# Explore Shanghai vs Spotlo

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Spotlo at none against Explore Shanghai's 1. Spotlo also leads on ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 3 days vs every 2 months). On price, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Explore Shanghai sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Spotlo asks for nothing beyond the download.

Explore Shanghai ships an update every 2 months, Spotlo every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Explore Shanghai | Spotlo |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (1.3K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/explore-shanghai/id340706615/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **1.3K** | — |
| Positive reviews | 80.5% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 3 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Size | 53 MB | 25 MB |
| Requires iOS | **14.0** | 15.1 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [ExploreMetro](https://appshunter.io/developer/340706618) | [Jean-Christophe VERMEERSCH](https://appshunter.io/developer/6773082593) |

## What reviewers say

### Explore Shanghai

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/explore-shanghai/id340706615)

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.

**Highlights:** Up-to-date metro map, Offline functionality, Route planner, GPS nearest station finder, Integrated street maps, English and Chinese support

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

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| VIP mode | $4.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Efficient route planning
- 👍 User-friendly interface
- 🗺️ Accurate and up-to-date maps
- 🔊 Voice announcements for station names
- 💰 Helpful fare and travel time information

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 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

**Reported bugs**

- Crashes and freezes on certain devices
- Nearest station feature not working
- Inaccurate route planning and travel times

**Requested features**

- 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


### Spotlo

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/spotlo/id6778313920)

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Explore Shanghai free?

Explore Shanghai is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Spotlo free?

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

### Do Explore Shanghai or Spotlo have ads?

Explore Shanghai shows ads; Spotlo does not.

### Which is updated more often, Explore Shanghai or Spotlo?

Explore Shanghai ships an update every 2 months, and Spotlo every 3 days. Most recently, Explore Shanghai was updated on October 15, 2026 and Spotlo on September 23, 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.*