Z21 vs Model Train Script
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.
Model Train Script
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ModelTrainScript offers you easy automation of your Z21 or ECoS controlled model train layout. It allows you to configure and run simple automation scripts directly from you iPhone, iPad or Mac. There are a lot of great open source solutions available to automate your layout, however ModelTrainScript has the focus to make automation as easy as possible. We try to do that by offering a user friendly interface for composing scripts and by reducing the amount of physical components you need. No need for a dedicated computer as central unit, just connect your iPhone (or iPad/Mac) and you are ready to go. In short ModelTrainScript has the following features: - Provide easy automation of your layout with scripts - Manual control your layout with graphical representation - Provide a catalog of your vehicle collection - Data is synced via iCloud over all your Apple devices - Ability to use your device camera to control your vehicles ModelTrainScript requires a command station supporting the Z21 or ECoS lan protocol, it supports the following standards: - Feedback: RBus, CBus and LBus (LocoNet) - RailCom (over CBus, LocoNet and ECoSLink) for occupancy detection. For more information visit our website or feel free to contact us in case of any questions or feedback!
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is iOS requirement: Z21 at 12.0 against Model Train Script's 18.6. 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 Model Train Script sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 19, 2026 and September 17, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Z21 | Model Train Script |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.8 (13 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 37.6% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 13 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | Every 3 weeks |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 — better | 18.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 232 MB | 46 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Modelleisenbahn GmbH | Arjan Pragt |
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
Model Train Script
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Z21
- Z21 Full Version$17.99
Model Train Script
- Donation for ModelTrainScript$9.00
- License$12.99








