Comparison

Explore Taipei vs Manila Rail Map Lite

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

Head to head
About

Explore Taipei

Navigate Taipei's subway system with an up-to-date, offline-capable map. Features include a route planner, GPS integration, and street maps for every station. Available in English and Chinese.

Highlights
  • Up-to-date metro map
  • Offline functionality
  • Route planner
  • GPS and street maps
  • English and Chinese support
  • iPhone X and iPad optimized
Features
Read full description

Recommended by CNN and Lonely Planet, this is Taipei'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 X Our gorgeous maps have been fully redesigned for the iPhone X. Runs on all iOS11+ 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

Manila Rail Map Lite

Features
Read full description

Rail & Subway Map is a clear and concise route map that features: THE MOST BEAUTIFUL RAIL MAP - representing the state of the art in information design. ROUTE PLANNER - instantly finds the fastest route and displays it on the map including transfer stations. STATIONS INDEX - quickly jump to any station. LINES OVERVIEW - shows the order of stations on each line with transit options. GPS SUPPORT - find the station closest to you. HIGH RESOLUTION GRAPHICS - looks stunning on retina displays. ROTATE and ZOOM - hold your device any way you want. UNIVERSAL APP - optimized for iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad. LARGE MAP - includes the most important stations STATION LOOKUP - search for a station by name APPLE MAPS INTEGRATION - lookup your route directly from Apple Maps The LITE-Version is fully functional but needs an internet connection. If you like the app but need offline access you can get the regular version for a big discount. (Only for limited time!)

Screenshots

Explore Taipei4 screens
Manila Rail Map Lite4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Manila Rail Map Lite at none against Explore Taipei's 1. Manila Rail Map Lite also leads on ads (none vs shown) and iOS requirement (8.0 vs 14.0). On price, update cadence 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 Taipei sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Manila Rail Map Lite asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 8 months. The most recent releases landed on October 26, 2026 and October 29, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Explore Taipei versus Manila Rail Map Lite: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterExplore TaipeiManila Rail Map Lite
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (186 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews50.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings186 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 8 monthsEvery 8 months
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS14.08.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size31 MB11 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperExploreMetroUrban-Map

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Explore Taipei

One-time1
  • VIP mode$4.99
None

Manila Rail Map Lite

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Explore Taipei free?
Explore Taipei is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Manila Rail Map Lite free?
Manila Rail Map Lite is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Explore Taipei or Manila Rail Map Lite have ads?
Explore Taipei shows ads; Manila Rail Map Lite does not.
Which is updated more often, Explore Taipei or Manila Rail Map Lite?
Explore Taipei ships an update every 8 months, and Manila Rail Map Lite every 8 months. Most recently, Explore Taipei was updated on October 26, 2026 and Manila Rail Map Lite on October 29, 2026.

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