# BART Watch vs Backyard Explorer

The clearest difference is rating: Backyard Explorer at 5.0 against BART Watch's 4.4. Backyard Explorer also leads on update cadence (fortnightly vs every 3 months). BART Watch's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and ratings volume (2.9K vs 1). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Backyard Explorer sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. BART Watch asks for nothing beyond the download.

Backyard Explorer holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: BART Watch has 2.9K ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

BART Watch ships an update every 3 months, Backyard Explorer fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 21, 2026 and October 9, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | BART Watch | Backyard Explorer |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.4 (2.9K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bart-watch/id900583295/reviews) | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/backyard-explorer/id6789675904/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **2.9K** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | 34.8% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | **Fortnightly** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Freemium |
| Size | 20 MB | 62 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 15.1 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 9+ |
| Developer | [ELERTS Corp](https://appshunter.io/developer/445885285) | [KELLY LEUNG](https://appshunter.io/developer/6789675906) |

## What reviewers say

### BART Watch

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bart-watch/id900583295)

This app provides a discreet way for public transit riders to report suspicious activity directly to transit police. Users can send text messages, photos, and location data, with options for anonymity. It also features alerts for persons of interest.

**Highlights:** Report suspicious activity, Send text messages and photos, Discreet reporting with disabled flash, Location sharing, Anonymous reporting option, Direct call to transit police, Be On the Look Out (BOLO) alerts

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Speedy response
- 🚀 Helpful app
- 🚀 Fast response time!
- 🚀 Buen trabajo
- 🚀 Excellent app/very useful

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🔍 Logo is too big
- 🔍 Works horrible in tunnel and tube
- 🔍 If you like to answer endless inane questions
- 🔍 Useless
- 🔍 No response

**Reported bugs**

- had a good connection but unable to upload
- Can't file a report and a kid is lighting things on fire in the BART car. Obvious the camera doesn't work. Good job!
- Don't see an option for fare evader

**Requested features**

- Need a way to report non-police matters too
- Upload a photo of disruptive  behavior


### Backyard Explorer

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/backyard-explorer/id6789675904)

Discover the history and hidden stories of your surroundings with an audio guide that automatically narrates as you walk. Explore different historical perspectives and unlock new content through optional subscriptions.

**Highlights:** Automatic GPS-triggered audio narration, Multiple themed walking tours, Interactive map that reveals as you explore, Live narration for real-world events, Museum collection tours, User-published and discoverable routes, Personal exploration log and achievements

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

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Backyard Explorer | $4.99 | per month |
| Backyard Explorer Annual | $39.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is BART Watch free?

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

### Is Backyard Explorer free?

Backyard Explorer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, BART Watch or Backyard Explorer?

Backyard Explorer is rated higher. BART Watch averages 4.4 out of 5 from 2.9K ratings, while Backyard Explorer averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.

### Do BART Watch or Backyard Explorer have ads?

Neither BART Watch nor Backyard Explorer shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, BART Watch or Backyard Explorer?

BART Watch ships an update every 3 months, and Backyard Explorer fortnightly. Most recently, BART Watch was updated on October 21, 2026 and Backyard Explorer on October 9, 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.*