# Viking Line vs HSL

The clearest difference is rating: HSL at 3.9 against Viking Line's 1.9. HSL also leads on ratings volume (483 vs 9) and iOS requirement (13.4 vs 15.6). Viking Line's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and monetization model (ad-supported vs free with in-app purchases). On price, review sentiment, update cadence 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.

HSL holds the better App Store score, 3.9 against 1.9. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: HSL has 483 ratings behind it against 9, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 13% of Viking Line's written reviews are positive against 14% of HSL's.

Viking Line ships an update every 6 weeks, HSL monthly. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Viking Line | HSL |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [1.9 (9 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/viking-line/id954827314/reviews) | **[3.9 (483 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hsl/id1340229182/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 9 | **483** |
| Positive reviews | 13.0% of reviews | **14.5% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 6 weeks | **Monthly** |
| Monetization | **Ad-supported** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 43 MB | 94 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 | **13.4** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 12+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Viking line](https://appshunter.io/developer/954827313) | [Helsingin seudun liikenne](https://appshunter.io/developer/1078409528) |

## What reviewers say

### Viking Line

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/viking-line/id954827314)

Plan and manage your ferry trips with this travel companion. Book journeys, access booking details, and utilize digital loyalty cards. Enjoy convenient features like digital check-in, onboard information, and even use your phone as a cabin key on select ships.

**Highlights:** Book ferry trips, Manage booking details, Digital loyalty card, Self-service check-in, Onboard information, Digital boarding passes, Phone as cabin key

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

**In-app purchases:** none


### 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 Viking Line free?

Viking Line 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, Viking Line or HSL?

HSL is rated higher. Viking Line averages 1.9 out of 5 from 9 ratings, while HSL averages 3.9 from 483 ratings.

### Do Viking Line or HSL have ads?

HSL shows ads; Viking Line does not.

### Which is updated more often, Viking Line or HSL?

Viking Line ships an update every 6 weeks, and HSL monthly. Most recently, Viking Line was updated on October 24, 2026 and HSL on October 24, 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.*