# Metrolink vs Wave by OCTA

The clearest difference is rating: Metrolink at 2.5 against Wave by OCTA's 1.7. Metrolink also leads on ads (none vs shown) and monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases). Wave by OCTA's advantage is update cadence (monthly vs every 3 months). On price, review sentiment, ratings volume and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

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

Metrolink holds the better App Store score, 2.5 against 1.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 372 and 215 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 14% of Metrolink's written reviews are positive against 9% of Wave by OCTA's.

Metrolink ships an update every 3 months, Wave by OCTA monthly. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Metrolink | Wave by OCTA |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[2.5 (372 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/metrolink/id1083843914/reviews)** | [1.7 (215 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/wave-by-octa/id6747179377/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **372** | 215 |
| Positive reviews | **13.7% of reviews** | 9.3% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | **Monthly** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 68 MB | 24 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.6** | 17.6 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPod** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Southern California Regional Rail Authority](https://appshunter.io/developer/1083843913) | [Orange County Transportation Authority](https://appshunter.io/developer/1013090809) |

## What reviewers say

### Metrolink

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/metrolink/id1083843914)

Purchase and manage Metrolink train tickets directly from your smartphone. Buy various ticket types, activate them before boarding, and store them in a digital wallet. Easily transfer tickets to a new device if needed.

**Highlights:** Mobile ticket purchasing, Digital ticket wallet, Ticket transfer to new device, Secure payment processing, Various ticket types available

**Features:** Apple Wallet, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Easy ticket purchasing
- 👍 Convenient for commuters
- 💡 Supports LAX FlyAway tickets

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent app crashes
- 🔍 Lack of schedule/route information
- ⏰ Tickets expire too quickly
- 💰 Unclear ticket restrictions
- 🤯 Confusing user interface

**Reported bugs**

- Ticket barcodes not scanning properly
- Inability to update billing address
- Tickets not syncing across devices
- Payment issues causing lost funds

**Requested features**

- Integrate with Apple Wallet
- Add real-time service alerts
- Allow advance ticket purchases
- Provide detailed station/route info
- Implement better password/account management


### Wave by OCTA

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/wave-by-octa/id6747179377)

This app simplifies public transit by allowing users to pay for rides and manage their transit cards. It automatically caps fares to ensure the best price and offers real-time bus information for trip planning. Users can easily add value, manage multiple cards, and utilize features like autopay and virtual cards for seamless travel.

**Highlights:** Automatic fare capping, Pay as you ride, Real-time bus information, Virtual card creation, Add value with cash, Autopay for reloads, Manage multiple cards

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

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy to use
- 💡 Needs NFC support

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Can't sign in
- 🐛 Not working
- 🐛 Totally unable to sign in
- 🐛 No free virtual on update
- 🐛 Where's the free 15th-31st rides?

**Reported bugs**

- Can't sign in
- Not working
- Totally unable to sign in
- No free virtual on update
- Where's the free 15th-31st rides?

**Requested features**

- Free bus pass option
- Easier college pass transfer


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Metrolink free?

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

### Is Wave by OCTA free?

Wave by OCTA is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Metrolink or Wave by OCTA?

Metrolink is rated higher. Metrolink averages 2.5 out of 5 from 372 ratings, while Wave by OCTA averages 1.7 from 215 ratings.

### Do Metrolink or Wave by OCTA have ads?

Wave by OCTA shows ads; Metrolink does not.

### Which is updated more often, Metrolink or Wave by OCTA?

Metrolink ships an update every 3 months, and Wave by OCTA monthly. Most recently, Metrolink was updated on November 2, 2026 and Wave by OCTA on October 30, 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.*