# CHP vs Caltrans QuickMap

The clearest difference is rating: CHP at 4.2 against Caltrans QuickMap's 2.9. CHP also leads on review sentiment (50% vs 30%) and iOS requirement (15.6 vs 18.6). Caltrans QuickMap's advantage is ratings volume (252 vs 6) and update cadence (every 3 months vs every 12 months). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

CHP holds the better App Store score, 4.2 against 2.9. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Caltrans QuickMap has 252 ratings behind it against 6, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 50% of CHP's written reviews are positive against 30% of Caltrans QuickMap's.

CHP ships an update every 12 months, Caltrans QuickMap every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 6, 2026 and October 12, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | CHP | Caltrans QuickMap |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.2 (6 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chp-start-smart/id1068720133/reviews)** | [2.9 (252 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/caltrans-quickmap/id1193696577/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 6 | **252** |
| Positive reviews | **50.0% of reviews** | 29.6% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 12 months | **Every 3 months** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 59 MB | 45 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.6** | 18.6 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 12+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [California Highway Patrol](https://appshunter.io/developer/1068720132) | [California Department of Transportation](https://appshunter.io/developer/1193696576) |

## What reviewers say

### CHP

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chp-start-smart/id1068720133)

This app guides teen drivers through the California Driver License process. It offers a step-by-step guide, a driving log to track trips and statistics, and a map to find local CHP offices for required classes.

**Highlights:** Step-by-step license guide, Driving log with trip statistics, Map of CHP offices, Information on Start Smart classes, Provisional and unrestricted license steps

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### Caltrans QuickMap

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/caltrans-quickmap/id1193696577)

Access real-time California traffic conditions, including speeds, camera snapshots, and lane closures. Receive alerts for road closures near your location. Customize your map view to display various highway information and points of interest.

**Highlights:** Real-time freeway speeds, Traffic camera snapshots, Lane closure alerts, CHP incident reports, Highway information display, Geotargeted notifications, Customizable map preferences

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🗺️ Comprehensive real-time road condition information
- 📹 Live traffic camera views for visual verification
- ⛓️ Accurate chain control location tracking
- 🚔 CHP incident and activity updates
- ❄️ Essential for winter mountain driving safety

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent app crashes on launch
- 📹 Camera feeds non-functional or display only still images
- ⏰ Information updates lag significantly behind actual conditions
- 🔍 Search functionality completely non-functional
- 📍 Inaccurate or missing road closure information

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes immediately upon opening
- App closes itself even when not driving
- Camera feeds display error (play button with slash)
- Search feature completely non-functional
- Location and refresh buttons stack on iPhone XR

**Requested features**

- CarPlay compatibility
- Live video streaming for cameras instead of still images
- Terrain and satellite map view options
- Ability to zoom and pinch camera images
- Larger, more visible map icons


## Frequently asked questions

### Is CHP free?

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

### Is Caltrans QuickMap free?

Caltrans QuickMap is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, CHP or Caltrans QuickMap?

CHP is rated higher. CHP averages 4.2 out of 5 from 6 ratings, while Caltrans QuickMap averages 2.9 from 252 ratings.

### Do CHP or Caltrans QuickMap have ads?

Neither CHP nor Caltrans QuickMap shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, CHP or Caltrans QuickMap?

CHP ships an update every 12 months, and Caltrans QuickMap every 3 months. Most recently, CHP was updated on October 6, 2026 and Caltrans QuickMap on October 12, 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.*