Progressive vs State Farm
Updated November 2026 · AppBreakup editorial
Progressive
US insurer for car, motorcycle, home and renters cover, sold online, by phone and through independent agents.
State Farm
Largest US home and car insurer, a mutual company that sells through a nationwide network of local agents.
The short answer
Progressive suits US price shoppers who want to compare rates and fit cover to a budget online, by phone or through independent agents. State Farm suits households that want a named local agent and car, home, life and banking from one company. Both offer usage-based discounts and quote-based pricing; the biggest difference is self-service comparison shopping versus a local agent relationship.
Progressive or State Farm: our take
Progressive, founded in 1937, sells directly online, in its app and by phone, and through independent agents who can also quote other insurers. Name Your Price lets a buyer enter a budget and see which coverage fits, and the quote flow can show rates from other insurers next to Progressive's. Snapshot adjusts the rate to actual driving through an app or plug-in device, which can raise as well as lower the price, and isn't offered in California or by every agent. It covers cars, motorcycles, boats, RVs and commercial vehicles, with home and renters policies partly written by partners.
State Farm has insured cars since 1922 and is a mutual company owned by its policyholders. Its defining feature is a network of more than 19,000 local agents, so most customers have an agent's office to call or visit, though quotes and policy management also work online. It sells car, home, renters, condo and life insurance plus bank and investment products, and its app covers policies, claims, roadside help and banking. Drive Safe & Save is its usage-based program in the app, and Steer Clear is aimed at drivers under 25. The agent-led model means less self-service rate comparison than online-first rivals.
Both are US-only and need a quote to show a price, so getting quotes from each is the only fair test. Shoppers who want to see several rates side by side and set cover to a budget lean toward Progressive. People who value a local agent, want home, car and life with one company, or want banking in the same app lean toward State Farm. Young drivers may want to check Steer Clear; drivers in California should note that Snapshot isn't offered there.
Which should you pick?
Choose Progressive if…
- US price shoppers who want to compare rates and tune cover to a budget
- Buy direct, in the app or through an independent agent
- Name Your Price and rate comparison help shoppers on a budget
Choose State Farm if…
- US households who want a local agent and car, home and life cover from one company
- More than 19,000 local agents for in-person help
- One app for policies, claims, roadside help and banking
About each app
What is Progressive?
Progressive is a major US car insurer, founded in 1937, that also covers motorcycles, boats, RVs and commercial vehicles and offers home and renters policies, some of them written by partner companies. Its pitch is choice in how you buy: directly online or in its app, by phone, or through independent agents, with prices that can differ by channel. Two tools set it apart from rivals. Name Your Price lets you enter a budget and see which coverage fits it, and its quote flow can show rates from other insurers next to its own. Snapshot, a usage-based program run through an app or plug-in device, adjusts your rate to how you actually drive, which can raise as well as lower it. Premiums depend on state, vehicle, record and discounts, so you need a quote to see a price. The app handles ID cards, payments and claims. It is a good fit for price shoppers in the US.
What is State Farm?
State Farm has insured cars in the US since 1922 and is a mutual company, meaning it is owned by its policyholders rather than shareholders. Its defining feature is a network of more than 19,000 local agents, so most customers have a named agent's office to call or visit, though you can also get quotes and manage policies online. It sells car, home, renters, condo, life and other insurance, and offers bank and investment products too. The State Farm app lets you manage policies, get roadside help, file claims and view banking accounts, and it includes Drive Safe & Save, a usage-based program that can lower premiums for careful drivers. Steer Clear is aimed at drivers under 25. Prices depend on state, vehicle, driving record and discounts, so you need a quote to compare. It suits people who want a local relationship and many products under one roof. It operates in the US only.
Side by side
| Attribute | Progressive | State Farm |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Paid | Paid |
| Open source | No | No |
| Self-hostable | No | No |
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android | Web, iOS, Android |
| Best for | US price shoppers who want to compare rates and tune cover to a budget | US households who want a local agent and car, home and life cover from one company |
| Status | Active | Active |
Progressive vs State Farm pricing
Progressive: paid
We couldn't verify Progressive's plan details on its own site yet, so we don't list them.
State Farm: paid
We couldn't verify State Farm's plan details on its own site yet, so we don't list them.
Platforms
| Platform | Progressive | State Farm |
|---|---|---|
| Web | ||
| iOS | ||
| Android |
Progressive facts
3 of 3 verified- Founded
- 1937
- Checked Nov 8, 2026progressive.com(opens source in a new tab)
- “Since our founding in 1937”
- Ways to buy
- Online, phone and independent agents
- Checked Nov 8, 2026progressive.com(opens source in a new tab)
- “We offer insurance by phone, online and through independent agents.”
- Rate comparison
- Yes
- Checked Nov 8, 2026progressive.com(opens source in a new tab)
- “You get 24/7 claims support, the ability to compare rates against other insurers, and Snapshot®, which personalizes your rate to how you drive.”
State Farm facts
5 of 5 verified- Insuring cars since
- 1922
- Checked Nov 8, 2026statefarm.com(opens source in a new tab)
- “Insuring cars since 1922”
- Local agents
- 19,000+
- Checked Nov 8, 2026statefarm.com(opens source in a new tab)
- “ Local insurance agents Across the nation, State Farm has over 19,000 auto insurance agents dedicated to providing you with personalized service.”
- Company type
- Mutual (policyholder-owned)
- Checked Nov 8, 2026statefarm.com(opens source in a new tab)
- “In a mutual insurance company, like State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company, policyholders are considered members.”
- Usage-based program
- Drive Safe & Save in the app
- Checked Nov 8, 2026statefarm.com(opens source in a new tab)
- “State Farm app Now with Drive Safe & Save”
- Banking in app
- Yes
- Checked Nov 8, 2026statefarm.com(opens source in a new tab)
- “view your banking and investment accounts, and much more.”
Pros and cons of Progressive
- Buy direct, in the app or through an independent agent
- Name Your Price and rate comparison help shoppers on a budget
- Covers cars, motorcycles, boats, RVs and commercial vehicles
- Snapshot isn't offered in California or by every agent
- Prices can differ depending on whether you buy direct or through an agent
- US only
Pros and cons of State Farm
- More than 19,000 local agents for in-person help
- One app for policies, claims, roadside help and banking
- Drive Safe & Save and Steer Clear discounts for careful and young drivers
- Agent-led model means less self-service rate comparison than online-first rivals
- Usage-based savings require sharing driving data
- US only
Other apps to consider
GEICOInstead of Progressive
Direct-to-customer insurer with a highly rated app, for drivers happy to skip agents entirely.
Progressive vs State Farm: common questions
Is Progressive better than State Farm?
Progressive suits US price shoppers who want to compare rates and fit cover to a budget online, by phone or through independent agents. State Farm suits households that want a named local agent and car, home, life and banking from one company. Both offer usage-based discounts and quote-based pricing; the biggest difference is self-service comparison shopping versus a local agent relationship.
Is Progressive free?
No. Progressive is paid, though it may offer a trial.
Is State Farm free?
No. State Farm is paid, though it may offer a trial.
Is Progressive or State Farm open source?
Neither is open source.
Which platforms do Progressive and State Farm support?
Progressive: Web, iOS and Android. State Farm: Web, iOS and Android.