# Smart Pattaya vs Explore Bangkok

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Smart Pattaya at none against Explore Bangkok's 1. Smart Pattaya also leads on ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 3 months). On price and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Explore Bangkok sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Smart Pattaya asks for nothing beyond the download.

Smart Pattaya ships an update every 2 weeks, Explore Bangkok every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 26, 2026 and October 29, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Smart Pattaya | Explore Bangkok |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | **[4.6 (402 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/explore-bangkok/id1076159526/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | — | **402** |
| Positive reviews | — | 80.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 weeks** | Every 3 months |
| Monetization | — | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 67 MB | 32 MB |
| Requires iOS | **9.0** | 14.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration](https://appshunter.io/developer/1059436267) | [ExploreMetro](https://appshunter.io/developer/340706618) |

## What reviewers say

### Smart Pattaya

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smart-pattaya/id1003618157)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### Explore Bangkok

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/explore-bangkok/id1076159526)

Navigate Bangkok's public transit with this comprehensive offline subway map. Features include a route planner, GPS integration, and street maps for every station. Get up-to-date information on BTS and MRT lines, with English and Thai language support.

**Highlights:** Up-to-date BTS and MRT metro lines, Offline functionality, Route planner, GPS integration, Street maps for every station, English and Thai languages

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| VIP mode | $4.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Simple and easy to follow
- 🚀 Immediate gratification, deleted other apps
- 👍 Indispensable for daily use
- 👍 Very helpful (free version)
- 👍 Accurate information and distance

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Missing stations on map (Samrong onward)
- 🐛 Lacks some minor visuals (icon, route marking)
- 🐛 Utterly pointless, does nothing

**Reported bugs**

- BTS sky train map missing stations
- Route marking not noticeable

**Requested features**

- Add a ticketing service within the app for contactless access
- Upgrade to include more detail on cost and Metro apps for other Southeast Asia cities


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Smart Pattaya free?

Smart Pattaya is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Explore Bangkok free?

Explore Bangkok is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Do Smart Pattaya or Explore Bangkok have ads?

Explore Bangkok shows ads; Smart Pattaya does not.

### Which is updated more often, Smart Pattaya or Explore Bangkok?

Smart Pattaya ships an update every 2 weeks, and Explore Bangkok every 3 months. Most recently, Smart Pattaya was updated on October 26, 2026 and Explore Bangkok on October 29, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*