Comparison

Chicago Transit Planner vs Live Metra Map

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

Live Metra Map

See real-time train movements on a live map, providing exact vehicle positions. Eliminate guesswork and stress by confirming train arrivals before heading to the station. Covers the entire Metra network.

Highlights
  • Real-time train tracking on a visual map
  • Instant clarity on delays and stalled trains
  • Comprehensive coverage of all Metra lines
  • No account creation required for privacy
  • Precise vehicle positions displayed
Features
Read full description

Verify train locations instantly. Schedules are just estimates. A live map is the truth. Watch Metra trains move in real-time. View precise vehicle positions directly on the map rather than relying on static lists. Confirm the train is actually approaching before walking to the platform. Eliminate the stress of delays and freight interference by seeing exactly what is happening on the tracks. FEATURES: • VISUAL TRACKING: Watch the train icon move along the route. • INSTANT CLARITY: Spot delays and stalled trains immediately. • FULL NETWORK: Covers all lines from Chicago Union Station / Ogilvie / Millennium to the suburbs. • PRIVACY FIRST: No account creation required. Stop guessing. Download now to see the map. Privacy Policy: https://sozzled.app/privacy.html Terms of Service: https://sozzled.app/terms.html

Screenshots

Chicago Transit Planner4 screens
Live Metra Map2 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Chicago Transit Planner at 5.0 against Live Metra Map's 4.7. Chicago Transit Planner also leads on update cadence (weekly vs monthly) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 26.0). Live Metra Map's advantage is ratings volume (13 vs 2). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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 Live Metra Map sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. 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 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Live Metra Map has 13 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Chicago Transit Planner ships an update weekly, Live Metra Map monthly. The most recent releases landed on November 7, 2026 and November 4, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Chicago Transit Planner versus Live Metra Map: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterChicago Transit PlannerLive Metra Map
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (2 ratings) — better4.7 (13 ratings)
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings213 — better
Update frequencyWeekly — betterMonthly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, Vision Pro
Requires iOS12.0 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size23 MB5 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTyler ShermanSozzled LLC

Customer experience

Chicago Transit Planner

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

Live Metra Map

All ratings13 ratings
Positive84.6%
Neutral15.4%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Chicago Transit Planner

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

Live Metra Map

Subscriptions3
  • Individual Monthly$0.991 Month
  • Individual Annual$2.991 Year
  • Family Annual$4.991 Year

Questions

Is Chicago Transit Planner free?
Chicago Transit Planner is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Live Metra Map free?
Live Metra Map is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Chicago Transit Planner or Live Metra Map?
Chicago Transit Planner is rated higher. Chicago Transit Planner averages 5.0 out of 5 from 2 ratings, while Live Metra Map averages 4.7 from 13 ratings.
Do Chicago Transit Planner or Live Metra Map have ads?
Neither Chicago Transit Planner nor Live Metra Map shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Chicago Transit Planner or Live Metra Map?
Chicago Transit Planner ships an update weekly, and Live Metra Map monthly. Most recently, Chicago Transit Planner was updated on November 7, 2026 and Live Metra Map on November 4, 2026.

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