# VRE Mobile — user reviews > 67 indexed App Store user reviews of VRE Mobile by VRE, rated 4.10/5 from 649 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vre-mobile/id984707579/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vre-mobile/id984707579.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 434 · 4★ 64 · 3★ 43 · 2★ 30 · 1★ 78 ## What do users think of VRE Mobile? Overall sentiment: negative **Pros** - 🚀 Convenient ticketing - 🔒 Secure ticket validation - 👍 Easy to use **Cons** - 🐛 Frequent crashes and bugs - 🔋 High battery consumption - ⏱️ Slow app loading times - 📍 Unnecessary location tracking - 🤔 Confusing user interface **Commonly reported bugs** - Inability to purchase tickets - Incorrect ticket information - Unreliable ticket validation **Most requested features** - Offline ticket storage - Real-time train status updates - Customizable app settings - Ticket expiration reminders ## Newest reviews (15 of 67) ### 3/5 — Difficulty in poor signal areas *2025-08-14* The app seems to require an internet connection to display a ticket. These tickets should be stored on the phone. The conductors on the Manassas line have a habit of asking for tickets when the train is at a dead stop in a cell signal dead zone before Alexandria ### 2/5 — App login experience needs big improving *2024-10-30, version 4.3.2* Increase the “inactivity” having to use username and password in order to get face id to work again is ridicules as a once twice a month rider. ### 3/5 — Worsening layout *2024-07-25, version 4.3* The VRE app used to show train live status, but they have disabled the feature making it impossible for the riders to know when the next train will arrive. ### 2/5 — Poor app, but it works; privacy not included. *2023-10-25* Terrible experience; feels like an app from 2010. Permissions are a hot mess. Location permission is required or the app doesn’t work correctly. Provides value to VRE only for tracking. No customer value. Then camera access… a clever hack to verify the ticket isn’t a screen shot. Maybe use actual technology to do that (like every other train in the world) instead of inconveniencing riders. This app is a joke for transit serving the nation’s capital. ### 3/5 — Mostly good *2023-03-29* The app ticketing function does what it’s supposed to. The train status function does not. There’s never an indication that a train is delayed when it clearly is 10+ minutes past published arrival time. The two things that I extremely dislike are the forced camera access, though I understand the reasoning behind it to make sure the passenger isn’t displaying a manipulated screenshot instead of activating a ride. The other is the forced use of location to purchase tickets and also to activate a ride. There’s no reason to require location access when 1) it shouldn’t matter where I am when I buy tickets because I obviously am not going to be able to use them anywhere but onboard a VRE train for the limited stations that the train serves, and 2) the passenger location has nothing to do with validating a ride because the noted origin and destination points on the validated ride are per the points of origin and destination as purchased and are not changeable thereafter. Requiring location access to buy tickets and to validate rides is 100% unjustified snooping and spying on riders and is most likely to generate user data to sell to the countless data hoarders out there. Location access requirement needs to go away. ### 2/5 — Won’t accept credit cards *2022-03-31, version 4.0.4* This app is great except for the fact that it won’t let me pay for a ticket. Even using the scan option for my card it returns an error. ### 2/5 — Often errors or fails to load *2020-11-09* Frequently fails to validate a ticket requiring the user to repeat the process. Seems to require an internet connection to load almost everything making it difficult to purchase, validate and show ticket when requested. ### 2/5 — Not that compatible w/ iPad *2020-07-01, version 3.14.6878* I don't have an Android nor Apple phone and rely on my iPad to use the VRE app. The functionality is there, but the app takes at least five minutes to initialize everytime I need to access it. Also, for months now (I've reported this before), the number of my Stored Tickets resets to the number reached since my last purchase and overstates the actual number of tickets I have remaining. I have to separately track my true balance in a spreadsheet, with the hope one day you'll fix the software and I can set the ticket count correctly. msa ### 2/5 — Slow speed full of bugs *2020-03-11, version 3.14.6878* App. Shuts down tickets constantly say error and tickets load slowly or fail to validate unless you do it twice. ### 1/5 — Very slow at loading. This shows their lack of concern for customer service *2020-03-06, version 3.14.6878* Very poor design: 1 can't tell what month ticket is for; 2 navigation not thought out; 3 slow. Paper tickets are easier. ### 1/5 — Super buggy *2020-03-02, version 3.14.6878* VRE must be losing a ton of revenue ### 1/5 — Powered by Moovel? More like a hamster wheel. *2020-02-24* Ever since Moovel took over this app, it has been extremely slow to open. Is it too much to ask that an app as simple as this one take less than 2 minutes to open? (I wish I was exaggerating this, but I’ve actually timed it.) Then there are the times when I’ve opened it ahead of time to my monthly ticket, but then the ticket closes on its own before I need to show it to a conductor and I have to go through the 2 minute boot up again. This is currently the worst performing app on my phone by far. Also, this app says it supports Apple Wallet, but I see no such option in it. Finally, there is a glitch where tickets I’ve used continue to appear in the Stored Tickets section with a future expiration date that allows for users to use the same ticket multiple times if they are being dishonest. ### 1/5 — Do better. *2020-02-24* I often witness VRE staff having to continue to check tickets and come back for the people that the app does not load on time. Sometimes they just have to stand there and wait till it finally loads. This is why I have refused to update to the newest version. I dont like wasting my time or others on something that should be simple. ### 2/5 — Almost a good app *2020-02-20, version 3.14.6878* The app takes ages just to open. It's at the point where I try to open in just when I board the train. It's 2020. Apps should bend to consumer needs, not the other way. The payment, purchasing, smart benefit connectivity is great. But the app linking you to the internet for other info is pure laziness. ### 1/5 — Ridiculously slow processing speed. *2020-02-13, version 3.14.6878* The FAQ page says to remove and re-add the app if it’s slow, even after you do that it takes more than a minute to open. ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Pure Garbage *2026-02-11, version 4.4.0* Spending half an hour trying to form an account and paying for a ticket is ridiculous. I would say that the app so clunky and ugly it looks like a sugared up grade schooler created it with dull crayons … but I don’t want to insult the grade schoolers who could do a better job than this. ### 1/5 — It’s garbage *2025-01-23, version 4.3.3* I cannot buy tickets from app. Only use to check the train status. Very hard to use UI ### 1/5 — I can’t buy tickets?? *2024-11-11* For some reason I can’t buy tickets on the app or online. It won’t allow me to choose a route which means I can’t choose a pick up spot or destination. If it is because it’s the weekend or a holiday, it would be better if an error message displayed letting me know this is the reason. ### 1/5 — Find a new job *2024-09-18, version 4.3.2* Whoever designed this trash app needs to find a new line of work ### 1/5 — My tickets won’t load *2022-03-23, version 4.0.4* This app was never great but now it can’t even do the most basic function. I’ve tried deleting, reinstalling, and other things but it simply won’t work. ### 1/5 — Version 4.0.0 Killing the battery - update 2 *2021-03-03* Update 3March-Smart Benefits with split payment is working although not the most intuitive interface to get to split payments. The app continues to not load, log me out, and generally just lag. I cannot leave the app open and ticket displayed (as requested by VRE) as it will kill my battery by running both GPS and Camera. Overall, still not a great user experience. The latest version requires both the camera and the gps to be on the entire time. This is just unnecessary. At least every other time, the app logs me out and disables the thumb login. Also, trying to enter my smart benefit is proving to be a challenge. I will try again at the beginning of February to see if I can then. Should have beta tested but I guess that is what we are doing since ridership is low due to COVID. It would have been nice to have been asked to be a beta tester though. ### 1/5 — The new changes don’t make anything better *2021-01-31, version 4.0.0* Very few things work now that they have upgraded. ### 1/5 — No way to split payments anymore *2021-01-24, version 4.0.0* I dislike this “new” version very much. Now they won’t let us split payments for tickets and they want to track us. ### 1/5 — Omgoodness you have to be kidding *2021-01-13* Cant login, can’t reset my password, and being placed on “hold” via the provided number for customer service goes directly to a voicemail that is full. Well, not only did they mess up the app rollout and cancel the previous app version before having this version ready, they didn’t get this one right either. I can login to the website but when trying to login to the app it won’t recognize my email as a valid email. So I can’t fallow the instructions provided. And now every time I ride the VRE I’m concerned about having the occasional rigid conductor hassle me for not having a ticket. ### 1/5 — Can’t buy tickets *2021-01-12, version 4.0.0* App refuses to accept valid credentials. Have used previous version for years. Major FAIL For this upgrade. ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — makes the process easy but it could be better *2025-04-09* The app opens the camera but they have not yet implemented QR codes on the trains to register your seat. So, it’s a bit cart before the horse. The app’s trains status does not remember the last station or even my favorite stations (I only use two of the 19). Otherwise, I’m a big fan of both the app and the VRE! ### 5/5 — Unacceptable *2019-12-17* I have been using the mobile app for years without any issues. However, last week VRE upgraded the mobile app. Every time I open the app it freezes. I can’t get to my tickets. It is totally unacceptable. ### 5/5 — Never Failed Me *2019-09-25* I don’t understand the bad reviews. The app is perfect for me and does all that I need it to do. No issues and no complaints here! ### 5/5 — Tickets Expire Too Soon *2018-05-23* We tossed away $19 first time using this app. I wanted to purchase tickets day before. Website says physical tickets last 5 days, then can be used. This app tickets last only one day. No warning until after I purchased the tickets. Last time I will ever use it. ### 4/5 — Screen time out is annoying *2026-01-09, version 4.3.5* So, the normal process is that you activate a ticket on the platform and then show the ticket when asked about 10 minutes later. The issue is the app has a timeout that is just about that time frame and you have to normally go back to the tickets tab and click show ticket again. The ticket is valid for two hours so the time out should be at least two hours or should match the validation. It’s also a security concern that the app ask for camera access but nothing in the process requires camera access ### 4/5 — Blue on Blue? *2022-10-19, version 4.1* Who thought blue text on a blue banner was s good idea? ### 4/5 — Great Update, one suggestion, reminders for buying tix *2020-03-11, version 3.14.6878* It would be nice to have reminders on when your ticket is expiring ### 4/5 — Easy app for tickets but lacks alerts and real time info *2019-03-29* I use the VRE app instead of paper tickets and works fine for me for its ticket function. And I like not having to worry about a paper ticket. My main complaint is that the app doesn’t have the actual times for train schedules (just a countdown in minutes to when the train is scheduled to arrive at each stop) or real time status (have to link through the website). It would be great to have push notifications when delays are occurring or for info on what’s happening when you’re on the train and there’s delays (instead of having to check Facebook and hope for info). Also had a lot of difficulty when updating card info. ### 4/5 — Great for its intended purpose *2017-11-27* This app is just for buying and showing tickets and for that it's great. There is not really any other convenient way to convert smartbenefits to ten-day rides and for that I am extremely grateful. Admittedly it is cumbersome to connect your smartbenefits account to your VRE mobile setup, but once that is done you just use the app to buy tickets with your smartbenefits, a functionality that should have been available from the rollout of smartbenefits. The app should be called "mobile ticketing" because it seems everyone expects a more expansive app including train tracking, etc. ### 3/5 — Decent on phone, tablet a different story *2025-11-12* Constantly crashes on my iPad. Ticketing works well on my phone, but I can’t check schedules or train status on my iPad even after reinstalling it. Worthless, so I removed it --- *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 2026-08-06.*