Z21 vs powerfox home
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.
powerfox home
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Willkomen bei der komplett neugestalteten "powerfox home" App! Diese App ist der komplett neu entwickelte Nachfolger unserer powerfox App und berücksichtigt das umfangreiche Feedback von unseren Nutzern. Aktuell sind folgende Funktionnen verfügbar: - Aktivierung und Neukonfiguration von powerfox Geräten - Überblick zu aktuellen Daten auf dem neu-gestylten Start-Screen - Überblick zu historischen Daten im Analytik Bereich - Vergleiche mit eigenen historischen Werten und neu mit anderen powerfox Nutzern im Vergleichs-Bereich - Übersicht zu Kosten bei Hinterlegung von Tarifen im Bereich "Abschlag" Weitere Funktionen aus der alten powerfox App und neue Funktionen folgen ab jetzt wieder in kürzeren Abständen Erleben Sie die volle Kontrolle über Ihren Energieverbrauch: Sehen Sie direkt Ihren aktuellen Energieverbrauch auf Ihrem Smartphone, erhalten Sie detaillierte Informationen zum Stromverbrauch und bei Betrieb einer PV-Anlage zur Einspeisung. Darüberhinaus können Sie über die Kunden-API die powerfox Daten in Ihrem Smarthome-System zur Steuerung von Geräten nutzen. Zur Nutzung der powerfox App benötigen Sie zusätzlich den poweropti auf Ihrem Stromzähler oder den powerfox FLOW für Ihren Gaszähler Wir freuen uns über Feedback. Mehr Infos unter www.powerfox.energy oder in unserem Hilfecenter unter https://powerfox.zendesk.com
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: powerfox home at none against Z21's 1. powerfox home also leads on update cadence (every 10 days vs every 3 weeks). Z21's advantage is iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.0). On price, 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. powerfox home asks for nothing beyond the download.
Z21 ships an update every 3 weeks, powerfox home every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on October 19, 2026 and October 9, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Z21 | powerfox home |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.8 (13 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 38.3% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 13 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | Every 10 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 — better | 15.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 232 MB | 31 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Modelleisenbahn GmbH | power42 GmbH |
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
powerfox home
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Z21
- Z21 Full Version$17.99
powerfox home
No in-app purchases
