Trainz Simulator 3 vs DashPanel
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Trainz Simulator 3
Experience the most realistic train driving simulation with next-generation graphics. Take control of various locomotives across diverse global locations, from the comfort of your home or on the go. Master complex operations and manage entire railroads.
- Realistic train driving experience
- Global route exploration
- Control of multiple locomotive types
- Detailed rolling stock
- Simple and realistic driving modes
- Driver command system
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Trainz Simulator 3 delivers next-generation graphics and the most realistic train driving experience wherever you are. Take charge of steam electric or diesel locomotives and travel the world from the comfort of your home or while on the road. Climb the Rocky Mountains, venture all over the UK, journey through the USA or explore Outback Australia. Included Features: - Explore 4 highly detailed locations - Experience 12 gameplay sessions - Master 9 in-depth tutorial sessions - Control 14 highly detailed locomotives - Haul over 54 types of rolling stock - Drive in simple or realistic modes - Issue Driver Commands to dozens of other trains - Operate an entire railroad Expand your experience with new routes, sessions and hundreds of locomotives available for additional purchase. NOTE: TS3 does not currently offer world building tools or allow importing 3rd party content. Initial install size: 4GB
DashPanel
Create custom dashboard displays and virtual button boxes for your favorite PC racing simulators. Monitor critical game data and trigger in-game actions with customizable layouts. A demo version is available to test compatibility.
- Customizable dashboard displays
- Virtual button box functionality
- Powerful layout editor
- Download and share layouts
- Real-time critical data display
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« DashPanel » • Data display for your favourite racing simulators. -Create fully customizable dashboard displays for your favourite racing sims on your PC. • Virtual button box for any application or game. -Use virtual buttons to trigger keystrokes on your PC. « Key Features » • Data display, show critical information from your racing sim. • Button box functionality (PC only), use virtual buttons to trigger keystrokes on your PC. • Powerful editor allows you to modify built in layouts or build one from the ground up. • Easily download and share created layouts online within the app. « Demo Data » Ensure compatibility on your devices and try the time unlimited demo version that reads RPM, Speed and Gear. Full data unlocks can be purchased for each game via the in app store tab. « Demo Button Box » Virtual Button Box has a limit of 30 button presses per session in demo mode. Owning a full data unlock for a game will give unlimited presses for compatible games. To use a button box on any application or game purchase the Virtual Button Box unlock via the in app store tab. « Games Supporting Data » • American Truck Simulator - ATS • Assetto Corsa (PC/PS4) • Assetto Corsa Competizione - ACC (PC) • Assetto Corsa EVO • Assetto Corsa Rally • Automobilista • Automobilista 2 • BeamNG.drive • DiRT 4 (PC) • DiRT Rally (PC) • DiRT Rally 2.0 (PC) • Euro Truck Simulator 2 - ETS2 • F1 2012 - 16 (PC) • F1 2017 - 25 (26 DLC) • Farming Simulator 22/25 (PC) • Forza Horizon 4/5/6 (FH4 Note: Data Out Telemetry is not working on Xbox Series X|S - Playground Games) • Forza Motorsport 7/23 • Game Stock Car Extreme • Grand Prix 4 • GRID / Grid Autosport (PC) • GRID 2 (PC) • GRID 2019 (PC) • GRID Legends (PC) • GT Legends • GTR2 • iRacing • KartKraft • Le Mans Ultimate • Live For Speed - LFS • Project Cars - pCars • Project Cars 2 - pCars2 • Project Cars 3 - pCars3 (PC) • Project Motor Racing (PC) • Race07 • RaceRoom Racing Experience - R3E • RBR RSF • rFactor • rFactor 2 • WRC • WRC Generations • Wreckfest 2 (PC) indicates that telemetry is available only from the PC version of the game. Supported widgets vary depending on data provided by each game. You can review widget compatibility in app. For more details visit: https://www.pyrofrogstudios.com/dashpanel.html DashPanel is not official software and is provided "as is" and "with all faults". All trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners. All names are used for identification purposes only.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: DashPanel at Free against Trainz Simulator 3's $7.99. Trainz Simulator 3's advantage is ratings volume (1.6K vs 124) and chart position (#38 vs unranked). On rating, review sentiment, update cadence and ads 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
DashPanel is free to download; Trainz Simulator 3 costs $7.99 up front. Trainz Simulator 3 sells 22 one-off in-app purchases and DashPanel sells 13 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Trainz Simulator 3 holds the better App Store score, 3.8 against 3.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Trainz Simulator 3 has 1.6K ratings behind it against 124, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 51% of Trainz Simulator 3's written reviews are positive against 58% of DashPanel's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.
Trainz Simulator 3 ships an update fortnightly, DashPanel every 4 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 2, 2026 and October 1, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Trainz Simulator 3 | DashPanel |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $7.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 3.8 (1.6K ratings) — better | 3.6 (124 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 51.4% of reviews | 58.1% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 1.6K — better | 124 |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly — better | Every 4 weeks |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | #38 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 16.6 | 15.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 2.2 GB | 246 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | N3V Games Pty Ltd | Bernhard Deininger |
Customer experience
Trainz Simulator 3
DashPanel
User reviews
Trainz Simulator 3
From 1.6K App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🚀 Realistic graphics
- 🚂 Detailed train models
- 👍 Immersive audio
- 🚅 Variety of train content
- 🎨 Good graphics for mobile
Room to improve
- 🐛 Frequent crashes and white screen issues
- 🔋 Drains battery quickly
- 🤔 Clunky user interface and menus
- 🤯 Lack of customization options
- 🙄 Buggy and glitchy at times
DashPanel
From 124 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🚀 Amazing app
- 👍 Easy to use
- 👍 Highly customizable
- 👍 Great presets
- 🚀 Works great
Room to improve
- 🐛 Doesn't work with certain games
- 🐛 Connectivity issues
- 🐛 Lags or freezes
- 🐛 Certain features don't work
- 🐛 Demo mode issues
Bugs and requests
Trainz Simulator 3
Reported bugs
5 issues- Trains disappearing or getting stuck
- Locomotive sounds glitching out
- Switches not functioning properly
- Inconsistent camera controls
- Saving/loading issues
Requested features
6 requests- Add more US steam locomotives
- Implement a route/world builder
- Include a main menu and settings
- Add more free drive options
- Improve derailment physics
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- Optimize performance on older devices
DashPanel
Reported bugs
5 issues- Doesn't connect to certain games
- Freezes or crashes
- Certain features not working as expected
- Compatibility issues with newer OS versions
- Unreliable connection to game servers
Requested features
9 requests- Add support for more racing games
- Improve compatibility with consoles
- Add more customization options
- Implement live timing/telemetry features
- Add support for more data points (e.g. engine temp, tire wear)
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- Improve dashboard editor
- Add autosave feature
- Implement dark mode
- Add support for more platforms (e.g. BeamNG, The Crew 2, GT7)
In-app purchases
Trainz Simulator 3
- Free Drive Sessions & ConsistsFree
- City and Country USAFree
- PT Badgers PassFree
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- Razorback ClassicFree
- NYC J3a-Dreyfuss$0.99
- Amtrk P42DC ph V$0.99
- BNSF SD70MAC H3$0.99
- CSX C40-8W$0.99
- Nickel Plate High Speed Set$1.99
- PRR T1$1.99
- N&W Y6B Weathered$1.99
- NS (Norfolk Southern) ES44AC$1.99
- NS Dash 9-44CW$1.99
- Shortline Railroad$2.99
- Model Trainz: Chicago$2.99
- Midwestern Branch Route$3.99
- Route: Marias Pass Approach$4.99
- Route: Sequoia Valley$4.99
- Centrella Sub Division$5.99
- Horseshoe Curve$5.99
- Route: Inyo Mountains$5.99
- BP - The Western Branch$9.99
DashPanel
- Classic Full Data$0.99
- BeamNG.drive Full Data$1.99
- Assetto Corsa Full Data$4.99
Show 10 moreShow fewer
- rFactor Full Data$4.99
- Codemasters Full Data$4.99
- PCARS Full Data$4.99
- SimBin/Sector3 Full Data$4.99
- iRacing Full Data$4.99
- Forza Full Data$4.99
- Truck Simulator Full Data$4.99
- Virtual Button Box Unlock$4.99
- Farming Simulator Full Data$4.99
- PRO$12.99
Questions
Is Trainz Simulator 3 free?
Is DashPanel free?
Which has better reviews, Trainz Simulator 3 or DashPanel?
Do Trainz Simulator 3 or DashPanel have ads?
Which is updated more often, Trainz Simulator 3 or DashPanel?
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