Comparison

Explore Hong Kong vs HK Metro

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • Up-to-date metro map
  • Offline functionality
  • Route planner
  • GPS station finder
  • Integrated street maps
  • English and Chinese support
Features
Read full description

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

About

HK Metro

Features
Read full description

Hong Kong Metro Route Inquiry App allows you to travel around the city easily. 1. Exquisite and complete subway line map, supporting Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, and English. 2. Easy-to-use subway line viewing, quickly browse Hong Kong subway lines, and easily plan your trip without flipping through maps. 3. Intelligent route planning, one-click inquiry of transfer plans, and quick transfer plans save you time and effort. 4. More surprises are waiting for you to discover.

Screenshots

Explore Hong Kong4 screens
HK Metro4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: HK Metro at none against Explore Hong Kong's 1. HK Metro also leads on update cadence (every 11 days vs every 5 months) and iOS requirement (11.0 vs 14.0). On price, 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Explore Hong Kong sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. HK Metro asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Explore Hong Kong ships an update every 5 months, HK Metro every 11 days. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and November 4, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Explore Hong Kong versus HK Metro: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterExplore Hong KongHK Metro
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (323 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews77.1% of reviews—
Number of ratings323 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 5 monthsEvery 11 days — better
AdsYesYes
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS14.011.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size30 MB28 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperExploreMetro炽金 练

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
Show 3 more
  • Show all station exits on street map
  • Offline street maps
  • Enhanced version covering other HK transit

HK Metro

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Explore Hong Kong

One-time1
  • VIP mode$4.99
None

HK Metro

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Explore Hong Kong free?
Explore Hong Kong is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is HK Metro free?
HK Metro is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Explore Hong Kong or HK Metro have ads?
Both Explore Hong Kong and HK Metro show ads.
Which is updated more often, Explore Hong Kong or HK Metro?
Explore Hong Kong ships an update every 5 months, and HK Metro every 11 days. Most recently, Explore Hong Kong was updated on November 1, 2026 and HK Metro on November 4, 2026.

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