DC Metro and Bus vs DC Metro Tracker
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
DC Metro and Bus
Get real-time transit predictions for Washington DC's Metro rail and bus routes. Plan your trips with step-by-step directions, view interactive maps, and receive alerts for service disruptions. Save your favorite stops for quick access.
- Real-time predictions
- Trip planner
- Interactive DC Metro map
- Bus stop finder
- Service disruption alerts
- Favorites list
- Multi-agency coverage
Read full descriptionHide full description
DC Metro and Bus is the most trusted transit tracker for Washington DC, with 36,000+ ratings and 13 years of reliable service. Get real-time predictions for every Metro rail line and bus route powered by WMATA data. KEY FEATURES: • Real-Time Predictions - Live arrival times for all Metro rail stations and bus stops, updated every 20 seconds directly from WMATA • Trip Planner - Plan multi-modal trips across Metro rail and bus with step-by-step directions and transfer guidance • DC Metro Map - Full interactive system map with all rail lines, stations, and connections at your fingertips • Bus Stop Finder - Find nearby bus stops using your location with real-time arrival predictions for every route • Rail Alerts - Get notified about service disruptions, delays, single-tracking, and station closures as they happen • Favorites List - Save your most-used stations and bus stops for one-tap access to predictions • Multi-Agency Coverage - WMATA Metrorail, Metrobus and ART (Arlington Transit)data all in one app WHY DC METRO AND BUS: Built by a DC commuter for DC commuters. Unlike generic transit apps that cover hundreds of cities, DC Metro and Bus is purpose-built for the Washington DC Metro Area. Every feature is optimized for WMATA riders in DC, Maryland, and Virginia. With over 36,000 ratings and a 4.5-star average, riders trust DC Metro and Bus to get them where they need to go on time. PERFECT FOR: • Daily commuters on Metro rail and bus • DC, Maryland, and Virginia residents who ride WMATA • Visitors exploring Washington DC by public transit • Anyone who wants to skip the wait and arrive just in time SUBSCRIPTION: Free with ads. Upgrade to Premium for an ad-free experience. Download DC Metro and Bus today and never miss your train or bus again! This app is not published, sponsored or approved by WMATA. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
DC Metro Tracker
Get real-time departure times for Washington, DC's Metrorail system. Save favorite stations and lines, view nearby stations, and access an interactive map for seamless travel. Stay informed with service alerts and station details.
- Live train departure times
- Favorite stations and lines
- Nearby station suggestions
- Service alerts by line
- Interactive Metrorail map
- Station details and amenities
Read full descriptionHide full description
DC Metro Departures helps you check Washington, DC Metrorail information quickly, whether you are commuting every day or just trying to catch the next train. See live departure times, save your favorite station and line combinations, browse nearby stations, check service alerts, and use the interactive rail map to move around the system with less friction. Features: - Live train departure times - Favorite stations and lines for quick access - Nearby station suggestions using your location - Service alerts by line - Station details, addresses, amenities, and connections - Interactive Metrorail map - Light, dark, and system appearance modes - Multiple departure display styles DC Metro Departures is built for fast checks when you are already on the move: open the app, see what is coming, and get on with your trip. This app is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: DC Metro Tracker at 100% against DC Metro and Bus's 11%. DC Metro Tracker also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.5) and ads (none vs shown). DC Metro and Bus's advantage is ratings volume (37K vs 13) and chart position (#72 vs unranked). On price, update cadence, in-app purchases 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
Both are free to download. DC Metro and Bus sells 15 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month and DC Metro Tracker sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
DC Metro Tracker holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: DC Metro and Bus has 37K ratings behind it against 13, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 11% of DC Metro and Bus's written reviews are positive against 100% of DC Metro Tracker's.
Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 29, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | DC Metro and Bus | DC Metro Tracker |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.5 (37K ratings) | 5.0 (13 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 11.1% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 37K — better | 13 |
| Update frequency | Weekly | Weekly |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Best chart rank | #72 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 17.6 | 15.1 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 52 MB | 69 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Dixon Mobility, LLC | Daniel Tome |
Customer experience
DC Metro and Bus
DC Metro Tracker
Bugs and requests
DC Metro and Bus
Reported bugs
4 issues- Bus stops disappearing from the app
- Incorrect bus route information
- Real-time data not updating properly
- Ads blocking access to important information
Requested features
4 requests- Ability to view SmartTrip card information
- Trip planning functionality
- Live train map integration
- Emergency/incident reporting feature
DC Metro Tracker
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
DC Metro and Bus
- Premium Access3 Days trial$1.991 Month
- Premium Access$1.997 Days
- Premium Access3 Days trial$2.991 Month
Show 11 moreShow fewer
- Premium Access$2.997 Days
- Premium Access3 Days trial$3.991 Month
- Premium Access$3.991 Month
- Premium Access3 Days trial$4.991 Month
- DC Metro and Bus Subscription$4.991 Month
- Premium Access3 Days trial$11.991 Year
- Premium Access3 Days trial$17.991 Year
- Premium Access$23.991 Year
- Premium Access3 Days trial$23.991 Year
- DC Metro and Bus Subscription$29.991 Year
- Premium Access3 Days trial$29.991 Year
- Ad Free Version$2.99
DC Metro Tracker
- DC Metro Tracker Pro Monthly7 Days trial$1.991 Month
- DC Metro Tracker Pro Yearly7 Days trial$19.991 Year
Questions
Is DC Metro and Bus free?
Is DC Metro Tracker free?
Which has better reviews, DC Metro and Bus or DC Metro Tracker?
Do DC Metro and Bus or DC Metro Tracker have ads?
Which is updated more often, DC Metro and Bus or DC Metro Tracker?
Other comparisons















