sharing for revenue

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Apple Wallet, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Stable connection
- 🔒 Secure app
- 👍 Easy to use
- 👍 Provides useful information
- 👍 Customizable charging settings

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Unstable WiFi connection
- 🐛 Charging history not working
- 🐛 App issues after updates
- 🐛 Firmware update problems
- 🐛 Inconsistent user experience

**Reported bugs**

- Charger firmware update issues
- Charging session not stopping properly
- Incorrect currency display
- WiFi password length restriction
- Login and account creation problems

**Requested features**

- Ability to set charge percentage limits
- More customizable charging schedules
- Support for multiple users/accounts
- Integration with digital wallets
- Improved reporting and analytics


## Frequently asked questions

### Is PlugShare free?

PlugShare is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Autel Charge free?

Autel Charge is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, PlugShare or Autel Charge?

Autel Charge is rated higher. PlugShare averages 4.7 out of 5 from 144K ratings, while Autel Charge averages 4.8 from 1.3K ratings.

### Do PlugShare or Autel Charge have ads?

PlugShare shows ads; Autel Charge does not.

### Which is updated more often, PlugShare or Autel Charge?

PlugShare ships an update every 3 weeks, and Autel Charge every 2 weeks. Most recently, PlugShare was updated on November 7, 2026 and Autel Charge on November 7, 2026.

### Which is more popular, PlugShare or Autel Charge?

PlugShare currently peaks at #44 in the App Store charts, and Autel Charge at #185. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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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.*