# Direct Ferries vs HSL

The clearest difference is rating: Direct Ferries at 4.7 against HSL's 3.9. Direct Ferries also leads on monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases) and review sentiment (28% vs 14%). HSL's advantage is iOS requirement (13.4 vs 16.4). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

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

Direct Ferries holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.9. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1.5K and 484 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 28% of Direct Ferries's written reviews are positive against 14% of HSL's.

Direct Ferries ships an update every 3 weeks, HSL monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 17, 2026 and October 14, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Direct Ferries | HSL |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (1.5K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/direct-ferries/id731410353/reviews)** | [3.9 (484 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hsl/id1340229182/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **1.5K** | 484 |
| Positive reviews | **28.4% of reviews** | 14.5% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 weeks** | Monthly |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 92 MB | 94 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.4 | **13.4** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Direct Ferries](https://appshunter.io/developer/731410356) | [Helsingin seudun liikenne](https://appshunter.io/developer/1078409528) |

## What reviewers say

### Direct Ferries

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/direct-ferries/id731410353)

Compare and book ferry tickets for over 3000 crossings worldwide. Access real-time pricing and availability, track your ferry live, and manage bookings easily. Find ports and get instant confirmation for your travels.

**Highlights:** Compare ferry crossings worldwide, Real-time pricing and availability, Book tickets up to 12 months in advance, Live ferry tracker, Port finder, Amend and cancel bookings, Secure payment options

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

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Easy to use
- 🚀 Smooth booking process
- 🚀 Convenient app features
- 🚀 Global ferry services
- 🚀 Painless booking experience

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Buggy app
- 🔍 Lack of customer support
- 🔍 Difficult to amend bookings
- 🔍 Unreliable service
- 💰 Expensive compared to direct booking

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes frequently
- Booking information not accurately reflected
- Inability to log in or reset passwords
- Mapping/directions feature not working properly

**Requested features**

- Improved customer support channels
- Ability to easily amend or cancel bookings
- More transparent pricing and booking policies
- Tighter integration with ferry operator apps


### HSL

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hsl/id1340229182)

Plan your public transport journeys in the Helsinki region, buy tickets, and get real-time updates. Access buses, trains, metro, trams, and ferries all in one place.

**Highlights:** Public transport ticket purchase, Journey planner, Real-time timetables, Vehicle tracking, Service disruption alerts, Multiple payment options

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Excellent app for travel in Helsinki
- 👍 Convenient and worked very well
- 🚀 Great experience, nice UI

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Buggy and annoying
- 🐛 Doesn't work with international numbers
- 🐛 Kept coming with error triangle or claiming no internet connection
- 🐛 App doesn't function, unable to purchase tickets

**Reported bugs**

- Version 4.2.0 does not work on iPhone6 (iOS 12.5.5)
- Routes go blank, nothing to go back
- Login problems, like a scam
- Unable to create account, login, or purchase tickets

**Requested features**

- Allow buying multiple tickets in a single purchase
- Add maps showing all routes
- Provide email verification option instead of just SMS


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Direct Ferries free?

Direct Ferries is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is HSL free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Direct Ferries or HSL?

Direct Ferries is rated higher. Direct Ferries averages 4.7 out of 5 from 1.5K ratings, while HSL averages 3.9 from 484 ratings.

### Do Direct Ferries or HSL have ads?

Both Direct Ferries and HSL show ads.

### Which is updated more often, Direct Ferries or HSL?

Direct Ferries ships an update every 3 weeks, and HSL monthly. Most recently, Direct Ferries was updated on October 17, 2026 and HSL on October 14, 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.*