Z21 vs Dremel
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.
Dremel
This app connects to a smart rotary tool to provide usage insights, performance alerts, and speed recommendations. It helps users find the right accessories and settings for their projects, monitor tool battery life, and manage tool health.
- Bluetooth pairing with smart rotary tool
- Accessory and speed recommendations
- Tool dashboard with battery and usage time
- Performance alerts and preventative tips
- Accessory guides for various Dremel tools
- Material guide for rotary tool accessories
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INTRODUCING THE DREMEL 8260. THE WORLD’S FIRST BRUSHLESS SMART ROTARY TOOL PROVIDING SUPERIOR PERFORMANCE, USAGE INSIGHTS, PERFORMANCE ALERTS AND SPEED RECOMMENDATIONS. CONTROL: Find the right rotary accessory and speed for your project. Choose from over 170 combinations of materials, applications and accessories to get the most out of your Dremel rotary tool. Set the recommended speed right from the app. MONITOR: Your tool dashboard shows the exact battery % left in your 8260 and the amount of usage time (in minutes) left in your tool. See the tool and battery’s operating temperature using a green, yellow and red status indicator. MANAGE: Receive performance alerts and preventative tips for when your tool is overheating, overloading and when your battery is low. View your alerts and tips in an Alert Center. BLUETOOTH PAIRING: Quickly connect your 8260 to your app with a guided pairing process. An 8260 can be paired to many smart devices but will only be allowed to be actively paired to one device at a time. Add multiple 8260 rotary tools to one device. CUSTOM NAME: Give your tool a unique and personalized name in the app. ADDITIONAL FEATURES FOR DREMEL TOOL OWNERS ACCESSORY GUIDES: Explore the hundreds of Dremel Accessories for Rotary Tools, Oscillating, Compact Saws and Versa Power Cleaning tools with handy interactive accessory guides. MATERIAL GUIDE for Rotary Tools: Find the right accessory and speed recommendations for your Rotary Tool based on 9 popular materials (Softwood, Hardwood, Steel, Plastic/Laminates, Aluminum/Brass, Ceramic, Shell/Stone, Glass and Drywall). Explore over 50 accessory types intended to perform a variety of applications (Carving/Engraving, Routing, Grinding/Sharpening, Cutting, Cleaning/Polishing, Sanding, Drilling, Grout Removal) SIMPLE SUPPORT: Reach Dremel customer support by phone or email quickly and easily.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Dremel at 4.4 against Z21's 3.8. Dremel also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 1). Z21's advantage is review sentiment (38% vs 21%) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 2 months). On price, ratings volume, ads 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
Both are free to download. Z21 sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Dremel asks for nothing beyond the download.
Dremel holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 3.8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 13 and 19 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 38% of Z21's written reviews are positive against 21% of Dremel's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.
Z21 ships an update every 3 weeks, Dremel every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 19, 2026 and June 5, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Z21 | Dremel |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.8 (13 ratings) | 4.4 (19 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 37.6% of reviews — better | 21.4% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 13 | 19 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks — better | Every 2 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 — better | 18.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 232 MB | 193 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Modelleisenbahn GmbH | Robert Bosch Tool Corporation |
Customer experience
Z21
Dremel
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)
Show 15 moreShow fewer
- 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
Dremel
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Z21
- Z21 Full Version$17.99
Dremel
No in-app purchases









