Comparison

Live CTA vs Transit Glance

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

Transit Glance

Read full description

Transit Glance makes navigating Chicago easier with real-time CTA train and bus arrivals. LIVE ACTIVITIES & DYNAMIC ISLAND Start tracking any stop and watch your arrival countdown update on the Lock Screen and Dynamic Island—without reopening the app. ALL CTA TRAINS & BUSES Get arrival information for every “L” line—Red, Blue, Brown, Green, Orange, Purple, Pink, and Yellow—plus active bus routes throughout Chicago. NEARBY STATIONS & STOPS Quickly discover transit options near you, see walking distances, and check upcoming arrivals. FAVORITES & RECENTS Save the stops you use most and return to recently viewed routes with a tap. WEATHER AT A GLANCE See current conditions alongside nearby transit information so you can prepare before heading out. SCAN & GO Scan a Transit Glance QR code to open a route or stop instantly. App Clip support lets you check arrivals without installing the full app. BUILT FOR CHICAGO Whether you’re commuting, exploring the city, or trying to catch the next bus, Transit Glance keeps the information you need close at hand. CTA arrival information is provided in real time and may be affected by service conditions or data availability. Transit Glance is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Chicago Transit Authority.

Screenshots

Live CTA4 screens
Transit Glance4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Transit Glance at fortnightly against Live CTA's every 8 months. Live CTA's advantage is iOS requirement (13.2 vs 18.1). On price, ads, in-app purchases 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Live CTA ships an update every 8 months, Transit Glance fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 6, 2026 and October 12, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Live CTA versus Transit Glance: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterLive CTATransit Glance
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (2 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings2 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 8 monthsFortnightly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS13.2 — better18.1
Further details — not scored
Size9 MB10 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJonajo Consulting LLCYoel Nozar

In-app purchases

None

Live CTA

No in-app purchases

None

Transit Glance

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Live CTA free?
Live CTA is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Transit Glance free?
Transit Glance is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Live CTA or Transit Glance have ads?
Neither Live CTA nor Transit Glance shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Live CTA or Transit Glance?
Live CTA ships an update every 8 months, and Transit Glance fortnightly. Most recently, Live CTA was updated on October 6, 2026 and Transit Glance on October 12, 2026.

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