# LUAS Realtime vs Translink Planner

The clearest difference is rating: Translink Planner at 4.4 against LUAS Realtime's 4.0. Translink Planner also leads on ratings volume (215 vs 5) and update cadence (every 6 months vs every 24 months). LUAS Realtime's advantage is monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases). On price, review sentiment, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Translink Planner holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Translink Planner has 215 ratings behind it against 5, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 25% of LUAS Realtime's written reviews are positive against 19% of Translink Planner's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

LUAS Realtime ships an update every 24 months, Translink Planner every 6 months. The most recent releases landed on September 8, 2026 and September 26, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | LUAS Realtime | Translink Planner |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.0 (5 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/luas-realtime/id428243360/reviews) | **[4.4 (215 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/translink-planner/id648823280/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 5 | **215** |
| Positive reviews | **25.0% of reviews** | 18.5% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 24 months | **Every 6 months** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 5 MB | 111 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.6 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [BAM! Software](https://appshunter.io/developer/370315957) | [Ulsterbus Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/648823283) |

## What reviewers say

### LUAS Realtime

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/luas-realtime/id428243360)

Get real-time tram arrival information for all red and green line stations. Save your favorite stops for quick access to up-to-the-minute expected arrival times, ensuring you're always on time.

**Highlights:** Real-time arrival times, All red and green line stations, Inbound and outbound tram predictions, Save favorite stops, User-friendly design

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### Translink Planner

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/translink-planner/id648823280)

Plan bus, coach, and rail journeys across Northern Ireland and border regions. Get real-time travel updates, view departure boards, and purchase tickets for specific rail services. Features include interactive planning, ticket storage, and personalized alerts.

**Highlights:** Interactive journey planning, Purchase NI Railways tickets, In-app ticket wallet, Real-time departure boards, Personalized travel updates, Accessible planning options

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy journey planning functionality
- 🗺️ Helpful map integration for route visualization
- 📱 Modern app interface design
- 🚀 Quick access to timetable information
- 💾 Ability to save journeys to calendar

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Inaccurate and unreliable bus/train times
- 😤 Frequent service cancellations not reflected in app
- 🔧 Clunky and unintuitive user interface
- ❌ Cannot purchase tickets within app
- 🗺️ Poor navigation and confusing layout

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes on iPhone during ticket purchase
- Password reset emails not received
- Unable to renew or change passwords
- Journey planner adds unnecessary stops and complications
- Bus stops disappear when zooming in on map

**Requested features**

- Unified app for journey planning AND ticket purchasing
- Live bus tracking with real-time location updates
- Ability to view actual departure times instead of countdown minutes
- Show actual time alongside minutes remaining
- Complaint/feedback option for late or cancelled services


## Frequently asked questions

### Is LUAS Realtime free?

LUAS Realtime is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Translink Planner free?

Translink Planner is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, LUAS Realtime or Translink Planner?

Translink Planner is rated higher. LUAS Realtime averages 4.0 out of 5 from 5 ratings, while Translink Planner averages 4.4 from 215 ratings.

### Do LUAS Realtime or Translink Planner have ads?

Neither LUAS Realtime nor Translink Planner shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, LUAS Realtime or Translink Planner?

LUAS Realtime ships an update every 24 months, and Translink Planner every 6 months. Most recently, LUAS Realtime was updated on September 8, 2026 and Translink Planner on September 26, 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.*