Comparison

Chicago Rail Map Lite vs Chicago Subway map

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Chicago Rail Map Lite

This app provides a clear and concise route map for the Chicago rail and subway system. It features a route planner, station index, and GPS support to find nearby stations. Enjoy high-resolution graphics and intuitive rotation and zoom controls.

Highlights
  • Clear route map
  • Fastest route planner
  • Station index and lookup
  • GPS support for nearby stations
  • High-resolution graphics
  • Rotate and zoom functionality
Features
Read full description

Rail & Subway Map is a clear and concise route map that features: THE MOST BEAUTIFUL RAIL MAP - representing the state of the art in information design. ROUTE PLANNER - instantly finds the fastest route and displays it on the map including transfer stations. STATIONS INDEX - quickly jump to any station. LINES OVERVIEW - shows the order of stations on each line with transit options. GPS SUPPORT - find the station closest to you. HIGH RESOLUTION GRAPHICS - looks stunning on retina displays. ROTATE and ZOOM - hold your device any way you want. UNIVERSAL APP - optimized for iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad. LARGE MAP - includes the most important stations STATION LOOKUP - search for a station by name APPLE MAPS INTEGRATION - lookup your route directly from Apple Maps The LITE-Version is fully functional but needs an internet connection. If you like the app but need offline access you can get the regular version for a big discount. (Only for limited time!) =========== Disclaimer: Continued use of GPS running in the background can dramatically decrease battery life.

About

Chicago Subway map

Features
Read full description

Chicago subway map, offline route planning and a city guide in one app. Navigate the CTA “L”, explore Metra connections and discover what to do between stops. From your first arrival at O’Hare to a weekend around the Loop, keep your transport map and Chicago travel ideas together. PLAN YOUR NEXT RIDE Choose your starting point and destination, search stations and review the connections in your journey. Explore the Red, Blue, Brown, Green, Orange, Pink, Purple and Yellow Lines. Use transport filters to browse CTA rail, buses, Pace, Metra and water taxi layers on the regional map. YOUR MAP, READY WHEN YOU NEED IT Zoom into the built-in CTA map, follow color-coded lines and see where stations connect. Select a station on the interactive map and send it straight to the planner as your origin or destination. The offline planner uses transport data stored on your device. Online maps, airport boards and external services require an internet connection. ARRIVE VIA O’HARE OR MIDWAY Find airport information for ORD and MDW, with practical context for the Blue Line connection to O’Hare and the Orange Line connection to Midway. View available departure and arrival boards, then prepare the next part of your trip into Chicago. DISCOVER CHICAGO BEYOND THE PLATFORM Explore attractions and photo spots around Millennium Park, Cloud Gate, the Chicago Riverwalk and the city’s neighborhoods. Search places by category, open map links and listen to available attraction descriptions with the audio guide. Use the city guide to connect sightseeing ideas with nearby transport stops. ONE DAY OR A WHOLE WEEK Browse itineraries for one to seven days. Choose your trip length, switch between days and find ideas for parks, museums, architecture and lakefront walks. Keep a flexible plan for a short city break, a family visit or more time exploring Chicago. FIND THE BEST LIGHT Check sunrise, sunset and solar noon for your selected date. Explore suggested viewpoints for a morning by Lake Michigan, reflections along the river or an evening skyline photograph. PRACTICAL TRAVEL TOOLS Save useful places in the address book and keep transport information, emergency contacts and travel essentials close at hand. Explore available links for hotels, flights, car rentals, tours and mobile data. External providers set their own prices, availability and terms. Built for visitors and everyday journeys alike, Chicago Subway Map brings maps, route planning and city discoveries into one place. Start with a station, plan your ride and make more of the city around you. An independent app, not affiliated with or endorsed by CTA, Metra, Pace or the City of Chicago. Routes and journey times are estimates based on stored data. Check official operators for current service, disruptions, fares and airport instructions before traveling.

Screenshots

Chicago Rail Map Lite4 screens
Chicago Subway map4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Chicago Rail Map Lite at every 8 months against Chicago Subway map's every 17 months. Chicago Rail Map Lite also leads on iOS requirement (8.0 vs 16.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

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

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Chicago Rail Map Lite ships an update every 8 months, Chicago Subway map every 17 months. Both last shipped on November 4, 2026.

Scorecard2 real differences · 7 level
Chicago Rail Map Lite versus Chicago Subway map: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterChicago Rail Map LiteChicago Subway map
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (3 ratings) — better—
Number of ratings3 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 8 months — betterEvery 17 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS8.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size21 MB37 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperUrban-MapYaroslav Mykolaienko

In-app purchases

None

Chicago Rail Map Lite

No in-app purchases

None

Chicago Subway map

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Chicago Rail Map Lite free?
Chicago Rail Map Lite is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Chicago Subway map free?
Chicago Subway map is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Chicago Rail Map Lite or Chicago Subway map have ads?
Neither Chicago Rail Map Lite nor Chicago Subway map shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Chicago Rail Map Lite or Chicago Subway map?
Chicago Rail Map Lite ships an update every 8 months, and Chicago Subway map every 17 months. Most recently, Chicago Rail Map Lite was updated on November 4, 2026 and Chicago Subway map on November 4, 2026.

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