Comparison

CATS vs CATS On Demand

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

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.

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
Read full description

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

About

CATS On Demand

Features
Read full description

Think of CATS On Demand as a whole new way to get around Baton Rouge — a ridesharing service that’s smart, easy, affordable, and green. With just a few taps, you can book an on-demand ride in the app, and our technology will pair you with other people headed your way. No detours, no delays. How it works: Book a ride on your phone. Get picked up on a nearby corner. Share your ride with others. Save cash and reduce carbon emissions. What we’re about: SHARED. Our corner-to-corner 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. Eligible users can also pay using pre-tax transit dollars through approved commuter benefit debit cards. 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 city a little bit greener and cleaner, every time you ride. Questions? Reach out at support-catsparatransit@ridewithvia.com. Loving your experience so far? Throw us a 5-star rating. You’ll have our eternal gratitude.

Screenshots

CATS3 screens
CATS On Demand4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: CATS On Demand at every 5 weeks against CATS's every 4 months. On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

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

UpkeepUpdate frequency

CATS ships an update every 4 months, CATS On Demand every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 10, 2026 and November 8, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
CATS versus CATS On Demand: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCATSCATS On Demand
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (17K ratings) — better—
Positive reviews53.7% of reviews—
Number of ratings17K — better—
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsEvery 5 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.615.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size122 MB129 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperCity of CharlotteVia Transportation, Inc.

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

CATS On Demand

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

CATS

No in-app purchases

None

CATS On Demand

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is CATS free?
CATS is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is CATS On Demand free?
CATS On Demand is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do CATS or CATS On Demand have ads?
Neither CATS nor CATS On Demand shows ads.
Which is updated more often, CATS or CATS On Demand?
CATS ships an update every 4 months, and CATS On Demand every 5 weeks. Most recently, CATS was updated on November 10, 2026 and CATS On Demand on November 8, 2026.

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