Best Shell Fuel Card Alternatives for Business Fleets

If you’re currently using or considering the Shell fuel card, it’s a good option if your business primarily fuels at Shell, since you’ll get discounts at those stations. However, fueling elsewhere can lead to out-of-network fees that increase your overall fuel costs.

There are several strong Shell fuel card alternatives that provide broader acceptance, better pricing structures, or fewer fees, depending on how your fleet fuels. Some cards focus on nationwide flexibility, while others offer higher per-gallon savings or modern features like app-based controls.

In this guide, we break down the best Shell fuel card alternatives, including how they compare on acceptance, discounts, fees, and features, so you can find the option that delivers the most value for your business.

Shell Fuel Card Alternatives Comparison

Top Shell Fuel Card Alternatives

1. Voyager

The Voyager fuel card is accepted at over 97% of gas stations and truck stops nationwide, including both major brands and independent locations. Its wide acceptance with no out-of-network fees makes it a strong option for businesses of all sizes and industries.

How Voyager Compares to the Shell Fuel Card

Pros

• More accepting locations
• No monthly card fees
• No out-of-network fees
• No late fees
• More personalized customer support

Cons

• No discounts at Shell locations

Good fit if: You want a fuel card that works at Shell while avoiding out-of-network, monthly, and late fees. You’ll also benefit from the strong controls and data capture that come with a card running on a dedicated fuel network like WEX, which powers the Shell fuel card

2. Motive

The Motive fuel card is a modern fleet card with nationwide acceptance anywhere Mastercard is accepted. It offers discounts at 35,000 locations and no out-of-network fees. Motive is primarily known for its telematics platform, so the fuel card is a natural fit for fleets already using Motive GPS.

How Motive Compares to the Shell Fuel Card

 Pros

• Accepted anywhere Mastercard is accepted
• Discounts at a wider range of locations
• No out-of-network fees
• Smaller late payment penalty

Cons

• Because the Mastercard network has fewer purchase restrictions than traditional fleet card networks, Motive uses mobile app and SMS card unlock to add an extra layer of control.
• Like other fintech fuel cards, mobile app and SMS card unlock can be challenging for fleets where drivers don’t like using tech or personal phones for fuel purchases, and companies may need to reimburse drivers for phone use or provide company phones.

Good fit if: You want to try a card with broader acceptance and more tech features. Great fit if you are already using Motive telematics products.

3. Coast

Coast is a fintech company that offers a fleet fuel card with nationwide acceptance anywhere Visa is accepted. It’s built for fleets of all sizes across different industries. Instead of a traditional swipe process, drivers use the Coast mobile app or SMS to authorize purchases at the pump. This can improve security and data tracking, but may not be ideal for teams that prefer a simpler swipe and go experience.

How Coast Compares to the Shell Fuel Card

Pros

• Accepted anywhere Visa is accepted
• Discounts at a wider range of locations
• No out-of-network fees
• Smaller late payment fee
• Can also capture field and other business expenses

Cons

• Visa network has fewer purchase restrictions than traditional fleet card networks, but Coast does make up for this with their SMS card unlock feature.
• SMS card unlock can be challenging for fleets where drivers don’t like using tech or personal phones for fuel purchases, and companies may need to reimburse drivers for phone use or provide company phones.

Good fit if: You want a card with more tech features and the ability to capture field expenses

4. CFN

The CFN fuel card is designed for fleets in the Western U.S., with a focus on cost-plus pricing at 3,000 cardlock locations across states like California, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, and Nevada. It also provides access to 65,000 gas stations and truck stops nationwide, giving fleets broader coverage when needed.

CFN is popular in the West because fuel prices at these cardlock sites are often lower than retail stations. The card also has no monthly or late fees, making it a simple and cost-effective option for fleets that want consistent access to discounted fuel without added account costs.

How CFN Compares to the Shell Fuel Card

Pros

• Cost-plus pricing at CFN stations
• No monthly fee
• No out-of-network fees
• No late fee

Cons

• Limited discount locations outside the Western U.S.

Good fit if: Your fleet operates in the Western U.S., CFN can be a strong alternative to Shell, since both have a strong network presence in that region.

5. Fuelman

Fuelman is one of the largest fuel card providers in the U.S. and a direct competitor to WEX, the network behind the Shell fuel card. It’s accepted at about 60,000 gas stations and truck stops, and offers multiple subscription tiers, each with its own pricing structure and fees.

How Fuelman Compares to the Shell Fuel Card

Pros

• Flat discounts at 40,000 locations, not volume based
• More in-network stations where you won't pay out-of-network fees

Cons

• Smaller fuel network
• Monthly fee per account is more expensive for fleets with fewer than 20 cards
• Out-of-network fees
• Higher late fee

Good fit if: You want a fuel card that offers flat discounts at more locations.

How to Choose the Right Shell Fuel Card Alternative

• Choose Voyager if you want the flexibility to fuel where you choose without paying out-of-network fees. You’ll also get the stronger controls and data collection that come with a dedicated fuel network.
• Choose Motive if you want a fuel card with access to more discount locations and modern features. It’s a strong option for fleets already using Motive telematics.
• Choose Coast if you want a modern fuel card with discounts at many locations that also allows field purchases.
  
• Choose CFN if you want a strong West Coast fuel network that provides cost-plus pricing at CFN locations.
• Choose Fuelman if you want a fuel card with flat discounts at many locations.
  
  

To explore other fuel card options, take a look at the top fuel cards for business.