# LCTA SmartPay vs PonyPlus by MCTA

The clearest difference is rating: PonyPlus by MCTA at 4.8 against LCTA SmartPay's 3.3. PonyPlus by MCTA also leads on ratings volume (142 vs 7). LCTA SmartPay's advantage is monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

PonyPlus by MCTA holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: PonyPlus by MCTA has 142 ratings behind it against 7, so its average is the more settled of the two.

LCTA SmartPay ships an update every 3 weeks, PonyPlus by MCTA monthly. Both last shipped on October 30, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | LCTA SmartPay | PonyPlus by MCTA |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.3 (7 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lcta-smartpay/id1641316439/reviews) | **[4.8 (142 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ponyplus-by-mcta/id6451354346/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 7 | **142** |
| Positive reviews | 20.0% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 weeks** | Monthly |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 73 MB | 131 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.1 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Modeshift Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1504685070) | [Via Transportation, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/657777018) |

## What reviewers say

### LCTA SmartPay

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lcta-smartpay/id1641316439)

Plan your public transit journeys, purchase tickets, and validate them all from your smartphone. This app offers real-time departure and arrival information, secure payment options, and a simple interface for a seamless travel experience.

**Highlights:** Trip planning with integrated map, Real-time departure and arrival times, Secure ticket and pass purchases, Digital ticket storage, Onboard validation via QR code, Intuitive and friendly interface

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### PonyPlus by MCTA

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ponyplus-by-mcta/id6451354346)

On-demand public transit that comes to you for short, affordable rides. Book and pay directly in the app for convenient travel within specific areas of Monroe County, PA. Connect to existing bus routes for extended journeys.

**Highlights:** On-demand rides, Book and pay in-app, Affordable $2 rides, Service areas: Pocono Summit & Tri-Boro, Connects to bus routes, Monday-Friday service

**Features:** Apple Wallet

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is LCTA SmartPay free?

LCTA SmartPay is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is PonyPlus by MCTA free?

PonyPlus by MCTA is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, LCTA SmartPay or PonyPlus by MCTA?

PonyPlus by MCTA is rated higher. LCTA SmartPay averages 3.3 out of 5 from 7 ratings, while PonyPlus by MCTA averages 4.8 from 142 ratings.

### Do LCTA SmartPay or PonyPlus by MCTA have ads?

Neither LCTA SmartPay nor PonyPlus by MCTA shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, LCTA SmartPay or PonyPlus by MCTA?

LCTA SmartPay ships an update every 3 weeks, and PonyPlus by MCTA monthly. Most recently, LCTA SmartPay was updated on October 30, 2026 and PonyPlus by MCTA on October 30, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*