CharmPass vs EZ Tolls NY
CharmPass is the clear winner, offering a generally functional mobile ticketing experience despite some glitches, while EZ Tolls NY is widely considered a problematic, unofficial app that charges unnecessary fees and raises security concerns.
CharmPass, a mobile ticketing app for Maryland transit, generally receives positive feedback for convenience but is plagued by frequent technical glitches and loading issues. EZ Tolls NY, an unofficial third-party app for New York tolls, is widely criticized as a scam, charging users fees for transactions that are free on the official website and raising significant security concerns.
Head to head
you commute using Maryland transit and want the convenience of mobile ticketing, despite occasional glitches and the need for patience with its performance R2R8R28.
you are looking for a quick way to check your EZ Pass balance and are willing to risk using an unofficial app with potential security concerns and fees for adding funds R73. However, based on user reviews, it is strongly recommended to avoid this app.
Evidence note: Reviews for EZ Tolls NY are overwhelmingly negative, with a strong consensus that it is an unofficial, problematic, and potentially fraudulent app. This makes direct feature-for-feature comparison difficult as many users advise against using it at all. The free-vs-paid asymmetry is relevant for EZ Tolls NY, as it charges fees for functions that are free on the official EZ Pass website, leading to significant user dissatisfaction.
Frequently asked
Is EZ Tolls NY the official EZ Pass app for New York?
Does EZ Tolls NY charge fees?
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.
- [R1] CharmPass Quick to charge card, no support after.: So I downloaded and installed this app for a quick trip to DC. I accidentally clicked the outgoing ticket and it activated it with no way to deactivate it. Call the support number, sent an email, snd no one got back to me. So it seems I would have to buy another ticket. It was only 13 bucks but still, it’s not right. Deleting it from my phone now.
- [R2] CharmPass CharmPass: Quick & easy so convenient. I love the MTA!
- [R8] CharmPass The app!!: This is my first time catching the bus in over nine years. My coworkers told me I should download the app. I never knew this app existed. It is so easy to use and always on point with arrival times. It makes catching the bus and the train so much easier. I think I’ll put off buying that new car for a while.😇
- [R9] CharmPass Disappointed: This app does not offer Senior/Disabled fare option. It only has mobility options for one trip not disabled daily passes so seniors are forced to carry cash in this city…
- [R4] CharmPass Terrible app: There’s an unknown error that’s not letting me access the app.
- [R10] CharmPass Poor screen design: It is too confusing looking at current tickets, stored tickets, past used tickets to quickly get to the ticket you need.
- [R13] CharmPass Can’t load app: I get stuck on the loading screen whenever I try to open the app. Tried uninstalling and reinstalling but nothing seems to work.
- [R15] CharmPass 1 complaint, sorry not sorry: There’s been too many times where I’ll be watching the arriving bus for work(22), and the app will go to 0 minutes and then go back up some minutes. I depend on the accuracy of this app to get me to and from work on time. Given this app is more accurate than my google maps, it’s not perfect yet. I’d appreciate if this issue is fixed pronto.
- [R18] CharmPass Expires before trip is over…: Everything about the app is great, EXCEPT I am always stopped while boarding the second train in my journey because the app shows an expired ticket after two hours. It seems this could be fixed relatively easily. It is an inconvenience to have to explain myself every time, and I’m just waiting for the day when a conductor makes me buy a new ticket…
- [R16] CharmPass Misleading purchase page: After I thought I had made a purchase successfully, when I returned to the app later it brought me to the purchase page with the same cart. I assumed the purchase hadn’t gone through so purchased tickets again. Turns out the purchase did go through and now I have multiple tickets I do not need and will not be able to use.
- [R28] CharmPass Very convenient!: I can buy tickets anywhere on my phone and without pressure of understanding the ticket buying process on an unfamiliar automated ticket issuer. I don’t have to worry about having proper currency in my wallet.
- [R32] CharmPass Life saver!!!: This App saves me time and money!!!
- [R53] CharmPass Steals money: Deletes your tickets as soon as you buy them or your saved tickets disappear. The support is no help and basically says they can’t help and steal your money.
- [R61] EZ Tolls NY STOPPED WORKING: This was just a standard app to be able to see what your balance was and to add a credit card to fund. For the past three months, I try to add funds when close to being depleted, and I get a message that says that my card cannot be used at. My wife experiences the same thing I called Ez pass of New York and they have no clue because they have nothing to do with this app. Does anyo
- [R64] EZ Tolls NY Scam!!!: DO NOT DOWNLOAD!! The official app for NY Ez Pass is “Tolls NY”. Funds uploaded in this app do not make it to your ez pass account and trying to get answers or support is useless and nonexistent. DO NOT DOWNLOAD!! I would give 0 stars if I could.
- [R76] EZ Tolls NY Yes: this is a scam.: I just contacted E-ZPass NY and they said there's only one app for accessing your E-ZPass on your phone, and this is not it. if you have ever logged in using this app, go to the EZ Pass website and change your password immediately. Because this app is a phishing scam.
- [R78] EZ Tolls NY Fake: This should be removed from the app store. It confuses users from the real one.
- [R80] EZ Tolls NY Not the real E-Zpass app, 3rd party: This is a third party App that will charge you fee to pay your E-Zpass… you could just download the real E-Zpass application and pay directly
- [R69] EZ Tolls NY Good App but missing features: The app suits my needs, which is to quickly check my toll balance. My only gripe is that I wished it gave notifications. If the app allowed users to set a minimum balance where the app starts sending low balance notifications, then it would be BOMB. I don’t know why people are crying over the $0.99 top up charge when it’s optional to top up via the app. Check
- [R73] EZ Tolls NY Good app for checking: This app is convenient to check your NY EZ pass balances and activity. Know It is not an app developed by EZPass organization. I like the flow and what it does. If you want to add funds, well, you will be charged 0.99 cents for processing fee. If you don't want pay this, then pay on EZ Pass website. But I do like this app. And will use it.
- [R85] EZ Tolls NY Not official one!: Don’t download it. It’s not official EZ pass app. They gonna charge you money for just fund transfer. EZ pass do have official app. Just look for it and get it. Thank you.
Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store