Comparison

ModelControlNet Device Controller vs Smart Device Controller

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

Head to head
About

ModelControlNet Device Controller

Control your entire model railroad wirelessly using your iPhone or iPad. Manage locomotives, configure settings, and allow multiple operators to interact simultaneously on the same network.

Highlights
  • Wireless control system
  • WiFi network technology
  • Locomotive control and configuration
  • Multiple operator support
  • Up to 200 devices supported
  • Up to 20 operators supported
Read full description

ModelControlNet is the next generation wireless control system for operating your entire model railroad. ModelControlNet (from now on abbreviated MCNet) uses industry standard WiFi network technology to provide communication between operators and all the MCNet devices on the layout. The operator interface is implemented with the ModelControlNet Application (MCApp) running on your iPhone or iPad. All of the features you need to control your locomotives, setup and configure those locomotives, and manage multiple locomotives on the layout are all available through the App. You can even have multiple operators interacting with the system simultaneously from their own iPhone or iPad. Up to 200 MCNet devices and 20 operators are supported by a single MCNet network. All of this capability has become possible because of the miniaturization of electronics that allows a small computer along with a WiFi processor to be packaged into a small size circuit board required for model railroading. This board, known as a MCDevice, is installed in your locomotive or on your layout and connected with a few simple wires (power, motor, lights). These boards are intelligent and have non-volatile memory so once configured they are ready to run simply by applying power.

About

Smart Device Controller

Transform your smartphone into a wireless remote for model trains. It offers compatibility with Soundbox, allowing for operation or use as a wireless power pack without the Soundbox. Control your model train setups with ease.

Highlights
  • Wireless model train operation
  • Soundbox compatibility
  • Use as wireless power pack
  • Smartphone remote control
Read full description

Operate model trains by wireless control! Compatible with Soundbox! Your smartphone turns into a remote controller for a model train. You can use it as a remote controller for Soundbox. You do not have to use Soundbox and use this product as a wireless power pack. Let's download "Smart Device Controller application" to your smartphone or tablet on hand.

Screenshots

ModelControlNet Device Controller4 screens
Smart Device Controller4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Smart Device Controller at 3.3 against ModelControlNet Device Controller's 1.0. Smart Device Controller also leads on review sentiment (27% vs 0%) and ratings volume (6 vs 1). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model and iOS requirement 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Smart Device Controller holds the better App Store score, 3.3 against 1.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Smart Device Controller has 6 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 0% of ModelControlNet Device Controller's written reviews are positive against 27% of Smart Device Controller's.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
ModelControlNet Device Controller versus Smart Device Controller: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterModelControlNet Device ControllerSmart Device Controller
PriceFreeFree
Rating1.0 (1 ratings)3.3 (6 ratings) — better
Positive reviews0.0% of reviews27.3% of reviews — better
Number of ratings16 — better
Update frequency—Every 3 months
Ads—No
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
Devices—iPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS9.0 — better10.3
Further details — not scored
Size1 MB26 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperGreg IngalsbeSEKISUI KINZOKU CO., LTD

Customer experience

ModelControlNet Device Controller

Written reviews1 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

Smart Device Controller

All ratings6 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral16.7%
Negative33.3%
Written reviews11 reviews
Positive27.3%
Neutral36.4%
Negative36.4%

In-app purchases

None

ModelControlNet Device Controller

No in-app purchases

None

Smart Device Controller

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is ModelControlNet Device Controller free?
ModelControlNet Device Controller is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Smart Device Controller free?
Smart Device Controller is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, ModelControlNet Device Controller or Smart Device Controller?
Smart Device Controller is rated higher. ModelControlNet Device Controller averages 1.0 out of 5 from 1 ratings, while Smart Device Controller averages 3.3 from 6 ratings.

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