# Explore Bangkok vs Thailand VRT

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Explore Bangkok at 80% against Thailand VRT's 8%. Explore Bangkok also leads on rating (4.6 vs 3.7) and ratings volume (402 vs 3). Thailand VRT's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and ads (none vs shown). On price, update cadence, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

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

Explore Bangkok holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Explore Bangkok has 402 ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 80% of Explore Bangkok's written reviews are positive against 8% of Thailand VRT's.

Explore Bangkok ships an update every 3 months, Thailand VRT every 2 months. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Explore Bangkok | Thailand VRT |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.6 (402 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/explore-bangkok/id1076159526/reviews)** | [3.7 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/thailand-vrt/id1485512876/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **402** | 3 |
| Positive reviews | **80.0% of reviews** | 7.7% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | **Every 2 months** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 32 MB | 145 MB |
| Requires iOS | **14.0** | 15.5 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [ExploreMetro](https://appshunter.io/developer/340706618) | [Revenue Department (Thailand)](https://appshunter.io/developer/616843713) |

## What reviewers say

### 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


### Thailand VRT

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/thailand-vrt/id1485512876)

Streamline your VAT refund process in Thailand. Apply for refunds, track your status, and find participating shops easily. Avoid airport queues and manage your claims from anywhere.

**Highlights:** Apply for VAT refunds after departure, Track refund application status, Find VAT refund shops nearby, View ePP10 documents and amounts, Receive real-time update notifications, Register refund channels (cards, e-wallets)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Explore Bangkok free?

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

### Is Thailand VRT free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Explore Bangkok or Thailand VRT?

Explore Bangkok is rated higher. Explore Bangkok averages 4.6 out of 5 from 402 ratings, while Thailand VRT averages 3.7 from 3 ratings.

### Do Explore Bangkok or Thailand VRT have ads?

Explore Bangkok shows ads; Thailand VRT does not.

### Which is updated more often, Explore Bangkok or Thailand VRT?

Explore Bangkok ships an update every 3 months, and Thailand VRT every 2 months. Most recently, Explore Bangkok was updated on October 24, 2026 and Thailand VRT on October 24, 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.*