Comparison

metroKEY vs Northern Waters Libraries

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

Head to head
About

metroKEY

This app provides interactive access control for waste facilities, offering end-to-end visibility on usage. It features a user-friendly interface with fast sign-up, clear instructions, unit location mapping, and information on depositable items.

Highlights
  • Interactive access control
  • End-to-end usage visibility
  • Fast sign-up process
  • Unit location mapping
  • Deposit information
  • Bluetooth unit latch opening
  • Bin fill level monitoring
Features
Read full description

metroKEY is an interactive access control system, delivering end to end visibility on how the organics drop off facility is being used, with a user interface that actively encourages participation with fast sign up, easy to follow instructions, map locations of units, and clear information on what can be deposited. metroKEY enables users to create their own metroKEY account following a standard 2-step verification and password set up using their smartphone Once logged in to the metroKEY app, access to the unit can be granted once the one time ‘tick box’ user agreement condition has been met. This feature means that Admin intervention is not required to grant user access at the time, though within the metroKEY web portal, your admin staff are able to both grant and revoke user access as necessary. Making recycling as easy as trash disposal demands streamlined processes that enable access to the organics unit. Once users have signed in, the metroKEY app opens the unit latch via an illustrated pop-up question banner with a simple yes/no tick box for access once the user is within Bluetooth range of the unit. Where fill sensors are deployed smartphone app users can also see when a bin is full, allowing them to navigate to the nearest available drop-off location.

About

Northern Waters Libraries

Features
Read full description

Take Northern Waters Libraries everywhere you go! Features: - Search the catalog - Manage your account - Place holds - Renew materials - Check branch opening hours, location and get directions

Screenshots

metroKEY4 screens
Northern Waters Libraries4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: metroKEY at every 2 weeks against Northern Waters Libraries's every 6 weeks. metroKEY also leads on iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.6). On price, ads, 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

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

UpkeepUpdate frequency

metroKEY ships an update every 2 weeks, Northern Waters Libraries every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 6, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
metroKEY versus Northern Waters Libraries: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParametermetroKEYNorthern Waters Libraries
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.8 (13 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews0.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings13 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeks — betterEvery 6 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS13.0 — better15.6
Further details — not scored
Size48 MB49 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperStreetspace LtdNorthern Waters Libraries

In-app purchases

None

metroKEY

No in-app purchases

None

Northern Waters Libraries

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is metroKEY free?
metroKEY is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Northern Waters Libraries free?
Northern Waters Libraries is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do metroKEY or Northern Waters Libraries have ads?
Neither metroKEY nor Northern Waters Libraries shows ads.
Which is updated more often, metroKEY or Northern Waters Libraries?
metroKEY ships an update every 2 weeks, and Northern Waters Libraries every 6 weeks. Most recently, metroKEY was updated on October 24, 2026 and Northern Waters Libraries on October 6, 2026.

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