# Ride SMART Flex vs Explore Detroit

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Explore Detroit at 100% against Ride SMART Flex's 33%. Explore Detroit also leads on monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases) and rating (5.0 vs 4.7). Ride SMART Flex's advantage is ratings volume (2.2K vs 5) and update cadence (monthly vs every 2 months). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

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

Explore Detroit holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Ride SMART Flex has 2.2K ratings behind it against 5, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 33% of Ride SMART Flex's written reviews are positive against 100% of Explore Detroit's.

Ride SMART Flex ships an update monthly, Explore Detroit every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 26, 2026 and September 12, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Ride SMART Flex | Explore Detroit |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.7 (2.2K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ride-smart-flex/id1552855723/reviews) | **[5.0 (5 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/explore-detroit/id6745966219/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **2.2K** | 5 |
| Positive reviews | 33.0% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Monthly** | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 130 MB | 534 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 18.2 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Via Transportation, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/657777018) | [Ben Levin](https://appshunter.io/developer/1814632391) |

## What reviewers say

### Ride SMART Flex

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ride-smart-flex/id1552855723)

Book on-demand rideshare services in the Detroit Area. This app connects you with transit heading your way, offering an affordable, easy, and eco-friendly transportation option. Enjoy shared rides, lower prices, and reduced carbon emissions.

**Highlights:** On-demand ride booking, Shared rides, Affordable pricing, Sustainable transportation, Fixed route schedules, Nearby pick-up points

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

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Affordable and quick rides
- 👍 Great community service
- 🤗 Friendly and helpful drivers

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Unreliable service and frequent delays
- 👎 Poor customer service and lack of support
- 🚫 Limited service areas and coverage
- 🤔 Confusing app functionality and user experience

**Reported bugs**

- Frequent app crashes and technical issues
- Inaccurate driver location and pickup information
- Billing and payment problems

**Requested features**

- Improve scheduling and real-time tracking
- Expand service areas and coverage
- Enhance app usability and accessibility
- Provide better customer support and communication


### Explore Detroit

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/explore-detroit/id6745966219)

Discover Detroit with a smart trip planner that curates personalized recommendations based on your interests, time, and budget. Navigate neighborhoods, build custom itineraries, and find curated events and attractions for a stress-free exploration.

**Highlights:** Interactive smart map with filters, Customizable trip planner, Live weather integration, Curated events and attractions, Trip duration and scheduling, Real-time location support

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Ride SMART Flex free?

Ride SMART Flex is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Explore Detroit free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Ride SMART Flex or Explore Detroit?

Explore Detroit is rated higher. Ride SMART Flex averages 4.7 out of 5 from 2.2K ratings, while Explore Detroit averages 5.0 from 5 ratings.

### Do Ride SMART Flex or Explore Detroit have ads?

Neither Ride SMART Flex nor Explore Detroit shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Ride SMART Flex or Explore Detroit?

Ride SMART Flex ships an update monthly, and Explore Detroit every 2 months. Most recently, Ride SMART Flex was updated on September 26, 2026 and Explore Detroit on September 12, 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.*