Comparison

Inbound vs Smart Maps

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

Head to head
About

Inbound

Navigate the NYC subway system with real-time arrival updates and personalized favorites. Get precise train times and an intuitive interface to make your commute seamless. Perfect for New Yorkers and visitors alike.

Highlights
  • Real-time arrival updates
  • Interactive home screen widgets
  • Intuitive user interface
  • Personalized favorite routes and stations
  • Accurate subway schedules
Features
Read full description

Welcome to Inbound – your ultimate companion for navigating the bustling New York City subway system with ease and precision. Say goodbye to uncertainty and waiting on platforms, and hello to seamless journeys with precise arrival times at your fingertips. Inbound empowers savvy New Yorkers like you with simple, crystal-clear information on subway arrival times, putting you in full control of your commute. Whether you're a seasoned city dweller or a frequent visitor, our app ensures you'll never miss a train again. Key Features: Real-Time Arrival Updates: Instantly access accurate arrival times for every subway line across the city, so you can plan your journey with confidence and precision. Interactive Widgets: View the arrival times for your most relevant trains right on your homescreen without opening the app. Intuitive Interface: Our sleek and user-friendly design makes navigating subway schedules a breeze. With just a few taps, you'll find the information you need without any fuss. Personalized Favorites: Save your most-traveled routes and stations for quick and easy access, ensuring you're always ahead of the curve. Inbound is tailor-made for New Yorkers who know where they want to go and value their time. With unparalleled clarity and reliability, it's the ultimate tool for navigating the city's labyrinthine subway system with confidence and ease. Download Inbound today and take control of your commute – because every minute counts in the city that never sleeps.

About

Smart Maps

Visualize detailed US Census data, including population density, home prices, and salaries, down to the street level. Discover upcoming events and explore hundreds of measures. An optional upgrade unlocks additional data layers for deeper insights.

Highlights
  • Street-level US Census data visualization
  • Population density mapping
  • Home price and salary data
  • Commute time analysis
  • Upcoming Ticketmaster events
  • Customizable information layers
Features
Read full description

- Create your own maps using AI and toolkits - Share your maps with others - Experience CarPlay and Navigation like never before - Explore maps that others have created - Explore our proprietary layers, including hundreds derived from U.S. Census data

Screenshots

Inbound4 screens
Smart Maps4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Inbound at none against Smart Maps's 1. Smart Maps's advantage is ads (none vs shown). On price, rating, review sentiment and ratings volume 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. Smart Maps sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $0.99 per month. Inbound asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for Inbound against 4.6 for Smart Maps. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 13 and 9 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 71% of Inbound's written reviews are positive against 75% of Smart Maps's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Inbound ships an update every 3 weeks, Smart Maps monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 16, 2026 and October 1, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Inbound versus Smart Maps: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterInboundSmart Maps
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (13 ratings) — better4.6 (9 ratings)
Positive reviews71.4% of reviews75.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings13 — better9
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks — betterMonthly
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationAd-supported — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS17.016.4 — better
Further details — not scored
Size60 MB182 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperInbound Transit LLCLucas Rugar

Customer experience

Inbound

All ratings13 ratings
Positive84.6%
Neutral15.4%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews7 reviews
Positive71.4%
Neutral28.6%
Negative0.0%

Smart Maps

All ratings9 ratings
Positive88.9%
Neutral0.0%
Negative11.1%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive75.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative25.0%

In-app purchases

None

Inbound

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Smart Maps

Subscriptions1
  • Smart Maps Plus$0.991 Month

Questions

Is Inbound free?
Inbound is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Smart Maps free?
Smart Maps is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Inbound or Smart Maps?
Inbound is rated higher. Inbound averages 4.7 out of 5 from 13 ratings, while Smart Maps averages 4.6 from 9 ratings.
Do Inbound or Smart Maps have ads?
Inbound shows ads; Smart Maps does not.
Which is updated more often, Inbound or Smart Maps?
Inbound ships an update every 3 weeks, and Smart Maps monthly. Most recently, Inbound was updated on October 16, 2026 and Smart Maps on October 1, 2026.

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