Comparison

Live CTA vs Chicago ETAs

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

Head to head
About

Live CTA

This app provides real-time train departure information for CTA stations. It automatically finds your nearest station or allows you to select one, displaying estimated arrival times, destinations, and route colors. Get up-to-the-minute transit updates to plan your journey.

Highlights
  • Real-time train departures
  • Nearest station locator
  • Select station by distance or name
  • Destination and route color
  • Delay information
  • Feedback to developers
Features
Read full description

Have you ever tried to catch a train at a CTA station, but didn't exactly know when the train was coming? How about guessing how long the train is, only to find out the train was shorter than you thought? If so, then Live CTA is for you! Live CTA will instantly locate the nearest CTA station, and display all the upcoming real-time estimated departures for that station. Additionally, you can also choose to select any other CTA station and get its estimated departures. KEY FEATURES: - Locates your nearest CTA station instantly. - Displays real-time estimated departures loaded directly from CTA servers. - Shows useful information for upcoming trains: - Destination - Estimated time until departure - Route color - Delay information - 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 CTA, 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://www.transitchicago.com/developers/ttdocs/#_Toc296199903). 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 CTA application, you agree to these terms and conditions.

About

Chicago ETAs

This app provides real-time arrival estimates for Chicago's public transit system. It allows users to track specific departures on their lock screen, save favorite stops, and find nearby locations. Detailed route information is also available.

Highlights
  • Real-time arrival times
  • Lock screen tracking
  • Favorite stops
  • Nearby stops finder
  • Detailed route information
Read full description

Key Features: - Real-Time Arrival Times: Get up-to-the-minute updates for CTA buses and trains. - Lock Screen Tracking: Show live ETAs for busses and trains on lock screen to conveniently track specific departures. - Favorite Stops: Save your frequently used stops for quick access to arrival times. - Nearby Stops: Easily find nearby bus and train stops based on your current location. - Detailed Route Info: Look up specific buses and trains to view route details and schedules. This app is not affiliated with the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), though displays data provided publicly by the CTA.

Screenshots

Live CTA4 screens
Chicago ETAs4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Chicago ETAs at fortnightly against Live CTA's every 8 months. Live CTA's advantage is device support (3 vs 1) and iOS requirement (13.2 vs 18.0). On price, rating, ratings volume 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

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for Live CTA against 5.0 for Chicago ETAs. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2 and 1 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Live CTA ships an update every 8 months, Chicago ETAs fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on June 4, 2026 and June 1, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Live CTA versus Chicago ETAs: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterLive CTAChicago ETAs
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (2 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings2 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 8 monthsFortnightly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS13.2 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size9 MB6 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJonajo Consulting LLCEmil Mikkelsen

Customer experience

Live CTA

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Chicago ETAs

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Live CTA

No in-app purchases

None

Chicago ETAs

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Live CTA free?
Live CTA is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Chicago ETAs free?
Chicago ETAs is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Live CTA or Chicago ETAs?
Live CTA and Chicago ETAs are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 2 and 1 ratings respectively.
Do Live CTA or Chicago ETAs have ads?
Neither Live CTA nor Chicago ETAs shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Live CTA or Chicago ETAs?
Live CTA ships an update every 8 months, and Chicago ETAs fortnightly. Most recently, Live CTA was updated on June 4, 2026 and Chicago ETAs on June 1, 2026.

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