Comparison

E vs DCC

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

E

Control your Bachmann E-Z App trains wirelessly from your Apple device. Manage speed, direction, lights, and sounds with an intuitive interface. Update train firmware to access the latest features.

Highlights
  • Wireless train control
  • Speed and direction management
  • Light and sound effects
  • Simultaneous control of multiple trains
  • Firmware updates
Features
Read full description

E-Z App allows you to control any Bachmann E-Z App train directly from your Apple mobile device. The app has a simple easy-to-use interface to control speed, direction, lights, and realistic train sounds built right into the app. Control as many trains as you want simultaneously from up to 100 ft, and enjoy updated features through regular app updates. Also use E-Z App to update the firmware in your Bachmann E-Z App train to take advantage of all the latest features. Now that's the way to run a railroad! REQUIRES ONE OF THE BACHMANN E-Z APP MODEL TRAINS BELOW TO USE THIS APP. Blue Lightning train set Blue Star train set Scout Special train set ATSF #9447 ALCO 2-6-0 Louisville & Nashville #549 ALCO 2-6-0 NYC® #1910 ALCO 2-6-0 Pennsylvania #3236 ALCO 2-6-0 Union Pacific® #41 ALCO 2-6-0 BNSF #2520 - GP35 Boston & Maine #1508 – McGINNIS - RS-3 Canadian National #4000 - GP35 Great Northern #3021 - GP35 Lackawanna #604 - FT A-Unit New Haven #543 - RS-3 New York Central #1600 - FT A-Unit Pennsylvania #2252 - GP35 Pennsylvania #8605 - RS-3 Rio Grande #3044 - GP35 Rio Grande #5202 - RS-3 Santa Fe #163 (warbonnet) - FT A-Unit Santa Fe #2099 (Blue & Yellow) - RS-3 Southern #6100 - FT A-Unit Western Pacific #901 - FT A-Unit AVAILABLE AT SHOP.BACHMANNTRAINS.COM. http://tinyurl.com/E-ZAppTrain

About

DCC

Transform your mobile devices into wireless controllers for your model railroad. Manage trains, signals, and accessories remotely without wired connections. Ideal for seamless operation around your layout.

Highlights
  • Handheld model railroad controller
  • Wireless train operation
  • Control signals and turnouts
  • Accessory control
  • Seamless layout movement
Features
Read full description

DCC-EX Cab is an application that turns your devices into handheld controllers for your model railroad. With DCC-EX Cab you can follow your trains around your layout without having to worry about plugging and unplugging a wired device as you move along. Using a wireless network connection and a DCC-EX command station connected to the network, DCC-EX Cab can be used to run trains and for controlling signals, turnouts, and other accessories that are configured in the command station.

Screenshots

E4 screens
DCC4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: DCC at 100% against E's 53%. DCC also leads on update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 6 weeks). E's advantage is rating (3.6 vs 2.3) and monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. E sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and DCC sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

E holds the better App Store score, 3.6 against 2.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: E has 30 ratings behind it against 6, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 53% of E's written reviews are positive against 100% of DCC's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

E ships an update every 6 weeks, DCC every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 23, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
E versus DCC: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterEDCC
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.6 (30 ratings) — better2.3 (6 ratings)
Positive reviews53.3% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings30 — better6
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeksEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS12.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size97 MB120 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperBachmann Industries, IncKostiantyn Kolesnik

Customer experience

E

All ratings28 ratings
Positive67.9%
Neutral7.1%
Negative25.0%
Written reviews15 reviews
Positive53.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative46.7%

DCC

All ratings3 ratings
Positive33.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative66.7%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

E

One-time1
  • Christmas Song Pack$3.99
5 purchases

DCC

Subscriptions4
  • Cloud services, monthly$2.991 Month
  • Premium control, monthly$7.991 Month
  • Ultimate, monthly$12.991 Month
Show 1 more
  • Premium control, annually$39.991 Year
One-time1
  • Premium control, life-time$119.99

Questions

Is E free?
E is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is DCC free?
DCC is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, E or DCC?
E is rated higher. E averages 3.6 out of 5 from 30 ratings, while DCC averages 2.3 from 6 ratings.
Do E or DCC have ads?
Neither E nor DCC shows ads.
Which is updated more often, E or DCC?
E ships an update every 6 weeks, and DCC every 2 weeks. Most recently, E was updated on October 24, 2026 and DCC on October 23, 2026.

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