Firefly–the car advertising company, not the loveable sci-fi show that got canceled way too soon–may not be a good deal for rideshare and delivery drivers to earn extra. Below, I’ll outline what they offer but also highlight the thoughts and reviews that give us pause.
Firefly’s Offerings
According to their website:
“Fueled by the most advanced tracking, measurement, and optimization capabilities available in the out-of-home space, Firefly is an innovative data-first ad network. Leveraging the industry’s first ever audience planning capabilities, we deliver the most relevant messages at the most relevant moments with our suite of dynamic on-car, in-car, and experiential solutions.”
Basically, they tout themselves as a way for drivers to make extra money without more hours. Their focus is on full-time drivers, likely to make sure they are getting enough air time for their advertisers.
While drivers don’t have to pay anything in order to start advertising with Firefly, one commenter on our YouTube channel said, “I applied and had to drive giving them free data to them just to get a digital board. I uninstalled. These ‘advertising’ car companies are a scam.”
Drivers would have a choice of a digital display or a car wrap. Personally, I’ve done a car wrap before, and if the money is there, it can be worth it, but it is a hassle to get your car wrapped and then ‘unwrapped.’
I also had a sticky residue on my car that took two details to remove, and even then, there was still some left over.
Before you can start earning, you must download the Firefly Driver app and have location tracking “always on” so they can ensure you’re driving at least 40 hours per week for a minimum of 3 weeks to be eligible.
Approval can take anywhere from 3 weeks to up to 6 months, depending on the need in your area.
Firefly claims that the average driver earns $200 to $300 per month.
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Online Reviews
Now, most of that sounds pretty decent. But when you start to look at the reviews, it becomes more and more questionable.
On Reddit, a commenter stated that he got the overhead display, but his radio signal has been completely gone ever since.
He stated, “I let them know but they seem to have already heard that as they told me to get satellite radio.” It kind of defies the purpose of making more money per month if you also have to pay for a service just to keep music in your car. Touche lol.
The overall Google Play reviews give the Firefly Driver app a 3.5/5 star rating. Which is not great in the Uber world! Anything below 4.6, and you’re deactivated, right? Well, not Firefly. App ratings are different, and a 3.5 rating is borderline since a 4-star app could be decent but with just a few minor issues.
But when you scroll down to start looking at the reviews, the top three reviews are all one star. So, what are they saying?
Top Rated One-Star Reviews
June 2, 2023
Francis Eugene ★☆☆☆
All the 1 star reviews are accurate, I’m afraid. In the week I have had the app, it has registered that I drove for 4 hours. Opening my Uber app shows I’ve driven 57 hours in that same time. Seems like a scam if it’s doing this for so many people and they’re using this bs data to kick people off. Not worth the space on my phone. Deleted.
July 19, 2019
A Google user ★☆☆☆
GPS system/App does not work. I was taken off the program because their computer system within the LED billboard stopped working and even though I drove over 40 hours a week and I was one of the first ones to sign up for their program. I was told that it was glitchy and that they would reach out with a new billboard but I never heard back and yet I still get all their emails. Now it says I am qualified but it does not allow me to upload images. App crashes each time I try.
June 8, 2019
A Google user ★☆☆☆
I tried to do this to see if I could make extra income for advertising, but my experience with this app is awful. I’ve had to uninstall it more than 5 times due to my phone not reconnecting to my service because this app has difficulty tracking gps. My hours reflected in this app are absolutely wrong. after doing this app for more than a month, and not receiving notification that I would recieve, or am still eligible for a firefly, i deleted the app, abd my phone works a million times better now.
5-Star Reviews
Even the 5-star reviews aren’t exactly glowing reviews.
May 2, 2022
Daniel Valdez ★★★★★
When it works$$$ Yea…there were some issues at first…but, from what they’ve told me, its just like a cellphone/computer that needs to be updated and fixed periodically. Techs at the shop were super nice helpful.
April 30, 2019
A Google user ★★★★★
This app is the best, it takes a while and it may lag and freeze at times, but really they’re just monitoring your trips and then theyll qualify you, it just takes PATIENCE and thats what people dont have now. but its definitely worth the wait.
I really have no idea how this next one was given five stars…
November 4, 2020
Kevin Charles ★★★★★
Doesn’t show uptime start and stop and it also doesn’t show how many hours you have to drive to make the 300 a month. I’m in the chicago market and I’ve been unsuccessful getting any questions answered from the rep that set everything up. Hopefully I can get more information soon I’m enjoying it and I’m getting good feedback but I would just like my questions answered. Please and thanks to whoever is from the company that reads this and able to reach out to me
Is Firefly a Scam?
I love to give companies the benefit of the doubt, but when five-star reviews read like they should have been given much less than five stars, it makes me really sit and think about how scam-worthy the company sounds. Personally, I think there are better advertising options out there that require less time and money.
The problem with Firefly is that you have to get a giant glowing billboard installed on the top of your car (ugly, obviously) that can never be taken off. I’m guessing you can turn it off, but taking it off is likely a hassle. And then there’s a lot of time to invest in driving for the company before you ever actually get paid.
I like to see companies take a little more of the risk. For example, with a competitor like Octopus that does tablet advertising, they give you a $25 bonus once you start driving with them! So it’s obviously your choice as a driver if you want to give Firefly a chance, but everything I’m seeing screams to stay away and find a better option.
