Comparison

Metro Pulse vs Holler Guide

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

Head to head
About

Metro Pulse

This app provides real-time transit information for the Washington region, including arrival times, service alerts, and trip planning. It offers practical details on nearby stations, elevator status, and offline maps for convenient travel.

Highlights
  • Real-time arrival times
  • Nearby station information
  • Trip planner with fare estimates
  • Service alerts and notifications
  • Offline route maps
  • SmarTrip® integration
  • Online chat support
Features
Read full description

Metro Pulse helps you stay informed before you go and while you’re on the move. On bus or rail, across DC, Maryland, and Virginia, you can check real time arrivals, plan trips, save your favorites, chat with us, and get service updates — all in one easy to use app. The official app of Metro, Metro Pulse has the up-to-the-second information you need to get where you want to go. Real Time Arrivals See accurate, real time data for every train and bus. Know when your ride is coming and whether delays or service changes could affect your trip so you can adjust with confidence. Explore Nearby Service Use the Explore tab to view Metro service near your current location or anywhere you drop a pin on the map. Save Your Favorites Keep your most used lines, routes, stations, stops, and places within easy reach • Favorite a rail line or bus route to preview arrivals at nearby stations or stops • Favorite a specific station or stop to see upcoming arrivals anytime Plan and Customize Your Trip Find the best way to get from point A to point B using bus, rail, or both. • Compare route options • View fare estimates and travel times • Choose when you want to leave — now or later • Customize preferences like travel modes, walking distance, access to elevators AI Powered Chat Get quick answers about arrivals, delays, service changes, and more. If you need additional help, connect directly with a Metro customer service representative. Service Alerts Stay updated on delays, service changes, cancellations, track work, and emergencies so you can avoid surprises. Designed for Metro Riders Built for riders across the DMV and redesigned with your feedback, Metro Pulse gives you the information you need when you need it — helping you move through the region with less stress and more confidence. Metro Pulse keeps your trip on track — before, during, and after your ride.

About

Holler Guide

Features
Read full description

Holler Guide is your concierge for the Virginia Piedmont — the wineries, farm tables, galleries, and back roads between the Blue Ridge and the Piedmont's small towns. MEET CHARLES, YOUR CONCIERGE - Ask in plain language: "Where should we eat tonight?" or "Plan a Saturday around Sperryville" - Charles knows the venues, hours, events, and what's actually happening this week - With your permission, he'll call a venue and arrange a reservation on your behalf - He tells you what he doesn't know instead of guessing EXPLORE - Hundreds of venues across the Piedmont: wineries, restaurants, farms, galleries, shops, and lodging - What's happening right now — events, specials, menu changes, and hours updates - Local weather, and how it compares to the city you're driving from - Search and filter by category MAP - Every venue on one map, filtered by what you're after - Directions to any stop PLAN YOUR DAY - Build an itinerary of venues and events - See drive times between stops - Add events to your calendar BUILT FOR THE WAY YOU TRAVEL - Sign in with Apple, Google, or email - Payments handled by Stripe — we never see your card number - Recent venues and events stay available when the signal drops - We only use your name and email to personalize your experience Whether you live here or you're coming out for the weekend, Holler Guide helps you find the good stuff.

Screenshots

Metro Pulse4 screens
Holler Guide4 screens

Verdict

The call

Metro Pulse and Holler Guide 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.

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

Metro Pulse ships an update every 3 weeks, Holler Guide every 11 days. The most recent releases landed on October 18, 2026 and October 1, 2026 respectively.

ScorecardNo meaningful differences
Metro Pulse versus Holler Guide: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMetro PulseHoller Guide
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.7 (126 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews21.9% of reviews—
Number of ratings126 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 11 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS16.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size69 MB25 MB
Age rating4+17+
DeveloperWashington Metropolitan Area Transit AuthorityTooPersonal, Inc.

Bugs and requests

Metro Pulse

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Old bus route numbers displayed on iPad app
  • Location permissions not working
  • Inability to switch between train and bus

Requested features

3 requests
  • Ability to plan future trips
  • Fare data integration
  • Scrollable and closable welcome screen

Holler Guide

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Metro Pulse

No in-app purchases

None

Holler Guide

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Metro Pulse free?
Metro Pulse is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Holler Guide free?
Holler Guide is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Metro Pulse or Holler Guide have ads?
Neither Metro Pulse nor Holler Guide shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Metro Pulse or Holler Guide?
Metro Pulse ships an update every 3 weeks, and Holler Guide every 11 days. Most recently, Metro Pulse was updated on October 18, 2026 and Holler Guide on October 1, 2026.

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