CDFW License vs Cali Pass
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
CDFW License
Manage your California fishing and hunting licenses, preference points, and access permits. This official app allows you to view and store all your important wildlife documents in one convenient place.
- View fishing licenses
- View hunting licenses
- Store preference points
- Access permits
- Manage drawing applications
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CDFW License App is the official license management App for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Utilize this app to view and store all your CDFW fishing and hunting licenses, preference points, access permits, and drawing applications.
Cali Pass
Your guide to winter adventures at California's premier ski resorts. Get real-time lift statuses, weather forecasts, and live mountain views to plan your perfect day on the slopes.
- Real-time lift statuses
- Weather updates
- Live mountain views
- Resort guide for multiple locations
- Winter adventure planning
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Embark on an extraordinary outdoor adventure with the Cali Pass App, your dedicated guide to Bear Valley, Dodge Ridge, China Peak, and Mountain High. Receive real-time lift statuses, weather updates, and live views of the mountains. The Cali Pass…It’s a better way to winter.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Cali Pass at 4.7 against CDFW License's 2.9. Cali Pass also leads on review sentiment (67% vs 40%) and update cadence (every 2 months vs every 5 months). CDFW License's advantage is chart position (#112 vs unranked). On price, ratings volume, 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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Cali Pass holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 2.9. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 88 and 43 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 40% of CDFW License's written reviews are positive against 67% of Cali Pass's.
CDFW License ships an update every 5 months, Cali Pass every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and June 4, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | CDFW License | Cali Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 2.9 (88 ratings) | 4.7 (43 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 40.5% of reviews | 66.7% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 88 — better | 43 |
| Update frequency | Every 5 months | Every 2 months — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Best chart rank | #112 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.1 | 14.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 69 MB | 209 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | RA Outdoors, LLC, d/b/a Aspira | California Mountain Resort Co LLC |
Customer experience
CDFW License
Cali Pass
Bugs and requests
CDFW License
Reported bugs
6 issues- Error 403 when trying to buy
- Cannot associate ID info (DL, passport)
- App autofilled random password
- Login fails in app but works on website
- App says no active licenses when user has them
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- Invalid email/password error
Requested features
15 requests- Add Apple Wallet support
- Consolidate info dumps for efficiency
- Allow account creation directly in app
- Retain login credentials
- Add lobster reporting functionality
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- Specify location and harvest method
- Tailored regulations with fish search and ID guide
- Add interactive MPA map
- Add widget for high/low tides
- Allow purchasing and renewing licenses through the app
- Add tidal charts and lunar phases
- Tag harvest via the app
- Add hunting licenses
- Add fishing regulation map
- Make report cards virtual
Cali Pass
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
CDFW License
No in-app purchases
Cali Pass
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is CDFW License free?
Is Cali Pass free?
Which has better reviews, CDFW License or Cali Pass?
Do CDFW License or Cali Pass have ads?
Which is updated more often, CDFW License or Cali Pass?
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