TrainSpotting vs TailTag
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 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
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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/
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.
- Log aircraft by registration, airline, type
- Tag sightings with photos
- Organize spottings in a collection
- Search by airline, registration, model
- Designed for plane spotters
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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
Verdict
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
Both are free to download. TrainSpotting sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. TailTag asks for nothing beyond the download.
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.
TrainSpotting ships an update every 3 days, TailTag every 3 months. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.
| Parameter | TrainSpotting | TailTag |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (3 ratings) — better | 4.8 (4 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 87.2% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 3 | 4 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 3 days — better | Every 3 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Freemium | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 — better | 18 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 324 MB | 13 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Imagekings Limited | Josh Mansfield |
Customer experience
TrainSpotting
TailTag
In-app purchases
TrainSpotting
- Monthly Purchase$1.991 Month
- Premium Subscription1 Month trial$19.991 Year
TailTag
No in-app purchases







