Comparison

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.

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Features
Read full description

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.

About

BAL Next Bus

Features
Read full description

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

CTA Transit Tracker4 screens
BAL Next Bus4 screens

Verdict

The call

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

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

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.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
CTA Transit Tracker versus BAL Next Bus: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCTA Transit TrackerBAL Next Bus
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (234 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews66.7% of reviews—
Number of ratings234 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 11 days — better
AdsYesYes
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationAd-supported—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, Apple Watch
Requires iOS15.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size5 MB26 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developer婧嘉 郭Junebot, LLC

In-app purchases

None

CTA Transit Tracker

No in-app purchases

None

BAL Next Bus

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is CTA Transit Tracker free?
CTA Transit Tracker is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is BAL Next Bus free?
BAL Next Bus is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do CTA Transit Tracker or BAL Next Bus have ads?
Both CTA Transit Tracker and BAL Next Bus show ads.
Which is updated more often, CTA Transit Tracker or BAL Next Bus?
CTA Transit Tracker ships an update every 3 months, and BAL Next Bus every 11 days. Most recently, CTA Transit Tracker was updated on November 8, 2026 and BAL Next Bus on October 31, 2026.

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