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Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

CLEAR vs Priority Pass™

CLEAR 4.7★ · Free to download 70
Winner CLEAR
Priority Pass™ 4.8★ · Free to download 55

CLEAR is the better choice for travelers prioritizing speed through airport security, despite occasional service and app issues, while Priority Pass™ offers lounge access that is often inconsistent and overcrowded.

Full reviews: CLEAR · Priority Pass™

CLEAR aims to speed up airport security, with many users finding it effective, though some experience long lines and app glitches. Priority Pass™ offers airport lounge access, but users frequently report overcrowding, limited food options, and difficulties with app functionality and access.

Head to head

Speed and Efficiency (Airport Experience) edge: CLEARR4R6R9R13
CLEAR Many CLEAR users praise its speed and efficiency, allowing them to bypass long security lines and get through quickly, often in 1-2 minutes R32R36. However, some users report that CLEAR lines can be long, sometimes even slower than regular lines, and that locations can be understaffed R4R6R9R13.
Priority Pass™ Priority Pass™ users value the ability to relax in lounges before flights . However, a significant number of reviews mention that lounges are frequently full, leading to long waits or denied entry R63R69R72R78.
App Functionality and Ease of Use tieR3R5R7R8
CLEAR CLEAR's app is generally seen as easy for enrollment and uploading information R5R8R17. However, many users report significant issues with the app, including difficulties with passport scanning due to glare or glitches, verification problems, inability to sign in, and general unresponsiveness R3R7.
Priority Pass™ Priority Pass™ users appreciate the convenience of having lounge access via the app . However, the app is widely criticized for being clunky, glitchy, crashing, not recognizing passcodes, having login difficulties, and issues with adding memberships or saving cards to Apple Wallet R67R88R90.
Customer Service and Support edge: CLEARR13R16R17R18
CLEAR CLEAR receives mixed reviews for customer service. Some users report excellent support at the airport and through the app R17R26. However, many others describe abysmal customer service, long wait times for calls and chat, unhelpful chatbots, and difficulties with account management or cancellations R13R16R18.
Priority Pass™ Priority Pass™ users occasionally praise friendly and professional staff at specific lounges . However, there are complaints about reception desk attitudes and a feeling of gatekeeping . The app's support is also criticized for login difficulties and inability to resolve account issues R88.
Value and Availability tieR9R15R33R34
CLEAR CLEAR users find it 'priceless' and 'totally worth it' for the time saved R34R36. However, many question its value, especially when lines are long, it's not available at all terminals or airports, or has limited hours R9R15R33. Some also complain about being charged for services like TSA PreCheck that should be free with CLEAR .
Priority Pass™ Priority Pass™ is considered 'worth every penny' by some frequent travelers for the relaxation it offers . However, a major concern is the decreasing number of lounges that accept Priority Pass, reduced choices, and restrictions on access, including specific times or requiring extra payment R63R69.
Pick CLEAR if

You prioritize saving time at airport security and are willing to pay for a service that, when it works, significantly speeds up your journey R32R36. You also have patience for occasional app glitches and potential customer service delays during setup R3.

Pick Priority Pass™ if

You are a frequent international traveler who values a quiet space to relax, charge your phone, and have a drink before flights, especially in locations outside the USA where lounges are often better . You are also prepared for the possibility of crowded lounges or limited access R69R78.

Evidence note: Both apps have a significant number of positive reviews, but recent negative reviews highlight recurring issues for both. For CLEAR, the complaints often revolve around inconsistent service delivery at airports and app setup frustrations. For Priority Pass™, the main issues are related to lounge availability, overcrowding, and app reliability. The free-to-download nature of both apps means some negative feedback might come from users expecting more from a free tier, but the core complaints often relate to the paid membership experience.

Frequently asked

Is CLEAR worth the money?
CLEAR's value is mixed; many users find it 'priceless' and 'totally worth it' for significantly reducing security wait times, often to 1-2 minutes R34R36R32. However, others feel it's not worth the $200 annual fee when lines are long, it's unavailable at their terminal, or they experience issues that make it slower than regular lines R33.
Are Priority Pass lounges usually crowded?
Yes, Priority Pass lounges are frequently reported as crowded, leading to long wait times or denied entry for members R63R69R72R78. Users often express frustration with the lack of available seating and the increasing difficulty of accessing lounges, even with pre-booking R78.
Does CLEAR have good customer service?
CLEAR's customer service is inconsistent; some users report excellent support from airport agents and through the app R17R26, while many others describe it as abysmal, with long wait times for phone and chat support, unhelpful chatbots, and difficulties resolving account issues or cancellations R13R18.
Is the Priority Pass app reliable?
The Priority Pass app is frequently criticized for being unreliable; users report it is clunky, crashes often, locks them out, doesn't recognize passcodes, and has persistent login difficulties R67R88R90R98. Issues also include problems with adding multiple memberships or saving the card to Apple Wallet .

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. [R4] CLEAR 1/5 · US Complicated: This supposedly is making things simpler, when in fact they send you back and forth this line then go all the way to the other side of building, every time I go to the clear terminal I have to manually do some stupid stuff and then get handled by a person, what’s the point of a machine if a person anyways handles you
  2. [R6] CLEAR 3/5 · US Slow sometimes: The CLEAR line at Hartsfield can be very long.
  3. [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.
  4. [R13] CLEAR 1/5 · US Could be great but not: Chronically understaffed locations. Their employees are poorly managed and are uncaring. Support is abysmal. Don’t waste your money.
  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. [R5] CLEAR 5/5 · US So simple: A smooth simple task to keep updated
  7. [R7] CLEAR 1/5 · US Association: My info and association is with everybody else but my account.
  8. [R8] CLEAR 5/5 · US Easy way to make it!: Excellent way to make enrollment so easy for the users !!
  9. [R16] CLEAR 1/5 · US Can’t cancel subscription easily: Every time I try to delete or manage account it leads me to a white screen
  10. [R17] CLEAR 5/5 · US clear signup: very easy , the folks at the detroit airport were very helpful and nice
  11. [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😀😀😀😀😀
  12. [R15] CLEAR 3/5 · US Closed when most needed: It was worthless when needed, had to do a one hour line in SAN
  13. [R33] CLEAR 2/5 · US You can spend more time than in normal line: I’ve joined recently, but it’s a game of luck. Sometime you can spent more time in clear line than in normal. I’ve spent 40 minutes in Austin in clear line while my friend passed normal one in 20. Is it really worth the money?
  14. [R34] CLEAR 5/5 · US Simple & Easy to Enroll: I’ve been wanting to get Clear for a long time. I was told I had to go to the airport to do it, I did it in the app in 5 minutes. Totally worth it!
  15. [R32] CLEAR 5/5 · US No Long Lines!: We get to an airport and we see long lines to get through security. With CLEAR, we hardly break stride! It has never taken more than 1-2 minutes. Really.
  16. [R36] CLEAR 5/5 · US Life saver: This app and process is priceless.
  17. [R63] Priority Pass™ 3/5 · US PVR location: Overall the service is very nice however the decor and the food choices need major improvement.! The PVR location is always very crowded and what I have noticed is too many day passes are being issued which is making us members to wait in line and deal with the crowds. Please consider giving members access first before allowing day passes!
  18. [R69] Priority Pass™ 3/5 · US Restrictions: Sometimes Priority Pass people need to pay extra or are not allowed in during certain times in lounges. Overcrowding. Long waits
  19. [R72] Priority Pass™ 3/5 · US Not enough lounges: Not enough lounges I can use as priority pass & even if I can use it it is always crowded
  20. [R78] Priority Pass™ 3/5 · US Lounges are busy or blocked: I’ve had PP for a few years now and increasingly frustrated with the long lines for Escape Lounges and Sapphire Lounge is listed as a benefit but I’ve tried 8 times now and the NEVER are letting priority pass users enter!
  21. [R26] CLEAR 5/5 · US Customer Support: Great support at the airport and on the app. Thank you!
  22. [R67] Priority Pass™ 1/5 · US User Name: Tried to create account. When I got to enter a user name no matter what I inputted it said it was taken. Some of my input there is now way they were used as a user name.
  23. [R88] Priority Pass™ 1/5 · US Access app and site: The worst app and site , can’t change anything can edit anything, login is so difficult with the or 2FA system and the countless motorcycles , fire hydrants and lights windows for you to click.
  24. [R90] Priority Pass™ 3/5 · US Clunky App: Love the access, but your app constantly crashes, locks me out or doesn’t recognize Priority Pass generated passcodes.
  25. [R98] Priority Pass™ 4/5 · US Looove the Access, not the app: Always a pain to login;

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