Comparison

CDTA Navigator vs Pay Box Timer

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

Head to head
About

CDTA Navigator

This app provides real-time transit information, mobile ticketing, and trip planning for New York's Capital Region. It offers features like contactless payments, fare capping, and integration with bike-sharing and on-demand services for a convenient travel experience.

Highlights
  • Real-time bus arrivals and location tracking
  • Mobile ticketing and contactless payments
  • Fare capping with daily best fare
  • Integration with CDPHP Cycle! and DRIVE
  • Access to Flex On Demand transit
  • Enhanced security for account balances
Features
Read full description

Introducing CDTA's Navigator: Your Passport to travel in New York’s Capital Region! Customers will discover a world of convenience and efficiency with enhanced features in the upgraded Navigator app. You can unlock a seamless transit experience featuring real-time arrivals, precise location tracking, and seamless access to Flex on Demand service! If you are looking for a multimodal trip, users will have streamlined access to CDPHP Cycle! and DRIVE. It's time to embark on all new journeys with the CDTA Navigator app! When you upgrade to the Navigator app, you’ll enjoy the following benefits: Mobile Payments Made Easy: Load transit products directly onto your mobile phone for quick and contactless payments, anytime, anywhere! Simply scan and go! Enhanced Security: When you register for a Navigator account, your balance is fully protected even if your card or mobile device gets misplaced or stolen. Travel with peace of mind, knowing that your funds are secure. Daily Cap (Best Fare): Navigator's Pay As You Go feature automatically charges you the "best fare" ($1.30) for every trip, ensuring that you never pay more than the cost of a day pass ($3.90). Enjoy unlimited rides without breaking the bank. Real-Time Arrivals and Location Services: Stay one step ahead with real-time arrival time updates. With Navigator, you'll know exactly when your bus will reach you and your destination. Additionally, our precise location tracking feature lets you navigate the Capital Region with ease. Access to Flex Transit On Demand and CDPHP Cycle: You can now seamlessly connect with FLEX On Demand and CDPHP Cycle through the Navigator app. Enjoy the flexibility of on-demand transit and the convenience of bike-sharing, all within the same user-friendly interface. Faster Boarding: Say hello to efficient boarding. Navigator's smart cards and contactless mobile tickets expedite the boarding process, making your trips faster and smoother. Get where you need to go in no time! For more information and assistance, visit our Navigator App Questions page at https://www.cdta.org/navigator-app-questions. Our dedicated support team is ready to assist you every step of the way. Please note that an internet connection is required to access all of Navigator’s features and benefits.

About

Pay Box Timer

This mobile payment system allows property managers to charge tenants for using washing machines. It attaches to any washer model, enabling automated billing for each use.

Highlights
  • Mobile payment system for washers
  • Charge tenants per wash cycle
  • Attaches to any washer model
  • Automated billing
Features
Read full description

Take any regular washer and add this mobile phone payment system. By doing so can charge tenants every time washing machine is used. Limited Resources mobile phone payment system attaches to any manufacturer’s model washers.

Screenshots

CDTA Navigator4 screens
Pay Box Timer3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: CDTA Navigator at 4.2 against Pay Box Timer's 1.7. CDTA Navigator also leads on ratings volume (1.2K vs 6) and update cadence (every 5 months vs every 15 months). Pay Box Timer's advantage is iOS requirement (12.0 vs 14.0). On price, review sentiment, 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.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

CDTA Navigator holds the better App Store score, 4.2 against 1.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: CDTA Navigator has 1.2K ratings behind it against 6, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 32% of CDTA Navigator's written reviews are positive against 33% of Pay Box Timer's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

CDTA Navigator ships an update every 5 months, Pay Box Timer every 15 months. The most recent releases landed on October 11, 2026 and September 26, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
CDTA Navigator versus Pay Box Timer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCDTA NavigatorPay Box Timer
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.2 (1.2K ratings) — better1.7 (6 ratings)
Positive reviews32.3% of reviews33.3% of reviews — better
Number of ratings1.2K — better6
Update frequencyEvery 5 months — betterEvery 15 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS14.012.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size176 MB30 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperCDTA - Capital District Transportation Authoritylimitedressources

Customer experience

CDTA Navigator

All ratings1,223 ratings
Positive80.6%
Neutral2.2%
Negative17.2%
Written reviews195 reviews
Positive32.3%
Neutral8.7%
Negative59.0%

Pay Box Timer

All ratings6 ratings
Positive16.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative83.3%
Written reviews6 reviews
Positive33.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative66.7%

Bugs and requests

CDTA Navigator

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • App crashes or freezes
  • Inability to add payment methods
  • Incorrect bus arrival times
  • Disappearing bus passes
  • Faulty GPS location tracking

Requested features

5 requests
  • Improved real-time bus tracking
  • Better integration with other transit apps
  • Ability to report issues directly through the app
  • More flexible payment options
  • Expanded service areas and route coverage

Pay Box Timer

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

CDTA Navigator

No in-app purchases

None

Pay Box Timer

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is CDTA Navigator free?
CDTA Navigator is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Pay Box Timer free?
Pay Box Timer is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, CDTA Navigator or Pay Box Timer?
CDTA Navigator is rated higher. CDTA Navigator averages 4.2 out of 5 from 1.2K ratings, while Pay Box Timer averages 1.7 from 6 ratings.
Do CDTA Navigator or Pay Box Timer have ads?
Neither CDTA Navigator nor Pay Box Timer shows ads.
Which is updated more often, CDTA Navigator or Pay Box Timer?
CDTA Navigator ships an update every 5 months, and Pay Box Timer every 15 months. Most recently, CDTA Navigator was updated on October 11, 2026 and Pay Box Timer on September 26, 2026.

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