Comparison

Sm@rtBus vs HATS Parent App

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

Head to head
About

Sm@rtBus

This app provides real-time bus arrival information for your local bus stop. It displays scheduled times, bus numbers, destinations, and actual arrival times for the next hour. It also offers audible announcements for visually impaired users, enhancing accessibility.

Highlights
  • Real-time bus arrival information
  • Next bus predictions within the hour
  • Bus number, destination, and scheduled time
  • Audible announcements for visually impaired users
  • Clear, easy-to-read visual display
  • No additional subscription charges
Features
Read full description

SmartBus is a discrete addition to bus stops that provides real-time information for people waiting to catch a bus. A small box containing the electronics is banded to the top of the pole and transmits information to a person waiting to catch a bus, via the SmartBus App. The App gives real-time information for the next buses due to arrive at the bus stop within the hour. It gives the name of the bus stop, the scheduled time of the bus, along with its number, destination and actual time of arrival. For visually Impaired people it audibly announces the information to them for example “April Close Bus Stop, The time now is 13:31. The 13:32 bus number 425 to Oldham at 13:32 is expected at 13:32” This completely enhances the lives of Visually Impaired people and allows them to catch a bus as easily as everyone else. At a fraction of the price of other RTI systems and with no additional subscription charges to the end user or Local Authority/Bus service provider SmartBus is the solution to total inclusivity. It has a clear, easy to read visual display providing the information required regarding buses due in the next hour at the bus stop. Having the information audible for Visually Impaired people can completely enhance their lives for something sighted people merely take for granted.

About

HATS Parent App

Read full description

This app allows parents and guardians to view and manage their children’s travel needs that are provided by the HATS Group, on selected routes You can view the details of your registered child’s upcoming and completed school run journeys in the app. Tap on "add tracking profile" and enter the details of your child. HATS Group will supply the credentials of the children to the parents or guardians.

Screenshots

Sm@rtBus4 screens
HATS Parent App4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Sm@rtBus at every 2 months against HATS Parent App's every 24 months. On price, in-app purchases and iOS requirement 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

Sm@rtBus ships an update every 2 months, HATS Parent App every 24 months. The most recent releases landed on October 18, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 7 level
Sm@rtBus versus HATS Parent App: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSm@rtBusHATS Parent App
PriceFreeFree
Positive reviews0.0% of reviews—
Update frequencyEvery 2 months — betterEvery 24 months
AdsNo—
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone — better—
Requires iOS16.0 — better16.2
Further details — not scored
Size12 MB77 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperStephen PearsonHATS GROUP LTD

In-app purchases

None

Sm@rtBus

No in-app purchases

None

HATS Parent App

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Sm@rtBus free?
Sm@rtBus is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is HATS Parent App free?
HATS Parent App is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which is updated more often, Sm@rtBus or HATS Parent App?
Sm@rtBus ships an update every 2 months, and HATS Parent App every 24 months. Most recently, Sm@rtBus was updated on October 18, 2026 and HATS Parent App on October 25, 2026.

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