Comparison

Z21 vs Model Train & Railroad Log

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

Model Train & Railroad Log

Features
Read full description

Every loco. Every car. One roster. Model Train & Railroad Log is the model railroad inventory app built for serious railroaders. Catalog your entire model train collection — locomotives, freight cars, passenger cars, cabooses, structures and kits — across HO scale, N gauge, O, OO, S, Z, TT and G, with DCC decoder addresses, service history, layout assignments, build progress and collection value. Private by design: everything stays on your iPhone. YOUR WHOLE COLLECTION, ORGANIZED • Searchable locomotive roster and rolling stock catalog with photos • Road name, road number, manufacturer, product number and condition on every item • Sort by name, value, road or recently added — filter by scale and category • Duplicate items in one tap for fleets of identical cars DCC ROSTER WITH CONFLICT DETECTION • Every decoder-equipped locomotive sorted by DCC address • Duplicate address conflicts flagged in red before they stall your op session • Sound decoders marked, decoder models recorded, 1–10239 range checks built in SERVICE LOGS & KIT BUILDS • Dated maintenance records: cleaning, lubrication, repairs, decoder installs — with costs • Track kit builds from unbuilt to finished with workbench progress bars VALUE & INSIGHTS • Purchase prices and current values, totaled for insurance day • Charts: value by scale, roster by category, purchases by year • Export your full inventory to CSV for spreadsheets and club rosters LAYOUTS & WISHLIST • Assign engines and stock to layouts and see each layout's roster value • Plan purchases with a wishlist — mark items purchased in one tap SUBSCRIPTION REQUIRED Model Train & Railroad Log requires a Railroad Log Pro auto-renewable subscription. One plan unlocks every feature above: • Yearly: $16.99/year, with a 3-day free trial for new subscribers • Monthly: $2.99/month Payment is charged to your Apple Account at confirmation of purchase. Subscriptions renew automatically unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Manage or cancel anytime in your App Store account settings. Cancel during the free trial and you won't be charged. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://appios432.blogspot.com/p/privacy-policy_0947883629.html Questions? Email dmjks120@gmail.com — built for the model railroading community.

Screenshots

Z214 screens
Model Train & Railroad Log4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is device support: Z21 at 3 against Model Train & Railroad Log's 1. Z21 also leads on iOS requirement (12.0 vs 17.6). On price, 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Z21 sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Model Train & Railroad Log sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Z21 versus Model Train & Railroad Log: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterZ21Model Train & Railroad Log
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.8 (13 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews38.3% of reviews—
Number of ratings13 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS12.0 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size232 MB2 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperModelleisenbahn GmbHMD Shahariar Nazim Joy

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

Model Train & Railroad Log

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Z21

One-time1
  • Z21 Full Version$17.99
2 purchases

Model Train & Railroad Log

Subscriptions2
  • Pro Monthly$2.991 Month
  • Pro Yearly3 Days trial$17.991 Year

Questions

Is Z21 free?
Z21 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Model Train & Railroad Log free?
Model Train & Railroad Log is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Z21 or Model Train & Railroad Log have ads?
Neither Z21 nor Model Train & Railroad Log shows ads.

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