# AIO REMOTE NEO vs Z21

The clearest difference is rating: Z21 at 3.8 against AIO REMOTE NEO's 1.0. Z21 also leads on ratings volume (13 vs 2). AIO REMOTE NEO's advantage is monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases) and review sentiment (61% vs 38%). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. AIO REMOTE NEO sells 2 one-off in-app purchases and Z21 sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Z21 holds the better App Store score, 3.8 against 1.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Z21 has 13 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 61% of AIO REMOTE NEO's written reviews are positive against 38% of Z21's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 11, 2026 and November 2, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | AIO REMOTE NEO | Z21 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [1.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/aio-remote-neo/id1021172818/reviews) | **[3.8 (13 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/z21/id1114706450/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 2 | **13** |
| Positive reviews | **60.9% of reviews** | 38.3% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | Every 3 weeks |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 26 MB | 232 MB |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 | 12.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch** | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [mediola - connected living AG](https://appshunter.io/developer/797606902) | [Modelleisenbahn GmbH](https://appshunter.io/developer/533805542) |

## What reviewers say

### AIO REMOTE NEO

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/aio-remote-neo/id1021172818)

Design and control your smart home with a personalized app. Integrate devices from over 50 brands and create intelligent automation sequences without programming. Requires configuration with AIO CREATOR NEO.

**Highlights:** Personalized app design, Universal device integration, Cross-brand compatibility, No-code automation creation, Support for 50+ brands, Smart home control

**Features:** Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Cloud Service 12 month | $44.99 | one-time |
| Cloud Service 24 Month | $69.99 | one-time |


### Z21

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/z21/id1114706450)

Control your model train layout and locomotives wirelessly from your iOS device. Manage your locomotive library, program digital components, and operate switches and signals with an intuitive touch interface. Enjoy a realistic train control experience with customizable driver cabs.

**Highlights:** Wireless control of locomotives and layout, Manage locomotive library with images, Program digital components, Intuitive graphic interface for switches and signals, Downloadable driver cabs for realistic control, Demo mode available

**Features:** Family Sharing

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Z21 Full Version | $17.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Intuitive and user-friendly interface
- 🚀 Fast and reliable locomotive control
- 💡 Innovative layout design with schematic control station
- 🎨 Clean, modern orange and black design
- 📱 Works seamlessly across multiple iOS devices

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent app crashes and freezes
- 🔌 Connection drops to Z21 control station
- ⚠️ White screen startup issues in recent updates
- 🎮 Throttle display bugs showing incorrect speeds
- 📉 Slow performance on older devices

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes on startup (white screen issue)
- Connection drops to Z21 central station
- Throttle display shows incorrect or blank speeds
- Function buttons not responding properly in multitraction mode
- Route synchronization failures across multiple control station pages

**Requested features**

- Offline locomotive database access
- Dark mode or customizable color schemes
- Background image support for layout design
- Turntable/rotary module support
- Automatic event-based control (occupancy detection, crossing automation)


## Frequently asked questions

### Is AIO REMOTE NEO free?

AIO REMOTE NEO is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Z21 free?

Z21 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, AIO REMOTE NEO or Z21?

Z21 is rated higher. AIO REMOTE NEO averages 1.0 out of 5 from 2 ratings, while Z21 averages 3.8 from 13 ratings.

### Do AIO REMOTE NEO or Z21 have ads?

Neither AIO REMOTE NEO nor Z21 shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, AIO REMOTE NEO or Z21?

AIO REMOTE NEO ships an update every 3 weeks, and Z21 every 3 weeks. Most recently, AIO REMOTE NEO was updated on November 11, 2026 and Z21 on November 2, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*