Comparison

Zipcab vs Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac)

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

Head to head
About

Zipcab

Features
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Diverse vehicle options to choose the vehicles according to rider needs The detailed information of the drivers will be shown to riders Indulge with the live tracking option to track the exact location of the driver Rapid live updates regarding the trip details including arrival and confirmation of the trips Estimating the fare for the riders to know the exact payable amount based on distance, and mode of the vehicle Rider can pay for their ride via card or cash Rider can track current and past Trips Providing information and payments in more than one language and currencies In-call option for the rider to know their exact location. Cancellation option is provided before commencing their ride Exact fare will be shown after completion of the ride. Rate the ride to share their opinion for others. Registration process via SMS for verification process Rider can change their password and mobile number according to their wish Get to know the app version and updates on the Legal menu.

About

Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac)

Plan and manage your ferry journeys to Scotland's islands. Get real-time service updates, check timetables, and book tickets for over 50 island destinations. Your essential companion for exploring the Clyde and Hebridean islands.

Highlights
  • Real-time service updates
  • Ferry timetables and fare information
  • Ticketing and booking
  • Favorite route management
  • Island destination information
  • Push notifications for service status
Features
Read full description

Ready to explore Scotland's stunning islands? The CalMac app is your ultimate on-the-move travel companion, helping to make your journey stress-free and straightforward. From checking timetables to planning your next adventure or receiving service updates, we're with you every step of the way. Manage your entire trip from start to finish, connecting you to over 50 incredible locations across the Clyde and Hebridean islands. Key Features: - Stay informed: Get instant push notifications on service status for your routes. - Plan your trip: Access timetables, fare information and our ticketing site to effortlessly plan your island escape. - Save your favourites: Quickly access information and updates for your frequently used routes. - Find answers: Our help centre is packed with answers to all your travel questions. Discover your island escape: Scotland's islands offer something for everyone, from breathtaking landscapes to rich history and heritage. Not compatible with iPad

Screenshots

Zipcab4 screens
Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac)4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Zipcab at every 3 weeks against Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac)'s every 2 months. Zipcab also leads on iOS requirement (11.0 vs 17.0). 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

Zipcab ships an update every 3 weeks, Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac) every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 19, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Zipcab versus Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac): the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterZipcabCaledonian MacBrayne (CalMac)
PriceFreeFree
Rating—5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—6.0% of reviews
Number of ratings—1 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
Monetization—Free
DevicesiPhone, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS11.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size67 MB27 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperZip CabCalMac Ferries Limited

Bugs and requests

Zipcab

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac)

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • App crashes frequently
  • Login process is buggy
  • Inconsistent and contradictory information

Requested features

3 requests
  • Ability to view route information in both directions
  • Improved real-time service updates
  • Better integration with website and booking process

In-app purchases

None

Zipcab

No in-app purchases

None

Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac)

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Zipcab free?
Zipcab is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac) free?
Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac) is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Zipcab or Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac) have ads?
Neither Zipcab nor Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac) shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Zipcab or Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac)?
Zipcab ships an update every 3 weeks, and Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac) every 2 months. Most recently, Zipcab was updated on October 19, 2026 and Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac) on October 24, 2026.

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