Z21 vs Meross
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Z21
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.
- 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
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Use this app to connect to a Z21 Digital Center. A demo mode is available. With this app you can manage locomotive libraries, locomotives and locomotive functions, program digital components – and of course control all locomotives with DCC- or Motorola-decoder, as easy and convenient as is only possible with touch-technology. The digital switchboard Z21 connects your model train unit and your digital locomotives with your iOS device via WLAN. This way you can control the operation on your train layout easily and conveniently from your mobile device. Model train control was never this easy and convenient: With one swipe of your hand you can scroll to your model of choice in the locomotive library. A slight touch on the headlight symbol and the front and backlights go on. A second touch, this time on the speaker symbol, and the locomotive makes a sound. Drag your finger over the speed indicator and the train accelerates. The further highlights of the Z21-App • Control your entire layout with an intuitive, graphic interface and have easy access to the entire scope of functions of your digital locomotives. • Manage your entire locomotive-library in just one application, including individual locomotive images for an ideal overview. • Control the digital functions of your locomotives with intuitive function symbols instead of complicated key combinations. • Create a blueprint of your railway system and control your switches, signals and modules with a single click. • Download driver cabs and control your locomotives from a real train driver’s point of view.
Meross
Control and manage a wide range of smart home devices remotely. Set schedules, create custom scenes, and integrate with voice assistants for automated control. Access troubleshooting guides, firmware updates, and community forums for support.
- Remote device control
- Custom schedules and scenes
- Voice assistant integration
- Firmware updates
- In-app hardware guides
- Consumer forum
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Meross app can help you set up and manage smart WiFi bulb, plug, switch, garage door opener, thermostat, air purifier, sensor, humidifier and so on. Meross app offers you special value that other platform apps can not offer such as in-app hardware guide and troubleshooting, in-app setup guide and dedicated troubleshooting, firmware update, cloud service maintenance notice, digital user manual, consumer forum, and new product release information. With Meross app, you can 1. Turn on and off your devices remotely from anywhere with internet. 2. Set schedules and scenes for your devices so that they can run automatically as you wish. 3. Link your devices to your voice assistant platform. 4. Check and update your devices to the latest firmware. 5. Share great product experience with others and discuss about how to use products in Forum. 6. Find information about special offer and new product release. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Meross at 4.5 against Z21's 3.8. Meross also leads on review sentiment (77% vs 38%) and ratings volume (7.9K vs 13). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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
Both are free to download. Z21 sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Meross sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Meross holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 3.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Meross has 7.9K ratings behind it against 13, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 38% of Z21's written reviews are positive against 77% of Meross's.
Z21 ships an update every 3 weeks, Meross fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and October 21, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Z21 | Meross |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.8 (13 ratings) | 4.5 (7.9K ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 38.3% of reviews | 77.2% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 13 | 7.9K — better |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | Fortnightly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPod, Apple Watch |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 — better | 13.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 232 MB | 232 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Modelleisenbahn GmbH | Chengdu Meross Technology Co.,Ltd. |
Customer experience
Z21
Meross
User reviews
Z21
From 13 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 👍 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
Room to improve
- 🐛 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
Meross
From 7.9K App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 👍 Easy to use app
- 🚀 Reliable and stable performance
- 💡 Useful features like power consumption monitoring
- 🔒 Secure and private
- 🔌 Seamless integration with smart home platforms
Room to improve
- 🐛 Occasional connectivity issues and device disconnections
- 🔧 Setup can be tricky at times
- 📱 Limited customization options in the app
- 🕰️ Routines and scheduling could be more flexible
Bugs and requests
Z21
Reported bugs
17 issues- 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
Show 12 moreShow fewer
- Weichen (turnout) display showing white/blank images
- App freezes during speed adjustment
- Export functionality crashes (PRO version)
- Occupancy feedback not displaying (Roco 10808)
- iOS 14+ compatibility issues
- Slow response times and lag
- Layout elements jumping off-screen when editing
- Routes highlighting incorrectly or not at all
- Password-protected bug report zip file inaccessible to users
- Fleischmann turntable module not available
- Bridge modules cannot be displayed diagonally
- Data loss after app updates
Requested features
20 requests- 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)
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- Pendulum train control functionality
- Manual route deactivation capability
- Larger emergency stop button
- Locomotive database sharing between layouts
- Multi-language support (Spanish, French, Italian, Russian, Japanese)
- Diagonal bridge module display
- Camera locomotive integration
- Double slip switch operation
- Text labeling in layout designer
- Improved signal image selection interface
- Vehicle filtering and categorization system
- Windows/Mac desktop application
- Start-destination buttons for easier route control
- Occupancy feedback module support (Roco 10808)
- Copy and paste functionality in layout mode
Meross
Reported bugs
3 issues- Unreliable garage door status reporting
- Compatibility issues with iOS 16 updates
- Inconsistent device discovery and pairing
Requested features
4 requests- Add support for more smart home platforms
- Improve app interface and allow for more customization
- Enhance scheduling and automation features
- Provide more detailed energy consumption reporting
In-app purchases
Z21
- Z21 Full Version$17.99
Meross
- 10 SMS for a month$0.991 Month
- 优惠测试-月$1.991 Month
- 优惠测试-年$1.991 Year
Show 3 moreShow fewer
- 优惠测试-周$1.997 Days
- 30 SMS for a month1 Month trial$2.491 Month
- 100 SMS for a month$6.991 Month
- 30 SMS$3.49
- 100 SMS$9.99
