# xtBus transit browser vs Busly

The clearest difference is rating: Busly at 4.5 against xtBus transit browser's 3.9. Busly also leads on ads (none vs shown) and monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases). xtBus transit browser's advantage is review sentiment (51% vs 43%). On price, update cadence, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. xtBus transit browser sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Busly sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Busly holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 3.9. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Busly has 555 ratings behind it against 9, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 51% of xtBus transit browser's written reviews are positive against 43% of Busly's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

xtBus transit browser ships an update every 2 weeks, Busly fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 21, 2026 and October 22, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | xtBus transit browser | Busly |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.9 (9 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/xtbus-transit-browser/id451379202/reviews) | **[4.5 (555 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/busly/id1435737758/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 9 | **555** |
| Positive reviews | **51.4% of reviews** | 42.9% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | **Fortnightly** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 6 MB | 29 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Idemfactor Solutions](https://appshunter.io/developer/301061386) | [Alex Perez](https://appshunter.io/developer/362919234) |

## What reviewers say

### xtBus transit browser

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/xtbus-transit-browser/id451379202)

This app helps you track bus arrivals and routes visually on a map. It allows you to bookmark your preferred transit agencies for easy access to real-time arrival estimates and bus locations.

**Highlights:** Real-time bus location on map, Accurate arrival time estimates, Bookmark local transit agencies, Organize transit choices, Visually pinpoint incoming buses

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| add-on to remove in-app ads from this app | $3.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Accurate real-time bus tracking
- 👍 Convenient for planning commutes
- ⭐ Useful app overall

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes and bugs
- ⚠️ Inaccurate bus arrival times
- 💤 Slow and unresponsive at times
- 📢 Too many ads

**Reported bugs**

- Maps not loading
- App freezing and crashing
- Incorrect location detection

**Requested features**

- Add bus route/line information
- Improve map functionality
- Allow setting default bus stop
- Integrate with other transit apps


### Busly

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/busly/id1435737758)

This app provides real-time transit information for buses and trains in major U.S. cities. View live vehicle locations, arrival times, and detailed route information on an interactive map. Save favorite routes and stops for quick access.

**Highlights:** Live map with vehicle locations, Real-time arrival times, Detailed vehicle information, Favorite routes and stops, Nearby stops, Fare information, Light and dark themes

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Busly Pro Monthly | $2.99 | per month |
| Busly Pro Annual | $9.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Accurate GPS
- 👍 Real-time arrival accuracy
- 👍 Efficient and simple GUI
- 👍 Valuable for MUNI supervisors
- 👍 Good for Atlanta transit

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Inaccurate arrival times
- 🐛 App crashes frequently
- 🐛 Routes not showing up
- 🐛 App cuts off unexpectedly
- 🐛 App is unstable

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes
- Routes do not show up
- App cuts off
- App is unstable
- Long calibration times

**Requested features**

- Show bus numbers
- Show run numbers
- Color-code different bus lines on map
- Display bus number instead of line name when clicking a stop
- Improve refresh rate (currently 5 minutes)


## Frequently asked questions

### Is xtBus transit browser free?

xtBus transit browser is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Busly free?

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

### Which has better reviews, xtBus transit browser or Busly?

Busly is rated higher. xtBus transit browser averages 3.9 out of 5 from 9 ratings, while Busly averages 4.5 from 555 ratings.

### Do xtBus transit browser or Busly have ads?

xtBus transit browser shows ads; Busly does not.

### Which is updated more often, xtBus transit browser or Busly?

xtBus transit browser ships an update every 2 weeks, and Busly fortnightly. Most recently, xtBus transit browser was updated on October 21, 2026 and Busly on October 22, 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.*