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

WheresTheBus vs Here Comes the Bus

WheresTheBus 4.7★ · Free to download 60
Winner Here Comes the Bus
Here Comes the Bus 4.5★ · Free to download 65

Here Comes the Bus (App B) has a slight edge due to its higher volume of positive reviews and more consistent core tracking functionality, despite both apps suffering from similar reliability issues and recent negative updates.

Full reviews: WheresTheBus · Here Comes the Bus

Both WheresTheBus and Here Comes the Bus aim to track school buses, but both struggle with reliability and accuracy, especially after recent updates. Here Comes the Bus has a larger user base and more users praising its core functionality when it works, while WheresTheBus has a significant number of users reporting it's completely non-functional for extended periods.

Head to head

Features (Tracking & ETA) tieR2R3R4R9
WheresTheBus WheresTheBus users appreciate seeing where their kids are and knowing the route, finding it a 'life saver' when it works R11R42. However, a major complaint is the lack of estimated arrival times (ETA), with users only seeing miles or 'last updated' times, making planning difficult R2R10R15R41. Many also report the tracking is inaccurate, showing the bus in the wrong location or not moving R3R4R9.
Here Comes the Bus Here Comes the Bus users value the ability to track their children and receive notifications when the bus is near, calling it a 'life saver' and 'amazing' . However, a frequent criticism, especially after recent updates, is the lack of an estimated arrival time (ETA), which users feel is a crucial missing feature for better planning . Many also report issues with the bus location getting stuck, not showing up on the map, or refreshing slowly, particularly when the bus is close .
Ease of Use & Interface tieR3R7R16R20
WheresTheBus Some WheresTheBus users find the app convenient and easy to use, with a good user interface . However, others report issues with the app kicking them out, glitching, or being unable to load maps R3R16R20. There are also complaints about a new UI being buggy and losing functionality that previously worked well R7.
Here Comes the Bus Here Comes the Bus users have mixed feelings about the interface. Some appreciate the 'fun new design' and the ability to switch between kids faster . However, many dislike the new update, missing the old bus icon and finding the new interface less functional . Specific glitches include the auto-zoom not working, being stuck on a 'name device' screen, and the bus icon going 'rogue' when zooming .
Reliability & Performance tieR1R3R4R9
WheresTheBus WheresTheBus suffers from significant reliability issues; many users report the app 'does not work' at all for extended periods, sometimes for a full school year or months R1R3R4. It's frequently described as 'unreliable', 'inaccurate', and 'inconsistent', with GPS locations being off or stuck R4R9. Some users note it works well when the regular bus is used but fails with reserve buses R11.
Here Comes the Bus Here Comes the Bus also faces substantial reliability problems, particularly after recent updates, with users stating it's 'getting worse every update' and 'unreliable' . Common issues include notifications not being shared on time, location tracking getting worse or stuck, and the bus not showing on the map R61. Some users report it works for one child/school but not another, or only in the morning .
Notifications & Alerts tieR6R34R42R44
WheresTheBus WheresTheBus users appreciate notifications that confirm their child has been picked up or dropped off, providing peace of mind R34R42. However, some users wish for more notification options, such as alerts when the bus is close by R6R44.
Here Comes the Bus Here Comes the Bus users value receiving notifications when the bus is near or has arrived, which helps them get their children ready without waiting in bad weather . However, many report that notifications are not shared on time, are ignored, or are completely missing, especially after updates R61. Some also desire notifications for routine schedule changes .
Customer Support & District Integration tieR11R22R24R25
WheresTheBus WheresTheBus users report poor customer support, with issues like support tickets not functioning, weeks-long response times, and a lack of communication R22R25. Many also mention that issues often stem from the school district providing incorrect bus information or not having tracking on reserve buses R11R24.
Here Comes the Bus Here Comes the Bus users also point to issues with school district integration, noting the app 'only works when transportation updates it' and that bus driver compliance is a challenge . Login and signup problems are common, with users unable to access their accounts despite correct information, suggesting district-level issues . Some users also report that the app stops working for a specific bus if it drops off other students first .
Pick WheresTheBus if

Pick WheresTheBus if your school district has a strong track record of maintaining accurate bus data and you prioritize real-time location tracking over precise estimated arrival times, as some users find it 'very accurate and convenient' when it functions correctly .

Pick Here Comes the Bus if

Pick Here Comes the Bus if you value the peace of mind from knowing when your child gets on and off the bus, and your school district is generally reliable with its bus tracking system, as many users find it 'accurate' and a 'life saver' for managing school routines .

Evidence note: Both apps are free to download, so there is no free-vs-paid asymmetry. Recent reviews for both apps show a negative skew, with many users reporting a decline in functionality after recent updates. The lifetime ratings are similar, but Here Comes the Bus has a significantly larger number of ratings, suggesting a wider user base.

Frequently asked

Do these apps provide accurate bus arrival times?
Neither WheresTheBus nor Here Comes the Bus consistently provides accurate estimated arrival times (ETA); WheresTheBus often only shows miles or 'last updated' times, leading to missed buses, and Here Comes the Bus users frequently request an ETA feature, noting its absence makes planning difficult R2R10R15R41.
Are these bus tracking apps reliable?
Both WheresTheBus and Here Comes the Bus are frequently reported as unreliable, with users experiencing issues like inaccurate GPS, buses not appearing on the map, or the app not working at all for extended periods, especially after recent updates R1R4R25R39.
Do these apps send notifications when the bus is near?
Both apps are designed to send notifications when the bus is near or arrives, which many users appreciate for preparing their children; however, a significant number of users for both apps report that these notifications are often delayed, inconsistent, or do not work at all R6R34R44R61.

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. [R2] WheresTheBus 4/5 · US Bus: I wish it showed estimated arrival time not just miles
  2. [R3] WheresTheBus 3/5 · US Works maybe: This app always has bugs where you can use it perfectly fine one day but the next, you can’t even load the maps. Sometimes the bus isn’t even close to being where it shows and the ETA isn’t accurate, if it shows at all. This app is a nice concept though.
  3. [R4] WheresTheBus 1/5 · US Useless: The information is never correct. Never the correct bus. Never the correct stop displayed. Very very unreliable.
  4. [R9] WheresTheBus 3/5 · US Works until it doesn’t: It’s fine. But not reliable. It’s usually a minute or 2 off from where the actual stop is. On delay days it doesn’t seem to work at all.
  5. [R7] WheresTheBus 1/5 · US It went from being good to absolutely terrible: We used to be able to use the QR code for the buses but ever since you made it bigger we can't even use it anymore
  6. [R16] WheresTheBus 2/5 · US Worse app: It’s the worst app ever, always kicking me out of my account and always glitching on me every time
  7. [R20] WheresTheBus 4/5 · US Pros and cons: i had it before the update and i must say the new update and new reversions app is so much better the only problem is sometimes the app shuts down unexpectedly and then the times are incorrect or it might be the bus is somewhere else when the time says 3 minutes away rushing outside. This is coming from a middle schooler who had this for 2 years i also use it for my sister to pick h
  8. [R1] WheresTheBus 1/5 · US Worthless: It’s been almost a full school year and the app still does not work. Completely disappointing
  9. [R6] WheresTheBus 3/5 · US Review: I think it should be notifications
  10. [R34] WheresTheBus 5/5 · US Track star: I love this as it helps to let me know that my daughter didn’t miss the bus. If I see the notification then I know she’s where she’s needs to be and going
  11. [R42] WheresTheBus 5/5 · US Great tracker: Love that it tells me when my kids have been picked up from school and home. I also love when that I can track when they are almost home so I can have their meals ready and be at the door waiting! This put my mind at ease big time!
  12. [R44] WheresTheBus 4/5 · US Good to make sure my kids are home safe: Could use a few fixes such as 1 student connecting to two buses one in am and different one in pm and could also use an alert to let parents know the bus is close by or at location.
  13. [R11] WheresTheBus 5/5 · US Great bus locator: We used to have lots of trouble with the bus, drivers getting lost, arriving late, etc. Now we can see where are kids are, what the route is, and know when they'll be at the stop. It's been a true life saver. The only downside is when they use a reserve bus that doesn't have tracking on it. But as long as it's our regular bus & driver (which it usually is) this app works great.
  14. [R22] WheresTheBus 1/5 · US Pointless: App is trash….the GPS location is rarely accurate, sometimes the assigned bus is in a whole different state than where we live. No one to speak directly with to troubleshoot issues.
  15. [R24] WheresTheBus 3/5 · US Bus keeps changing: Every week I have to submit a ticket to update my kids bus, otherwise it works fine.
  16. [R25] WheresTheBus 1/5 · US Missing major functionality: Yes, my phone is updated to the most current iOS as well as this app. Yes I have reached out to Support over a dozen times in the app, over email, etc. this app has largely lost the important functions for over 18 months in Arlington, Virginia. I say that because it’s very well possible that there’s a disconnect related to API with our school district, but that’s not
  17. [R10] WheresTheBus 1/5 · US Bad tracking: Never can track the bus where is he or what time he will be there 1* It’s too much
  18. [R15] WheresTheBus 3/5 · US Time: I give it a three because sometimes I can’t even see what time the bus comes so I have to guess what time to get to the bus stop and I have missed the bus a couple of times because of that.
  19. [R41] WheresTheBus 1/5 · US Never give ETA. Always gives update late.: This app is very frustrating to use. It never shows an accurate ETA, only “last updated” times like 3/4/5/7 minutes ago, which is not helpful at all. Riders need to know the exact arrival time and real-time location of the bus, just like Google Maps or Apple Maps provide, and which way the buss I coming or will come. Without proper ETA and live tracking,
  20. [R39] WheresTheBus 1/5 · US THIS APP DOSEN’T WORK: This app doesn't always work; sometimes the tracking doesn't show up, and this school year it's been terrible. It's not working at all. I've sent several reports that it's not working and included the bus number, but they haven't done anything to fix the problem. It used to be a good app, but not anymore
  21. [R61] Here Comes the Bus 1/5 · US Worst Bus app: You don’t upgrade your software properly. Everytime you try to do any changes in the app it get even worst. None of the notifications are shared on time.

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