Last Updated on September 19, 2020 by Guest
On Thursday, we at New-Startups.com presented our roundup of 46 transit apps in use in the Toronto area. Now that each app has given its proper breakdown, it is time to hand out the awards!
Since every user has their own specific need or something they value, we have created nine different award categories each looking at a specific feature. “Most Reliable”, for example, looks at apps that perform well, load quick, and don’t shut down on you. For each category, New-Startups.com will select what we feel is the best, most representative app on iOS, Android, Windows Phone, and BlackBerry. At the end, we break down what we feel are the absolute best choices overall for each OS.
Most Reliable
The apps that topped this category are not here just for accuracy. When it comes down to the simple task of finding where your next bus is, they will always get the job done–no slow loading times, no sudden shutdowns, no problems. It also helps that most of them are frequently updated, so you know the app developer is keeping an eye out for any potential hindrances.
iOS: TTC Watch for Toronto
Android: Toronto Transit TTC
Windows Phone: TTC Transit Guru
BlackBerry: BusArrivals for TTC
Most Accessible
Everyone has to start somewhere. For first-timers not wanting to be overwhelmed, or people who just want the latest info straightaway and straightforward, these apps get the top marks for their relative simplicity and ease of use. One touch or swipe is usually all you need.
iOS: Transit App
Android: My TTC
Windows Phone: TTC Transit Guru
BlackBerry: BusArrivals for TTC
Most Comprehensive
Some commuters are looking for that true Swiss Army knife of transit apps. While these apps may not order you a cup of coffee (yet), they can certainly offer you a plethora of features to fool around with. Hopefully, what’s offered in these apps will become the future standard.
iOS: TTC Watch for Toronto
Android: Transit Now Toronto for TTC
Windows Phone: TTC Transit Guru
BlackBerry: localMotion
Best Design
Transit apps have come far in recent years, but not just through features or specs. They can look quite pretty, too–just take a glance at any of these beauties. Clean, minimalistic, and easy on the eyes, any of the top picks here will have you wondering why you ever bothered with, hm, more outdated UIs.
iOS: Transit App
Android: Transit App
Windows Phone: TTC Scout
BlackBerry: Where’s My Bus? (Stephen Eskin)
Most Intuitive
Reliability, accessibility, breadth, appearance. Individually, good things to have, but once you try interweaving them all, it gets a tad messy. For example, an app that looks like it could be displayed at the AGO may still be trashed if its user cannot find what they want. Likewise, an app may have all of the features in the world; but, if those features aren’t presented properly, people may still use the app for only one. Being intuitive is key. These apps were selected for their natural feel without sacrificing other variables.
iOS: TTC Watch for Toronto
Android: Transit Now Toronto for TTC
Windows Phone: TTC Scout
BlackBerry: Where’s My Bus? (Stephen Eskin)
Most Data-Friendly
While some apps are hungrier than others, there are quite a few that are downright gluttonous. Here are the ones with the truly pleasant table manners. Interestingly enough, when we started our research, it was naturally assumed that apps from smaller developers would correspond to smaller demands. However, we found plenty of apps–both ways–that clashed against that notion.
iOS: Smart Ride
Android: TTC Bus Tracker
Windows Phone: TTC Transit Guru
BlackBerry: BusArrivals for TTC
Best for Globetrekkers
Like any big city, Toronto can be downright nasty sometimes. When the time comes, you need to get out and move! Travel! Check out the world! And while you do that, you wouldn’t want to be stuck downloading new apps for every new place you visit. But with the top choices here, all you have to do is step off the plane and carry on like a local. No danger of looking like a tourist, guaranteed. Unless you decide on wearing that fanny pack–then you’re just asking for it.
iOS: Moovit
Android: Moovit
Windows Phone: Moovit
BlackBerry: RocketMan
Most Privacy-Friendly
While we may be used to it by now, it can still be a displeasure to see an app request so much out of your phone. Your name, your contacts, your photos of your cats–when does it end?! Fortunately, there are developers out there that have the same worries. These apps just want to help you out, and with only the minimum required.
iOS: TTC Watch for Toronto
Android: TTC Bus Tracker
Windows Phone: Realtime Bus
BlackBerry: TTC Bus Tracker
Most Potential
The final of our select categories goes to those who we believe have a bright future. Of course, this being the app world, the future pretty much means December. Anyway, with dedicated developers and standout features, these apps here have what it takes to truly be the archetypes for their OSs.
iOS: iNextBus
Android: Where Is My Bus? aka TTC Bus Schedule (Dynamatik)
Windows Phone: TTC Scout
BlackBerry: localMotion
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Finally, after much careful deliberation, we choose the best overall choices for each OS. In a general sense, every app you see here is a good choice; you may even find yourself liking one of the runners-up instead of our main selection. In the end, try them yourself and see what’s best for you!
Best for iOS: TTC WATCH FOR TORONTO
Runners-Up: Transit App, RocketMan, Smart Ride, Moovit, iNextBus
While there was no particularly clear winner for iOS users, we felt that TTC Watch for Toronto had the best mix of being Toronto-specific and presenting a clean, professional experience. Our experience with TTC Watch for Toronto was virtually problem-free, and that should certainly count for something. Transit App is also an excellent alternative, though the lack of a dedicated route finder prevents it from being the obvious choice.
Best for Android: TRANSIT NOW TORONTO FOR TTC
Runners-Up: Transit App, Toronto Transit TTC (Android), RocketMan, My TTC, TTC Bus Tracker, Transit Oracle
Transit Now does have room for improvement, but overall it seems to be the most well-rounded and well-liked of the many Android apps available. Accessible, reliable, comprehensive, and intuitive, Transit Now’s strengths results in it eking out a win in a very crowded field. However, any of the runners-up can make a fair claim to the throne; with the variety available, it really comes down to your preferences as a user. Even apps that did not make the runners-up list, like TTC Tracker and NextTTC, are good and safe choices.
Best for Windows Phone: TTC TRANSIT GURU
Runners-Up: TTC Scout, Moovit, TTC The Better App, Realtime Bus
Hmm. What to go with: the reliable favourite in Transit Guru, or the hot upstart in TTC Scout? In the end, we decided that nearly 1,000 positives reviews can’t be wrong, and chose Transit Guru. If you have already been using Transit Guru, there is no real reason to switch, as it pretty much does all you could want. TTC Scout does deserve a try, though, for we have a feeling that there is still more to come from it. However, beyond these big two and the worldwide standard Moovit, the rest of the field is quite weak for Windows Phone users.
Best for BlackBerry: LOCALMOTION
Runners-Up: BusArrivals for TTC, RocketMan, TTC Bus Tracker, Where’s My Bus? (Stephen Eskin)
Other apps may be more well-known and used, but we could not deny how impressive localMotion was for a recent addition. Simply put, localMotion has features that even apps on other OSs need to take note of. And it also helps that it is one of the few apps for Blackberry that is still getting updates. However, localMotion is pretty sizable, so the simple BusArrivals, the utilitarian TTC Bus Tracker, or the renowned RocketMan are great alternatives. And if you don’t mind paying, Where’s My Bus? from developer Stephen Eskin is probably the most visually pleasing and intuitive of all. For BlackBerry users, any other choice besides these five is a poor one.
What did you think of our selections? Accurate? Terrible? Make the case for what you feel is the best transit app for Toronto on Twitter!
