# Bee Network vs Starling Bikes

The clearest difference is rating: Bee Network at 4.7 against Starling Bikes's 3.7. Bee Network also leads on ratings volume (2.2K vs 3) and review sentiment (18% vs 7%). 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.

Bee Network holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Bee Network has 2.2K ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 18% of Bee Network's written reviews are positive against 7% of Starling Bikes's.

Bee Network ships an update every 3 weeks, Starling Bikes fortnightly. Both last shipped on October 1, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Bee Network | Starling Bikes |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (2.2K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bee-network/id1669705230/reviews)** | [3.7 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/starling-bikes/id6475349536/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **2.2K** | 3 |
| Positive reviews | **17.6% of reviews** | 7.4% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | **Fortnightly** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 79 MB | 141 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.1 | 15.1 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Transport for Greater Manchester](https://appshunter.io/developer/1038009043) | [Beryl](https://appshunter.io/developer/1386768363) |

## What reviewers say

### Bee Network

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bee-network/id1669705230)

Plan your public transport journeys, track buses in real-time, and purchase tram and bus tickets. Find nearby stops, get live departure times, and save your favorite locations for quick access. Rate your travel experience to help shape future services.

**Highlights:** Live bus tracking, Nearest stop finder, Live departure times, Journey planning, Buy tram and bus tickets, View active tickets, Rate your journey

**Features:** Apple Wallet, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Easy to use
- 👍 Convenient information in one place
- 🚀 Great journey planning
- 👍 Improved over time

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Inaccurate bus/tram times
- 🐛 Unreliable live tracking
- 🐛 Frequent glitches and crashes
- 🐛 Logging out issues
- 🐛 Missing key features like timetables and route search

**Reported bugs**

- Buses disappearing from the app
- Incorrect ticket validation leading to fines
- App unable to load tickets or log in at times

**Requested features**

- Add offline mode for tickets
- Integrate with Apple Wallet
- Improve journey planning and route search
- Provide more detailed service disruption information


### Starling Bikes

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/starling-bikes/id6475349536)

Easily find and rent bikes or e-bikes for a faster, more convenient, and sustainable way to travel. Unlock a ride from numerous stations across Greater Manchester and enjoy a fun, efficient journey. The app guides you through starting and ending your rental.

**Highlights:** Find bike and e-bike stations, Unlock bikes via the app, Safe and easy-to-use bikes, Pay As You Ride options, Minute Bundles and passes, View promotions and rates

**Features:** Apple Wallet, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Bee Network free?

Bee Network is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Starling Bikes free?

Starling Bikes is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Bee Network or Starling Bikes?

Bee Network is rated higher. Bee Network averages 4.7 out of 5 from 2.2K ratings, while Starling Bikes averages 3.7 from 3 ratings.

### Do Bee Network or Starling Bikes have ads?

Neither Bee Network nor Starling Bikes shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Bee Network or Starling Bikes?

Bee Network ships an update every 3 weeks, and Starling Bikes fortnightly. Most recently, Bee Network was updated on October 1, 2026 and Starling Bikes on October 1, 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.*