# CATS vs A

The clearest difference is review sentiment: CATS at 53% against A's 0%. CATS also leads on rating (4.8 vs 1.0) and ratings volume (17K vs 1). A's advantage is device support (3 vs 1). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

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

CATS holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 1.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: CATS has 17K ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 53% of CATS's written reviews are positive against 0% of A's.

CATS ships an update every 4 months, A every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 28, 2026 and October 22, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | CATS | A |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (17K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cats-pass/id1570679604/reviews)** | [1.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/a-ride/id6502869422/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **17K** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | **53.3% of reviews** | 0.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | **Every 3 months** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 122 MB | 74 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.6 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [City of Charlotte](https://appshunter.io/developer/366647746) | [Ecolane USA, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1275719559) |

## What reviewers say

### CATS

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cats-pass/id1570679604)

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.

**Highlights:** 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

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

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy to use and navigate
- 🚀 Convenient ticket purchasing
- 💡 Helpful for events and concerts
- 🚀 Real-time bus tracking

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional app crashes or bugs
- 🔒 Restrictive device limit issues
- 🔒 Difficult to manage payment methods
- 🕰️ Inaccurate bus schedule information

**Reported bugs**

- Unable to create new user accounts
- Keyboard issues during sign-up process
- Discrepancies between app and physical bus stop times

**Requested features**

- Ability to delete payment methods
- Improved bus and train schedule information
- Notifications for bus arrival times
- Discounted passes for seniors and disabled riders


### A

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/a-ride/id6502869422)

Manage your transit trips directly from your smartphone. View upcoming and past journeys, cancel rides, and receive real-time vehicle arrival estimates. Track your shuttle's location on a map for reduced wait times.

**Highlights:** Manage and cancel trips, View upcoming and completed trips, Real-time vehicle ETAs, Track shuttle location on map, 24/7 account access, Save favorite destinations

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is CATS free?

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

### Is A free?

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

### Which has better reviews, CATS or A?

CATS is rated higher. CATS averages 4.8 out of 5 from 17K ratings, while A averages 1.0 from 1 ratings.

### Do CATS or A have ads?

Neither CATS nor A shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, CATS or A?

CATS ships an update every 4 months, and A every 3 months. Most recently, CATS was updated on October 28, 2026 and A on October 22, 2026.

---

*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*