Comparison

TrainSpotting vs TailTag

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

TrainSpotting

This app provides a comprehensive digital database for train enthusiasts, cataloging various locomotives, units, and coaching stock. Users can log sightings with detailed information, photos, and journey data, syncing across devices via iCloud. It offers flexible data review and import options.

Highlights
  • Extensive locomotive and unit database
  • Log sightings with photos and notes
  • Record complete journey information
  • iCloud data syncing across devices
  • Review data by date, location, or class
  • Import data from CSV
Features
Read full description

TrainSpotting is the ultimate user-friendly and VoiceOver-compatible app built by a dedicated train enthusiast. The app replaces traditional paper records with an extensive and regularly updated database of locomotives, including diesel, electric and preserved mainline steam, as well as Diesel and Electric Units, all London Underground stock, and increasing numbers of preserved and scrapped vehicles. Trams and loco-hauled coaching stock are also included. Narrow gauge locomotives (steam and diesel) above 2’0” in the UK are covered, along with diesel fleets in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. The app allows you to quickly log sightings with just a number, or enhance entries with date, location (including three-letter station codes), photos, and notes. The Haulage feature enables full journey logging including departure and arrival locations and times, making it ideal for RailMiles users. Your data can be viewed and analysed in multiple ways by date, location, or class, and you can choose to include or exclude scrapped locomotives. Existing data can also be imported in bulk via CSV. All data is synchronised securely across your devices using iCloud, including any photos you add. Premium Subscription The app is free to download. An optional subscription unlocks the full Premium Service database, which is updated regularly (typically every two weeks) and supports ongoing development of the app. Monthly and annual subscription options available 1-month free trial for new subscribers Special Offer for ICRS Members Eligible Intercity Railway Society members can redeem a unique code within the app to receive 3 months free access to the Premium Service. Subscriptions automatically renew unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. You can manage or cancel your subscription in your App Store account settings. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

TailTag

Log every aircraft you see with photos, registrations, and airline details. Organize your sightings in a clean collection and search instantly by airline, registration, or model. Perfect for aviation enthusiasts, plane spotters, and travelers.

Highlights
  • Log aircraft by registration, airline, type
  • Tag sightings with photos
  • Organize spottings in a collection
  • Search by airline, registration, model
  • Designed for plane spotters
Features
Read full description

TailTag is the ultimate app for aviation enthusiasts, plane spotters, and travellers who love tracking the skies. Whether you’re at the airport fence or window seat at 30,000 feet, TailTag helps you log every aircraft you see, complete with photos, registrations, and airline info. Key Features • Add aircraft by registration, airline, and aircraft type • Tag each one with a photo from your library • Built for Plane Spotters • Organize your spottings in a clean, scrollable collection • Instantly search by airline, registration, or aircraft model • Designed with aviation in mind Spot. Snap. Save. TailTag keeps your aircraft sightings in one place, with an elegant interface that makes every entry feel like a collectible. Whether you’re a hardcore spotter or just getting started, TailTag brings order to the skies.

Screenshots

TrainSpotting4 screens
TailTag4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: TailTag at none against TrainSpotting's 2. TailTag also leads on review sentiment (100% vs 87%). TrainSpotting's advantage is update cadence (every 3 days vs every 3 months) and rating (5.0 vs 4.8). On price, ratings volume 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. TrainSpotting sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. TailTag asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

TrainSpotting holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 3 and 4 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 87% of TrainSpotting's written reviews are positive against 100% of TailTag's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

TrainSpotting ships an update every 3 days, TailTag every 3 months. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
TrainSpotting versus TailTag: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTrainSpottingTailTag
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (3 ratings) — better4.8 (4 ratings)
Positive reviews87.2% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings34 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 days — betterEvery 3 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreemiumFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS15.0 — better18
Further details — not scored
Size324 MB13 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperImagekings LimitedJosh Mansfield

Customer experience

TrainSpotting

All ratings3 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews39 reviews
Positive87.2%
Neutral5.1%
Negative7.7%

TailTag

All ratings4 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

2 purchases

TrainSpotting

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly Purchase$1.991 Month
  • Premium Subscription1 Month trial$19.991 Year
None

TailTag

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is TrainSpotting free?
TrainSpotting is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is TailTag free?
TailTag is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, TrainSpotting or TailTag?
TrainSpotting is rated higher. TrainSpotting averages 5.0 out of 5 from 3 ratings, while TailTag averages 4.8 from 4 ratings.
Do TrainSpotting or TailTag have ads?
Neither TrainSpotting nor TailTag shows ads.
Which is updated more often, TrainSpotting or TailTag?
TrainSpotting ships an update every 3 days, and TailTag every 3 months. Most recently, TrainSpotting was updated on October 24, 2026 and TailTag on October 24, 2026.

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