Consumer Reports vs Ace Hardware
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Consumer Reports
Access unbiased product reviews, ratings, and shopping guides to make informed purchasing decisions. Features include a smart advisor for product questions, tools for savings, and exclusive member deals.
- Product ratings and reviews
- Buying guides
- Bill Negotiator tool
- Smart advisor for product questions
- Image Scan for product comparison
- Best Time to Buy tool
- Exclusive member deals
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Shop smarter with Consumer Reports by your side. Discover products worth buying, compare your options, find deals, and get trusted answers backed by CR's independent testing, research, and expertise. Whether you're looking for your next car, replacing an appliance, searching for the best products for your home, or just curious about what's worth buying, the Consumer Reports app makes it easier to shop confidently. Discover what's worth buying Explore Product Collections Discover trending products and expert-curated collections designed to help you find your next great buy. Watch the latest from CR Get useful shopping advice and consumer insights right in your feed, with videos covering products, CR testing, important consumer issues, and more. Find deals and ways to save Discover deals and discounts on products worth considering, plus tools like Best Time to Buy that can help you decide when it's worth making a purchase. Research, compare, and shop AskCR Ask questions and get answers backed by Consumer Reports' trusted expertise. Use AskCR to research products and cars, compare your options, narrow down your choices, and find the right product for your needs. Ratings & Reviews Access CR ratings and reviews for thousands of products, cars, and services based on independent testing, research, and consumer surveys. Image Scan Shopping in a store? Scan a barcode or take a photo of a product to quickly find CR ratings and information, compare your options, and make a more informed decision on the spot. Product Comparisons Compare products and cars side by side to see how your options stack up, and find the best choice for you. Buying Guides Get expert guidance on what to consider before you buy, from major appliances and electronics to cars and everyday products. Save Your Favorites Save products and comparisons so you can easily come back to them when you're ready to make a decision. Get even more from Membership Consumer Reports members get full access to features including: • Unlimited AskCR conversations • Ratings and reviews for thousands of products and services • CR Recommended products • Image Scan • Exclusive member deals and discounts • Best Time to Buy • Additional member benefits and exclusive partnerships • Extra savings with Bill Negotiator Not a member yet? Consumer Reports is free to download, with access to select features including Buying Guides, Bill Negotiator, Product Collections, videos, and limited access to AskCR. You can join Consumer Reports directly through the app to unlock the full experience. Consumer Reports is an independent, nonprofit organization that works side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. CR buys the products it tests and does not accept advertising, helping you make informed decisions with independent insights you can trust. From discovering your next purchase to making the final decision, keep Consumer Reports with you and shop with confidence.
Ace Hardware
This app enhances your shopping experience by providing access to your rewards, local store information, and a wide selection of home improvement products. You can shop for items, choose pickup or delivery options, and track your rewards progress.
- Ace Rewards tracking and offers
- Find and contact local stores
- Shop thousands of home improvement products
- In-store, pickup, and delivery options
- Visual search for products
- View purchase history and store items
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Access a complete home-renovation shopping experience right at your fingertips with the Ace Hardware app. Ace users can unlock exclusive discounts and rewards on purchases for home improvement, paint supplies, landscaping materials, power tools, grills and more. Once you add your items to your cart for purchase, choose how you want to receive them: In-store, store pickup, curbside pickup, or delivery. Unlock a $10 bonus instantly just for downloading the Ace Hardware app and linking your Ace Rewards account. Download the Ace Hardware app today to get started on your next home project. ACE HARDWARE APP FEATURES: WHAT CAN I SHOP FOR? - Home improvement materials: Heating and cooling, light fixtures, cabinets and more. - Home repair supplies: From plumbing supplies and electrical to drill kits and carpenter tools, we have you covered. - Outdoor power equipment and power tools: Lawn mowers and trimmers, pressure washers, generators and more. - Patio and grill: From patio furniture, grills and smokers, to outdoor heating and storage, we have what you need for outdoor living. - Landscaping supplies and materials for your lawn and garden. - Automotive, RV and marine supplies: Auto tools, cleaning and maintenance, car batteries, boat equipment, and more. - Paint supplies for your next home project to take any home renovation to the next level. - and more! HOME IMPROVEMENT AND DIY PROJECT REWARDS - Access your Rewards and offers in one place and add them to your digital wallet with ease. - Track your points easily and invite your friends to get 1,000 bonus points. - See recommended items to get you to your next reward and how close you are to Premier status. - Unlock annual Ace Rewards savings too! SHOP FOR HOME RENOVATION SUPPLIES FROM YOUR LOCAL STORE - Locate your preferred store and easily connect with one click calling and mapping capabilities. - Check out your store’s local ad, hours, services, brands and events. PURCHASE HISTORY & APP NOTIFICATIONS - See your purchase history to easily reference products - Your inbox will house all your past notifications in case you missed them - Store other purchases in My Products to easily access warranty, additional parts, or paint colors and sheens. Exclusions apply. Limit one bonus coupon per Ace Rewards member. Bonus Coupon will be available the day after an Ace Rewards member downloads the mobile app for the first time. One-time offer valid for first download. Visit the mobile app for details. When you download the Ace Hardware mobile app, you are agreeing to the following: i. Ace Rewards Terms & Conditions - https://www.acehardware.com/customer-service?page=ace-rewards ii. Mobile App Terms & Conditions - https://www.acehardware.com/customer-service?page=terms-of-use iii. Privacy Policy - https://www.acehardware.com/customer-service?page=privacy-policy Download the mobile app for more information.
Screenshots
Verdict
Consumer Reports and Ace Hardware both sit at 4.8 stars, but that hides the real split: 66% of Ace Hardware's written reviews are positive against 28% of Consumer Reports's. Ace Hardware also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 2) and ratings volume (410K vs 64K). Consumer Reports's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and chart position (#8 vs #112). On price, rating, device support and iOS requirement 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
Both are free to download. Consumer Reports sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $10.00 per month. Ace Hardware asks for nothing beyond the download.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for Consumer Reports against 4.8 for Ace Hardware. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Ace Hardware has 410K ratings behind it against 64K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 28% of Consumer Reports's written reviews are positive against 66% of Ace Hardware's.
Consumer Reports ships an update every 2 weeks, Ace Hardware monthly. Both last shipped on October 30, 2026.
| Parameter | Consumer Reports | Ace Hardware |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.8 (64K ratings) | 4.8 (410K ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 27.7% of reviews | 66.2% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 64K | 410K — better |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks — better | Monthly |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Best chart rank | #8 — better | #112 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.1 | 15.1 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 98 MB | 99 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Consumer Reports | Ace Hardware Corporation |
Customer experience
Consumer Reports
Ace Hardware
User reviews
Consumer Reports
From 64K App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 👍 Helpful product information
- 🚀 Convenient mobile access
- 💡 Unbiased, expert reviews
- 🤑 Potential savings on purchases
Room to improve
- 🐛 Buggy app performance
- 🔍 Limited product coverage
- 🤔 Outdated or incomplete information
- 🧭 Poor search and navigation
- 📱 Subpar iPad experience
Ace Hardware
From 410K App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 👍 Helpful and knowledgeable staff
- 🏪 Convenient neighborhood store experience
- 💰 Competitive pricing compared to big box stores
- 🛒 Wide selection of products
- 🏆 Excellent customer service
Room to improve
- 🐛 Buggy and slow app
- 🔍 Ineffective search functionality
- 🤔 Inconsistent inventory information between app and stores
- 💳 Inability to save payment information in app
- 🤷♀️ Confusing and frustrating app experience
Bugs and requests
Consumer Reports
Reported bugs
3 issues- Frequent crashes and freezes
- Login issues and lost credentials
- Inconsistent or missing product data
Requested features
4 requests- Ability to access all website content in the app
- Improved search functionality with better filtering options
- Native iPad app with optimized layout
- Integration with subscription management and account features
Ace Hardware
Reported bugs
5 issues- Endless login loop issues
- App crashes and white screen problems
- Incorrect or outdated product information
- Rewards program integration problems
- Inconsistent app behavior across devices
Requested features
5 requests- Ability to check real-time in-store inventory
- Integration with password managers for easy login
- Improved search with better filtering and sorting options
- Seamless online ordering and in-store pickup experience
- Modern, intuitive app design and user interface
In-app purchases
Consumer Reports
- CR Monthly Subscription$10.001 Month
- CR Yearly Subscription$39.001 Year
Ace Hardware
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Consumer Reports free?
Is Ace Hardware free?
Which has better reviews, Consumer Reports or Ace Hardware?
Do Consumer Reports or Ace Hardware have ads?
Which is updated more often, Consumer Reports or Ace Hardware?
Which is more popular, Consumer Reports or Ace Hardware?
Other comparisons
