Comparison

智方便 iAM Smart vs GBA Ferries

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

Head to head
About

智方便 iAM Smart

This app offers a single digital identity for Hong Kong residents to securely log in to government and commercial online services. It features auto form filling, personalized notifications, and digital signing capabilities for enhanced convenience and efficiency in managing digital transactions.

Highlights
  • Single digital identity for login
  • Secure authentication
  • Auto form filling with e-ME
  • Personalized notifications
  • Digital signing (iAM Smart+)
Read full description

"iAM Smart" is a free account for all Hong Kong Identity Card (HKID Card) holders aged 11 or above. It allows users to perform authentication through personal mobile phones, to log in and use the online services of different government departments and commercial organisations with a single digital identity. "iAM Smart" account is available in two versions, namely "iAM Smart" and "iAM Smart+". The "iAM Smart" version has authentication, form filling and personalised notifications functions, while the "iAM Smart+" version has the digital signing function in addition: ● Authentication √ Users will have a single digital identity that enables simple and secure login to various government and commercial online services. It brings convenience to daily life without having to manage different user names and passwords. ● Form Filling with e-ME √ Users can use the "e-ME" function to store their personalised data (such as name, gender, HKID Card number, date of birth, residential address, and contact phone number), and enjoy the convenience brought by auto form filling and avoid filling in the same data for different applications. ● Personalised Notification √ Users can choose to receive personalised notifications from various government online services to keep up with service updates, expiry alerts and latest information. ● Digital Signing √ Users can use "iAM Smart+" to sign digitally in accordance with the Electronic Transactions Ordinance (Chapter 553 of the Laws of Hong Kong) to process legal documents and procedures online. To register and use your "iAM Smart", simply: ● Use mobile device with biometric authentication functions enabled (including fingerprint or facial identification) to download and install the "智方便 iAM Smart" app ● Could access a wide range of daily information before "iAM Smart" account registration. ● Click “Register”, scan the HKID Card according to the instructions, and let the app to read the HKID Card information and verify the authenticity of the HKID Card ● Align your face with the photo frame on the screen, do the actions specified by the system and take selfies for real person and facial identification ● Wait for the identity verification based on the records of his/her identity card after submission of the application ● Perform mobile phone built-in biometric authentication, set up "iAM Smart" 6 digital password and provide email address upon successful identity verification ● Start using various functions of the "iAM Smart" platform once the above steps are completed Note: ● Consent of your parent or guardian is required if you are aged from 11 to 17.

About

GBA Ferries

Features
Read full description

High-Speed Ferry Booking: Hong Kong, Macau & Guangdong Book tickets for high-speed ferries between Hong Kong, Macau, and Guangdong cities like Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Zhongshan, Zhuhai, Foshan Shunde, and Dongguan. Featured Ferry Companies: TurboJET, Cotai Water Jet, CKS, Yuetong Shipping, China Merchants, Pengxing Shipping, Shun Gang, Humen Port, Jiuzhou Port, Nanshan Port. Key Routes Include: • Shekou Terminal:​ To Macau (Taipa/Outer Harbour) & Hong Kong (HK-Macau Ferry Terminal/Airport SkyPier) • Shenzhen Airport Fuyong:​ To Macau (Taipa/Outer Harbour) & Hong Kong (China Hong Kong City/Airport SkyPier) • China Hong Kong City:​ To Macau Taipa, Zhuhai Jiuzhou, Foshan Shunde • Hong Kong-Macau Ferry Terminal:​ To Macau (Taipa/Outer Harbour) & Shenzhen Shekou • Hong Kong Airport SkyPier:​ To Guangzhou Nansha, Shenzhen Shekou, Dongguan Humen, Zhongshan • Macau Taipa:​ To Hong Kong (China Hong Kong City/HK-Macau Ferry Terminal) & Shenzhen (Airport/Shekou) • Macau Outer Harbour:​ To Hong Kong-Macau Ferry Terminal & Shenzhen Shekou • Zhuhai Jiuzhou:​ To Hong Kong (China Hong Kong City/HK-Macau Ferry Terminal) & Shenzhen Shekou • Zhongshan Port:​ To China Hong Kong City & Hong Kong Airport SkyPier • Dongguan Humen / Guangzhou Nansha / Pazhou Port:​ To Hong Kong (China Hong Kong City/Airport SkyPier) Regulated by the Travel Industry Authority of Hong Kong. License No. 354122. How to Book: Open app → Select departure/arrival cities & terminals → Choose passengers (Adult/Child/Senior) → Enter contact info → Pay. Payment:​ WeChat Pay, Alipay, Credit Card. Ticket Issuance:​ Instant upon payment. Boarding: Arrive 10-15 minutes early. Show your QR code to staff to receive your boarding pass. Ferries depart on time. Early Arrival:​ Staff may assist with an earlier sailing if seats are available. Late Arrival:​ A new ticket is required. Cancellation/Changes: Contact Online Customer Service or call +852 2121 0200.

Screenshots

智方便 iAM Smart4 screens
GBA Ferries4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is iOS requirement: 智方便 iAM Smart at 12.0 against GBA Ferries's 15.0. On price, update cadence, ads 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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

智方便 iAM Smart ships an update every 3 weeks, GBA Ferries every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 11, 2026 and September 18, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
智方便 iAM Smart versus GBA Ferries: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
Parameter智方便 iAM SmartGBA Ferries
PriceFreeFree
Rating1.8 (30 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews2.6% of reviews—
Number of ratings30 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPod
Requires iOS12.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size212 MB64 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDigital Policy OfficeHOPETRIP (HK) LIMITED

Bugs and requests

智方便 iAM Smart

Reported bugs

27 issues
  • System update requires resetting linkage
  • Cannot scan ID card or QR code
  • Camera function cannot be activated
  • Face recognition doesn't work
  • NFC function doesn't work
Show 22 more
  • App locks account after successful registration
  • Quick registration process has bugs
  • QR code scanner never works
  • Cannot scan ID card
  • System busy error
  • App keeps saying 'client error' at the last step
  • Facial recognition fails repeatedly
  • App does not proceed
  • App requires Face ID or Touch ID
  • Flash goes off automatically during scanning
  • App says scan successful but then unsuccessful
  • Cannot capture the third and last scan
  • Network problem during registration
  • Cannot transfer from old device to new
  • App crashes or freezes
  • Login screen freezes
  • Incompatible with older devices
  • App is not working on iPhone 14
  • App is not working on iPhone 12
  • App is not working on iPhone 15 Pro
  • App is not working on iPhone 17
  • App is not working on iPhone XR

Requested features

13 requests
  • Alternative login method besides Face ID
  • Add dark mode option
  • Improve NFC functionality
  • Improve QR code scanner
  • Improve facial recognition accuracy
Show 8 more
  • Allow app transfer from old devices
  • Provide clear upgrade instructions from old app
  • Allow users to change language
  • Remove Face ID requirement
  • Make signing function accessible online
  • Improve app design and navigation
  • Fix bugs in quick registration process
  • Remove buggy authentication features

GBA Ferries

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

智方便 iAM Smart

No in-app purchases

None

GBA Ferries

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is 智方便 iAM Smart free?
智方便 iAM Smart is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is GBA Ferries free?
GBA Ferries is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do 智方便 iAM Smart or GBA Ferries have ads?
Neither 智方便 iAM Smart nor GBA Ferries shows ads.
Which is updated more often, 智方便 iAM Smart or GBA Ferries?
智方便 iAM Smart ships an update every 3 weeks, and GBA Ferries every 2 weeks. Most recently, 智方便 iAM Smart was updated on September 11, 2026 and GBA Ferries on September 18, 2026.

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