CATS vs MicroCAT Powered by Via
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
CATS
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.
- 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
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It’s the way to pay! CATS-Pass is the official mobile ticketing app for the Charlotte Area Transit System. CATS-Pass offers a convenient way for you to purchase and use tickets instantly on your smartphone – anywhere, anytime. CATS-Pass also gives you access to trip planning tools. Download the app, buy your transit pass and plan your trip, right from your phone. Features include: • Purchase passes instantly via debit/credit card, Apple Pay or Google Pay • Step-by-step travel directions • Cash Wallet feature • Personalize the app by saving your favorite routes and pass types • Connect to other CATS Apps including: ◦ CATS See/Say ◦ CATS Art In Transit ◦ TrackCATS
MicroCAT Powered by Via
This app offers on-demand, shared rides within Albemarle County. Request a trip from your current location to your destination and be picked up by a low-emissions microtransit van. Track your ride in real-time and enjoy an affordable, sustainable way to travel.
- On-demand ride requests
- Real-time vehicle tracking
- Shared rides for affordability
- Low-emissions vehicles
- Sustainable transportation option
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Give MicroCAT a try! How does it work? MicroCAT is a low-emissions microtransit service that provides on-demand rides for Albemarle County residents. To reserve your ride: Request a ride departing from your current location Enter your destination Get picked up by a MicroCAT van How long will I wait? Wait times vary. Track your reserved vehicle in real-time using the MicroCAT app. What we’re about: SHARED. Our algorithm matches people headed in the same direction. This means you’re getting the convenience and comfort of a private ride with the efficiency, speed, and affordability of a public one. AFFORDABLE. Aggregating people into one vehicle brings down prices. Enough said. SUSTAINABLE. Sharing rides reduces the number of vehicles on the roads, bringing down congestion and CO2 emissions. With a couple of taps, you get to do your part to make your community a little bit greener and cleaner, every time you ride. Questions? Reach out at support-microcat@ridewithvia.com or give us a call +1 434-442-2466. Loving your experience so far? Throw us a 5-star rating. You’ll have our eternal gratitude.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is monetization model: CATS at free against MicroCAT Powered by Via's free with in-app purchases. CATS also leads on ratings volume (17K vs 305). MicroCAT Powered by Via's advantage is update cadence (every 6 weeks vs every 4 months). On price, rating, review sentiment and ads there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for CATS against 4.9 for MicroCAT Powered by Via. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: CATS has 17K ratings behind it against 305, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 53% of CATS's written reviews are positive against 50% of MicroCAT Powered by Via's.
CATS ships an update every 4 months, MicroCAT Powered by Via every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | CATS | MicroCAT Powered by Via |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.8 (17K ratings) | 4.9 (305 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 53.3% of reviews — better | 50.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 17K — better | 305 |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | Every 6 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 16.6 | 15.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 122 MB | 130 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | City of Charlotte | Via Transportation, Inc. |
Customer experience
CATS
MicroCAT Powered by Via
Bugs and requests
CATS
Reported bugs
3 issues- Unable to create new user accounts
- Keyboard issues during sign-up process
- Discrepancies between app and physical bus stop times
Requested features
4 requests- Ability to delete payment methods
- Improved bus and train schedule information
- Notifications for bus arrival times
- Discounted passes for seniors and disabled riders
MicroCAT Powered by Via
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
CATS
No in-app purchases
MicroCAT Powered by Via
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is CATS free?
Is MicroCAT Powered by Via free?
Which has better reviews, CATS or MicroCAT Powered by Via?
Do CATS or MicroCAT Powered by Via have ads?
Which is updated more often, CATS or MicroCAT Powered by Via?
Other comparisons
