Explore Shanghai vs First Time In 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"
First Time In China
Navigate China with confidence using step-by-step guides for essential apps like Alipay, WeChat Pay, and AMap. This practical handbook covers payment, transport, dining, and emergencies, working completely offline.
- Offline functionality
- Payment guides (Alipay, WeChat Pay)
- Transport guides (AMap, DiDi, trains)
- Emergency information
- Real-world screenshots
- Lifetime content updates
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Travel China with confidence. Step-by-step guides for Alipay, WeChat Pay, AMap, Didi, metro, 12306 trains, and more - everything you need for your first trip to China. Free to try Pay in China guides are free - link your card, scan QR codes, show your payment code, fix failed payments, and use cash and ATMs. First Time in China is a practical handbook for international visitors. Instead of hundreds of generic tips, it focuses on what matters most: paying with your phone, getting online, getting around, eating out, and handling emergencies. What's included Before You Go - Visa basics - Payment setup - Essential apps - Prepare your phone Just Landed - Passport control - Mobile internet and SIM setup - Getting to your hotel - Hotel check-in Paying in China - Free - Link your bank card (Alipay) - Scan QR codes - Tap to pay - Show your payment code - Payment troubleshooting - Cash and ATM backup Everyday Essentials - QR menu ordering - Restaurant tips - Metro and subway - Taxi and DiDi rides - High-speed rail (12306 and Trip.com tips) - Maps (AMap Global) - Public restrooms Built for real situations - At a Glance summaries - Real-world screenshots from China - Step-by-step actions - Pro tips and common mistakes - Works offline Why you'll love it - Works completely offline - Real Alipay, DiDi, and metro screenshots - No ads. No account required - Instant search across all guides - Lifetime content updates included Emergency Emergency numbers are always free. Full guides for hospital, police, lost passport, and embassy are included when you unlock. One purchase Unlock the complete handbook with a single purchase. No subscription. Lifetime access. ### What's New (1.0.0) - Practical guides for your first trip to China - payment, transport, food and emergencies - Real Alipay and metro screenshots - Works offline - Payment guides free to try. Unlock everything with one purchase.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is ads: First Time In China at none against Explore Shanghai's shown. First Time In China also leads on update cadence (every 3 days vs every 2 months) and rating (5.0 vs 4.7). Explore Shanghai's advantage is ratings volume (1.3K vs 2) and device support (3 vs 1). On price, in-app purchases and monetization model 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 First Time In China sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
First Time In China holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Explore Shanghai has 1.3K ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two.
Explore Shanghai ships an update every 2 months, First Time In China every 3 days. Both last shipped on October 27, 2026.
| Parameter | Explore Shanghai | First Time In China |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.7 (1.3K ratings) | 5.0 (2 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 80.5% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 1.3K — better | 2 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 3 days — better |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 14.0 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 53 MB | 8 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | ExploreMetro | 志轶 沈 |
Customer experience
Explore Shanghai
First Time In China
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
First Time In China
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Explore Shanghai
- VIP mode$4.99
First Time In China
- Unlock Full Guide$4.99
Questions
Is Explore Shanghai free?
Is First Time In China free?
Which has better reviews, Explore Shanghai or First Time In China?
Do Explore Shanghai or First Time In China have ads?
Which is updated more often, Explore Shanghai or First Time In China?
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