Comparison

Z21 vs Dremel

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

Head to head
About

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.

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
Read full description

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.

About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Features
Read full description

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

Z214 screens
Dremel4 screens

Verdict

The call

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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Z21 sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Dremel asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

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.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Z21 versus Dremel: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterZ21Dremel
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.8 (13 ratings)4.4 (19 ratings) — better
Positive reviews37.6% of reviews — better21.4% of reviews
Number of ratings1319 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS12.0 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size232 MB193 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperModelleisenbahn GmbHRobert Bosch Tool Corporation

Customer experience

Z21

All ratings13 ratings
Positive69.2%
Neutral7.7%
Negative23.1%
Written reviews93 reviews
Positive37.6%
Neutral20.4%
Negative41.9%

Dremel

All ratings19 ratings
Positive84.2%
Neutral5.3%
Negative10.5%
Written reviews14 reviews
Positive21.4%
Neutral14.3%
Negative64.3%

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 more
  • 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 more
  • 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

1 purchases

Z21

One-time1
  • Z21 Full Version$17.99
None

Dremel

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Z21 free?
Z21 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Dremel free?
Dremel is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Z21 or Dremel?
Dremel is rated higher. Z21 averages 3.8 out of 5 from 13 ratings, while Dremel averages 4.4 from 19 ratings.
Do Z21 or Dremel have ads?
Neither Z21 nor Dremel shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Z21 or Dremel?
Z21 ships an update every 3 weeks, and Dremel every 2 months. Most recently, Z21 was updated on September 19, 2026 and Dremel on June 5, 2026.

Other comparisons