# Leap Top Up vs Translink mLink

The clearest difference is rating: Leap Top Up at 3.0 against Translink mLink's 1.5. Leap Top Up also leads on review sentiment (25% vs 2%) and ratings volume (47 vs 8). Translink mLink's advantage is update cadence (fortnightly vs every 3 months). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

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

Leap Top Up holds the better App Store score, 3.0 against 1.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Leap Top Up has 47 ratings behind it against 8, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 25% of Leap Top Up's written reviews are positive against 2% of Translink mLink's.

Leap Top Up ships an update every 3 months, Translink mLink fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 29, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Leap Top Up | Translink mLink |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[3.0 (47 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/leap-top-up/id1535791064/reviews)** | [1.5 (8 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/translink-mlink/id6504692965/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **47** | 8 |
| Positive reviews | **24.5% of reviews** | 2.1% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | **Fortnightly** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 15 MB | 24 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 14.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [National Transport Authority](https://appshunter.io/developer/590250803) | [Corethree Ltd.](https://appshunter.io/developer/381360393) |

## What reviewers say

### Leap Top Up

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/leap-top-up/id1535791064)

This official app allows you to manage your TFI Leap Card directly from your NFC-enabled iPhone. Check your balance, top-up your card, and purchase tickets conveniently. It also lets you collect pre-paid tickets and view recent transactions.

**Highlights:** Check TFI Leap Card balance, Top-up Leap Card instantly, Purchase and collect tickets, View daily/weekly capping, See last 5 transactions, Email receipts for top-ups

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Good for topping up
- 👍 Easy to see balance
- 👍 Convenient for transactions
- 👍 App is pretty solid
- 👍 Great idea for an app

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Scanner doesn't work
- 🐛 Payment fails
- 🐛 App freezes
- 🐛 Top up times out
- 🐛 Card won't read

**Reported bugs**

- Card won't read
- Repeatedly saying to place card flat
- Failing payment saying check card type
- Doesn't give anywhere to select card type
- Keeps failing payment

**Requested features**

- Create an account for automatic balance updates
- Option to create an account
- Tap to pay on public transport
- Purchase tickets directly off the app
- Apple Pay integration


### Translink mLink

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/translink-mlink/id6504692965)

Purchase and use public transport tickets directly from your mobile device. This app allows you to buy various ticket types for multiple transit services, simplifying your travel experience.

**Highlights:** Mobile ticket purchase, Weekly, Monthly, and Day tickets, NI Railways, Metro/Glider support, Airport Express 300, Refund and Delay Repay information

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

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Great app
- ✨ Aesthetically pleasing interface

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Crashes frequently
- 🔒 Login/password reset issues
- 🚫 Lacks functionality compared to old app
- 🤯 Confusing and difficult to navigate
- 🔋 Offline usage problems

**Reported bugs**

- Constant log-outs
- Tickets disappearing
- Crashes when selecting destination
- Basket validation errors when purchasing
- Password reset emails not being received

**Requested features**

- Add 'Add to Apple Wallet' button
- Remember last route when buying tickets
- Ability to buy tickets for multiple people
- Integrate ticket purchasing into main app


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Leap Top Up free?

Leap Top Up is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Translink mLink free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Leap Top Up or Translink mLink?

Leap Top Up is rated higher. Leap Top Up averages 3.0 out of 5 from 47 ratings, while Translink mLink averages 1.5 from 8 ratings.

### Do Leap Top Up or Translink mLink have ads?

Neither Leap Top Up nor Translink mLink shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Leap Top Up or Translink mLink?

Leap Top Up ships an update every 3 months, and Translink mLink fortnightly. Most recently, Leap Top Up was updated on October 29, 2026 and Translink mLink on October 30, 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.*