Comparison

Live BART vs MetroPal

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

Head to head
About

Live BART

This app provides real-time BART train departure information, including estimated arrival times, destinations, and platform details. It can locate your nearest station or allow you to select any other BART station to view upcoming departures and train car counts. It also features a trip planner with a "get a seat" mode and an alerts screen for delays.

Highlights
  • Real-time BART departures
  • Nearest station locator
  • Train destination and route color
  • Estimated time until departure
  • Number of cars and platform
  • Trip planner with 'get a seat' mode
  • BART delay and emergency alerts
Features
Read full description

Have you ever tried to catch a train at a BART station, but didn't exactly know when the train was coming? How about guessing how long the train is, only to find out the train was shorter than you thought? If so, then Live BART is for you! Live BART will instantly locate the nearest BART station, and display all the upcoming real-time estimated departures for that station. Additionally, you can also choose to select any other BART station, and get its estimated departures. KEY FEATURES: - Locates your nearest BART station instantly. - Displays real-time estimated departures loaded directly from BART servers. - Shows useful information for upcoming trains: - Destination - Estimated time until departure - Route color - Number of cars - Train Platform - Allows you to select a station by distance or by name - Trip Planner with unique “Get a seat” mode, based on train congestion - Feedback tab to send messages directly to the development team - Alerts screen to view BART delays and emergencies SERVICE REQUIREMENTS: - Location Services - A working internet connection DISCLAIMERS and DATA DISTRIBUTION LIABILITY STATEMENT Jonajo Consulting LLC, the owner and producer of Live BART, shall not be held liable for improper or incorrect use of the data described and/or contained herein. The information contained in these data is dynamic and may change over time. The data are not better than the original sources from which they were derived (http://api.bart.gov/docs/etd/etd.aspx). It is the responsibility of the data user to use the data appropriately and consistent within the limitations of real-time estimated departure data in general and these data in particular. Jonajo Consulting LLC gives no warranty, expressed or implied, as to the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of these data. Continued use of GPS running in the background can dramatically decrease battery life. By using the Live BART application, you agree to these terms and conditions.

About

MetroPal

Get live transit departure times directly on your phone's lock screen. Customize which stations and directions are displayed for a personalized commute experience. Departure times update in real-time, ensuring accuracy.

Highlights
  • Live lock screen departures
  • Multiple widget styles
  • Station and direction customization
  • Real-time departure updates
  • Unlimited station widgets (Pro)
  • Line filter customization (Pro)
Features
Read full description

MetroPal puts live BART departures right on your lock screen — no more unlocking your phone and opening an app just to see when your train is coming. LIVE ON YOUR LOCK SCREEN See real-time departure countdowns without ever unlocking your phone. Choose from three widget styles — a compact circular glance, an inline countdown, or a full list of upcoming trains — all built for the lock screen. BUILT FOR YOUR COMMUTE Pick your station, choose which directions you actually ride, and hide the lines you never take. MetroPal shows you exactly what matters for your trip — nothing else. ALWAYS-FRESH DEPARTURES Departure times update continuously, so what you see on your lock screen matches what's on the board at the station. METROPAL PRO Upgrade for: • Unlimited station widgets — save one for every station you use • Multiple favorites — pin all your go-to stations in the Trains tab • Line filter customization on every widget • Early access to future transit systems as they're added MetroPal is not affiliated with or endorsed by BART. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Live BART4 screens
MetroPal4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: MetroPal at 100% against Live BART's 49%. MetroPal also leads on update cadence (every 5 days vs every 6 weeks) and rating (5.0 vs 4.6). Live BART's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and ratings volume (2.1K vs 2). On price and ads 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. MetroPal sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Live BART asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

MetroPal holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Live BART has 2.1K ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 49% of Live BART's written reviews are positive against 100% of MetroPal's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Live BART ships an update every 6 weeks, MetroPal every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and October 7, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 2 level
Live BART versus MetroPal: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterLive BARTMetroPal
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (2.1K ratings)5.0 (2 ratings) — better
Positive reviews48.8% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings2.1K — better2
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeksEvery 5 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS13.0 — better17.4
Further details — not scored
Size42 MB12 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJonajo Consulting LLCANGELIQUE IMANI,SARA PHILLIPS

Customer experience

Live BART

All ratings2,059 ratings
Positive91.4%
Neutral3.3%
Negative5.4%
Written reviews41 reviews
Positive48.8%
Neutral2.4%
Negative48.8%

MetroPal

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

Live BART

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Departure times not updating correctly
  • App crashing or freezing
  • Incorrect station listings and locations

Requested features

4 requests
  • Add support for Antioch and Pittsburg/Bay Point eBART stations
  • Implement widgets for quick departure time access
  • Allow customization of favorite stations or commute routes
  • Improve Apple Watch app performance and features

MetroPal

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Live BART

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

MetroPal

Subscriptions2
  • MetroPal Pro7 Days trial$0.991 Month
  • MetroPal Pro Yearly7 Days trial$7.991 Year

Questions

Is Live BART free?
Live BART is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is MetroPal free?
MetroPal is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Live BART or MetroPal?
MetroPal is rated higher. Live BART averages 4.6 out of 5 from 2.1K ratings, while MetroPal averages 5.0 from 2 ratings.
Do Live BART or MetroPal have ads?
Neither Live BART nor MetroPal shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Live BART or MetroPal?
Live BART ships an update every 6 weeks, and MetroPal every 5 days. Most recently, Live BART was updated on October 14, 2026 and MetroPal on October 7, 2026.

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