Inbound vs Smart Maps
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- Real-time arrival updates
- Interactive home screen widgets
- Intuitive user interface
- Personalized favorite routes and stations
- Accurate subway schedules
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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.
Smart Maps
Create, explore, and share custom maps using AI and extensive U.S. Census data. Experience enhanced navigation with CarPlay integration. Discover maps made by a community of users.
- Proprietary U.S. Census data layers
- AI-powered map creation
- Map sharing functionality
- CarPlay integration
- Community map exploration
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- Explore our proprietary layers, including hundreds derived from U.S. Census data - Create your own maps - Share your maps with others - Experience CarPlay and Navigation like never before - Explore maps that others have created
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Inbound at 4.7 against Smart Maps's 4.0. Inbound also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 2) and review sentiment (71% vs 45%). Smart Maps's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 6 days vs every 3 weeks). On price, ratings volume, device support and iOS requirement 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. Smart Maps sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Inbound asks for nothing beyond the download.
Inbound holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 13 and 20 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 71% of Inbound's written reviews are positive against 45% of Smart Maps's.
Inbound ships an update every 3 weeks, Smart Maps every 6 days. The most recent releases landed on November 4, 2026 and November 12, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Inbound | Smart Maps |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.7 (13 ratings) — better | 4.0 (20 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 71.4% of reviews — better | 45.5% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 13 | 20 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | Every 6 days — better |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Ad-supported — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | — | #161 — better |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone, iPad — better |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | 16.4 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 60 MB | 171 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Inbound Transit LLC | Lucas Rugar |
Customer experience
Inbound
Smart Maps
In-app purchases
Inbound
No in-app purchases
Smart Maps
- Smart Maps Plus$9.991 Month
- Smart Maps Plus Annual$59.991 Year
