Verithiathe honest score on any app
Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

CLEAR vs Tripadvisor

CLEAR 4.7★ · Free to download 55
Winner Tripadvisor
Tripadvisor 4.8★ · Free + IAP 75

Choose Tripadvisor for a more reliable and user-friendly experience.

Full reviews: CLEAR · Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor offers a higher overall rating and more consistent positive feedback regarding user experience compared to CLEAR. While CLEAR has its merits in terms of ease of use for travel, it suffers from significant issues with customer service and app functionality.

Head to head

features edge: TripadvisorR61R64R101R102
CLEAR CLEAR provides a streamlined process for airport security but has issues with app functionality and verification.
Tripadvisor Tripadvisor offers a wide range of travel-related features, including booking and reviewing, though some users find recent updates frustrating.
ease of use edge: TripadvisorR3R10R98R116
CLEAR Users find CLEAR easy to use for enrollment and uploading information, but many report glitches and verification issues.
Tripadvisor Tripadvisor's recent updates have made navigation more difficult, but overall users still find it easier to use than CLEAR.
reliability edge: TripadvisorR9R37R108R86
CLEAR CLEAR users frequently report long wait times and inconsistent service at airports, questioning its value.
Tripadvisor Tripadvisor users express frustration with customer service and app reliability but generally find it dependable for travel planning.
price/value edge: TripadvisorR55R37R43
CLEAR CLEAR is a paid service ($200/year) that some users feel does not deliver sufficient value compared to TSA Pre-check.
Tripadvisor Tripadvisor is free to use, with optional in-app purchases, making it accessible for all users.
support edge: TripadvisorR18R45R108R92
CLEAR CLEAR has been criticized for poor customer service and slow response times, leading to user frustration.
Tripadvisor Tripadvisor has also faced complaints about customer service, but users report more consistent support experiences.
Pick CLEAR if

you prioritize fast airport processing and are willing to navigate potential app issues.

Pick Tripadvisor if

you want a more reliable travel planning tool with better overall user support.

Evidence note: While both apps have their strengths, recent reviews indicate that Tripadvisor's issues are less severe and more manageable than those faced by CLEAR users.

Frequently asked

What is the cost of CLEAR and Tripadvisor?
CLEAR costs around $200 per year, while Tripadvisor is free to download with optional in-app purchases.

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. [R61] Tripadvisor 1/5 · US Don’t even!!!: Terrible!!!
  2. [R64] Tripadvisor 1/5 · US Nothing like breaking a perfect app for no reason: I’ve been using y’all for years, but I’ve got to find an alternative. This mapbox map thing is clunky and unhelpful As a user: I would like to see a list of things to do nearby. Clicking “Nearby” brings me to an infuriating map with no list view. I have no interest in zooming in to various pins on the map & clicking through them. Feels like y’a
  3. [R101] Tripadvisor 5/5 · US Source for information: I enjoy using TripAdvisor, it is a great source of information when traveling. Whether it is sights to visit, hotels to stay at, or things to do…it’s great!
  4. [R102] Tripadvisor 1/5 · US NO LIST!: When searching for restaurants the results were available on a map AND a list view. No list anymore, it’s more difficult to navigate the choices.
  5. [R3] CLEAR 3/5 · US Not user friendly: It will not allow me to type in the correct expiration date for TSA pre check. The support steps claim it can’t be corrected until mine expires two years from now. I am worried this will cause a headache at the airport.
  6. [R10] CLEAR 2/5 · US Verification issues: Extremely poor the execution and verification provided a six false negative before it finally verified my details. Unacceptable.
  7. [R98] Tripadvisor 2/5 · US Removal of list view greatly reduces the usefulness of the app: Long time user. I have found the app incredibly useful when visiting a new city. Unfortunately the app will no longer show a list of sorted and filtered options. The only way to view results is on a map. I do like the map when looking for things close to me. Unfortunately this map view is useless when looking for options no
  8. [R116] Tripadvisor 1/5 · US List View Gone: This used to be an incredible app. You could easily search what’s nearby and open now and get a LIST of restaurants. Now it only gives you a map view which is completely useless. Apparently this is some sort of update to push people towards using a map so you can see a bunch of little dot but no idea what the restaurants are until you tap on them. Whoever thought this was a good
  9. [R9] CLEAR 3/5 · US Austin 👎🏼: It’s great when it works. And then there’s days like today where the regular line is literally faster than the one we’re paying for. I think about a third of the time it’s not worth it.
  10. [R37] CLEAR 1/5 · US Paying for nothing: So CLEAR originally told me that my terminal would have a clear lane at JFK. Today I get a notice that my flight is being delayed a half an hour and now the app is saying that there’s no clear lane at my terminal. So basically I’m paying $200 for nothing. Absolutely the worst. This is a rip off. Save yourself the $200 and stick to TSA pre-check.
  11. [R108] Tripadvisor 1/5 · US Terrible customer service.: They don’t care about your safety. They refused to refund me money for a boating excursion despite the severe weather at the time. Clearly not concerned with customer safety.
  12. [R86] Tripadvisor 1/5 · US Won’t help with tour issues: Good place to book tours, but we had lots of tour issues while visiting Italy & TripAdvisor did not help at all. I heard GetyourGuide is more helpful - so I will be using on my next trip.
  13. [R55] CLEAR 2/5 · US Reduced hours of operation (not available 24/7), not available in all airports or terminals: As the title says, these are some of the issues with the CLEAR Passes. Honestly TSA pre-check passes might be your best bet and they’re cheaper. What’s the point of getting these? if they’re not going to be open 24 seven at the airport, given how expensive they are.
  14. [R43] CLEAR 2/5 · US Be aware TSA pre is free only if paid within a short period of clear+ payment.: We enjoyed using CLEAR plus on a trip and got the trial when we left as well as on our return 10 days later. Clear kept showing me an ad to get TSA pre-check for free. So I set the appointment and paid my money to TSA pre-check, I even called CLEAR to make sure of the process. It didn’t qualify because they have to be
  15. [R18] CLEAR 3/5 · US TERRIBLE customer service: You need to have REAL people answer customer calls. The wait today (3/25/26) was unacceptable. Chat time also was unacceptable! Think your Ivory Tower management should be fired. Best regards, geo from Detroit😀😀😀😀😀
  16. [R45] CLEAR 1/5 · US Worst customer service: I’ve been waiting for over a month to cancel an old account, nobody hasn’t gotten back to me and no agent at the airport “allegedly” have access. So I’ve been paying a duplicate account I cannot use
  17. [R92] Tripadvisor 1/5 · US Dont use this company: This company is unprofessional and inconsiderate of there customers.. they have no issues taking your money and then make you try and resolve issues with tour agents rather through them where the trip or activity was booked. Then they waste your time transferring you from agent to agent which all are of no help and when you try to escalate it they tell you no supervisor is a

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