# Pantograph vs Pointz

The clearest difference is ads: Pantograph at none against Pointz's shown. Pointz's advantage is update cadence (every 9 days vs every 6 weeks) and iOS requirement (15.1 vs 17.0). On price, rating, review sentiment and ratings volume there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Pantograph sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month and Pointz sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $48.00 per year. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.4 for Pantograph against 4.3 for Pointz. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 81 and 160 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 54% and 54% positive.

Pantograph ships an update every 6 weeks, Pointz every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on October 23, 2026 and October 21, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Pantograph | Pointz |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.4 (81 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pantograph/id1467024983/reviews)** | [4.3 (160 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pointz-plan-safer-on-bikes/id1580218237/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 81 | **160** |
| Positive reviews | 53.8% of reviews | 53.8% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 6 weeks | **Every 9 days** |
| Monetization | Freemium | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 40 MB | 110 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | **15.1** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Round Trip Productions, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1467024982) | [Pointz Mobility, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1554795021) |

## What reviewers say

### Pantograph

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pantograph/id1467024983)

Visualize your entire transit network on a single map, seeing all active buses, trains, ferries, and streetcars. Get real-time departure estimates, vehicle statistics, and passenger load information for supported agencies. Track missed trips and customize your view to gain deep insights into system performance.

**Highlights:** Real-time transit vehicle map, Departure estimates, Vehicle statistics and load, Route and stop schedules, Missed trip reports, Customizable vehicle icons, Pro filtering system

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

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pantograph Pro (Monthly) | $1.99 | per month |
| Pantograph Pro Monthly | $3.99 | per month |
| Pantograph Pro (Yearly) | $14.99 | per year |
| Pantograph Pro (Yearly) | $29.99 | per year |


### Pointz

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pointz-plan-safer-on-bikes/id1580218237)

Plan safer bike routes with customizable GPS navigation and turn-by-turn directions. Discover new trails, record your rides, and stay informed about road hazards with community-powered mapping. Ideal for all types of cyclists and micromobility users.

**Highlights:** Safer route planning, Turn-by-turn GPS navigation, Community-powered hazard data, Ride tracking and saving, Maintenance reminders, Roadside assistance

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (5)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pointz Plus | $48.00 | per year |
| Pointz Plus | $63.99 | per year |
| Pointz Plus | $79.99 | per year |
| Pointz Plus | $79.99 | per year |
| Pointz Plus | $79.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 💡 Great concept and idea
- 🗺️ Good routing and bike-friendly paths
- 👍 Safety slider for route preference
- 🚴 Detailed cycling maps
- 📍 Bike parking feature

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💸 Expensive annual fee ($79/year)
- 💰 Subscription-only model
- 🚫 Limited free tier (2 routes/week)
- 🤢 Overly expensive paid model
- 😫 Bait-and-switch from free to paid

**Reported bugs**

- App needs a lot of work to be more functional
- Five ads in the first five minutes
- Overlay ad takes up entire screen
- Cannot sign up or log in
- Directions not found error

**Requested features**

- Cheaper subscription option
- Free tier with basic functionality
- Option to remove ads
- Colorblind mode with alternate colors
- Ability to edit submissions


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Pantograph free?

Pantograph is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Pointz free?

Pointz is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Pantograph or Pointz?

Pantograph is rated higher. Pantograph averages 4.4 out of 5 from 81 ratings, while Pointz averages 4.3 from 160 ratings.

### Do Pantograph or Pointz have ads?

Pointz shows ads; Pantograph does not.

### Which is updated more often, Pantograph or Pointz?

Pantograph ships an update every 6 weeks, and Pointz every 9 days. Most recently, Pantograph was updated on October 23, 2026 and Pointz on October 21, 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.*