Coast vs Engine
Coast and Engine are both all-in-one platforms, but they solve completely different problems. Coast is a smart fuel and corporate card for field fleets. Engine is a free travel booking platform for business trips. This comparison helps you decide which one your business actually needs.
Smart fuel card, real control.
We found Coast to be a strong, unified solution for fleet-based businesses tired of juggling separate fuel and expense cards. It delivers powerful controls and real-time tracking that can genuinely cut down on admin and prevent fraud. Overall, it's a compelling choice for teams ready to consolidate their spending into one efficient platform.
Pros
- All-in-one card for fuel, field, and office expenses simplifies tracking.
- Strong custom controls and telematics integrations help prevent fuel fraud.
- Real-time spending visibility and alerts for immediate oversight.
- Competitive fuel rebates and discounts at 30,000+ stations.
Cons
- $4 monthly fee per active user can become significant for large teams.
- 2.5% fee on foreign transactions limits international use.
- Customer support responsiveness is inconsistent according to some users.
- Requires integrations with telematics/accounting software for maximum value.
A free, solid platform for basic travel management.
We find Engine delivers on its core promise of being a free, all-in-one travel platform for businesses. It excels at consolidating bookings, billing, and reporting to save time and money. Overall, it's a strong, no-cost option for teams needing straightforward travel logistics, though it may lack advanced customization for complex needs.
Pros
- Truly free core platform with no contracts or hidden fees.
- Saves significant time by centralizing flights, hotels, and car bookings.
- Users report savings of up to 60% through exclusive corporate rates.
- Consolidated DirectBill invoicing simplifies expense tracking.
Cons
- Optional FlexPro upgrade for maximum flexibility has undisclosed pricing.
- Some users mention occasional slow or inconsistent customer support.
- Travel inventory may be limited for certain specific dates or locations.
- Reporting and policy controls, while present, may be basic for larger enterprises.
AboutCoast
Coast is an all-in-one fuel card, corporate card, and expense management platform built for businesses with fleets. It's designed to replace multiple card programs and manual processes, giving companies like landscaping, construction, and field service teams a single tool to control and track all their spending. The platform provides powerful fraud prevention, integrates with existing telematics and accounting software, and aims to help businesses save significantly on fuel and admin time.
AboutEngine
Engine is an all-in-one travel management platform for businesses. It helps companies book, manage, and track travel for teams, crews, or groups. Whether you're in construction, events, or the public sector, it centralizes your bookings and spending. 💡
Highlights
Feature Comparison
Features Overview
We highlight the main differences and pick a winner for each feature.
Core Purpose
Coast is a financial card for fleet operations. Engine is a travel booking system for business trips.
Coast provides a single smart Visa card for fuel, vehicle maintenance, and job site supplies. It's built to replace separate fuel cards and corporate cards for field teams. Engine is a platform to book flights, hotels, and rental cars for employees. It centralizes all business travel into one dashboard with consolidated billing. The key difference is spending focus. Coast tracks operational expenses on the road. Engine manages travel logistics and costs.
Pricing Structure
Coast charges per active user monthly. Engine is completely free to use.
Coast costs $4 per active user each month. An active user is anyone who makes at least one transaction. Inactive users cost nothing. Engine has no subscription fees, contracts, or minimum spends. Hotels pay a commission for bookings made through the platform. For a 20-person fleet, Coast could cost $80/month. Engine would cost $0 regardless of team size or travel volume.
Fraud & Spend Controls
Coast offers GPS-based transaction blocking. Engine provides standard spend limits.
Coast locks cards by default. You set rules per driver, vehicle, time, or category. Telematics integrations can block transactions if a vehicle isn't at a gas pump. Engine lets you set spending limits on virtual cards for travel bookings. You can manage policies in the dashboard. Coast's controls are more granular and proactive for preventing misuse in the field. Engine's controls are typical for managing travel budgets.
Integration Ecosystem
Coast integrates with fleet and accounting software. Engine integrates with general workplace tools.
Coast connects two-way with telematics like Samsara and Geotab, and accounting like QuickBooks and NetSuite. This automates data flow for fleet management. Engine mentions streamlined integrations with ERP and HR tools but doesn't list specific partners. The focus is on travel data consolidation. Coast's integrations are specialized for fleet operations. Engine's are broader for corporate travel management.
Reporting & Analytics
Both offer dashboards, but for different data types.
Coast provides real-time visibility into every fuel and expense transaction. You can spot patterns like poor mileage or overspending immediately. Engine shows all travel bookings and spending in one view. You can track costs by project, job number, or cost code. Coast's reporting is transaction-level for operational spend. Engine's is trip-level for travel budgeting.
Customer Support
Coast aims for first-call resolution. Engine offers 24/7 availability.
Coast provides responsive, 100% US-based support. They aim to solve issues on the first call, though some users report slower response times. Engine provides 24/7 live support for booking changes and issues. It's U.S.-based but doesn't specify first-call resolution goals. Both have good support, but Coast is more focused on operational problem-solving. Engine is focused on travel logistics help.
Ideal User Profile
Coast fits field service businesses. Engine fits any business with frequent travel.
Coast is best for fleet managers in construction, landscaping, and field services. It's for companies with 10+ vehicles needing fuel and expense control. Engine is for businesses of all sizes that book travel. This includes construction crews, event planners, sports teams, and the public sector. If you have vehicles on the road daily, Coast is your tool. If you book hotels for teams regularly, Engine is your platform.
Billing & Reconciliation
Coast automates expense coding. Engine consolidates travel invoices.
Coast syncs transactions automatically to accounting software with receipts attached. This cuts manual data entry and helps close books faster. Engine consolidates all travel into a single, itemized DirectBill invoice. This eliminates employee reimbursements and receipt chasing. Coast simplifies operational expense reports. Engine simplifies travel expense reports.
Coast costs $4 per active user per month with 1 plan: Coast Fleet & Fuel Card at $4 per active user per month.
Take a look at how our simple, usage-based model works for your team.
Coast Fleet & Fuel Card
Price: $4 per active user per month Websites Supported: Not explicitly stated Best For: Growing fleets needing fuel and expense management Refund Policy: Not explicitly stated Other Features: 3–9¢ fuel rebates per gallon, 1% cashback on non-gas purchases, customizable card controls, Visa acceptance everywhere, real-time expense visibility
- 3–9¢ per gallon rebates at 30,000+ partners
- 1% cash back on all non-gas station purchases
- Customizable card controls by vehicle and driver
- Real-time visibility into expenses
- Accounting and telematics integrations
Engine costs $0 with 1 plan: Standard at $0 per month.
See how our free platform helps your business save on every trip.
Standard
Price: $0 per month Websites Supported: Not explicitly stated Best For: Businesses and crews of all sizes Refund Policy: Not explicitly stated Other Features: Exclusive rates up to 60% off, consolidated billing via DirectBill, 24/7 live support, Engine Rewards and hotel points, budget controls and reporting
- Save up to 60% on rates
- Earn hotel points and Engine Rewards
- Consolidated DirectBill invoicing
- 24/7 live support
- Travel policies and reporting
- Cancel until noon day-of check-in
- Pay only for nights used
- Unlimited changes
- No blackout dates
Pricing Notes
- Coast charges $4 per active user each month. Users with no transactions pay nothing.
- Engine is entirely free for businesses. Hotels pay a commission for bookings.
- Coast has a 2.5% fee on international transactions and potential late fees.
- Engine's optional FlexPro upgrade for booking flexibility has undisclosed pricing.
- For a team of 10 active users, Coast costs $40/month. Engine costs $0.
Pricing Head-to-Head
User Reviews
We couldn't access detailed reviews from Capterra due to a security block. From Trustpilot, users praise Coast's easy setup and the real-time visibility it provides over fleet spending.
Many highlight the fuel rebates and the simplicity of having one card for all expenses. However, some note that customer support can be slow to resolve issues and that the $4 per user monthly fee adds up for larger teams.
Signing up was incredibly fast. The card gives me real-time notifications for every purchase, which is perfect for managing my crew's spending. The fuel rebates are a nice bonus that adds up.
Based on external review platforms, Engine consistently earns praise for its truly free model and ease of use. Users highlight the significant cost savings (up to 60% off) and the simplicity of having all bookings and billing in one place.
The support team is frequently described as responsive and helpful. However, some reviewers note occasional issues with customer service response times and limited inventory for specific dates or locations.
Engine has been a game-changer for booking travel for our field crews. The interface is simple, and the savings on hotels are real. Consolidated billing makes my accounting life so much easier.
Our Verdict
For most businesses, these tools solve different problems. Coast is for managing fleet vehicles on the road. Engine is for booking business travel for people. Your choice depends entirely on your team's primary need. Coast's superpower is fleet control. It turns one card into a powerful tool to prevent fuel fraud and automate expense tracking. Integrations with telematics make it uniquely effective for field operations. Engine's superpower is free travel management. It consolidates flights, hotels, and cars with zero subscription cost. The savings on hotel rates and consolidated billing save real money and time. The deciding factor is your spending focus. If your budget goes to fuel and vehicle maintenance, pick Coast. If your budget goes to employee flights and hotels, pick Engine. Choose Coast if you run a fleet and need to control field expenses. Choose Engine if you book travel for teams and want a free, simple platform. They're both great at what they do.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for small teams: Coast or Engine?
Engine is free and better for small teams with occasional travel. Coast's $4/user fee is better justified for larger fleets with ongoing fuel expenses.
Does Coast work for booking hotels like Engine?
No, Coast is a corporate card for operational expenses like fuel and supplies. Engine is the platform for booking travel and hotels.
Is Engine really free, or are there hidden costs?
Engine's core Standard plan is completely free with no contracts. The optional FlexPro upgrade for booking flexibility has undisclosed pricing.
Can I use Coast for non-fuel purchases?
Yes, the Coast card is accepted everywhere Visa is. You can use it for vehicle maintenance, job supplies, and even office expenses.
Which tool saves more money?
It depends. Coast saves money through fuel rebates and fraud prevention. Engine saves money through discounted hotel rates and free platform access.
Do Coast and Engine integrate with accounting software?
Yes. Coast integrates directly with QuickBooks and NetSuite. Engine consolidates travel into a single invoice for easier accounting.
Ready to Choose?
Both tools have their strengths. Choose based on your specific needs.