Comparison

Iowa 511 vs HIRTA On

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

HIRTA On

Book on-demand transportation for any reason across multiple counties. Easily schedule rides, track them in real-time, and manage your account. Available for same-day or advance bookings.

Highlights
  • On-demand ride booking
  • Same-day and advance scheduling
  • Real-time ride tracking
  • Account creation and management
  • Multi-county service area
Features
Read full description

HIRTA offers transportation to anyone for any reason in Boone, Dallas, Jasper, Madison, Marion, Story, and Warren counties. You can use the HIRTA On-Demand app to book rides, either same day or in advance. If you are traveling to Des Moines, you can book a trip by calling 1 (877) 686-0029. Start by downloading the HIRTA On-Demand app. Already a HIRTA client? Enter your phone number on file. Feel free to call 1 (877) 686-0029 to confirm your account information. New to HIRTA? Create an account using your name, phone number and email address. Confirm your location and input your destination to see the ride options. Then, book your ride and track it in real time. Questions? Head to www.RideHIRTA.com or call 1 (877) 686-0029. Loving your experience so far? Give us a 5-star rating.

Screenshots

Iowa 5114 screens
HIRTA On4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: HIRTA On at 4.8 against Iowa 511's 3.4. HIRTA On also leads on iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.6). Iowa 511's advantage is review sentiment (27% vs 0%) and monetization model (free vs ad-supported). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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

HIRTA On holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Iowa 511 has 604 ratings behind it against 74, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 27% of Iowa 511's written reviews are positive against 0% of HIRTA On's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Iowa 511 versus HIRTA On: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterIowa 511HIRTA On
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.4 (604 ratings)4.8 (74 ratings) — better
Positive reviews26.7% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings604 — better74
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree — betterAd-supported
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPod
Requires iOS17.615.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size43 MB129 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperIowa Department of TransportationVia Transportation, Inc.

Customer experience

Iowa 511

All ratings604 ratings
Positive58.9%
Neutral6.5%
Negative34.6%
Written reviews75 reviews
Positive26.7%
Neutral6.7%
Negative66.7%

HIRTA On

All ratings74 ratings
Positive94.6%
Neutral2.7%
Negative2.7%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

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

HIRTA On

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Iowa 511

No in-app purchases

None

HIRTA On

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Iowa 511 free?
Iowa 511 is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is HIRTA On free?
HIRTA On is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Iowa 511 or HIRTA On?
HIRTA On is rated higher. Iowa 511 averages 3.4 out of 5 from 604 ratings, while HIRTA On averages 4.8 from 74 ratings.
Do Iowa 511 or HIRTA On have ads?
Neither Iowa 511 nor HIRTA On shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Iowa 511 or HIRTA On?
Iowa 511 ships an update every 2 months, and HIRTA On every 2 months. Most recently, Iowa 511 was updated on October 24, 2026 and HIRTA On on October 25, 2026.

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