Comparison

乗換案内 Ekispert vs Sta.Navi

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

Head to head
About

乗換案内 Ekispert

This app helps you find routes using trains, buses, and other transportation. It provides route maps, timetables, and real-time information on train delays or suspensions.

Highlights
  • Multi-transport route search (trains, buses, etc.)
  • Route maps
  • Timetables
  • Train delay information
  • Suspension information
Features
Read full description

Make your travel in Japan smoother and more efficient. “Ekispert” is a leading transit planning service in Japan, covering everything from trains and subways to domestic flights and local buses. ■ Key features Comprehensive nationwide search: Includes JR, private railways, subways, and an extensive network of local buses across Japan. Transfer Optimization Details: View helpful information such as the recommended car boarding positions for easy transfers and specific platform numbers. Real-time service alerts: Stay updated with information on delays and service suspensions (available for major lines). ■ Important note: Language support Please note that this app interface and search results are available in Japanese only. ■ Looking for English support? If you prefer to search in English, please use our web-based service, "Ekispert - Japan Transit Guide," at the following url: https://roote.ekispert.net/en ■ Terms of use and privacy policy ・Terms of use: https://ekispert-mobile.val.jp/ekispert/iphone/support/terms.html ・Privacy policy: https://www.val.co.jp/app_privacy.html

About

Sta.Navi

Navigate complex indoor spaces like train stations and underground malls with detailed maps and turn-by-turn directions. Find amenities, shops, and exits easily, even where GPS signals are weak. Offers features like AR navigation and real-time facility status.

Highlights
  • Detailed 2.5D and 3D indoor maps
  • Indoor positioning without GPS
  • Step-free and weather-protected routes
  • AR and VR navigation
  • Real-time facility status
  • Save favorite locations
Features
Read full description

Never get lost in a big station again. Sta.Navi shows indoor station maps and guides you from where you are to restrooms, coin lockers, ticket gates, exits and shops, inside stations, underground malls and the surrounding streets. Available at Tokyo, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ikebukuro, Shinagawa, Takanawa Gateway, Sapporo and Takamatsu stations. [NEW in v4.0.0: easier than ever, rolling out area by area] - Search without leaving the map: the search bar is always at the top, and shops and facilities are searched together. - One-tap shortcuts for restrooms, lockers, ticket machines, JR ticket offices and souvenirs. - Suggestions appear as you type. - Route search right on the map: enter start and destination and the route appears instantly. Swap them with one tap. - Switch areas without leaving the map. - A cleaner map: overlapping labels are tidied up and facilities are color-coded with standard pictograms. [Main features] - Floor-by-floor 2.5D maps and 3D maps of stations and underground malls - Indoor positioning where GPS cannot reach (coverage and accuracy vary by facility) - Step-free routes via elevators and ramps, and indoor routes that keep you out of rain and heat - Check routes in advance, before you arrive - Real-time status of some coin lockers, restrooms, elevators and escalators - 3D walkthrough, AR and VR navigation in supported areas - Save favorite shops and "My Spots" such as your locker or meeting point - Deals, events and coupons in the area (notifications required) - Evacuation sites and disaster information - Japanese, English, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese and Korean Free to download and use. Location data is used to show your position and guide routes.

Screenshots

乗換案内 Ekispert4 screens
Sta.Navi4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: 乗換案内 Ekispert at 4.6 against Sta.Navi's 2.3. 乗換案内 Ekispert also leads on ratings volume (344K vs 3) and update cadence (fortnightly vs every 2 months). Sta.Navi's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and iOS requirement (14.0 vs 17.0). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

乗換案内 Ekispert holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 2.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: 乗換案内 Ekispert has 344K ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 33% of 乗換案内 Ekispert's written reviews are positive against 21% of Sta.Navi's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

乗換案内 Ekispert ships an update fortnightly, Sta.Navi every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on November 12, 2026 and November 11, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
乗換案内 Ekispert versus Sta.Navi: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
Parameter乗換案内 EkispertSta.Navi
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (344K ratings) — better2.3 (3 ratings)
Positive reviews33.3% of reviews — better21.1% of reviews
Number of ratings344K — better3
Update frequencyFortnightly — betterEvery 2 months
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, Apple WatchiPhone, iPod
Requires iOS17.014.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size100 MB29 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperVal Laboratory CorporationJR East Consultants Company

Customer experience

乗換案内 Ekispert

All ratings395 ratings
Positive94.4%
Neutral3.0%
Negative2.5%
Written reviews54 reviews
Positive33.3%
Neutral13.0%
Negative53.7%

Sta.Navi

All ratings3 ratings
Positive33.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative66.7%
Written reviews57 reviews
Positive21.1%
Neutral3.5%
Negative75.4%

Bugs and requests

乗換案内 Ekispert

Reported bugs

18 issues
  • Train departure times are incorrect
  • Delay information displays even when trains run on schedule
  • Original times shown with strikethrough are hard to read
  • Network connection errors prevent searches
  • Apple Watch app fails to sync with iPhone searches
Show 13 more
  • App crashes or freezes during searches
  • Incorrect final arrival times for bus routes
  • Bus stop locations shown incorrectly on maps
  • Time specification feature returns current time only
  • Weekday/weekend schedule confusion
  • Timetable data not updated after schedule changes
  • Incorrect transfer time calculations
  • App suggests routes with unnecessary detours
  • Local transit data missing in certain regions
  • Fails to suggest optimal express/local combinations
  • Reverse-direction transfers not properly suggested
  • App forces user to nearest station instead of specified station
  • Notification settings ignored for new feature alerts

Requested features

13 requests
  • Ability to specify preferred train lines or operators
  • Improved transfer time calculations based on actual station layouts
  • Better handling of reverse-direction train transfers
  • Larger font size option for elderly users
  • Detailed fare breakdown by individual transfer
Show 8 more
  • Search history with specific departure times included
  • Better support for temporary/special train services
  • Improved route suggestions for express/local combinations
  • Customizable transfer time settings
  • More detailed car/carriage information for boarding
  • English language support for international travelers
  • Ability to exclude specific train lines from searches
  • Improved status text placement in delay notifications

Sta.Navi

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

乗換案内 Ekispert

No in-app purchases

None

Sta.Navi

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is 乗換案内 Ekispert free?
乗換案内 Ekispert is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Sta.Navi free?
Sta.Navi is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, 乗換案内 Ekispert or Sta.Navi?
乗換案内 Ekispert is rated higher. 乗換案内 Ekispert averages 4.6 out of 5 from 344K ratings, while Sta.Navi averages 2.3 from 3 ratings.
Do 乗換案内 Ekispert or Sta.Navi have ads?
乗換案内 Ekispert shows ads; Sta.Navi does not.
Which is updated more often, 乗換案内 Ekispert or Sta.Navi?
乗換案内 Ekispert ships an update fortnightly, and Sta.Navi every 2 months. Most recently, 乗換案内 Ekispert was updated on November 12, 2026 and Sta.Navi on November 11, 2026.

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