# Bus Simulator Lite vs Subtransit Drive

The clearest difference is rating: Subtransit Drive at 4.4 against Bus Simulator Lite's 3.7. Subtransit Drive also leads on review sentiment (70% vs 47%) and update cadence (monthly vs every 3 months). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Bus Simulator Lite sells 8 one-off in-app purchases and Subtransit Drive sells 15 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Subtransit Drive holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 3.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 86 and 406 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 47% of Bus Simulator Lite's written reviews are positive against 70% of Subtransit Drive's.

Bus Simulator Lite ships an update every 3 months, Subtransit Drive monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and October 14, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Bus Simulator Lite | Subtransit Drive |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.7 (86 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bus-simulator-lite/id1564701696/reviews) | **[4.4 (406 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/subtransit-drive/id1636723806/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 86 | **406** |
| Positive reviews | 46.6% of reviews | **69.8% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | **Monthly** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 831 MB | 3.7 GB |
| Requires iOS | 15.2 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [astragon Entertainment GmbH](https://appshunter.io/developer/433152241) | [WAGON SOFTWARE](https://appshunter.io/developer/1636723808) |

## What reviewers say

### Bus Simulator Lite

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bus-simulator-lite/id1564701696)

Experience realistic bus driving in a detailed city. Transport passengers, unlock new buses and routes, and build your own transport company. The Lite version offers a taste of the full game with licensed buses and missions.

**Highlights:** Drive officially licensed buses, Transport passengers in a lively city, Unlock new buses, districts, and routes, Build a public transport network, Detailed city map inspired by Northern Europe, Manage your transport company

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

**In-app purchases (8)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Some Credits | $0.99 | one-time |
| Small Package | $1.99 | one-time |
| Lots of Credits | $2.99 | one-time |
| Upgrade to Full Version | $3.99 | one-time |
| Medium Package | $5.99 | one-time |
| Financial Freedom | $7.99 | one-time |
| Large Package | $7.99 | one-time |
| All-in-one Package | $12.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🎨 Excellent graphics and visual quality
- 🚌 Realistic licensed buses with detailed design
- 🎮 Engaging gameplay mechanics and management features
- 🗺️ Detailed city map with varied routes
- 👥 Interactive NPC passengers with conversations

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Aggressive paywall at level 7 limits free gameplay
- 🎮 Poor steering controls and sensitivity issues
- 🐛 Frequent crashes and game instability
- ⚙️ Unrealistic physics and acceleration/braking behavior
- 🔋 High battery consumption on mobile devices

**Reported bugs**

- Game crashes during loading screen
- Crashes when creating player profile
- Crashes after 10 minutes of gameplay
- Game kicks player out randomly
- Full version purchase doesn't unlock content

**Requested features**

- Make full version free or reduce paywall level
- Add AI buses driving around the city
- Improve steering wheel mechanics with full 360-degree rotation
- Add more bus models and manufacturers
- Implement free drive/open world mode


### Subtransit Drive

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/subtransit-drive/id1636723806)

Experience the thrill of driving a real subway train with fully simulated internal systems. Navigate realistic environments, adhere to strict schedules, and master operating procedures. Play solo or join friends in multiplayer mode for an immersive simulation.

**Highlights:** Realistic underground train lines, Fully functional controls, True-to-life graphics, Immersive sound design, Multiplayer support, Adaptive assistance system

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

**In-app purchases (15)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 3 Tickets | $0.49 | one-time |
| New 81-760 style modification | $0.99 | one-time |
| 10 Tickets | $1.49 | one-time |
| New train type: 81-717.5 | $1.99 | one-time |
| Restyled 81-760 | $2.99 | one-time |
| 81-717.5/714.5 Modification | $2.99 | one-time |
| 81-717 with new doors color | $2.99 | one-time |
| Factory color scheme | $2.99 | one-time |
| 25 Tickets | $3.49 | one-time |
| 81-717.5M/714.5M modification | $3.99 | one-time |
| New Train 81-740 | $3.99 | one-time |
| New Train 81-740 | $4.99 | one-time |
| "Krasnaya strela" color scheme | $4.99 | one-time |
| Subtransit Drive Full access | $7.99 | one-time |
| Subtransit Drive Full Access | $9.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Realistic train handling
- 🎮 Excellent simulation experience
- 🔊 Impressive sound effects
- 🎨 Stunning graphics

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🔒 Excessive monetization
- 🐛 Frequent crashes and performance issues
- 🔋 High battery consumption
- 🤔 Confusing controls

**Reported bugs**

- Game crashes when reaching stations
- Inability to sign in with Apple/Epic accounts
- Disappearing controls and UI elements

**Requested features**

- Add more subway lines and stations
- Introduce outdoor stations and weather effects
- Implement a free-roam mode
- Optimize performance for older devices


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Bus Simulator Lite free?

Bus Simulator Lite is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Subtransit Drive free?

Subtransit Drive is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Bus Simulator Lite or Subtransit Drive?

Subtransit Drive is rated higher. Bus Simulator Lite averages 3.7 out of 5 from 86 ratings, while Subtransit Drive averages 4.4 from 406 ratings.

### Do Bus Simulator Lite or Subtransit Drive have ads?

Neither Bus Simulator Lite nor Subtransit Drive shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Bus Simulator Lite or Subtransit Drive?

Bus Simulator Lite ships an update every 3 months, and Subtransit Drive monthly. Most recently, Bus Simulator Lite was updated on October 15, 2026 and Subtransit Drive on October 14, 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.*