Explore Shenzhen vs Trip Help Tools
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Explore Shenzhen
Navigate Shenzhen's metro system with this comprehensive offline map and route planner. Features include station street maps, GPS location services, and multi-language support. Upgrade for ad-free experience and advanced journey details.
- Offline metro map
- Route planner
- GPS station finder
- Integrated street maps
- English and Chinese support
- Free updates
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Recommended by CNN and Lonely Planet, this is Shenzhen's best subway map! Up-to-date with all the metro lines; Works offline; Routeplanner, GPS, Street maps; English and Chinese included. Download the app completely free! The free app is ad-supported. Upgrade to VIP features if you'd like to get extra features, remove ads and support future development! WHY EXPLOREMETRO? 1. Fully up-to-date Accurate metro map, includes every station on every line. Free updates for future station openings and timetable changes. 2. Designed for iPhone Our gorgeous maps have been fully redesigned for all iPhone devices. Runs on all iOS10-14 devices. 3. Designed for iPad Specially redesigned interface for the larger iPad screen with split screen. Drag and drop station names, tips, maps and timetables into other apps. 4. Street maps for every station Need to get your bearings at a station? Integrated Street maps show you metro exits and nearby streets for every station. 5. Route-planner A really easy route-planner. Get route and time information for any journey with just three taps. 6. "Find my nearest station" Using your GPS, see a list of the closest metro stations to your current location. 7. Works offline Everything works without an Internet connection. Search stations and plan routes on the go. UPGRADE TO VIP FOR EVEN MORE FEATURES I've been developing this app for 9 years. Upgrading to VIP helps support future development of the app. VIP users get additional features, like NO ADS, accurate prices for every journey, first/last train times, offline street maps, tips at every station, and a general warm fuzzy feeling. REVIEWS CNN Travel: "These maps are very easy on the eye and simple to navigate. They work offline and also include free updates of stations that have yet to be completed, operating hours and schedules." Lonely Planet: "Easy to use, up to date and work offline. Very handy, especially when they've run out of paper maps at the stations." SUGGESTIONS We'd love to hear your comments and suggestions on ways to improve the app. Please contact us via support@exploremetro.com, as we can't respond to comments left in the reviews.
Trip Help Tools
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- View updated currency value - Calculate currency value - Calculate fomula
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Trip Help Tools at none against Explore Shenzhen's 1. Trip Help Tools also leads on ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 2 days vs every 4 months). On price, device support and iOS requirement 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. Explore Shenzhen sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Trip Help Tools asks for nothing beyond the download.
Explore Shenzhen ships an update every 4 months, Trip Help Tools every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on October 29, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Explore Shenzhen | Trip Help Tools |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.7 (188 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 52.9% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 188 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | Every 2 days — better |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 14.0 | 13.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 44 MB | 18 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | ExploreMetro | Jartech Consultancy Limited |
In-app purchases
Explore Shenzhen
- VIP mode$4.99
Trip Help Tools
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Explore Shenzhen free?
Is Trip Help Tools free?
Do Explore Shenzhen or Trip Help Tools have ads?
Which is updated more often, Explore Shenzhen or Trip Help Tools?
Other comparisons
