# Station Manager vs train games

The clearest difference is price: train games at Free against Station Manager's $5.99. train games also leads on rating (4.5 vs 3.9) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 9 months). Station Manager's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 10) and iOS requirement (11.0 vs 13.3). On ads and device support there is nothing between them.

train games is free to download; Station Manager costs $5.99 up front. train games sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. Station Manager asks for nothing beyond the download.

train games holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 3.9. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: train games has 208 ratings behind it against 29, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 46% of Station Manager's written reviews are positive against 65% of train games's.

Station Manager ships an update every 9 months, train games every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 11, 2026 and November 7, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Station Manager | train games |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $5.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | [3.9 (29 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/station-manager/id1121484538/reviews) | **[4.5 (208 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/train-games-chicago-train/id1515318781/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 29 | **208** |
| Positive reviews | 46.2% of reviews | **65.4% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 9 months | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | **Ad-supported** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 91 MB | 107 MB |
| Requires iOS | **11.0** | 13.3 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Kairosoft Co.,Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/381477233) | [Cezary Tomczak](https://appshunter.io/developer/1076101131) |

## What reviewers say

### Station Manager

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/station-manager/id1121484538)

Build and customize your ultimate train station by adding various facilities and trains. Manage passenger comfort and expand your station's reach to attract more travelers. Create unique train combinations to cater to different passenger needs.

**Highlights:** Customize station facilities, Add vending machines, benches, info boards, Build arcades, VIP lounges, taco stands, Link carriages to create new trains, Expand surrounding area, Attract diverse passengers

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Addictive gameplay
- 👍 Classic Kairosoft charm
- 👍 Good graphics and art style
- 👍 Lots of content and replayability
- 👍 No ads in paid version

**What reviewers complain about**

- 👎 Slow progression/grind
- 👎 Confusing UI/controls
- 👎 Can't restart game easily
- 👎 Paid game with ads/microtransactions
- 👎 Boring/tedious at times

**Reported bugs**

- Game crashes frequently
- Game not loading/stuck on loading screen
- Cannot enter game after updates/OS upgrades
- Save data lost after updates
- Error messages upon loading

**Requested features**

- Add a way to delete platforms
- Add a restart or main menu button
- Fix screen rotation issues
- Improve camera controls (zoom out)
- Add more levels or content


### train games

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/train-games-chicago-train/id1515318781)

Manage a rail empire in this train simulator. Build networks, optimize cargo routes, and operate iconic steam and modern trains. Experience strategic tycoon gameplay with realistic simulation.

**Highlights:** Master freight transport and optimize routes, Operate iconic steam and modern trains, Manage train stations and rail yards, Expand rail network across Chicago, Strategic tycoon gameplay and realistic simulation, Stunning steam era graphics, Complete achievements and challenges

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Item no 1 | $1.99 | one-time |
| Item no 2 | $1.99 | one-time |
| Golden coins | $2.99 | one-time |
| NO ADS | $3.99 | one-time |
| Mega pack -30% SALE | $6.99 | one-time |
| All items | $8.99 | one-time |
| Blue Hats Mega Bundle | $9.99 | one-time |
| Mega golden coins | $9.99 | one-time |
| Mega pack | $11.99 | one-time |
| Ultra Pack | $41.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Great game for railfans
- 👍 Grind-free tycoon experience
- 👍 Realistic trains
- 👍 Uses Google Maps
- 👍 Amazing trains

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Game is broken
- 🐛 Can't unlock rewards
- 🐛 Can't get new buildings
- 🐛 Counters show 0
- 🐛 Worried game may crash

**Reported bugs**

- Reward timers show 0
- Cannot unlock rewards
- Cannot acquire new buildings
- Resource counters show 0
- Game may crash

**Requested features**

- Fix reward timers
- Fix building acquisition
- Fix resource counters
- Fix train accommodation
- Explain electric train dispatch


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Station Manager free?

Station Manager costs $5.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is train games free?

train games is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Station Manager or train games?

train games is rated higher. Station Manager averages 3.9 out of 5 from 29 ratings, while train games averages 4.5 from 208 ratings.

### Do Station Manager or train games have ads?

Both Station Manager and train games show ads.

### Which is updated more often, Station Manager or train games?

Station Manager ships an update every 9 months, and train games every 3 weeks. Most recently, Station Manager was updated on November 11, 2026 and train games on November 7, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*