Comparison

Chicago Transit Planner vs Chicago CTA Train Bus Tracker

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

Head to head
About

Chicago Transit Planner

This app provides real-time bus and L-train information for Chicago's transit system. It offers features like scanning bus signs with AR, finding nearby stations and stops, and tracking specific train or bus routes with live updates on arrivals and delays.

Highlights
  • Real-time bus and L-train arrival tracking
  • AR bus sign scanning
  • Nearby train station and bus stop finder
  • Map-based transit visualization
  • Delay notifications
  • Route and station tracking
Features
Read full description

The best companion riding the Chicago Transit system. Whether you want to track what time buses are going to be arriving at a stop, or what train stops are nearby you, this app helps you do it. CT Planner provides you with realtime data for buses and L-trains throughout Chicago displayed on an easy to use map. [Scan Bus Sign] This option allows you to use your ARKit enabled devices to read bus signs throughout Chicago and be shown a map of all planned buses stopping there, as well as useful information like: when it arrives, if it’s delayed, the bus number, and current location. [Near By Trains] This option is used to find all train stations within a configurable radius from your current location on a map. You can then pick a station and find all trains going to that station and see information like: if it’s delayed, the expected arrival time, and the current location (all displayed on a map on your screen). [Near By Buses] This option is used to find all bus stops within a configurable radius from your current location on a map. You can then pick a stop and find all buses going to that stop and see information like: if it’s delayed, the expected arrival time, and the current location (all displayed on a map on your screen). [Track my Train] This option has you choose a line, after which it displays all stations on that line on the map. From there you choose a specific station and which direction (or both directions) and all trains going to the station are displayed for the chosen direction. You can tap on a train to see relevant information about that train such as if it’s delayed, the expected arrival time, and the current location. [Track my Bus] This option has you choose a route, after which it displays all stops on that route on the map. From there you choose a specific stop and all buses going to the stop are displayed on the map. You can tap on a bus to see relevant information such as if it’s delayed, the expected arrival time, and the current location. For our terms of use please visit http://shermansoftwaremarketing.com/terms-of-use/

About

Chicago CTA Train Bus Tracker

Navigate Chicago's public transit with real-time bus and train tracking. Plan your journeys with detailed route information, departure and arrival times, and an offline rail map. Enjoy personalized day and night modes for a seamless travel experience.

Highlights
  • Live CTA bus tracking
  • Metra train time tracker
  • Offline Chicago rail map
  • Journey planner
  • Departure & arrival timings
  • Day & night modes
Features
Read full description

Now it’s easier to travel through Chicago with a simpler & reliable app for Chicago transit - Chicago Transit: CTA Bus & Train tracker Chicago Transit: CTA Bus & Train tracker app is an all-in-one CTA transit & transport app that's naturally built around the experience of travels through Chicago, Metra Train time Tracker with all currently running live lines, Metra, CTA Bus Tracker – Departure & Arrival timings: All live routes of Northbound & Southbound. It offers Day & Night modes – Light / Dark modes for your preference to keep your experience personalized. Chicago Metra Trains combined with the CTA Bus network using mass transit with its frequent status changes, delays, and alerts can be a challenge, we have kept it simple enough for regular commuters and tourists alike. Try the simplistic Designed, Most Accurate & Reliable All-In-One Chicago CTA App covering all of Chicago transport networks making it an awesome Chicago travel app for everyday use. Best Quality Transit detailed Metra Train/ Rail L Map (Access Offline even with no network) Having the most useful Rail map handy in your pocket makes it easier when commuting in Chicago, you have all - Chicago Bus Tracker, Metra Train time Tracker, Departure & Arrival timings, Journey planner & Rail L map for your all travel needs. Chicago Transit: CTA Bus & Train tracker offers Top Features Including: Chicago Travel Map / CTA L Map: Includes High Resolution Chicago Travel Map – CTA Rail L Map able which takes endless zoom. Chicago Trip Planner / Chicago Journey planner - Directions & best Route to take for Point A to Point B (Departure Now & Departure & Arrival on Later date & time) with : Need to reach somewhere? Be it now or at a later time and you just want to check. We’ve got your back, just search the A-to-B destination - the starting point and endpoint of your journey and get Transit directions to anywhere from any place in Chicago for any date! Covers all modes of public transportation! •Get to know the best suggested route. •Get available alternate routes. •Click on your preferred route and get all granular details like minimum walking distance to the nearest transport to pick up point and after drop point to your destination to make it your Chicago travel app complete. Chicago Metra Train Tracker : Keep all Metra train live running status at the current situation in your hands, Always! Ensure your journey stays as smooth as it should be. •All the Lines with Live Rail L running status & Colour coding •Journey Duration •Timings and Inner or Outer Loop Platform indication so you are always sure and saving your time in your commute. Chicago Bus Tracker : Stay in control with all Live Bus transit tracker for Chicago for both Northbound & Southbound buses with Chicago Transit: CTA Bus & Train tracker. Search by typing or click from the list, get in-depth options such as: •Bus Number •Bus timings •Service Bulletins & updates •From / To Destinations •Journey duration

Screenshots

Chicago Transit Planner4 screens
Chicago CTA Train Bus Tracker4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Chicago Transit Planner at 5.0 against Chicago CTA Train Bus Tracker's 3.3. Chicago Transit Planner also leads on ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (weekly vs every 6 weeks). Chicago CTA Train Bus Tracker's advantage is ratings volume (18 vs 2). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support 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. Chicago Transit Planner sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per 7 days and Chicago CTA Train Bus Tracker sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Chicago Transit Planner holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Chicago CTA Train Bus Tracker has 18 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Chicago Transit Planner ships an update weekly, Chicago CTA Train Bus Tracker every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 26, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Chicago Transit Planner versus Chicago CTA Train Bus Tracker: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterChicago Transit PlannerChicago CTA Train Bus Tracker
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (2 ratings) — better3.3 (18 ratings)
Positive reviews—23.1% of reviews
Number of ratings218 — better
Update frequencyWeekly — betterEvery 6 weeks
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS12.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size23 MB65 MB
Age rating4+17+
DeveloperTyler ShermanManish Chawla

Customer experience

Chicago Transit Planner

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Chicago CTA Train Bus Tracker

All ratings18 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral11.1%
Negative38.9%
Written reviews13 reviews
Positive23.1%
Neutral30.8%
Negative46.2%

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Chicago Transit Planner

Subscriptions3
  • Weekly Renewal$0.997 Days
  • Monthly Subscription$2.991 Month
  • Yearly Subscription$15.991 Year
1 purchases

Chicago CTA Train Bus Tracker

One-time1
  • Buy us a coffee to remove ads$5.99

Questions

Is Chicago Transit Planner free?
Chicago Transit Planner is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Chicago CTA Train Bus Tracker free?
Chicago CTA Train Bus Tracker is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Chicago Transit Planner or Chicago CTA Train Bus Tracker?
Chicago Transit Planner is rated higher. Chicago Transit Planner averages 5.0 out of 5 from 2 ratings, while Chicago CTA Train Bus Tracker averages 3.3 from 18 ratings.
Do Chicago Transit Planner or Chicago CTA Train Bus Tracker have ads?
Chicago CTA Train Bus Tracker shows ads; Chicago Transit Planner does not.
Which is updated more often, Chicago Transit Planner or Chicago CTA Train Bus Tracker?
Chicago Transit Planner ships an update weekly, and Chicago CTA Train Bus Tracker every 6 weeks. Most recently, Chicago Transit Planner was updated on October 26, 2026 and Chicago CTA Train Bus Tracker on October 24, 2026.

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