Comparison

DART Transit vs Ride SMART Flex

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

Head to head
About

DART Transit

This app provides real-time bus tracking, mobile fare payment, and trip planning for public transit users. It offers features like rider alerts, route previews, and the ability to manage upcoming and active trips. Users can also access paratransit and on-demand shuttle services.

Highlights
  • Real-time bus information
  • DART Pass mobile payment
  • Trip planner with saved trips
  • Rider Alerts
  • Paratransit trip tracking
  • DART Connect trip scheduling
Features
Read full description

The Delaware Transit Corporation (DTC) is excited to announce the launch of the DART Transit App. The free app provides access to real-time bus information, DART Pass mobile payment option, along with trip planning and several other features, including: Real-time bus information DART Pass mobile payment Bus stops by route and location Trip Planner plus the ability to save Favorite Trips Rider Alerts Easy access to navigation buttons at the bottom of the screen Preview of Routes Nearby Press Releases Contact Us Paratransit customers can view today’s trips as well as future trips. When a trip is active, the Paratransit customer can track the bus to see when it will arrive. DART riders can get real-time bus information, receive Rider Alerts, and pay their fare conveniently from their phone. This new app is a great example of our ongoing efforts to improve the customer experience. Now the DART Transit app will provide DART Connect customers with the following improvements: ·         Enhanced mapping system for more accurate pick-up/drop-off locations ·         Shorter walking distances ·         Ability to schedule trips up to two (2) days in advance ·         New tabs to see upcoming trips ·         New “Rate My Ride” feature ·         Request recurring trip(s) ·         Link to DART Pass mobile fare payment ·         Now access all three DART services in one app Fixed Route Bus, Paratransit, and DART Connect!

About

Ride SMART Flex

Book on-demand rideshare services in the Detroit Area. This app connects you with transit heading your way, offering an affordable, easy, and eco-friendly transportation option. Enjoy shared rides, lower prices, and reduced carbon emissions.

Highlights
  • On-demand ride booking
  • Shared rides
  • Affordable pricing
  • Sustainable transportation
  • Fixed route schedules
  • Nearby pick-up points
Features
Read full description

Think of SMART Flex as a whole new way to get around the Detroit Area — a ridesharing service that’s smart, easy, affordable, and green. With a few taps, book an on-demand ride in the app and our technology will connect you with transit headed your way. No detours, no delays. How it works: - Book a ride on your phone. - Get picked up on a nearby corner. - Share your ride with others. - Save cash and reduce carbon emissions. What we’re about: AFFORDABLE. Our low prices make it easy to get around SMART’s service zone without paying top dollar. Eligible users can also pay using pre-tax transit dollars through approved commuter benefit debit cards. SUSTAINABLE. Sharing rides reduces the number of vehicles on the roads, bringing down congestion and CO2 emissions. With a couple of taps, you get to do your part to make your city a little bit greener and cleaner, every time you ride. CONNECTED. Check the app for fixed route schedules and wait times to get you to your destination as soon as possible. Navigate the entire SMART network with ease. Questions? Reach out at support-smart@ridewithvia.com Loving your experience so far? Throw us a 5-star rating. You’ll have our eternal gratitude.

Screenshots

DART Transit4 screens
Ride SMART Flex4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Ride SMART Flex at 4.7 against DART Transit's 2.8. Ride SMART Flex also leads on ratings volume (2.2K vs 78) and review sentiment (32% vs 16%). DART Transit's advantage is monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Ride SMART Flex holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 2.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Ride SMART Flex has 2.2K ratings behind it against 78, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 16% of DART Transit's written reviews are positive against 32% of Ride SMART Flex's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

DART Transit ships an update monthly, Ride SMART Flex every 4 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 11, 2026 and October 17, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
DART Transit versus Ride SMART Flex: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDART TransitRide SMART Flex
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.8 (78 ratings)4.7 (2.2K ratings) — better
Positive reviews15.8% of reviews32.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings782.2K — better
Update frequencyMonthlyEvery 4 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPod
Requires iOS17.015.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size42 MB130 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperDelaware Department of TransportationVia Transportation, Inc.

Customer experience

DART Transit

All ratings78 ratings
Positive39.7%
Neutral9.0%
Negative51.3%
Written reviews38 reviews
Positive15.8%
Neutral5.3%
Negative78.9%

Ride SMART Flex

All ratings2,205 ratings
Positive93.3%
Neutral1.8%
Negative4.9%
Written reviews97 reviews
Positive32.0%
Neutral8.2%
Negative59.8%

Bugs and requests

DART Transit

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Ride SMART Flex

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Frequent app crashes and technical issues
  • Inaccurate driver location and pickup information
  • Billing and payment problems

Requested features

4 requests
  • Improve scheduling and real-time tracking
  • Expand service areas and coverage
  • Enhance app usability and accessibility
  • Provide better customer support and communication

In-app purchases

None

DART Transit

No in-app purchases

None

Ride SMART Flex

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is DART Transit free?
DART Transit is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Ride SMART Flex free?
Ride SMART Flex is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, DART Transit or Ride SMART Flex?
Ride SMART Flex is rated higher. DART Transit averages 2.8 out of 5 from 78 ratings, while Ride SMART Flex averages 4.7 from 2.2K ratings.
Do DART Transit or Ride SMART Flex have ads?
Neither DART Transit nor Ride SMART Flex shows ads.
Which is updated more often, DART Transit or Ride SMART Flex?
DART Transit ships an update monthly, and Ride SMART Flex every 4 weeks. Most recently, DART Transit was updated on October 11, 2026 and Ride SMART Flex on October 17, 2026.

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