# SamTrans Mobile vs METRO Splash Pass

The clearest difference is ratings volume: SamTrans Mobile at 138 against METRO Splash Pass's 18. SamTrans Mobile also leads on iOS requirement (10.0 vs 15.6). On price, rating, review sentiment and update cadence there is nothing between them.

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

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 3.6 for SamTrans Mobile against 3.5 for METRO Splash Pass. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: SamTrans Mobile has 138 ratings behind it against 18, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 35% of SamTrans Mobile's written reviews are positive against 40% of METRO Splash Pass's.

SamTrans Mobile ships an update every 6 months, METRO Splash Pass every 9 months. The most recent releases landed on October 1, 2026 and September 25, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | SamTrans Mobile | METRO Splash Pass |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[3.6 (138 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/samtrans-mobile/id1430107073/reviews)** | [3.5 (18 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/metro-splash-pass/id1499358913/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **138** | 18 |
| Positive reviews | 34.8% of reviews | **40.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 6 months** | Every 9 months |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 87 MB | 65 MB |
| Requires iOS | **10.0** | 15.6 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Bytemark, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/925346607) | [Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District](https://appshunter.io/developer/1499358912) |

## What reviewers say

### SamTrans Mobile

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/samtrans-mobile/id1430107073)

This app allows users to purchase and use bus fares directly from their mobile device. Avoid carrying cash or searching for exact change by paying securely with a debit or credit card. Tickets can be bought instantly and activated when boarding.

**Highlights:** Pay bus fare with phone, Buy single or group fares, Use debit/credit card, Instant ticket purchase, Activate tickets before boarding, Store tickets on device

**Features:** Apple Wallet

**In-app purchases:** none


### METRO Splash Pass

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/metro-splash-pass/id1499358913)

Pay for bus rides directly from your phone using a credit or debit card. Avoid the need for exact change or visiting ticket machines to purchase passes.

**Highlights:** Credit/debit card payment, Mobile pass purchase, No exact change needed, Convenient ticketless travel

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is SamTrans Mobile free?

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

### Is METRO Splash Pass free?

METRO Splash Pass is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, SamTrans Mobile or METRO Splash Pass?

SamTrans Mobile is rated higher. SamTrans Mobile averages 3.6 out of 5 from 138 ratings, while METRO Splash Pass averages 3.5 from 18 ratings.

### Do SamTrans Mobile or METRO Splash Pass have ads?

Neither SamTrans Mobile nor METRO Splash Pass shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, SamTrans Mobile or METRO Splash Pass?

SamTrans Mobile ships an update every 6 months, and METRO Splash Pass every 9 months. Most recently, SamTrans Mobile was updated on October 1, 2026 and METRO Splash Pass on September 25, 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.*