CATS vs ECU Ride
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
ECU Ride
This ridesharing service connects members of a university community for convenient and reliable travel. Book rides with a few taps, track your journey in real-time, and share rides with others heading in the same direction for efficient transit.
- On-demand ridesharing
- Real-time ride tracking
- Shared rides for efficiency
- Wheelchair accessible vehicles
- Book for multiple passengers
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ECU Ride is a smart way for members of the East Carolina University community to travel in and around ECU! We’re a ridesharing service that’s smart, easy, and reliable. With a few taps, book a ride in the app and our technology will pair you with other people headed your way. HOW IT WORKS: -Enter your pick-up and drop-off locations and we’ll tell you the best option available at that time. -Book rides directly in the app for yourself and any additional passengers. -Never miss your ride with live arrival times and ride tracking for your journey. -There may be others on board, or you may make a few additional stops along the way! SHARED: Our algorithm matches people headed in the same direction. This means you’re getting the convenience of a private ride with the efficiency and reliability of a public one. AFFORDABLE: All ECU Ride rides are fare free. Your wallet will thank you! ACCESSIBLE: The app allows you to travel in a vehicle that meets your mobility needs, with wheelchair accessible vehicles (WAVs) available as needed. Loving your experience so far? Give us a 5-star rating.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: CATS at 54% against ECU Ride's 0%. CATS also leads on rating (4.8 vs 1.5) and ratings volume (17K vs 13). ECU Ride's advantage is update cadence (every 5 weeks vs 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
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 1.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: CATS has 17K ratings behind it against 13, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 54% of CATS's written reviews are positive against 0% of ECU Ride's.
CATS ships an update every 4 months, ECU Ride every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | CATS | ECU Ride |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.8 (17K ratings) — better | 1.5 (13 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 53.7% of reviews — better | 0.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 17K — better | 13 |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | Every 5 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free — better | Ad-supported |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 16.6 | 15.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 122 MB | 128 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | City of Charlotte | Via Transportation, Inc. |
Customer experience
CATS
ECU Ride
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
ECU Ride
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
CATS
No in-app purchases
ECU Ride
No in-app purchases
