Chicago ETAs vs MBTA Schedule
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Chicago ETAs
This app provides real-time arrival estimates for Chicago's public transit system. It allows users to track specific departures on their lock screen, save favorite stops, and find nearby locations. Detailed route information is also available.
- Real-time arrival times
- Lock screen tracking
- Favorite stops
- Nearby stops finder
- Detailed route information
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Key Features: - Real-Time Arrival Times: Get up-to-the-minute updates for CTA buses and trains. - Lock Screen Tracking: Show live ETAs for busses and trains on lock screen to conveniently track specific departures. - Favorite Stops: Save your frequently used stops for quick access to arrival times. - Nearby Stops: Easily find nearby bus and train stops based on your current location. - Detailed Route Info: Look up specific buses and trains to view route details and schedules. This app is not affiliated with the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), though displays data provided publicly by the CTA.
MBTA Schedule
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Key Features • Live departures for selected stops • Route and stop browsing with search • Favorites with quick refresh • Vehicle status and direction labels • Lightweight, fast, and easy to use Lite Version • Ad-supported • Designed for quick “open-and-check” commute use We’re continuously improving performance and usability for Boston-area riders.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is ads: Chicago ETAs at none against MBTA Schedule's shown. Chicago ETAs also leads on update cadence (fortnightly vs monthly) and iOS requirement (18.0 vs 26.2). On price, in-app purchases and device support 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Chicago ETAs ships an update fortnightly, MBTA Schedule monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 30, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Chicago ETAs | MBTA Schedule |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (2 ratings) — better | — |
| Number of ratings | 2 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly — better | Monthly |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 — better | 26.2 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 6 MB | 4 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Emil Mikkelsen | Xiaohe Hu |
In-app purchases
Chicago ETAs
No in-app purchases
MBTA Schedule
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Chicago ETAs free?
Is MBTA Schedule free?
Do Chicago ETAs or MBTA Schedule have ads?
Which is updated more often, Chicago ETAs or MBTA Schedule?
Other comparisons
