Comparison

Contactless e vs GBA Ferries

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

Head to head
About

Contactless e

This app allows eligible Hong Kong residents to enroll in a contactless e-Channel service. Generate a QR code on your phone for faster, more convenient, and hygienic immigration clearance by using facial verification without touching shared equipment.

Highlights
  • Enroll in contactless e-Channel service
  • Generate encrypted e-Channel QR code
  • Facial verification for immigration
  • Reduce contact with shared equipment
  • Faster and more convenient clearance
  • Requires "iAM Smart" app for registration
Read full description

Contactless e-Channel Mobile Application facilitates eligible Hong Kong residents to enrol Contactless e-Channel Service. After enrolment, Hong Kong residents can use an encrypted e-Channel QR code generated from their personal mobile phones to enter the contactless e-Channels. Inside the contactless e-Channels, they may simply look at the camera from the marked location to perform facial verification through the system. The immigration clearance is subsequently conducted. During the process, there will be no need to touch shared equipment viz. the fingerprint scanner. Contactless e-Channels would enable members of the public to reduce contact with shared equipment during self-service immigration clearance; while providing faster, more convenient and hygienic immigration clearance service. Enrolment of Contactless e-Channel Service via Contactless e-Channel Mobile Application: ● Use mobile device with biometric authentication functions enabled to download and install the contactless e-Channel mobile application and the "智方便 iAM Smart" app ● Register and activate "iAM Smart" ● Open the contactless e-Channel mobile application and select enrolment ● Wait for the identity verification via "iAM Smart" after reading the statement and submitting the application ● Perform mobile phone built-in biometric authentication to complete the enrolment upon successful identity verification ● Generate e-Channel QR code for immigration clearance via the contactless e-Channels once the above steps are completed Notes: ● Consent of your parent or guardian is required if you are aged from 11 to 17. ● Using Immigration Department Mobile Application, data transmission fees may be incurred for transmitting data through mobile devices. You are suggested keeping track of data usage from time to time.

About

GBA Ferries

Features
Read full description

High-Speed Ferry Booking: Hong Kong, Macau & Guangdong Book tickets for high-speed ferries between Hong Kong, Macau, and Guangdong cities like Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Zhongshan, Zhuhai, Foshan Shunde, and Dongguan. Featured Ferry Companies: TurboJET, Cotai Water Jet, CKS, Yuetong Shipping, China Merchants, Pengxing Shipping, Shun Gang, Humen Port, Jiuzhou Port, Nanshan Port. Key Routes Include: • Shekou Terminal:​ To Macau (Taipa/Outer Harbour) & Hong Kong (HK-Macau Ferry Terminal/Airport SkyPier) • Shenzhen Airport Fuyong:​ To Macau (Taipa/Outer Harbour) & Hong Kong (China Hong Kong City/Airport SkyPier) • China Hong Kong City:​ To Macau Taipa, Zhuhai Jiuzhou, Foshan Shunde • Hong Kong-Macau Ferry Terminal:​ To Macau (Taipa/Outer Harbour) & Shenzhen Shekou • Hong Kong Airport SkyPier:​ To Guangzhou Nansha, Shenzhen Shekou, Dongguan Humen, Zhongshan • Macau Taipa:​ To Hong Kong (China Hong Kong City/HK-Macau Ferry Terminal) & Shenzhen (Airport/Shekou) • Macau Outer Harbour:​ To Hong Kong-Macau Ferry Terminal & Shenzhen Shekou • Zhuhai Jiuzhou:​ To Hong Kong (China Hong Kong City/HK-Macau Ferry Terminal) & Shenzhen Shekou • Zhongshan Port:​ To China Hong Kong City & Hong Kong Airport SkyPier • Dongguan Humen / Guangzhou Nansha / Pazhou Port:​ To Hong Kong (China Hong Kong City/Airport SkyPier) Regulated by the Travel Industry Authority of Hong Kong. License No. 354122. How to Book: Open app → Select departure/arrival cities & terminals → Choose passengers (Adult/Child/Senior) → Enter contact info → Pay. Payment:​ WeChat Pay, Alipay, Credit Card. Ticket Issuance:​ Instant upon payment. Boarding: Arrive 10-15 minutes early. Show your QR code to staff to receive your boarding pass. Ferries depart on time. Early Arrival:​ Staff may assist with an earlier sailing if seats are available. Late Arrival:​ A new ticket is required. Cancellation/Changes: Contact Online Customer Service or call +852 2121 0200.

Screenshots

Contactless e4 screens
GBA Ferries4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is iOS requirement: Contactless e at 13.0 against GBA Ferries's 15.0. On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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

Contactless e ships an update every 3 weeks, GBA Ferries every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 22, 2026 and September 18, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
Contactless e versus GBA Ferries: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterContactless eGBA Ferries
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.9 (9 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews14.3% of reviews—
Number of ratings9 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPod
Requires iOS13.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size37 MB64 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperHong Kong Immigration DepartmentHOPETRIP (HK) LIMITED

In-app purchases

None

Contactless e

No in-app purchases

None

GBA Ferries

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Contactless e free?
Contactless e is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is GBA Ferries free?
GBA Ferries is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Contactless e or GBA Ferries have ads?
Neither Contactless e nor GBA Ferries shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Contactless e or GBA Ferries?
Contactless e ships an update every 3 weeks, and GBA Ferries every 2 weeks. Most recently, Contactless e was updated on September 22, 2026 and GBA Ferries on September 18, 2026.

Other comparisons