# DC Next Bus vs DC Metro Buddy & Train Widget

The clearest difference is review sentiment: DC Metro Buddy & Train Widget at 100% against DC Next Bus's 40%. DC Metro Buddy & Train Widget also leads on rating (4.9 vs 2.8) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 16.0). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. DC Next Bus sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and DC Metro Buddy & Train Widget sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

DC Metro Buddy & Train Widget holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 2.8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 25 and 9 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 40% of DC Next Bus's written reviews are positive against 100% of DC Metro Buddy & Train Widget's.

DC Next Bus ships an update every 3 weeks, DC Metro Buddy & Train Widget every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on October 23, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | DC Next Bus | DC Metro Buddy & Train Widget |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [2.8 (25 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dc-next-bus/id488580694/reviews) | **[4.9 (9 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dc-metro-buddy-and-train-widget/id6740730156/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **25** | 9 |
| Positive reviews | 39.7% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | **Every 10 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 58 MB | 51 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | **13.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, Apple Watch | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Junebot, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/488580697) | [Toasty Bun, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1791309617) |

## What reviewers say

### DC Next Bus

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dc-next-bus/id488580694)

This app provides real-time bus and metro predictions for Washington D.C. transit. It identifies nearby WMATA and Montgomery County Ride On stops, offering next arrival times. Users can also view bus routes and save favorite locations.

**Highlights:** Real-time bus and train predictions, Identifies WMATA and Ride On stops, Location services or map navigation, View WMATA bus routes, Save favorite stops, Apple Watch app and complications

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| DC Next Bus - No Ads | $2.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🗺️ Map layout is ingenious
- 🚀 Fast and reliable
- 👍 Easy to use
- 📍 Shows nearby stops
- ✅ Works great

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Glitchy after UI update
- ❌ No bus times shown
- 📍 Stops not on map
- 📉 Still inaccurate
- 🔒 Steals clipboard data

**Reported bugs**

- Pornographic thumbnails
- App doesn't work at all
- Doesn't interface with WMATA data
- Shows every bus stop as having no arrivals
- Bus stop no longer on map

**Requested features**

- Manual refresh button
- Search by station or route
- Trip planner functionality
- Bus destinations
- Favorites button


### DC Metro Buddy & Train Widget

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dc-metro-buddy-and-train-widget/id6740730156)

Navigate the Washington D.C. metro system with real-time train predictions and live incident updates. Personalize your commute with favorite stations and a home screen widget for at-a-glance information. Locate nearby stations and view the latest metro map.

**Highlights:** Real-time train predictions, Home screen widget, Favorite stations, Nearby station locator, Live incident alerts, WMATA metro map

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Remove ads & unlock widgets | $1.99 | per month |
| Unlock Widget Access | $2.99 | per month |
| Remove ads & unlock widgets | $24.99 | per year |
| Unlock Widget Access | $29.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is DC Next Bus free?

DC Next Bus is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is DC Metro Buddy & Train Widget free?

DC Metro Buddy & Train Widget is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, DC Next Bus or DC Metro Buddy & Train Widget?

DC Metro Buddy & Train Widget is rated higher. DC Next Bus averages 2.8 out of 5 from 25 ratings, while DC Metro Buddy & Train Widget averages 4.9 from 9 ratings.

### Do DC Next Bus or DC Metro Buddy & Train Widget have ads?

Both DC Next Bus and DC Metro Buddy & Train Widget show ads.

### Which is updated more often, DC Next Bus or DC Metro Buddy & Train Widget?

DC Next Bus ships an update every 3 weeks, and DC Metro Buddy & Train Widget every 10 days. Most recently, DC Next Bus was updated on October 23, 2026 and DC Metro Buddy & Train Widget on October 24, 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.*