Comparison

Z21 vs My Comics Collection

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

My Comics Collection

Read full description

My Comics Collection turns a stack of comics into a collection you are on top of. SCAN IT, IT IS FILED The barcode on the back is enough. Series, issue number, date and creators come in on their own. No barcode on older issues? Search covers a catalog of several million issues. WHAT YOU ARE MISSING, AT LAST VISIBLE For every series you follow, the app lists the issues you do not own. You know what to look for before you walk into the shop, and you stop buying the same issue twice. WHAT YOUR COLLECTION IS WORTH Record what you paid and the grade of each copy, and follow the value of the whole. Estimates lean on observed sales, not on a promise. KEY ISSUES AND GRADED COMICS Mark your key issues, record grading scores, signed copies and variants. YOUR COVERS, YOUR PHOTOS Photograph your own copies: that is your print run, with its flaws and its variants, not a stock image. UPCOMING RELEASES Follow your series and get the release calendar, week by week, publisher by publisher, with a reminder on release day. ARTICLES, INSIDE THE APP Buying guides, valuation, series history: it all reads here, without leaving the app. YOUR PROGRESS Ranks, tiers and trophies: the collection moves forward, and it shows. Your collection is yours. Export it whenever you want, and delete your account from the settings. A My Comics Collection account is required to manage your own collection. You can explore a demo collection without one.

Screenshots

Z214 screens
My Comics Collection4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: My Comics Collection at none against Z21's 1. My Comics Collection also leads on update cadence (daily 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

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

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Z21 ships an update every 3 weeks, My Comics Collection daily. The most recent releases landed on October 19, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Z21 versus My Comics Collection: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterZ21My Comics Collection
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.8 (13 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews38.3% of reviews—
Number of ratings13 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksDaily — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS12.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size232 MB6 MB
Age rating4+9+
DeveloperModelleisenbahn GmbHKevin Goncalves

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

My Comics Collection

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Z21

One-time1
  • Z21 Full Version$17.99
None

My Comics Collection

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Z21 free?
Z21 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is My Comics Collection free?
My Comics Collection is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Z21 or My Comics Collection have ads?
Neither Z21 nor My Comics Collection shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Z21 or My Comics Collection?
Z21 ships an update every 3 weeks, and My Comics Collection daily. Most recently, Z21 was updated on October 19, 2026 and My Comics Collection on October 24, 2026.

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