Smart Traveler vs MyTSA

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. [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.
2. [R19] 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
3. [R64] 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
4. [R72] MyTSA 3/5 · US Not Real Time Info: The app is a great idea. I figured I can see how good or bad the wait at the security lines is. However, after using it I determined it is just giving you the collective average wait time for that time on that day - not what is actually happening. The average wait time for 3:00 on a Monday based on months or years of data. It’s still useful but not nearly as much as I hoped.
5. [R4] 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
6. [R10] 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
7. [R62] 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
8. [R75] MyTSA 3/5 · US I’m not a tester, but it seems there are some bugs in the app: Over all, I would recommend the app. Currently there are some bugs that do need addressed. Example: if you go to the tab for ask TSA on the iPad, if you click on the tsa website. The app crashes. On a cellphone it goes to the website. That is just one example. To me not being able to access what you need could be a problem. That is w
9. [R46] Smart Traveler 1/5 · US Out of date: This was last updated last year so is not helpful at all.
10. [R54] Smart Traveler 1/5 · US Please update: If you are going to have an app to help provide information for travel plans, then it must be kept up to date. Old information can be extremely dangerous.
11. [R110] MyTSA 1/5 · US Wait time often wrong: This app often has incorrect wait times for TSA. Incorrect info displayed 60-70% of the time in my experience. Not much purpose for this app beyond that. Do yourself a favor and skip it.
12. [R112] MyTSA 1/5 · US Inaccurate-Do Not Trust It: I am at DFW and the average time shows 15 minutes. It took me 35 minutes to get through the TSA screening. All TSA checkpoints had insanely long lines and none of them looked like they’re only 15 minutes to get through. Save yourself a headache and do not trust this app’s timing.
13. [R39] 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.
14. [R43] Smart Traveler 1/5 · US I’ve been blocked for entering my username and password: This app is useless. I’ve been blocked for entering my username and password. Last night I tried to sign up for the STEP program and it kept coming up to a blank page. Today I tried to sign on and it said I’ve been blocked. It thinks I’m attacking. Come on, this is ridiculous.
15. [R67] 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.
16. [R109] MyTSA 5/5 · US Poor Service: First time using it. Used the ID number on my plane ticket. Went to TSA precheck. Was not registered on the list. Asked the attendant why? She replied “I don’t know, I am a federal employee.” Now that is government working for the people.