# Shinkansen smartEX App vs Mobile Passport Control

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Mobile Passport Control at 63% against Shinkansen smartEX App's 17%. Mobile Passport Control also leads on rating (4.9 vs 1.7) and monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

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

Mobile Passport Control holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 1.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Mobile Passport Control has 649K ratings behind it against 606, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 17% of Shinkansen smartEX App's written reviews are positive against 63% of Mobile Passport Control's.

Shinkansen smartEX App ships an update monthly, Mobile Passport Control fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 29, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Shinkansen smartEX App | Mobile Passport Control |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [1.7 (606 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shinkansen-smartex-app/id1253336330/reviews) | **[4.9 (649K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mobile-passport-control/id1520656722/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 606 | **649K** |
| Positive reviews | 16.6% of reviews | **62.5% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Monthly | **Fortnightly** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Best chart rank | #148 | **#39** |
| Size | 51 MB | 69 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | **16.1** |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Central Japan Railway Company](https://appshunter.io/developer/454429903) | [US Customs and Border Protection](https://appshunter.io/developer/948812863) |

## What reviewers say

### Shinkansen smartEX App

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shinkansen-smartex-app/id1253336330)

**Currently charting:** #148 Top Free · Travel (US App Store)

Easily reserve Shinkansen seats, hotels, and activities. Enjoy discounts for early bookings and flexible changes. Access station and train service information, and use QR tickets or designated IC cards for seamless travel.

**Highlights:** Reserve Shinkansen seats, Book hotels and activities, Early booking discounts, Free reservation changes, Select seats from map, QR-Ticket and IC card boarding, Fingerprint authentication login

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

**In-app purchases:** none


### Mobile Passport Control

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mobile-passport-control/id1520656722)

**Currently charting:** #39 Top Free · Travel (US App Store)

This official app expedites your U.S. arrival by allowing you to digitally submit your travel information and answer inspection questions. Capture photos of your group and receive a virtual receipt to present to Customs and Border Protection officers at select locations.

**Highlights:** Digital travel document submission, Answer CBP inspection questions, Group profile creation, Securely stored travel information, Virtual receipt generation, Photo capture for verification

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

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Saved time at customs
- 🚀 Seamless and fast process
- 👍 Easy to use
- 👍 Intuitive app
- 🔒 Secure and official app

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 App not working or glitchy
- 🐛 Compatibility issues with new passports
- 🐛 Location services not working
- 🐛 Submission issues
- ❌ App not accepted at some airports

**Reported bugs**

- Incorrect date/time due to time zone issues
- Passport scanning not working properly
- Crashes or freezes when submitting form

**Requested features**

- Add support for NEXUS
- Allow saving traveler profiles
- Provide better instructions and guidance
- Display real-time status of MPC lanes at airports


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Shinkansen smartEX App free?

Shinkansen smartEX App is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Mobile Passport Control free?

Mobile Passport Control is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Shinkansen smartEX App or Mobile Passport Control?

Mobile Passport Control is rated higher. Shinkansen smartEX App averages 1.7 out of 5 from 606 ratings, while Mobile Passport Control averages 4.9 from 649K ratings.

### Do Shinkansen smartEX App or Mobile Passport Control have ads?

Neither Shinkansen smartEX App nor Mobile Passport Control shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Shinkansen smartEX App or Mobile Passport Control?

Shinkansen smartEX App ships an update monthly, and Mobile Passport Control fortnightly. Most recently, Shinkansen smartEX App was updated on October 29, 2026 and Mobile Passport Control on October 30, 2026.

### Which is more popular, Shinkansen smartEX App or Mobile Passport Control?

Shinkansen smartEX App currently peaks at #148 in the App Store charts, and Mobile Passport Control at #39. 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.*