# John Allen's Timesaver Lite vs Sid Meier’s Railroads!

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: John Allen's Timesaver Lite at none against Sid Meier’s Railroads!'s 1. John Allen's Timesaver Lite also leads on review sentiment (89% vs 59%) and iOS requirement (8.0 vs 15.5). Sid Meier’s Railroads!'s advantage is ratings volume (1.4K vs 94). On price, rating, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Sid Meier’s Railroads! sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. John Allen's Timesaver Lite asks for nothing beyond the download.

John Allen's Timesaver Lite holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Sid Meier’s Railroads! has 1.4K ratings behind it against 94, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 89% of John Allen's Timesaver Lite's written reviews are positive against 59% of Sid Meier’s Railroads!'s.

John Allen's Timesaver Lite ships an update every 4 months, Sid Meier’s Railroads! every 5 months. Both last shipped on November 2, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | John Allen's Timesaver Lite | Sid Meier’s Railroads! |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (94 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/john-allens-timesaver-lite/id1162009059/reviews)** | [4.7 (1.4K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sid-meiers-railroads/id1449719281/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 94 | **1.4K** |
| Positive reviews | **89.5% of reviews** | 59.4% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 4 months** | Every 5 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 93 MB | 1.6 GB |
| Requires iOS | **8.0** | 15.5 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Scott Lagaly](https://appshunter.io/developer/392805743) | [Feral Interactive Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/402470125) |

## What reviewers say

### John Allen's Timesaver Lite

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/john-allens-timesaver-lite/id1162009059)

This app combines train simulation with strategic puzzle-solving. Players manage train movements in confined spaces to fulfill switching orders, facing increasing challenges like worker strikes and new regulations. It offers a nostalgic model train experience with a focus on logic and quick thinking.

**Highlights:** Train switching puzzles, Logic and strategy challenges, Increasing difficulty levels, Nostalgic model train theme, iCloud score syncing, Lively soundtrack

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### Sid Meier’s Railroads!

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sid-meiers-railroads/id1449719281)

Become a railroad tycoon by building and managing intricate railway networks. Optimize routes, transport goods and passengers, and grow your profits through shrewd business decisions and innovation. Compete with historical figures to become the greatest rail baron.

**Highlights:** Lay tracks and design routes, Transport freight and passengers, Acquire patents and trade stocks, Build or buy industries, Compete with historical figures, Collect 40 famous trains, Train Table Mode for creative building

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Full Game Unlock | $12.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Great game
- 👍 Faithful port of original
- 🎮 Enjoyable gameplay
- 🎨 Beautiful graphics
- 🕰️ Hours of replay value

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes
- 🔋 Battery draining issues
- 🕹️ Fiddly track laying controls
- 🤖 Subpar AI opponents
- 💰 Expensive for a mobile game

**Reported bugs**

- Disappearing tracks
- Routing issues and inability to connect stations
- Map freezing and becoming unresponsive

**Requested features**

- Larger maps
- More scenarios and campaigns
- Multiplayer mode
- Ability to buy/sell shares
- More train and engine variety


## Frequently asked questions

### Is John Allen's Timesaver Lite free?

John Allen's Timesaver Lite is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Sid Meier’s Railroads! free?

Sid Meier’s Railroads! is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, John Allen's Timesaver Lite or Sid Meier’s Railroads!?

John Allen's Timesaver Lite is rated higher. John Allen's Timesaver Lite averages 4.8 out of 5 from 94 ratings, while Sid Meier’s Railroads! averages 4.7 from 1.4K ratings.

### Do John Allen's Timesaver Lite or Sid Meier’s Railroads! have ads?

Neither John Allen's Timesaver Lite nor Sid Meier’s Railroads! shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, John Allen's Timesaver Lite or Sid Meier’s Railroads!?

John Allen's Timesaver Lite ships an update every 4 months, and Sid Meier’s Railroads! every 5 months. Most recently, John Allen's Timesaver Lite was updated on November 2, 2026 and Sid Meier’s Railroads! on November 2, 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.*