Comparison

DART Transit vs DART On Demand

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

DART On Demand

Book on-demand or advance rides within designated local zones. This official transit app plans your trip, shows you where to meet your ride, and allows real-time vehicle tracking. Payment options include in-app, passes, or exact change.

Highlights
  • On-demand microtransit booking
  • Advance ride scheduling
  • Real-time vehicle tracking
  • Trip planning
  • Multiple payment options
  • Service within local zones
Features
Read full description

The official rideshare app of Greater Des Moines’ transit system. Provides on-demand microtransit bus service within local zones. Operated by DART.   DART On Demand, operated by Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority, allows you to schedule pickups in advance or book rides in real-time from locations within the boundaries of your micro-transit DART On Demand zone.    HOW IT WORKS:  1.     Download the DART On Demand app.  2.     Create your account (includes name, phone, address, and ride preferences).  3.     Confirm your current location and select your destination.     The app will plan your trip for you and let you know WHERE and WHEN to meet your ride. Once a ride is confirmed, you’ll be able to TRACK YOUR VEHICLE IN REAL-TIME using the app. Trips can be scheduled up to a week in advance.    Once booked, you can pay for your ride through the DART On Demand app, use passes purchased through the separate myDART app (available on this app store), DART bus pass card, DART tokens, or exact change.   For updated information about current DART On Demand zones, operating hours, or cost visit www.ridedart.com/ondemand.  Questions? For more information about this and other DART services visit www.ridedart.com or call DART customer service at 515-283-8100.  Love the app or the On Demand Service? Rate us 5-stars and tell us why!

Screenshots

DART Transit4 screens
DART On Demand4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: DART On Demand at 75% against DART Transit's 16%. DART On Demand also leads on rating (4.7 vs 2.8) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.0). DART Transit's advantage is monetization model (free vs ad-supported). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and ads 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

DART On Demand holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 2.8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 79 and 51 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 16% of DART Transit's written reviews are positive against 75% of DART On Demand's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

DART Transit ships an update monthly, DART On Demand every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 6, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
DART Transit versus DART On Demand: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDART TransitDART On Demand
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.8 (79 ratings)4.7 (51 ratings) — better
Positive reviews15.8% of reviews75.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings79 — better51
Update frequencyMonthly — betterEvery 6 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree — betterAd-supported
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPod
Requires iOS17.015.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size42 MB129 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%

DART On Demand

All ratings51 ratings
Positive92.2%
Neutral2.0%
Negative5.9%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive75.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative25.0%

In-app purchases

None

DART Transit

No in-app purchases

None

DART On Demand

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is DART Transit free?
DART Transit is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is DART On Demand free?
DART On Demand is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, DART Transit or DART On Demand?
DART On Demand is rated higher. DART Transit averages 2.8 out of 5 from 79 ratings, while DART On Demand averages 4.7 from 51 ratings.
Do DART Transit or DART On Demand have ads?
Neither DART Transit nor DART On Demand shows ads.
Which is updated more often, DART Transit or DART On Demand?
DART Transit ships an update monthly, and DART On Demand every 6 weeks. Most recently, DART Transit was updated on November 6, 2026 and DART On Demand on November 3, 2026.

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