Comparison

Iowa 511 vs 511 Wisconsin

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

Head to head
About

Iowa 511

This app provides real-time traffic and traveler information for Iowa's interstates, U.S. routes, and state highways. It offers hands-free audio announcements, a zoomable map with traffic event icons and camera views, and updates on road conditions, incidents, and closures.

Highlights
  • Hands-free audio announcements
  • Zoomable map with traffic icons
  • Real-time road condition updates
  • Trucker Mode
  • Personalized account for saved routes
  • Traffic camera images and video
  • Weather radar and alerts
Features
Read full description

Iowa 511 is the Iowa Department of Transportation's (DOT) official traffic and traveler information app for general travelers and commercial vehicle operators. The Iowa 511 app provides statewide up-to-date traffic information for interstates, U.S. routes, and state highways in Iowa. It does not include information for county roads or city streets. FEATURES: • Hands-free, eyes-free audio announcements of upcoming traffic events as you travel along your route • A zoom-enabled map with tappable traffic event icons and surrounding camera views • Near real-time updates on winter road conditions (including surrounding states), traffic incidents, construction, truck restrictions, and road closures • Trucker Mode with resources specific to commercial vehicle operators • Create and manage Your 511 personalized account including saved routes, areas, favorite camera views, and alerts via email and/or text. • Travel time delays associated with traffic reports (look for the orange glowing icons) • Current traffic speeds • Traffic camera images and streaming video throughout the state. Sign up for an account to save your favorite cameras for easy access later. • Snow plow camera images and locations • "Towing not recommended" events for winter storms • Real-time weather radar • Weather stations with alerting for inclement weather • Rest area locations statewide • Weigh Station Locations • Citizen reports via Waze • Electronic Message Signs NOTE: Continued use of GPS running in the background can decrease device battery life. Distracted Driving The primary responsibility of every driver is the safe operation of their vehicle. While traveling, mobile communication devices should be used only when the motor vehicle is at a complete stop off the traveled portion of the roadway. Do not text and drive (it's against the law) or use this app while driving. We welcome your feedback on this app. Please email your suggestions, questions, or concerns to 511Feedback@iowadot.us. The Iowa DOT's privacy policy can be found at https://iowadot.gov/policies-statements/privacy-policy App developed by Castle Rock Associates https://www.castlerockits.com/

About

511 Wisconsin

Get real-time traffic and route personalization information for your travels. Plan your trips, check traffic speeds, and stay informed about road conditions before and during your journey.

Highlights
  • Traffic information
  • Route personalization
  • Trip planning
  • Commute improvement
  • Travel condition updates
Features
Read full description

511 Wisconsin is a free app that provides traffic and route personalization information. Call 511 or visit 511WI.gov to get all the information you need to make smart traveling decisions, check traffic speeds or plan a trip. 511 will help improve your commute and keep you informed about travel conditions both before you leave the house and while you are on the road.

Screenshots

Iowa 5114 screens
511 Wisconsin3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Iowa 511 at 3.5 against 511 Wisconsin's 1.8. Iowa 511 also leads on update cadence (every 2 months vs every 9 months) and review sentiment (27% vs 4%). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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

Iowa 511 holds the better App Store score, 3.5 against 1.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Iowa 511 has 602 ratings behind it against 81, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 27% of Iowa 511's written reviews are positive against 4% of 511 Wisconsin's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Iowa 511 ships an update every 2 months, 511 Wisconsin every 9 months. The most recent releases landed on September 21, 2026 and September 20, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Iowa 511 versus 511 Wisconsin: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterIowa 511511 Wisconsin
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.5 (602 ratings) — better1.8 (81 ratings)
Positive reviews26.7% of reviews — better4.0% of reviews
Number of ratings602 — better81
Update frequencyEvery 2 months — betterEvery 9 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.616.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size42 MB105 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperIowa Department of TransportationIBI Group

Customer experience

Iowa 511

All ratings602 ratings
Positive59.1%
Neutral6.5%
Negative34.4%
Written reviews75 reviews
Positive26.7%
Neutral6.7%
Negative66.7%

511 Wisconsin

All ratings81 ratings
Positive16.0%
Neutral3.7%
Negative80.2%
Written reviews50 reviews
Positive4.0%
Neutral4.0%
Negative92.0%

User reviews

Iowa 511

From 602 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Great app for driving
  • 👍 Helpful for winter driving
  • 👍 Useful for seeing road conditions
  • 👍 Loved the camera features

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Cameras not working
  • 🐛 App freezes/crashes
  • 🐛 Inaccurate road condition reporting
  • 🤔 Confusing new layout

511 Wisconsin

From 81 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Live cameras are helpful
  • 💡 Navigation ability (though not highly valued)

Room to improve

  • 👎 Difficult to use for quick checks
  • 👎 Constantly asks for destination
  • 👎 Outdated interface
  • 👎 Inaccurate road conditions
  • 👎 Removed ice/slippery condition updates

Bugs and requests

Iowa 511

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Cameras not loading
  • Map not showing any information
  • App locking up when trying to use layers
  • Road condition data not updating in real-time

Requested features

3 requests
  • Include tow ban information with expiration times
  • Improve map legend and visibility of road conditions
  • Bring back old app design

511 Wisconsin

Reported bugs

8 issues
  • Radar legend overlaps toggle, gets stuck
  • Route feature doesn't work
  • App switches screens on its own every 10 seconds
  • Server connection error
  • App blocks data/forces location tracking
Show 3 more
  • Cannot get app on iPad
  • Login issues
  • Weather radar runs too fast and doesn't pause

Requested features

12 requests
  • Improve ease of use for quick checks
  • Allow quick look at traffic cameras without destination
  • Reintroduce ice and slippery condition updates
  • Fix radar legend overlap bug
  • Make winter road condition colors thicker/brighter/more legible
Show 7 more
  • Allow selection of counties for alerts
  • Bring back the old app's functionality
  • Allow use on WiFi-only devices
  • Fix login issues
  • Allow users to decline notifications/tracking
  • Improve accuracy of real-time road conditions
  • Allow pausing of weather radar

In-app purchases

None

Iowa 511

No in-app purchases

None

511 Wisconsin

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Iowa 511 free?
Iowa 511 is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is 511 Wisconsin free?
511 Wisconsin is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Iowa 511 or 511 Wisconsin?
Iowa 511 is rated higher. Iowa 511 averages 3.5 out of 5 from 602 ratings, while 511 Wisconsin averages 1.8 from 81 ratings.
Do Iowa 511 or 511 Wisconsin have ads?
Neither Iowa 511 nor 511 Wisconsin shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Iowa 511 or 511 Wisconsin?
Iowa 511 ships an update every 2 months, and 511 Wisconsin every 9 months. Most recently, Iowa 511 was updated on September 21, 2026 and 511 Wisconsin on September 20, 2026.

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