Explore Shanghai vs MetroMan China
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Explore Shanghai
Navigate Shanghai's metro system with an up-to-date, offline map and route planner. Features include GPS station finder, integrated street maps for exits, and support for English and Chinese.
- Up-to-date metro map
- Offline functionality
- Route planner
- GPS nearest station finder
- Integrated street maps
- English and Chinese support
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Recommended by CNN and Lonely Planet, this is Shanghai's best subway map! Up-to-date with all the metro lines; Works offline; Routeplanner, GPS, Street maps; English and Chinese included. Download the app completely free! The free app is ad-supported. Upgrade to VIP features if you'd like to get extra features, remove ads and support future development! WHY EXPLOREMETRO? 1. Fully up-to-date Accurate metro map, includes every station on every line. Free updates for future station openings and timetable changes. 2. Designed for the latest devices Our gorgeous maps have been fully redesigned for the latest iOS devices. Runs on all iOS11-14 devices. 3. Designed for iPad Specially redesigned interface for the larger iPad screen with split screen. Drag and drop station names, tips, maps and timetables into other apps. 4. Street maps for every station Need to get your bearings at a station? Integrated Street maps show you metro exits and nearby streets for every station. 5. Route-planner A really easy route-planner. Get route and time information for any journey with just three taps. 6. "Find my nearest station" Using your GPS, see a list of the closest metro stations to your current location. 7. Works offline Everything works without an Internet connection. Search stations and plan routes on the go. UPGRADE TO VIP FOR EVEN MORE FEATURES I've been developing this app for more than 10 years. Upgrading to VIP helps support future development of the app. VIP users get additional features, like NO ADS, accurate prices for every journey, first/last train times, offline street maps, tips at every station, and a general warm fuzzy feeling. REVIEWS CNN Travel: "These maps are very easy on the eye and simple to navigate. They work offline and also include free updates of stations that have yet to be completed, operating hours and schedules." Lonely Planet: "Easy to use, up to date and work offline. Very handy, especially when they've run out of paper maps at the stations." SUGGESTIONS We'd love to hear your comments and suggestions on ways to improve the app. Please contact us via support@exploremetro.com, as we can't respond to comments left in the reviews. -- Shanghai Shentong Metro Group Co. , Ltd requires that we add the following disclaimer: "Explore Shanghai is not the official App of Shanghai Metro, and it is in no way associated with Shanghai Shentong Metro Group Co. , Ltd., nor does it pretend to represent them"
MetroMan China
Navigate China's extensive metro systems with this comprehensive transit planner. It offers accurate maps, route planning with fare and time estimates, and works offline. Supports 11 languages and covers 53 major cities across China.
- Updated metro maps for 2026
- Offline route planner
- Detailed route, time, and fare info
- 11 language support
- Coverage for 53 cities
- Ad-free Pro version available
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This is China's Best Metro App. 1. Fully Updated for 2026 Accurate metro maps and comprehensive metro information. 2. Route Planner A simple and efficient route planner. Get detailed route, time, and fare information. 3. Works Offline No internet connection required. 4. 4 Languages Supported English, 简体中文, 繁體中文, 日本語 5. 53 Cities Covered Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Hong Kong, Taipei, Nanjing, Chongqing, Wuhan, Chengdu, Tianjin, Dalian, Suzhou, Hangzhou, Zhengzhou, Xi'an, Kunming, Ningbo, Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Hong Kong, Macau, Taipei, Taichung, Kaohsiung, Changchun, Changsha, Changzhou, Chengdu, Chongqing, Chuzhou, Dalian, Dongguan, Foshan, Fuzhou, Guiyang, Haining, Hangzhou, Harbin, Hefei, Hohhot, Jinan, Jinhua, Kunming, Lanzhou, Luoyang, Nanchang, Nanjing, Nanning, Nantong, Ningbo, Qingdao, Shaoxing, Shenyang, Shijiazhuang, Suzhou, Taiyuan, Taizhou, Tianjin, Urumqi, Wenzhou, Wuhan, Wuhu, Wuxi, Xiamen, Xi'an, Xuchang, Xuzhou, Zhengzhou ---- ** MetroMan Pro Features ** • Ad-free Experience • Unlock All Pro Features • Support Ongoing Updates ---- ** Purchase & Subscription Terms ** * MetroMan Pro Lifetime: $14.99 USD (One-time purchase to unlock all features forever) * Auto-Renewable Subscription Options: - Monthly subscription: $1.99 USD - Yearly subscription: $7.99 USD * Payment will be charged to your iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase. * Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period. * Your account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period. * You can manage your subscriptions and turn off auto-renewal by going to your App Store Account Settings after purchase. * Pricing may vary by location. ** Privacy Policy ** https://www.metroman.cn/en/privacy ** Terms of Service ** https://www.metroman.cn/en/terms
Screenshots
Verdict
Explore Shanghai and MetroMan China both sit at 4.7 stars, but that hides the real split: 80% of Explore Shanghai's written reviews are positive against 67% of MetroMan China's. Explore Shanghai also leads on iOS requirement (14.0 vs 17.0). On price, rating, ratings volume and update cadence 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
Both are free to download. Explore Shanghai sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and MetroMan China sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for Explore Shanghai against 4.7 for MetroMan China. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1.3K and 2K respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 80% of Explore Shanghai's written reviews are positive against 67% of MetroMan China's.
Explore Shanghai ships an update every 2 months, MetroMan China monthly. Both last shipped on November 6, 2026.
| Parameter | Explore Shanghai | MetroMan China |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.7 (1.3K ratings) — better | 4.7 (2K ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 80.5% of reviews — better | 66.8% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 1.3K | 2K — better |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Monthly — better |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 14.0 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 53 MB | 83 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | ExploreMetro | EXPANSE LLC |
Customer experience
Explore Shanghai
MetroMan China
User reviews
Explore Shanghai
From 1.3K App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🚀 Efficient route planning
- 👍 User-friendly interface
- 🗺️ Accurate and up-to-date maps
- 🔊 Voice announcements for station names
- 💰 Helpful fare and travel time information
Room to improve
- 🐛 Missing new metro lines and stations
- 🗺️ Lack of offline street maps
- 💰 Paid features not worth the cost
- 🔄 Restore purchases not working
- 📢 Ads in paid version
MetroMan China
From 2K App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 👍 Helpful for travel planning
- 🚀 Efficient route planning
- 📍 Accurate metro maps
- 💡 Useful features like station exits
Room to improve
- 🐛 Buggy and crashes frequently
- 💸 Aggressive and intrusive ads
- 🙈 Difficult to close ads or navigate app
- ⚠️ Outdated metro information
Bugs and requests
Explore Shanghai
Reported bugs
3 issues- Crashes and freezes on certain devices
- Nearest station feature not working
- Inaccurate route planning and travel times
Requested features
5 requests- Offline street maps with station exits
- Chinese character support for station names
- Integration with Google Maps for directions
- Customizable route planning options
- Closure times for specific metro lines
MetroMan China
Reported bugs
4 issues- App gets stuck on ads, making it unusable
- Crashes when switching between cities
- Metro maps not showing latest line updates
- Difficulty dismissing full-screen ads
Requested features
4 requests- Offline map support
- Option to disable ads or pay for ad-free version
- More up-to-date metro line information
- Landscape mode support
In-app purchases
Explore Shanghai
- VIP mode$4.99
MetroMan China
- Monthly$0.991 Month
- Quarterly$1.993 Months
- Pro (Monthly)$1.991 Month
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- Yearly3 Days trial$5.991 Year
- Pro (Yearly)$7.991 Year
- Pro (Lifetime)$14.99
Questions
Is Explore Shanghai free?
Is MetroMan China free?
Which has better reviews, Explore Shanghai or MetroMan China?
Do Explore Shanghai or MetroMan China have ads?
Which is updated more often, Explore Shanghai or MetroMan China?
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