CTA Transit Tracker vs BAL Next Bus
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
CTA Transit Tracker
Get real-time Chicago bus and 'L' train arrival estimates and countdowns. Save your favorite stops for quick access and view important service alerts before you travel. Navigate Chicago's public transit with ease.
- Live CTA bus and 'L' train arrivals
- Save favorite stops and stations
- View service alerts
- Search routes, stops, and stations
- Map view of stops and stations
- Customizable appearance and text size
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Check live CTA bus and 'L' train arrivals in Chicago, save your regular stops, and see service alerts before you go. BUS AND 'L' TRAIN ARRIVALS See upcoming arrival estimates and countdowns for CTA buses and all eight 'L' lines: Red, Blue, Brown, Green, Orange, Pink, Purple, and Yellow. Search for a route, stop, or station, choose your bus direction, and check when the next service is expected. Refresh manually or turn on automatic updates while your arrival screen is open. YOUR REGULAR STOPS, READY TO CHECK Save your usual bus stops and train stations in Favorites. Put them in the order you use them and open arrival details with a tap, whether you are heading to work, class, or home. SERVICE ALERTS AND STOP MAPS Check relevant CTA service alerts before you leave. View stop and station locations on a map, then open walking directions in Apple Maps. USEFUL DETAILS FOR EVERYDAY TRIPS - Browse CTA bus routes and 'L' train lines. - Search stops and stations by name or ID. - View arrival countdowns and Chicago local arrival times. - Keep fare and pass reference information close at hand. - Choose light, dark, or system appearance and adjust text size. CTA Transit Tracker is an independent app and is not affiliated with the Chicago Transit Authority. Arrival estimates and service alerts come from CTA and may change. Live updates require an internet connection. Questions or feedback? Contact support@mytransitlive.com.
BAL Next Bus
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BAL Next Bus shows real-time arrival predictions across the Baltimore region in one fast, simple app — MDOT MTA local buses (CityLink and LocalLink), Commuter Bus express routes, Light RailLink, and MARC Train. Open the map to see stops around you, tap any stop for the next arrivals, and save the stops you use most as favorites for instant access. Stations show both directions on a single pin, so you never miss a train going the other way. Includes a companion Apple Watch app plus a Home Screen widget and Watch complication, so your next ride is always a glance away. Data provided by the Maryland Transit Administration (MDOT MTA).
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: BAL Next Bus at every 11 days against CTA Transit Tracker's every 3 months. 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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
CTA Transit Tracker ships an update every 3 months, BAL Next Bus every 11 days. The most recent releases landed on November 8, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | CTA Transit Tracker | BAL Next Bus |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.6 (234 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 66.7% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 234 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | Every 11 days — better |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Ad-supported | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, Apple Watch |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 — better | 16.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 5 MB | 26 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | 婧嘉 郭 | Junebot, LLC |
In-app purchases
CTA Transit Tracker
No in-app purchases
BAL Next Bus
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is CTA Transit Tracker free?
Is BAL Next Bus free?
Do CTA Transit Tracker or BAL Next Bus have ads?
Which is updated more often, CTA Transit Tracker or BAL Next Bus?
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