# Ventra

> Chicago transit fare management and mobile ticketing app. (iPhone/iPad app by Chicago Transit Authority.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ventra/id1005645256 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Chicago Transit Authority](https://appshunter.io/developer/1005645255)
- Category: Travel
- Price: Free
- Rating: 1.80/5 from 3,278 App Store ratings · 473 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 13.0 · 61 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2015-11-19
- Data updated: 2026-08-27
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ventra/id1005645256/reviews.md

## What is Ventra?

Ride CTA, Metra & Pace with Ventra: Manage your fares, buy Metra mobile tickets, get arrivals and add your Ventra Card for riding CTA and Pace to iPhone and Apple Wallet.

Use transit in and around all of Chicago: It's easy to manage and pay your fare on CTA, Metra and Pace buses and trains with the Ventra app. Find all the features you're used to on the Ventra website and more, including mobile ticketing for Metra trains!

With the Ventra app, you can:
• Check your balance and available passes in your Ventra Card's transit account.
• Instantly load value or passes to your Ventra Card's transit account.
• Switch autoload for transit value or passes on and off.
• Buy and use Metra mobile tickets to ride any Metra train.
• Use transit value you've loaded to buy a Metra ticket.
• Get real-time account notifications so you know when it's time to load more fare or buy more tickets.
• Get real-time arrival/departure information from CTA, Metra and Pace all in one app—by picking a stop, using favorites or looking at service near where you're standing.

## Key features

- Manage Ventra Card balance and passes
- Load value and passes to Ventra Card
- Buy Metra mobile tickets
- Real-time CTA, Metra, Pace arrivals
- Add Ventra Card to Apple Wallet

## Chart rankings

- #48 in Top Free · Travel (US App Store)

## What do users think of Ventra?

Overall sentiment: negative

**Pros**

- 🚀 Easy to use
- 🚀 Convenient for transit
- 🚀 Helpful for visitors
- 🚀 Reliable payment processing

**Cons**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes and bugs
- 🐛 Inaccurate arrival/departure times
- 🐛 Confusing user interface
- 🐛 Unreliable login and account management
- 🐛 Payment issues and declined transactions
- 🐛 Lack of customer support

**Commonly reported bugs**

- Purchase button not working on iPhones
- Favorites list glitches and resets
- Inconsistent and unreliable ticket display
- Frequent app crashes and login issues
- Payment processing failures and lost funds

**Most requested features**

- Add ability to manage Ventra cards and balances
- Improve real-time transit tracking and notifications
- Allow saving of favorite routes and stations
- Integrate with Apple Wallet for easier access
- Provide more transparent and user-friendly payment options

## Recent user reviews (10 of 473)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ventra/id1005645256/reviews.md

### 1/5 — Garbage App

*2026-08-17, version 2.2.16*

It does not work on my iPhone 16e.  Repeatedly attempts to activate failed. The app froze.

### 1/5 — Too many bugs to count

*2026-08-15, version 2.2.16*

Payment receipt emails aren’t sent ~50% of the time. App crashes, payment attempts inconsistently fail, account randomly gets logged out - this isn’t a functional app. Chicago needs to give the contract to an actual tech company who knows how to maintain production software. This should be such a straightforward mobile app to develop.

### 1/5 — Cant Purchase

*2026-08-15, version 2.2.16*

cannot tap purchase button bc its too short and sits too low on the view. needs to sit above the safearea

### 2/5 — Regional Pass Non-Obvious

*2026-08-15, version 2.2.16*

The clunky interface did not surface the Regional Transit pass. I bought the pass that did not include Metra and had to purchase Metra on top of that. The really need to get a user interface expert to help them redesign the user interface and make it both easier to use and easier to find what one needs.

### 1/5 — Continuous server errors

*2026-08-14, version 2.2.16*

About the worst app I’ve used.  Constantly getting server errors.  Yet going to website works.   But I can’t buy a Metra ticket on the website.   Says I have to go to the app.  God I hope the new NITA gets rid of Ventra.  Just about every other system I use domestically and internationally works much better.

### 2/5 — Poor implementation

*2026-08-14, version 2.2.16*

Sluggish and opaque, with ordinary information like train schedules hard to find. Developers obviously have done no user testing.

### 1/5 — Doesn’t Work

*2026-08-12, version 2.2.16*

The app on my iPhone 17 pro max doesn’t let me push the purchase button

### 1/5 — Confusing and needlessly limited

*2026-08-10, version 2.2.16*

The user interface for adding and managing transit cards is confusing. "Don't have Ventra card? Find out how" is just one example of logical inconsistency. That link leads to information that contradicts the function of adding a digital card. The stored value doesn't update for almost a day after purchases, either. And for what reason can you only add set numbers of funds to the Ventra card? I only need a bit for the next few days, so I'll end up wasting some amount on a stored value on this card when I leave. Be like Japan, Chicago: allow reload from Apple Wallet and allow it to be specifically delineated by dollars and cents, and update the amount on the card as it's used. You're almost there.

### 1/5 — Bad Design

*2026-08-09, version 2.2.16*

I went to go purchase tickets and was unable to because of the design placement. The purchase bar is at the bottom of the screen. iphones have a feature at the bottom that includes a small home bar. I am unable to purchase tickets in the app because every time I click the purchase button, it clicks the home bar. Also, the entire design of the app feels like basic coding and terrible design. Definitely needs to be updated. The app is also quite hard to navigate. Buying a train ticket should be simple not complicated.

### 1/5 — No Bueno

*2026-08-09, version 2.2.16*

Couldn’t figure out the app due to the terminal 2 station at ORD not coming up to be able to purchase the ticket. Spent half an hour trying to figure it out and gave up.

## Frequently asked questions about Ventra

### What can I do with the Ventra app?

The Ventra app allows you to manage your public transit fares for CTA, Metra, and Pace in Chicago. You can check your Ventra Card balance, load value or passes, and purchase Metra mobile tickets directly through the app. It also provides real-time arrival and departure information for all three transit agencies.

### How do I pay for fares with the Ventra app?

You can pay for CTA and Pace fares by loading value or passes onto your Ventra Card, which can then be managed and topped up through the app. For Metra trains, you can buy mobile tickets directly within the app using the transit value you've loaded onto your Ventra account.

### Is the Ventra app free to use?

Yes, the Ventra app is free to download and use. There are no upfront costs to access its features for managing your transit accounts and purchasing tickets.

### What transit systems does the Ventra app support?

The Ventra app supports transit services in and around Chicago, specifically the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) for buses and trains, Metra for commuter rail, and Pace for suburban bus services.

### Can I add my Ventra Card to my phone?

Yes, you can add your Ventra Card to your iPhone and Apple Wallet through the Ventra app. This allows for convenient access and management of your transit card directly from your mobile device.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 2.2.16 — 2026-07-15

This update improves the app's security and reliability, including, new rider class access for United Airlines employees, and several performance fixes.

### 2.2.14 — 2026-03-16

Our latest update fixes map loading, purchase errors, and related issues.

### 2.2.13 — 2025-11-17

Bug Fixes

### 2.2.12 — 2025-08-04

Bug Fixes

### 2.2.11 — 2025-06-20

Introducing the Regional Day Pass - your single affordable ticket for unlimited travel across Chicagoland! Available on the Ventra Mobile App - simply purchase your Metra one day pass and follow the prompts to add the Regional Day Pass for CTA and Pace.
 
Update your Ventra app today!

## Apps similar to Ventra

| App | Rating | Price | Category |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [The Official MTA App](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-official-mta-app/id1297605670) | 4.4 (12,561) | Free | Travel |
| [Trainline: Cheap Train Tickets](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/trainline-cheap-train-tickets/id334235181) | 4.9 (9,793) | Free | Travel |
| [Chicago CTA Train Bus Tracker](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chicago-cta-train-bus-tracker/id1561708722) | 3.3 (16) | Free | Travel |
| [Sydney Transport: Bus & Rail](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sydney-transport-bus-and-rail/id1176012556) | 4.8 (309) | Free | Travel |
| [NJ TRANSIT](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nj-transit/id589549928) | 4.8 (269,485) | Free | Travel |
| [New York City Subway](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/new-york-city-subway/id599138866) | 4.8 (3,987) | Free | Travel |

## Related topics

[ventra](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/ventra) · [chicago metro](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/chicago-metro) · [ventra chicago](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/ventra-chicago) · [eztransit chicago cta](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/eztransit-chicago-cta) · [ventra card](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/ventra-card) · [metra chicago](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/metra-chicago) · [ventura](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/ventura) · [venture](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/venture) · [ventra metra](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/ventra-metra) · [cta ventra](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/cta-ventra) · [metra bnsf](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/metra-bnsf) · [ventra pass](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/ventra-pass) · [ventra chicago metra](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/ventra-chicago-metra) · [metra](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/metra) · [metra train](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/metra-train) · [metra tickets](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/metra-tickets) · [metra app](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/metra-app) · [chicago metra train](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/chicago-metra-train) · [metra app chicago](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/metra-app-chicago) · [bnsf](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/bnsf)

---

*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-27.*