# Translink Planner vs Translink On Demand

The clearest difference is rating: Translink On Demand at 5.0 against Translink Planner's 4.4. Translink On Demand also leads on update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 6 months) and review sentiment (33% vs 19%). Translink Planner's advantage is ratings volume (215 vs 2). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

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

Translink On Demand holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Translink Planner has 215 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 19% of Translink Planner's written reviews are positive against 33% of Translink On Demand's.

Translink Planner ships an update every 6 months, Translink On Demand every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 21, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Translink Planner | Translink On Demand |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.4 (215 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/translink-planner/id648823280/reviews) | **[5.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/translink-on-demand/id1544648989/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **215** | 2 |
| Positive reviews | 18.5% of reviews | **33.3% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 6 months | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Ad-supported** |
| Size | 111 MB | 134 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 15.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Ulsterbus Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/648823283) | [Via Transportation, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/657777018) |

## What reviewers say

### Translink Planner

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/translink-planner/id648823280)

Plan bus, coach, and rail journeys across Northern Ireland and border regions. Get real-time travel updates, view departure boards, and purchase tickets for specific rail services. Features include interactive planning, ticket storage, and personalized alerts.

**Highlights:** Interactive journey planning, Purchase NI Railways tickets, In-app ticket wallet, Real-time departure boards, Personalized travel updates, Accessible planning options

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy journey planning functionality
- 🗺️ Helpful map integration for route visualization
- 📱 Modern app interface design
- 🚀 Quick access to timetable information
- 💾 Ability to save journeys to calendar

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Inaccurate and unreliable bus/train times
- 😤 Frequent service cancellations not reflected in app
- 🔧 Clunky and unintuitive user interface
- ❌ Cannot purchase tickets within app
- 🗺️ Poor navigation and confusing layout

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes on iPhone during ticket purchase
- Password reset emails not received
- Unable to renew or change passwords
- Journey planner adds unnecessary stops and complications
- Bus stops disappear when zooming in on map

**Requested features**

- Unified app for journey planning AND ticket purchasing
- Live bus tracking with real-time location updates
- Ability to view actual departure times instead of countdown minutes
- Show actual time alongside minutes remaining
- Complaint/feedback option for late or cancelled services


### Translink On Demand

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/translink-on-demand/id1544648989)

Book convenient and personalized public transport rides within designated zones. Select your pickup and drop-off points, track your bus in real-time, and manage your bookings for an affordable travel experience.

**Highlights:** Book on-demand rides, Select pickup and drop-off, Track bus arrival in real-time, Manage bookings, Flexible routing, Book now or in advance

**Features:** Apple Wallet, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Translink Planner free?

Translink Planner is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Translink On Demand free?

Translink On Demand is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Translink Planner or Translink On Demand?

Translink On Demand is rated higher. Translink Planner averages 4.4 out of 5 from 215 ratings, while Translink On Demand averages 5.0 from 2 ratings.

### Do Translink Planner or Translink On Demand have ads?

Neither Translink Planner nor Translink On Demand shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Translink Planner or Translink On Demand?

Translink Planner ships an update every 6 months, and Translink On Demand every 3 weeks. Most recently, Translink Planner was updated on September 21, 2026 and Translink On Demand on September 23, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*