(Image via Shutterstock)

There are lots apps out there to navigate Metro’s rail and bus systems in D.C. Thanks to scheduling data that’s available and a community of developers doing their part to make the Metro experience a little better, iPhone, Android and Windows Phone users all have options – if they know where to look.

Most of the apps floating around offer basic Metro maps and transit times, with a few real-time monitoring abilities mixed in as well. Many of these apps do have similar capabilities. However, some of the apps have specific purposes, such as tracking SmarTrip balances, or notifying users of specific events, thus setting them apart from the pack.

Here are five that you should definitely check out:

1.
App Name: WMATA Twitter
Developer: Amogu, LLC
Platform: Android and iPhone

What it does: This app uses WMATA’s main Twitter account (@wmata) to alert users of news releases, major announcements, new initiatives and destination promotions.

Worth looking at?: This app would be better if it were updated more often. It’s a cool app that fuses social media with Metro system updates. It also offers an easy way to see tweets from WMATA without navigating through the tweets of friends. Users have complained of bugs and being unable to reload tweets, though, and the app was last updates in 2012.

2.
App Name: DC Transit-Metro, Marc, VRE
Developer: Filantus LLC
Platform: Android

What it does: This app checks for current delays for the following: D.C. Metrorail, D.C. Metrobus, MARC (Maryland Area Regional Commuter) and VRE (Virginia Railway Express). It also checks for traffic between home and work locations. With this app, you are able to filter alerts by selected lines for each transit mode including Metrorail, MARC, VRE, and Metrobus.

Worth looking at?: This app is definitely worth looking at. DC Transit offers transportation information within and outside the D.C. area. The ability to personalize the app makes it really cool. You can have notifications sent to your phone if there is a delay in certain lines. In addition to alerts, this app offers advisories so you can know ahead of time if a certain line is canceled due to holidays or events.

3.
App Name: Smart Metro
Developer: Avance Software & Technology
Platform: iPhone

What it does: Smart Metro allows users to check their SmarTrip account balance easily and manage all SmarTrip cards. The app also offers the ability to look at past transactions.

Worth looking at?: Although this app allows for customers to look at their SmarTrip balances easily, it does not feature easy transactions. Like the website, users have to wait 24 hours before any funds are uploaded into the card. So if you are on the Metro, you are better off going to a station to add money to your card. Other than that, this app is pretty original, and can save you from the embarrassing event of not having enough money on your card at the turnstile during peak hours. So from that perspective, this app is worth checking out.

4.
App Name: Every Metro
Developer: Empire Ants
Platform: Windows

What it does: Every Metro is described as being used by the “modern traveler.” This app uses the world rail system to track virtually every Metro in the world. This app can be used on- or offline, which is perfect for roaming travelers.

Worth looking at?: If you are a someone who likes to travel abroad (and own a Windows phone), this app is perfect for you. Unfortunately, this app does not offer language instruction – the app only comes in two languages: English and Russian. If that’s not a problem, this app is definitely worth looking at.

5.
App Name: ITRANS DC Metro
Developer: iTrans
Platform: iPhone

What it does: This app allows users to tap stations and see live transit times. The app also has a street map feature that allows users to see directions to stations and also the entrances to those stations. Also, the app works offline to send advisory notifications.

Worth looking at?: This app is definitely worth a try. If you are anything like me, finding where a Metro station entrance actually is, is the hardest part of the navigation process. ITrans uses a street map feature with high resolution and the claim “never get lost again.” This app was downloaded to my phone the second I saw it. Plus, it’s free.