# Academy SilverPass vs NYC Subway Widget

The clearest difference is review sentiment: NYC Subway Widget at 86% against Academy SilverPass's 21%. NYC Subway Widget also leads on rating (4.9 vs 3.9) and update cadence (weekly vs every 2 months). Academy SilverPass's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 10) and device support (3 vs 1). On price, ratings volume, ads and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. NYC Subway Widget sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per 7 days. Academy SilverPass asks for nothing beyond the download.

NYC Subway Widget holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 3.9. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 702 and 399 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 21% of Academy SilverPass's written reviews are positive against 86% of NYC Subway Widget's.

Academy SilverPass ships an update every 2 months, NYC Subway Widget weekly. The most recent releases landed on November 7, 2026 and November 4, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Academy SilverPass | NYC Subway Widget |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.9 (702 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/academy-silverpass/id1524782360/reviews) | **[4.9 (399 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nyc-subway-widget/id6737175908/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **702** | 399 |
| Positive reviews | 20.8% of reviews | **85.7% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 172 MB | 23 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 17.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Academy Bus](https://appshunter.io/developer/1524782362) | [Hockey Labs, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1643290890) |

## What reviewers say

### Academy SilverPass

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/academy-silverpass/id1524782360)

Purchase bus tickets instantly and securely from your mobile device. Plan your trips, view schedules, and track your bus in real-time. Never lose a paper ticket again with digital storage and contactless validation.

**Highlights:** Secure ticket purchase, Multiple ticket options, Use transit benefits, Trip planning and schedules, Real-time bus tracking, Digital ticket storage, Service disruption notifications

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

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- ✨ Convenient app for purchasing tickets
- 💨 Quick and easy to use
- 🎉 Excellent app

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 App crashes and issues with ticket activation
- 🕰️ Outdated and confusing user interface
- 🚌 Unreliable bus service and schedule changes
- 🤖 Poor in-app notifications and alerts
- 💰 High prices and lack of value for money

**Reported bugs**

- Tickets disappearing from the app
- Inability to purchase tickets through the app
- Inconsistent app performance and functionality

**Requested features**

- Improved in-app notifications and alerts
- More user-friendly interface and navigation
- Better integration with bus schedules and real-time updates
- Extend ticket validity time
- Provide customer support options


### NYC Subway Widget

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nyc-subway-widget/id6737175908)

Get live MTA bus and train departure times directly on your home or lock screen. This app provides real-time transit updates for subways, buses, and commuter rail, with an offline map for easy navigation.

**Highlights:** Live departure times, Home screen widget, Lock screen widget, Offline subway map, Real-time updates, MTA, NJ PATH, LIRR, Metro North support

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (8)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weekly | $1.99 | per 7 days |
| All Features — Monthly | $2.99 | per month |
| All Features — Monthly | $2.99 | per month |
| All Features — Monthly | $3.99 | per month |
| All Features — Monthly | $4.99 | per month |
| Yearly | $23.99 | per year |
| Yearly | $23.99 | per year |
| All Features — Yearly | $29.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Easy to use
- 🚀 Efficient commute
- 🚀 Accurate real-time updates
- 👍 Well-designed widget
- 👍 Responsive developer

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🔒 Concerns about location-based approach
- 💰 Subscription model not preferred by all

**Reported bugs**

- Scroll issue in the app

**Requested features**

- Allow users to choose favorite station
- Improve widget refresh functionality
- Offer lifetime subscription option


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Academy SilverPass free?

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

### Is NYC Subway Widget free?

NYC Subway Widget is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Academy SilverPass or NYC Subway Widget?

NYC Subway Widget is rated higher. Academy SilverPass averages 3.9 out of 5 from 702 ratings, while NYC Subway Widget averages 4.9 from 399 ratings.

### Do Academy SilverPass or NYC Subway Widget have ads?

Neither Academy SilverPass nor NYC Subway Widget shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Academy SilverPass or NYC Subway Widget?

Academy SilverPass ships an update every 2 months, and NYC Subway Widget weekly. Most recently, Academy SilverPass was updated on November 7, 2026 and NYC Subway Widget on November 4, 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.*