Explore Hong Kong vs HK Transit Card Balance Reader
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Explore Hong Kong
Navigate Hong Kong's extensive metro system with this comprehensive offline map and route planner. Discover nearby streets and exits from every station, and find your nearest station using GPS. Enjoy free updates and an ad-supported experience, with an option to upgrade for enhanced features.
- Up-to-date metro map
- Offline functionality
- Route planner
- GPS station finder
- Integrated street maps
- English and Chinese support
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Recommended by CNN and Lonely Planet, this is Hong Kong'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 iPhone Our gorgeous maps have been fully redesigned for all iPhone 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 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
HK Transit Card Balance Reader
Easily check the balance of your Hong Kong Octopus card by tapping it on your phone. Avoid unexpected low balances while traveling on public transport. This app provides basic card information with a simple tap.
- Read Octopus card balance
- Tap card on phone to check
- View basic card information
- Convenient for Hong Kong travel
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Your balance at a glance. Your Hong Kong journey continues. Check the balance of a compatible physical Octopus transit card in HKD using your phone's NFC reader. Hold one card near the back of your phone, follow the reading guidance, and view your saved balance readings in one place. A fresh Hong Kong-inspired design and support for 10 languages make it easier to find your way around the app. A compatible NFC phone and supported physical card are required. Reading support varies by device and card. Saved readings show the balance at the time of the scan and may no longer be current. This app reads cards; it does not top up cards or process payments. The app contains ads. Independent app. Not affiliated with or endorsed by Octopus Cards Limited.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: Explore Hong Kong at 77% against HK Transit Card Balance Reader's 0%. HK Transit Card Balance Reader's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1). On price, update cadence, ads and device support 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 Hong Kong sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. HK Transit Card Balance Reader asks for nothing beyond the download.
Explore Hong Kong ships an update every 5 months, HK Transit Card Balance Reader every 8 months. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Explore Hong Kong | HK Transit Card Balance Reader |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.6 (323 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 77.1% of reviews — better | 0.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 323 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 5 months — better | Every 8 months |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Ad-supported — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 14.0 — better | 15.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 30 MB | 27 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | ExploreMetro | Y Mobile Solution Co. , Ltd. |
Customer experience
Explore Hong Kong
HK Transit Card Balance Reader
Bugs and requests
Explore Hong Kong
Reported bugs
4 issues- Speech bubble on main screen won't close
- Street map only shows station location, not exits
- Street maps rely on Google Maps and require online connection
- Horizontal screen display is not good
Requested features
8 requests- Tokyo version needed
- More cities in China
- Add bus/ferry times
- Add train times for every station
- GPS for transfer reminders
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- Show all station exits on street map
- Offline street maps
- Enhanced version covering other HK transit
HK Transit Card Balance Reader
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Explore Hong Kong
- VIP mode$4.99
HK Transit Card Balance Reader
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Explore Hong Kong free?
Is HK Transit Card Balance Reader free?
Do Explore Hong Kong or HK Transit Card Balance Reader have ads?
Which is updated more often, Explore Hong Kong or HK Transit Card Balance Reader?
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