# SamTrans Mobile vs Caltrain+

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Caltrain+ at 86% against SamTrans Mobile's 35%. Caltrain+ also leads on rating (4.8 vs 3.6) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 6 months). SamTrans Mobile's advantage is iOS requirement (10.0 vs 16.0). 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.

Caltrain+ holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Caltrain+ has 2.3K ratings behind it against 138, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 35% of SamTrans Mobile's written reviews are positive against 86% of Caltrain+'s.

SamTrans Mobile ships an update every 6 months, Caltrain+ every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 1, 2026 and October 14, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | SamTrans Mobile | Caltrain+ |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.6 (138 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/samtrans-mobile/id1430107073/reviews) | **[4.8 (2.3K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/caltrain-plus/id1570049004/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 138 | **2.3K** |
| Positive reviews | 34.8% of reviews | **85.7% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 6 months | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 87 MB | 16 MB |
| Requires iOS | **10.0** | 16.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPod** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Bytemark, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/925346607) | [Jonathan Sahoo](https://appshunter.io/developer/970144714) |

## 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


### Caltrain+

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/caltrain-plus/id1570049004)

Plan your Caltrain trips with ease. Get real-time schedules, find the fastest routes, and view service alerts. Perfect for commuters and occasional riders needing to navigate the Caltrain system efficiently.

**Highlights:** Trip planning by departure and arrival station, View full timetables, Access service alerts, System map integration, Filter by 'arrive by' time, View scheduled stops for each train

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

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Easily accessible
- 👍 User friendly
- 👍 Great UI
- 👍 Helpful
- 👍 Useful

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Inaccurate train times
- 🐛 Inconvenient, unable to process payments

**Reported bugs**

- App doesn't open
- Unable to process payments

**Requested features**

- Expand service to Gilroy
- Post more info on the app like ticketing and upcoming changes
- Add dark mode


## Frequently asked questions

### Is SamTrans Mobile free?

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

### Is Caltrain+ free?

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

### Which has better reviews, SamTrans Mobile or Caltrain+?

Caltrain+ is rated higher. SamTrans Mobile averages 3.6 out of 5 from 138 ratings, while Caltrain+ averages 4.8 from 2.3K ratings.

### Do SamTrans Mobile or Caltrain+ have ads?

Neither SamTrans Mobile nor Caltrain+ shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, SamTrans Mobile or Caltrain+?

SamTrans Mobile ships an update every 6 months, and Caltrain+ every 3 weeks. Most recently, SamTrans Mobile was updated on October 1, 2026 and Caltrain+ on October 14, 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.*