# Lyft vs Alto

The clearest difference is ratings volume: Lyft at 18M against Alto's 4.1K. Lyft also leads on rating (4.9 vs 4.7) and update cadence (weekly vs every 2 weeks). Alto's advantage is iOS requirement (13 vs 17.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Lyft holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Lyft has 18M ratings behind it against 4.1K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 61% of Lyft's written reviews are positive against 51% of Alto's.

Lyft ships an update weekly, Alto every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 27, 2026 and September 25, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Lyft | Alto |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.9 (18M ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lyft/id529379082/reviews)** | [4.7 (4.1K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/alto/id1442044302/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **18M** | 4.1K |
| Positive reviews | **61.3% of reviews** | 50.9% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Weekly** | Every 2 weeks |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#2** | — |
| Size | 400 MB | 58 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | **13** |
| Devices | iPhone | **iPhone, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Lyft, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/523004506) | [Alto Experience, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1442044301) |

## What reviewers say

### Lyft

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lyft/id529379082)

**Currently charting:** #2 Top Free · Travel, #37 Top Free (US App Store)

Easily get to your destination with various transportation options. Enter your destination, see upfront costs, and choose from multiple ride types like bikes, scooters, or even rentals. Affordable options and public transit routes are also available.

**Highlights:** Multiple transportation options, Upfront route and cost estimates, Priority Pickup option, Bikes & Scooters, Lyft XL & Lux, Transit routes, Vehicle rentals

**Features:** Siri integration

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Quick pickup
- 👍 Friendly drivers
- 💰 Affordable prices
- 🚗 Clean cars
- 🥰 Awesome app

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🕰️ Long wait times
- 🤔 Inaccurate ETAs
- 🚫 Drivers canceling rides
- 💰 Unexpected charges
- 🔍 Difficulty contacting support

**Reported bugs**

- App crashing
- Payment issues
- Incorrect pickup locations

**Requested features**

- Option to select vehicle type
- Ability to report driver issues
- Improved communication with drivers
- Easier account deletion process


### Alto

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/alto/id1442044302)

Experience on-demand rides with a focus on comfort and control. Customize your journey's music and lighting, and enjoy professional, vetted drivers. Predictable arrival times and a commitment to safety redefine your travel.

**Highlights:** Personalized ride control (music, lighting), Professional employee drivers, Rigorous driver background checks, Real-time driver monitoring, Predictable arrival times, 5-minute free wait time

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Apple Wallet

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚗 Pristine, comfortable vehicles
- 👍 Professional, courteous drivers
- 🔒 Reliable, safe service
- 💧 Complimentary amenities (water, chargers)

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🕰️ Long wait times for available cars
- 💰 Expensive compared to competitors
- 🌐 Limited service area
- 🔍 Unclear pricing and membership policies

**Reported bugs**

- App glitches and crashes
- GPS issues causing driver confusion
- Membership cancellation difficulties

**Requested features**

- Add multiple stops capability
- Integrate flight tracking for airport rides
- Provide more transparent pricing upfront


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Lyft free?

Lyft is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Alto free?

Alto is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Lyft or Alto?

Lyft is rated higher. Lyft averages 4.9 out of 5 from 18M ratings, while Alto averages 4.7 from 4.1K ratings.

### Do Lyft or Alto have ads?

Both Lyft and Alto show ads.

### Which is updated more often, Lyft or Alto?

Lyft ships an update weekly, and Alto every 2 weeks. Most recently, Lyft was updated on September 27, 2026 and Alto on September 25, 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.*