# Token Transit vs The Official MTA App

The clearest difference is rating: The Official MTA App at 4.4 against Token Transit's 3.3. The Official MTA App also leads on update cadence (weekly vs every 3 months) and ratings volume (13K vs 424). Token Transit's advantage is review sentiment (39% vs 18%) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 16.4). 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.

The Official MTA App holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 3.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: The Official MTA App has 13K ratings behind it against 424, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 39% of Token Transit's written reviews are positive against 18% of The Official MTA App's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Token Transit ships an update every 3 months, The Official MTA App weekly. The most recent releases landed on September 21, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Token Transit | The Official MTA App |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.3 (424 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/token-transit/id1163625818/reviews) | **[4.4 (13K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-official-mta-app/id1297605670/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 424 | **13K** |
| Positive reviews | **38.8% of reviews** | 18.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Best chart rank | #179 | **#72** |
| Size | 20 MB | 133 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 16.4 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Token Transit, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1163625817) | [Metropolitan Transportation Authority](https://appshunter.io/developer/528916105) |

## What reviewers say

### Token Transit

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/token-transit/id1163625818)

**Currently charting:** #179 Top Free · Travel (US App Store)

Purchase and activate digital transit passes directly from your phone. Your mobile device becomes your ticket, allowing you to easily board public transportation. Supports over 200 cities across North America.

**Highlights:** Purchase transit fares, Activate digital tickets, Store tickets on phone, Supports over 200 cities, Tap to activate

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

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Convenient and easy to use
- 👍 Great customer service
- 💡 Eliminates need for cash/change
- 🚀 Fast and efficient

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes and errors
- 🐛 Unreliable app performance
- 🐛 Disappearing purchased passes
- 🔒 Privacy concerns with phone number requirement

**Reported bugs**

- Account suspension issues
- Inability to transfer passes to new devices
- Activation/expiration date problems
- Repeated login/logout issues

**Requested features**

- Offline pass support
- Apple Watch compatibility
- More pass/ticket options
- Improved sync between devices


### The Official MTA App

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-official-mta-app/id1297605670)

**Currently charting:** #72 Top Free · Travel (US App Store)

Access real-time transit information for subways and buses directly from the source. Get live arrival times, service status updates, system maps, and connect with customer service via chat. Save your favorite routes for quick access to essential transit details.

**Highlights:** Real-time arrival board, Service status updates, System maps, Live customer service chat, Save favorite routes, Planned service changes, Elevator/escalator outage info

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

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Accurate train times
- 🚀 Helpful for commuters
- 🚀 Useful for tracking service changes
- 👍 Clean design
- 👍 Offline maps

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Inaccurate bus arrival times
- 🐛 Unreliable train arrival times
- 🐛 Buggy and crashes frequently
- 👎 Confusing and unintuitive interface
- 👎 Too many steps to access basic information

**Reported bugs**

- Favorites disappearing after updates
- Inconsistent display of uptown/downtown directions
- Inability to view route options from current location

**Requested features**

- Add widget for favorite stations
- Improve bus tracking and real-time location
- Simplify navigation and reduce number of taps
- Restore previous app's functionality


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Token Transit free?

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

### Is The Official MTA App free?

The Official MTA App is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Token Transit or The Official MTA App?

The Official MTA App is rated higher. Token Transit averages 3.3 out of 5 from 424 ratings, while The Official MTA App averages 4.4 from 13K ratings.

### Do Token Transit or The Official MTA App have ads?

Neither Token Transit nor The Official MTA App shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Token Transit or The Official MTA App?

Token Transit ships an update every 3 months, and The Official MTA App weekly. Most recently, Token Transit was updated on September 21, 2026 and The Official MTA App on September 23, 2026.

### Which is more popular, Token Transit or The Official MTA App?

Token Transit currently peaks at #179 in the App Store charts, and The Official MTA App at #72. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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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.*