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 and outdoor environments with detailed maps, real-time information, and personalized routing. Find shops, facilities, and even disaster information with advanced indoor positioning and barrier-free options.

Highlights
  • Indoor positioning
  • Real-time facility information
  • Barrier-free route planning
  • Indoor-priority routes
  • 3D map navigation
  • Disaster information
Features
Read full description

Launched at Tokyo Sta. in August 2020, "TOKYO STATION NAVI" celebrates its 5th anniversary. With your support, we are rebranding to "Sta.Navi" and expanding nationwide. Basic Features of the App 1. Map Display and Search Function: Display shops and facilities in stations and towns on layered 2D maps (2.5D maps) and 3D maps. You can find the location of your desired shop or facility using keyword or category search. 2. Indoor Positioning: Even indoors or underground where GPS doesn't work, you can determine your location. Search results are displayed in order of proximity, allowing you to find the nearest shop or facility. Note that positioning accuracy may vary depending on the environment. 3. Pre-Route Check: You can specify departure and destination points on the map to check the movement route within the area, even if you are not on-site. 4. Real-Time Information: Check real-time availability information for some shops, coin lockers, and restrooms. 5. Barrier-Free Routes: Display barrier-free routes with elevators and ramps for wheelchair users, stroller users, and those with suitcases. 6. Indoor Priority Comfortable Routes: Prioritize indoor routes to avoid rain, heat, or snow, providing suitable routes for those who prefer indoor paths. 7. Favorites and My Spots: Register your favorite shops or locations like coin lockers where you left your luggage or meeting spots with friends as "My Spots" to use Sta.Navi as your personalized navigation tool. 8. 3D Map Navigation: Use walkthrough navigation, AR navigation, and VR features to check movement routes. 9. Advertisement Information: Provide information on deals and events in the area through banner ads, pop-up ads, and map bubble ads. 10. Notification Function: By allowing notifications from the app, you can receive information on events and coupons in the area, ensuring you don't miss out on deals and enhancing your activities in stations and towns. 11. SNS Integration: Access the latest information by linking to various SNS and web pages related to stations and commercial facilities. 12. Real-Time Information Updates and Use of Open Data: Collaborate with facility managers participating in Sta.Navi to update store, facility, and map information in real-time as much as possible, providing the latest information. Additionally, actively use open data created by national and local governments to create maps and route data, achieving more accurate and reliable navigation. 13. Disaster Information: Sta.Navi also includes evacuation facilities and disaster information. It provides information on evacuation sites, evacuation routes, and emergency contacts, supporting user safety. This makes the app useful not only for daily movement but also in emergencies. 14. Multilingual Support: Supports Japanese, English, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, and Korean.

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 October 1, 2026 and September 27, 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
Size98 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 October 1, 2026 and Sta.Navi on September 27, 2026.

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