Verithiathe honest score on any app
Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
User consensusAlternativesIs it worth it?
Better options than

Smart Traveler alternatives

Smart Traveler users frequently encounter login issues, outdated information, and general app instability. Alternatives like Google Maps offer reliable navigation, while Mobile Passport Control streamlines customs for international travelers. MyTSA provides airport security information, and TruckSmart™ caters specifically to professional truck drivers.

Why users look for alternatives to Smart Traveler

The alternatives

Google Maps
4.7★ · 7,271,500 ratings · Free

Google Maps is a navigation app that helps users find locations, get directions, and discover nearby businesses. While some users report recent issues with searching for nearby places like restaurants or gas stations, sometimes redirecting to Google Search or AI R54R57R61, many still consider it the best app for the job, offering excellent and fast service R55.

Better for: Travelers who need reliable navigation, want to find local points of interest, or require accurate directions, especially if they are not experiencing the reported search bugs R55. It is not ideal for those who rely on its search function for nearby businesses, as some recent updates have made this feature less effective R54R57R61.

Head-to-head: Smart Traveler vs Google Maps
Mobile Passport Control
4.9★ · 611,344 ratings · Free

Mobile Passport Control (MPC) aims to streamline the entry process into the United States for eligible travelers. Users praise it for making re-entry into the country easy and seamless R71. However, a significant drawback is that MPC lanes are often reported as closed or unstaffed at major airports like LAX, Hartsfield-Jackson, Newark, and DFW, making the app useless for some travelers R65R72.

Better for: International travelers entering the United States who want a potentially faster customs experience, provided the MPC lanes are open and staffed at their arrival airport R71. It is not suitable for those who arrive at airports where MPC lanes are frequently closed or for travelers who find the app complicated R65R68R72.

Head-to-head: Smart Traveler vs Mobile Passport Control
Yandex Go
4.9★ · 294,659 ratings · Free

Yandex Go is a multifaceted service app, primarily known for ride-hailing and food delivery. Users commend its drivers for being polite and providing excellent service R83. However, some users report issues with incorrect delivery addresses, inability to cancel or change orders, and poor customer support R79R81R85. There are also complaints about the scooter service, where errors are considered the user's problem .

Better for: Individuals in regions where Yandex Go operates who need ride-hailing or delivery services and value good driver interactions R83. It may not be suitable for users who prioritize reliable address accuracy, robust customer support, or a seamless experience with all its integrated services like scooter rentals R79R81R85.

Head-to-head: Smart Traveler vs Yandex Go
MyTSA
4.6★ · 31,691 ratings · Free

MyTSA provides information about airport security, including what items can go through TSA checkpoints and estimated wait times. Frequent flyers find it accessible and helpful for checking what items are allowed R94. However, a major concern is the inaccuracy of reported wait times, which often do not reflect real-time conditions and can be significantly off compared to airport websites R96R99. Some users also note bugs, such as the app crashing when accessing the TSA website on an iPad, and the removal of the TSA PreCheck expiration date display R95.

Better for: Frequent flyers who primarily use it to check what items are permissible through security R94. It is less suitable for travelers who rely on it for accurate, real-time security wait times, as this feature is frequently reported as unreliable R96R99.

Head-to-head: Smart Traveler vs MyTSA
TruckSmart ™
4.6★ · 18,538 ratings · Free

TruckSmart™ is designed for professional truck drivers, offering features like reserving parking, booking showers, and finding locations. While some users report significant improvements in recent updates, making the app functional for reserving parking and paying for showers R108, many still find it buggy, slow, and user-unfriendly. Common complaints include difficulty adding payment cards, login errors, and an outdated user interface R107R109R110.

Better for: Truck drivers who need to reserve parking or showers at TA/Petro locations and have found recent updates to be stable and functional R108. It is not recommended for those who experience persistent login issues, payment card problems, or prefer a more modern and consistently reliable user interface R107R109R110.

Head-to-head: Smart Traveler vs TruckSmart ™
Stick with Smart Traveler if

You primarily use Smart Traveler for general travel information and embassy/consulate contact details, and are willing to tolerate slow loading times and potential login issues, or if you prefer to access the STEP program through the website rather than the app R12.

Evidence note: All alternatives had sufficient reviews to form a judgment.

Frequently asked

Why do users have trouble logging into Smart Traveler?
Users frequently report issues logging into Smart Traveler, with the app often hanging, displaying blank screens after sign-in, or failing to load account information R1R4R7. Some users also experience being blocked or encountering errors during the account setup or login process R10.
Is Smart Traveler's information up to date?
Smart Traveler's information is often not up to date, with users reporting that travel advisories and country details can be several months or even years old R3R23R34R38. This can lead to critical information being missing or inaccurate, such as outdated advisories for Mexico or incorrect risk levels for countries experiencing unrest R3R38.
Does the STEP program work in the Smart Traveler app?
The STEP (Smart Traveler Enrollment Program) functionality within the Smart Traveler app is frequently reported as not working, with users encountering blank screens after logging in or being unable to register their travel R25R27R28R30. Many users state that the STEP program only works when accessed through a web browser, not the app .

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R1] Smart Traveler 2/5 · US The app is not mobile device friendly: The app is not really mobile device friendly. When trying to sign in the app hangs up. You have to go to the website on a computer to enter your travel info correctly. They need to make this more user friendly
  2. [R4] Smart Traveler 1/5 · US Issue: Unable to login
  3. [R7] Smart Traveler 1/5 · US Doesn’t work: Nothing loads and when you sign in it don’t load any account. Since they updated it won’t work proper any more.fix step account login please you can’t login you can’t save login or stay signed in
  4. [R10] Smart Traveler 1/5 · US Worst app ever: This has possibly got to be the dumbest and worst app invented by our incompetent government. So, to set up an account they send you an email to confirm. Once you click that link, you are taken back to the same page for account set up which then sends you another email and so on into perpetuity. So, much for MAGA and DOGE. Also, if you offend them with your password, they won’t all
  5. [R3] Smart Traveler 3/5 · US Proceed with caution: This app was always a great resource when traveling. Unfortunately it no longer appears to be updated in a timely manner. I was looking to see what travel advisories were in place for a planned trip to Mexico in light of Feb 2026 unrest on the Pacific coast. The information was not current as the last update was August 2025.
  6. [R23] Smart Traveler 2/5 · US Very old updates: I use STEP for international travel, but very odd & disappointing to see updates 2-4 years old
  7. [R34] Smart Traveler 1/5 · US Out of date: This was last updated last year so is not helpful at all.
  8. [R38] Smart Traveler 2/5 · US App is now deemed worthless: this app does not reflect the current state of affairs. Urgent travel restrictions have already been issued as per the state department listed here. The Smart Traveler app does not reflect this and the only country found to be a no travel consideration is Iran. This app and it’s developer should be considered liable for false information.. “Americans in Bahrain, Egyp
  9. [R13] Smart Traveler 1/5 · US Morocco is not in China: Trying to look up information for Morocco and it links to information for Macau China… good use of tax dollars.
  10. [R15] Smart Traveler 2/5 · US Some countries don’t have info: A few countries/areas lacked info and gave error messages when trying to open them. Some areas also didnt have travel ratings that should. Not including ratings on areas at war is a bit counterintuitive
  11. [R17] Smart Traveler 1/5 · US What happened?: Not all countries have information. Some countries have information about other countries. Please be professional and care about what used to be a great App. It is no longer Smart Traveler but more like Whatever, you will find out when you get there. We know nothing or we just won’t tell you.
  12. [R50] Smart Traveler 1/5 · US Austria has no kangaroos: The link for travel to Austria actually informs of the requirement s for travel to Australia. One would assume the US Department of State would be aware of this.
  13. [R6] Smart Traveler 3/5 · US Error 500: Costa Rica when i pick this country on my I phone and Mac.
  14. [R12] Smart Traveler 3/5 · GB Needs More: This app is great in theory and allows you to access useful information, such as phone numbers for (U.S.) embassies and consulates, but it is incredibly slow. The info seems to load from the various websites and is not native within the app. That can be endured, however the fact that phone numbers, e-mail addresses, and postal addresses are not hyperlinked - nor can they be highlighted
  15. [R33] Smart Traveler 2/5 · US Great idea, poor application: The app is very buggy after I try to sign in. But it was very helpful to see all the info on the countries in one place.
  16. [R25] Smart Traveler 1/5 · US Does not work: Multiple attempts to register for STEP through the app failed. Once logged in the app just goes blank. Good job USG!
  17. [R27] Smart Traveler 1/5 · US Doesn’t work: Step doesn’t work
  18. [R28] Smart Traveler 1/5 · US STEP: Log in to STEP never works.
  19. [R30] Smart Traveler 1/5 · US STEP not working.: One of the primary reasons for the app is the STEP application to tell the Consulate that I am in the country & to automatically get security alerts. STEP isn’t functioning now in the SMART system.
  20. [R54] Google Maps 2/5 · US New updates disabled some searches: Some of the common searches like restaurants, attractions, gas etc. are not showing on the maps and redirects you to google search. The only time it works is when you’re on incognito mode.
  21. [R55] Google Maps 5/5 · US The best app for the job: Great app but big space for improvement
  22. [R57] Google Maps 1/5 · US Crazy bug: Shows nothing when I search “restaurants “
  23. [R61] Google Maps 1/5 · US Something broke recently: I can no longer search for nearby locations without being told to use Google Search or AI. I am not going to do either, and I am going to open up Apple Maps.
  24. [R65] Mobile Passport Control 1/5 · US No MPC line at LAX WTF!: No MPC line at LAX WTF!
  25. [R68] Mobile Passport Control 1/5 · US Disaster of a cluster: App is complicated and bizarre. Avoid at all costs.
  26. [R71] Mobile Passport Control 5/5 · US Great way to enter the United States: Nice and easy to do great job
  27. [R72] Mobile Passport Control 1/5 · US Great idea, poor execution: At Hartsfield-Jackson currently on a Tuesday afternoon at 2 pm and they tell me it is closed. So now I’m forced to wait in a long line after traveling 12 plus hours back to the states. What a waste of my time.
  28. [R79] Yandex Go 1/5 · US Yandex is a terrible company: I ordered food to an address I had already entered. For some reason, the app automatically changed the delivery address based on geolocation, which is unreliable everywhere right now. As a result, I couldn't cancel the order or change the delivery address. I lost money because of their screw-ups. · translated
  29. [R81] Yandex Go 3/5 · US They don't reach the destination: The first driver arrived about 100 meters away and couldn't wait, even though I messaged him in the chat to wait. In the end, the driver canceled the order. They charged me for both waiting and the pickup. It's really disgusting; it was raining outside, and the service was terrible. The next driver was only found after 15 minutes. That would have been fine, but he stopped 50 meters from the entrance in heavy rain; he apparently couldn't drive closer. · translated
  30. [R83] Yandex Go 5/5 · US Review: Very polite and pleasant driver! · translated
  31. [R85] Yandex Go 1/5 · US Everything sucks: Support sucks, UX sucks, prices suck. · translated
  32. [R94] MyTSA 5/5 · US My favorite app as a frequent flyer: The app is very accessible and works very well on my device. I has just re-downloaded it because it is such an amazing app. The AI has issues but besides that it is a pretty amazing app when I’m not sure something can get through the TSA I will check the app. I have to fly to school ever week so this gets handy when my teachers or AIDS give me something that I
  33. [R95] MyTSA 3/5 · US Expiration Date?!?!????: It used to show when my TSA precheck will expire but why does it no longer show in the app. Make it make sense. On the next update, please return to previous format.
  34. [R96] MyTSA 1/5 · US Not live reports: Maybe this used to work but it does not reflect accurate live times if you compare to airport websites which report actual live times. This is useless and just gives estimates based on history. And can be amazingly inaccurate
  35. [R99] MyTSA 1/5 · US Horrible!: Wish I could rate this a zero. First of all, it says the wait times at all JFK terminals is the same. How can all 4 terminals have the same wait time! And the max wait time it displays is “greater than 60 minutes.” This could be 61 minutes or it could be 200 minutes…. No way to tell.
  36. [R107] TruckSmart ™ 1/5 · US Absolutely user unfriendly: How is this the worst app as opposed to the Pilot/Flying J and Loves apps? Nothing works properly, never wants to take card information, and the format is 2008 mobile web quality. They never update it and don’t really seem to care. TruckSmart? I guess that’s an oxymoron. Update: the new app seems only half finished and half working. Still garbage.
  37. [R108] TruckSmart ™ 5/5 · US What a change on the app looking newer: The app made a completely change
  38. [R109] TruckSmart ™ 3/5 · US UI needs to be updated: The app is decent, however in my opinion it needs a major revamp. Compared to other apps for major T/S like loves or pilot, truck smart seems to be out of date. Yes, you can accomplish the basic tasks you are looking to achieve, but the UI is a bit frustrating at times and the app loves to crash.
  39. [R110] TruckSmart ™ 1/5 · US Please fix the damn app!!!: I can’t add a payment card, I can’t book a shower, please fix and LEAVE it the hell alone!!!

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store