# Explore Shanghai vs First Time In China

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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | Explore Shanghai | First Time In China |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.7 (1.3K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/explore-shanghai/id340706615/reviews) | **[5.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/first-time-in-china/id6787289586/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **1.3K** | 2 |
| Positive reviews | 80.5% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 3 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 53 MB | 8 MB |
| Requires iOS | **14.0** | 17.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [ExploreMetro](https://appshunter.io/developer/340706618) | [志轶 沈](https://appshunter.io/developer/6776894923) |

## 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


### First Time In China

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/first-time-in-china/id6787289586)

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.

**Highlights:** Offline functionality, Payment guides (Alipay, WeChat Pay), Transport guides (AMap, DiDi, trains), Emergency information, Real-world screenshots, Lifetime content updates

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Unlock Full Guide | $4.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Explore Shanghai free?

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

### Is First Time In China free?

First Time In China is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Explore Shanghai or First Time In China?

First Time In China is rated higher. Explore Shanghai averages 4.7 out of 5 from 1.3K ratings, while First Time In China averages 5.0 from 2 ratings.

### Do Explore Shanghai or First Time In China have ads?

Explore Shanghai shows ads; First Time In China does not.

### Which is updated more often, Explore Shanghai or First Time In China?

Explore Shanghai ships an update every 2 months, and First Time In China every 3 days. Most recently, Explore Shanghai was updated on October 27, 2026 and First Time In China on October 27, 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.*