Comparison

DC Metro and Bus vs HarborWatch

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

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • Real-time predictions
  • Trip planner
  • Interactive DC Metro map
  • Bus stop finder
  • Service disruption alerts
  • Favorites list
  • Multi-agency coverage
Features
Read 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/

About

HarborWatch

Features
Read full description

- Report incidents. Alert nearby captains. Help make the water safer. HarborWatch is a maritime reporting and assistance platform designed for captains. It provides a structured way to document incidents on the water, submit SOS requests and coordinate assistance with other registered captains nearby. - Create Detailed Maritime Reports Quickly record important information about suspicious behaviour, unsafe conditions, vessels in distress or other incidents. Each report can include: - Current coordinates and timestamp - Incident and vessel type - Vessel name, markings and description - Situation notes - Approximate vessel speed - Heading, sea state and lighting conditions - Emergency situation flags - Information about people in danger or sinking vessels - Attach Supporting Evidence Add relevant evidence directly to a report, including: - Photos - Videos - Voice notes This gives recipients clearer information about the situation and helps create a more complete incident record. - Submit an SOS Request When urgent assistance is required, captains can submit an SOS request through HarborWatch. Registered captains located nearby may receive a notification and can confirm that they are approaching to provide assistance. The requesting captain’s identity remains hidden. - Built for Captains HarborWatch allows captains to: - Register and manage their account - Document maritime incidents - Submit location-based reports - Send SOS assistance requests - Receive nearby emergency notifications - Confirm when they are approaching an incident - Review submitted reports and activity - Important Safety Information HarborWatch is a community reporting and coordination tool. It does not guarantee that another captain will be available to respond and is not a replacement for the Coast Guard, emergency services or local maritime authorities. During an immediate or life-threatening emergency, contact the appropriate official emergency service directly. Location accuracy, nearby alerts and notification delivery may depend on device permissions, network availability, device settings and the presence of registered HarborWatch users in the area. Privacy Policy : https://harborwatch.app/privacypolicy Terms of Use : https://harborwatch.app/terms&conditions

Screenshots

DC Metro and Bus4 screens
HarborWatch4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: HarborWatch at none against DC Metro and Bus's 15. HarborWatch also leads on ads (none vs shown) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.6). DC Metro and Bus's advantage is chart position (#49 vs unranked). On price 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. DC Metro and Bus sells 15 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. HarborWatch asks for nothing beyond the download.

Scorecard4 real differences · 7 level
DC Metro and Bus versus HarborWatch: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDC Metro and BusHarborWatch
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (37K ratings) — better—
Positive reviews11.1% of reviews—
Number of ratings37K — better—
Update frequencyWeekly—
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
Best chart rank#49 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS17.615.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size52 MB68 MB
Age rating4+17+
DeveloperDixon Mobility, LLCCaitlin Rosko

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

HarborWatch

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

15 purchases

DC Metro and Bus

Subscriptions14
  • Premium Access3 Days trial$1.991 Month
  • Premium Access$1.997 Days
  • Premium Access3 Days trial$2.991 Month
Show 11 more
  • 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
One-time1
  • Ad Free Version$2.99
None

HarborWatch

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is DC Metro and Bus free?
DC Metro and Bus is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is HarborWatch free?
HarborWatch is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do DC Metro and Bus or HarborWatch have ads?
DC Metro and Bus shows ads; HarborWatch does not.

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