Comparison

Live MBTA vs Boston T and Bus

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

Head to head
About

Live MBTA

This app provides real-time train departure information for MBTA stations. It automatically finds your nearest station or allows you to select any other, displaying estimated arrival times, destinations, and route details.

Highlights
  • Real-time MBTA departures
  • Nearest station locator
  • Select station by distance or name
  • Destination and route color display
  • Estimated departure times
  • Feedback tab for developers
Features
Read full description

Have you ever tried to catch a train at a MBTA station, but didn't exactly know when the train was coming? If so, then Live MBTA is for you! Live MBTA will instantly locate the nearest MBTA station, and display all the upcoming real-time estimated departures for that station. Additionally, you can also choose to select any other MBTA station, and get its estimated departures. KEY FEATURES: - Locates your nearest MBTA station instantly. - Displays real-time estimated departures loaded directly from MBTA servers. - Shows useful information for upcoming trains: - Destination - Estimated time until departure - Route color - Train Direction - Allows you to select a station by distance or by name - Feedback tab to send messages directly to the development team SERVICE REQUIREMENTS: - Location Services - A working internet connection DISCLAIMERS and DATA DISTRIBUTION LIABILITY STATEMENT Jonajo Consulting LLC, the owner and producer of Live MBTA, shall not be held liable for improper or incorrect use of the data described and/or contained herein. The information contained in these data is dynamic and may change over time. The data are not better than the original sources from which they were derived (https://api-v3.mbta.com/docs/swagger/index.html. It is the responsibility of the data user to use the data appropriately and consistent within the limitations of real-time estimated departure data in general and these data in particular. Jonajo Consulting LLC gives no warranty, expressed or implied, as to the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of these data. Continued use of GPS running in the background can dramatically decrease battery life. By using the Live MBTA application, you agree to these terms and conditions.

About

Boston T and Bus

Navigate Boston's public transit with real-time arrivals, interactive maps, and smart trip planning. Get up-to-the-second predictions for trains and buses, track vehicles live, and receive service alerts. Perfect for commuters, students, and tourists.

Highlights
  • Real-time MBTA arrival times
  • Interactive transit maps
  • Smart journey planner
  • Real-time vehicle tracking
  • Service alerts and delays
  • Nearby station finder
  • Personalized commute info
Features
Read full description

Boston T and Bus - Your Essential MBTA Transit Companion Navigate Boston's public transportation system with confidence using the most comprehensive MBTA transit app. From the Green Line to the Silver Line, from Cambridge to Quincy, we've got your commute covered with real-time arrivals, interactive maps, and intelligent trip planning. Why Boston T and Bus? - Live MBTA Arrival Times - See exactly when your next Red Line, Orange Line, Blue Line, Green Line, Silver Line train or bus arrives. Down-to-the-second predictions mean you'll know whether to rush or grab that coffee. - Interactive Transit Maps - Easy-to-use subway and bus route maps. Pan, zoom, and explore the entire Greater Boston transit network including all T lines and bus routes. - Smart Journey Planner - Find the fastest route using our intelligent trip planner. Get step-by-step directions with transfer instructions, walking times, and fare information. Works for subway, bus, commuter rail, and ferry. - Real-Time Vehicle Tracking - Track your bus or train in real-time. See exactly how far your ride is and plan accordingly. - Service Alerts & Delays - Stay informed about delays, closures, shuttle buses, and elevator outages. - Nearby Station Finder - Instantly locate the closest MBTA stations and stops. - Personalized Experience - Save your home, work, and favorite destinations for one-tap info. Complete MBTA Coverage: All subway lines: Red, Orange, Blue, Green (B/C/D/E branches), Silver Line Every bus route across Boston, Cambridge, Somerville, Brookline, and beyond CharlieCard fare information and transfer details Perfect For: Daily commuters navigating rush hour Boston University, MIT, Harvard, and Northeastern students Tourists exploring historic Boston Red Sox fans heading to Fenway Park Anyone attending events at TD Garden Logan Airport travelers New residents learning the T system Whether you're catching the Green Line to Boston Common, taking the Red Line to Harvard Square, riding the Orange Line to Assembly Row, or hopping on the Blue Line to the airport, Boston T and Bus ensures you'll never miss your connection again. From Park Street to Alewife, from Forest Hills to Wonderland, from Lechmere to Braintree - we've mapped every mile of track and every bus route to get you where you need to go. Join thousands of Bostonians who've made their daily commute stress-free. No more guessing when the next train arrives. No more missed connections. No more getting lost in unfamiliar neighborhoods. Download now and transform your Boston transit experience! Note: This app is independently developed and is not affiliated with the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA). All transit data is sourced from publicly available MBTA feeds.

Screenshots

Live MBTA4 screens
Boston T and Bus4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Live MBTA at 4.6 against Boston T and Bus's 4.0. Live MBTA also leads on ads (none vs shown) and ratings volume (127 vs 2). Boston T and Bus's advantage is update cadence (every 10 days vs every 4 months). On price 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

Live MBTA holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Live MBTA has 127 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Live MBTA ships an update every 4 months, Boston T and Bus every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and August 22, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Live MBTA versus Boston T and Bus: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterLive MBTABoston T and Bus
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (127 ratings) — better4.0 (2 ratings)
Positive reviews50.0% of reviews
Number of ratings127 — better2
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsEvery 10 days — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree — betterAd-supported
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS15.0 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size22 MB38 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJonajo Consulting LLCDixon Mobility, LLC

Customer experience

Live MBTA

All ratings127 ratings
Positive90.6%
Neutral1.6%
Negative7.9%

Boston T and Bus

All ratings2 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral50.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral50.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Live MBTA

No in-app purchases

None

Boston T and Bus

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Live MBTA free?
Live MBTA is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Boston T and Bus free?
Boston T and Bus is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Live MBTA or Boston T and Bus?
Live MBTA is rated higher. Live MBTA averages 4.6 out of 5 from 127 ratings, while Boston T and Bus averages 4.0 from 2 ratings.
Do Live MBTA or Boston T and Bus have ads?
Boston T and Bus shows ads; Live MBTA does not.
Which is updated more often, Live MBTA or Boston T and Bus?
Live MBTA ships an update every 4 months, and Boston T and Bus every 10 days. Most recently, Live MBTA was updated on September 24, 2026 and Boston T and Bus on August 22, 2026.

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