# YHA Explorer vs Portal Keys

YHA Explorer and Portal Keys are too close to call on the numbers: across 6 compared parameters — price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases among them — neither pulls far enough ahead to decide it. What separates them is feature set and interface, not measurable difference.

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

YHA Explorer ships an update every 5 weeks, Portal Keys every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 9, 2026 and October 20, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | YHA Explorer | Portal Keys |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Positive reviews | 91.7% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 5 weeks | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | Ad-supported | — |
| Size | 110 MB | 49 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.1 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [YHA](https://appshunter.io/developer/585060104) | [Tipi](https://appshunter.io/developer/924300743) |

## What reviewers say

### YHA Explorer

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/yha-explorer/id6736601424)

Discover unique, affordable, and sustainable accommodations across Australia. Book stays, access digital room keys, and enjoy discounts with this travel companion. Connect with a community of travelers and explore local experiences.

**Highlights:** Discover unique accommodations, Instant savings and growing discounts, Digital room keys and online check-in, Personalized recommendations, Book local experiences and tours, Commitment to sustainability

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

**In-app purchases:** none


### Portal Keys

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/portal-keys/id6738687549)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is YHA Explorer free?

YHA Explorer is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Portal Keys free?

Portal Keys is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Do YHA Explorer or Portal Keys have ads?

Neither YHA Explorer nor Portal Keys shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, YHA Explorer or Portal Keys?

YHA Explorer ships an update every 5 weeks, and Portal Keys every 3 weeks. Most recently, YHA Explorer was updated on October 9, 2026 and Portal Keys on October 20, 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.*