CATS vs Salisbury Connect
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
Salisbury Connect
Book rideshares in Salisbury, North Carolina, with this smart and easy-to-use app. It matches you with others heading your way for efficient travel. Track your driver in real-time and pay via the app or with cash.
- Book rideshares
- Real-time vehicle tracking
- In-app payment options
- Shared trip efficiency
- Wheelchair accessible vehicles
- Share trip status
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Salisbury Connect is a new way to get around Salisbury, North Carolina. 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: - Book a ride by setting your pickup and dropoff addresses, and indicating if you’re riding with any additional passengers. - Once you book your ride, you can easily track the vehicle on its way to your pickup location. - When your driver arrives, please promptly board the vehicle. You can pay with debit/credit through the app, or you can pay your cash or ticket fare when boarding. - There may be others on board, or you may make a few additional stops along the way! You can track your ride and share your status in real-time from the app. SHARING YOUR TRIP: 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. RELIABLE: Track your ride as the driver is on their way to you, and while you’re on the vehicle too. Salisbury Connect is wheelchair accessible! If you ride in a wheelchair, please click “Accessibility” in the app menu and submit the “Accessibility Request Form.” Our team will review your request and update your profile. When you request a ride, you’ll be matched with a wheelchair accessible vehicle. Questions? Reach out at support-salisbury@ridedowntowner.com.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: CATS at 54% against Salisbury Connect's 0%. CATS also leads on rating (4.8 vs 2.6) and ratings volume (17K vs 7). Salisbury Connect's advantage is update cadence (every 3 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 2.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: CATS has 17K ratings behind it against 7, 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 Salisbury Connect's.
CATS ships an update every 4 months, Salisbury Connect every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 11, 2026 and November 9, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | CATS | Salisbury Connect |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.8 (17K ratings) — better | 2.6 (7 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 53.7% of reviews — better | 0.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 17K — better | 7 |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | Every 3 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 | 129 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | City of Charlotte | Via Transportation, Inc. |
Customer experience
CATS
Salisbury Connect
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
Salisbury Connect
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
CATS
No in-app purchases
Salisbury Connect
No in-app purchases








