# SmarTrip vs CATS

The clearest difference is review sentiment: CATS at 54% against SmarTrip's 11%. CATS also leads on rating (4.8 vs 2.5) and ratings volume (16K vs 57). SmarTrip's advantage is chart position (#208 vs unranked) and device support (3 vs 1). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

CATS holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 2.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: CATS has 16K ratings behind it against 57, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 11% of SmarTrip's written reviews are positive against 54% of CATS's.

SmarTrip ships an update every 5 months, CATS every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and October 15, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | SmarTrip | CATS |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [2.5 (57 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smartrip/id1516539463/reviews) | **[4.8 (16K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cats-pass/id1570679604/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 57 | **16K** |
| Positive reviews | 10.5% of reviews | **53.8% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 5 months | **Every 4 months** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Best chart rank | **#208** | — |
| Size | 66 MB | 122 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.1** | 16.6 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority](https://appshunter.io/developer/1257235533) | [City of Charlotte](https://appshunter.io/developer/366647746) |

## What reviewers say

### SmarTrip

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smartrip/id1516539463)

**Currently charting:** #208 Top Free · Travel (US App Store)

Manage your SmarTrip card and account with this optional tool. Register your card for balance protection, check benefits, set up auto-reload, or purchase transit passes. It can also be added to Apple Wallet for easy tap-to-pay.

**Highlights:** Manage SmarTrip card and account, Add SmarTrip to Apple Wallet, Register card for balance protection, Check SmartBenefits, Setup Auto-Reload, Buy unlimited transit passes

**Features:** Apple Wallet

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy to use
- 🚀 Convenient for commuting
- 🚀 Seamless integration with Apple Wallet
- 🚀 Straightforward account setup

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Unreliable card reading at turnstiles
- 🐛 Delayed balance updates
- 🐛 Buggy app functionality
- 🔒 Excessive personal information required
- 🔒 Difficult to recover account

**Reported bugs**

- Unable to activate account due to missing activation email
- Password reset process not working
- Inconsistent behavior when adding value to card

**Requested features**

- Ability to transfer balance between cards
- Real-time balance updates
- Improved trip planning tools
- Apple Watch support


### CATS

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cats-pass/id1570679604)

This app provides a convenient mobile ticketing solution for public transit. Users can instantly purchase and use tickets directly from their smartphone, plan trips with step-by-step directions, and manage their transit passes. It offers multiple payment options and integration with other transit-related services.

**Highlights:** Instant mobile ticket purchase, Trip planning with directions, Debit/credit card and mobile payment options, Save favorite routes and passes, Connect to other CATS apps

**Features:** Apple Wallet, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy to use and navigate
- 🚀 Convenient ticket purchasing
- 💡 Helpful for events and concerts
- 🚀 Real-time bus tracking

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional app crashes or bugs
- 🔒 Restrictive device limit issues
- 🔒 Difficult to manage payment methods
- 🕰️ Inaccurate bus schedule information

**Reported bugs**

- Unable to create new user accounts
- Keyboard issues during sign-up process
- Discrepancies between app and physical bus stop times

**Requested features**

- Ability to delete payment methods
- Improved bus and train schedule information
- Notifications for bus arrival times
- Discounted passes for seniors and disabled riders


## Frequently asked questions

### Is SmarTrip free?

SmarTrip is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is CATS free?

CATS is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, SmarTrip or CATS?

CATS is rated higher. SmarTrip averages 2.5 out of 5 from 57 ratings, while CATS averages 4.8 from 16K ratings.

### Do SmarTrip or CATS have ads?

Neither SmarTrip nor CATS shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, SmarTrip or CATS?

SmarTrip ships an update every 5 months, and CATS every 4 months. Most recently, SmarTrip was updated on October 14, 2026 and CATS on October 15, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*