Trainz Simulator 3 vs Train Simulator
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
Train Simulator
Become a train driver in this 2D simulator, delivering cargo and revitalizing regional economies. Upgrade your locomotives, manage infrastructure, and explore diverse landscapes. Experience realistic train gameplay with dynamic weather.
- Cargo delivery and economic management
- Train upgrades and modifications
- Diverse game world exploration
- Realistic train simulation gameplay
- Dynamic weather conditions
- Challenging tasks and contracts
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In-game regional economies are in poor condition, transport systems are suffering losses, enterprises and factories are idle, and the transport network is not properly maintained. Are you ready to change the situation? Download the 2D train simulator game and put on the shoes of a real train driver! Play Train Simulator and deliver various cargoes from agricultural products and building materials to goods for light and heavy industry. In this train sim, you should meet the heads of railroads, improve relations between the train stations and develop the economic potential of entire regions! You have an impressive list of trains at your disposal. All trains have been recreated from the real drawings. Start with an inconspicuous diesel locomotive, take orders & earn money to get new spare parts and equipment. Upgrade and modify train compositions to handle difficult orders and earn more money. Eventually, unlock the entire fleet of equipment up to the heaviest and most powerful locomotives of the 20th century! On your way, you’ll solve infrastructure problems in a wide variety of places such as deserts, cities, forests, swamps, mountains, and many other game locations. Why you’ll spend hours playing the railroad sim game: - Advanced train management - Deliberate upgrade system - Many challenging tasks - Expansive game world - Real train simulator gameplay - Beautiful 2D graphics & sound effects - Dynamic weather conditions Download Train Simulator for free and enjoy the realistic gameplay! Sign contracts, load wagons, choose a destination, start the engine, and go along the rails of luck!
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Train Simulator at Free against Trainz Simulator 3's $7.99. Train Simulator also leads on rating (4.7 vs 3.8) and review sentiment (64% vs 51%). Trainz Simulator 3's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (fortnightly vs every 2 months). On in-app purchases, monetization model, device support and iOS requirement 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
Train Simulator is free to download; Trainz Simulator 3 costs $7.99 up front. Trainz Simulator 3 sells 22 one-off in-app purchases and Train Simulator sells 14 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Train Simulator holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1.6K and 5.3K respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 51% of Trainz Simulator 3's written reviews are positive against 64% of Train Simulator's.
Trainz Simulator 3 ships an update fortnightly, Train Simulator every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 29, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Trainz Simulator 3 | Train Simulator |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $7.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 3.8 (1.6K ratings) | 4.7 (5.3K ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 51.0% of reviews | 64.2% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 1.6K | 5.3K — better |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly — better | Every 2 months |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | #58 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 16.6 | 15.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 2.2 GB | 820 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | N3V Games Pty Ltd | AZUR INTERACTIVE GAMES LIMITED |
Customer experience
Trainz Simulator 3
Train Simulator
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
Train Simulator
From 5.3K App Store ratingsWhat we love
- ⭐️ Enjoyable and fun game
- 🚂 Realistic train simulation
- 👍 Good graphics and gameplay
- 💯 Great for train enthusiasts
Room to improve
- 🙄 Annoying ads
- 🚧 Difficult hills and terrain
- 🔧 Frequent need for repairs
- 🤔 Limited train selection
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
Train Simulator
Reported bugs
3 issues- Game crashes on startup for some users
- Inability to save progress or sync across devices
- Glitches with train performance and handling
Requested features
4 requests- Add more train types (steam, electric, etc.)
- Implement passenger service
- Improve hill climbing and traction
- Reduce reliance on ads or provide ad-free option
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
Train Simulator
- Engine Boost$0.99
- Crew 4$1.99
- Starter pack sale$2.99
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- Starter Pack$3.99
- ChME3 Sale$3.99
- WDM2 Sale$5.99
- ChME3 Locomotive$5.99
- More gold boxes$7.99
- WDM2 Locomotive$7.99
- EMD SD70 Sale$7.99
- More silver boxes$7.99
- FD20 Sale$7.99
- EMD SD70 Locomotive$9.99
- FD20 Locomotive$10.99
Questions
Is Trainz Simulator 3 free?
Is Train Simulator free?
Which has better reviews, Trainz Simulator 3 or Train Simulator?
Do Trainz Simulator 3 or Train Simulator have ads?
Which is updated more often, Trainz Simulator 3 or Train Simulator?
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