Comparison

Lionel Wireless Camera vs ThrottleCard

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

Head to head
About

Lionel Wireless Camera

View your model railroad layout from the perspective of your train. This app connects to a WiFi camera in a compatible Lionel car, streaming live video to your device for enjoyment or recording.

Highlights
  • Live video streaming
  • Record train view
  • Works with compatible Lionel cars
  • WiFi camera integration
  • View model railroad empire
Features
Read full description

See your model railroad empire as never before! The Lionel Wireless Camera App works in conjunction with the WiFi camera mounted in your Lionel car, such as the Norfolk Southern Buena Vista Theater Car (SKU 6-84230). The on-board camera transmits live video from the car via a WiFi signal so that you can enjoy or record the view from your train as you move across your layout.

About

ThrottleCard

Control your model railroad with this app featuring vintage-inspired controls and realistic animations. It supports multiple trains, game controllers, and offers advanced features like turnout and route control. A free version is available, with a premium subscription for enhanced functionality.

Highlights
  • Multi-throttle support
  • Vintage-inspired controls
  • Game controller integration
  • Automatic command station discovery
  • Turnout and route control
  • Apple Watch support
Features
Read full description

All aboard! Take control of your model railroad with this elegantly designed app that brings vintage charm to modern model train control. Whether you're a seasoned engineer or just starting your journey in model railroading, ThrottleCard delivers powerful features wrapped in a beautiful, easy-to-use interface. Hear what the community is saying: "FINALLY! The BEST Model Railroad Mobile App for IPhone?" - DIY and Digital Railroad YouTube Channel KEY FEATURES: * Control multiple trains simultaneously with intuitive multi-throttle support * Beautiful vintage-inspired gauges and controls with realistic animations * Game Controller Support! Easily drive your Trains with a PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, or MFi Game Controller with pre-mapped buttons * Landscape mode on iPhone is optimized for excellent compatibility with handheld MFi Game Controllers. * Easily create consists on the fly right from within the app * Automatic command station discovery * Comprehensive locomotive function control * Full turnout (switch) control * Routes Support * Fast Clock Support * Supports WiThrottle and DCC-EX Protocols * Roster with locomotive images * A variety of classic railroad inspired themes * Haptic Feedback for intuitive responsiveness and operation * Mirror-Mode mode for comfortable operation in either hand * Multiple classic railroad-inspired themes * iPad support * Apple Watch Support With many more exciting features in the roadmap! To use ThrottleCard, simply connect to any WiThrottle Protocol enabled command station including JMRI, DCC-EX, and various commercial offerings. ThrottleCard can be used for free without a subscription to control the speed, direction, and functions of a single locomotive at a time, throw turnouts, and change to any of the railroad inspired themes. Subscribe to Premium for $0.99/Month or $9.99/Year - 16% off - to unlock the ability to control multiple trains (cards), multiple locomotives in a consist, game controllers, routes, locomotive programming* and to support the future development of additional, exciting features! We’ll even give you a week free to try it out. ThrottleCard Watch will mirror the throttles you have setup on your phone and will allow for remote control of speed with the Digital Crown as well as light, horn, and bell control right from your wrist. For best results, change the "Return to Clock" settings for ThrottleCard watch to "After 1 Hour" by going to Settings (on watch or watch iOS app) > General > Return To Clock > ThrottleCard > Choose "Custom" > Choose "After 1 Hour" below. This will keep ThrottleCard open on your watch longer while it's in the foreground. We’re committed to making the best tools possible for the model railroad community and would love to hear your feedback on the features you’d like to see next. Get started with the latest in model railroading today! *DCC-EX Command Station is required for locomotive programming. The ‘WiThrottle protocol’ is a communications protocol developed by Brett Hoffman. ‘WiThrottle’ is a trademark owned by Brett Hoffman. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://throttlecard.com/privacy.html

Screenshots

Lionel Wireless Camera4 screens
ThrottleCard4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: ThrottleCard at 4.3 against Lionel Wireless Camera's 3.2. ThrottleCard also leads on update cadence (weekly vs every 51 months). Lionel Wireless Camera's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and ads (none vs shown). On price, ratings volume and device support 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. ThrottleCard sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Lionel Wireless Camera asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

ThrottleCard holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 3.2. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 14 and 11 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Lionel Wireless Camera ships an update every 51 months, ThrottleCard weekly. The most recent releases landed on July 4, 2026 and July 6, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Lionel Wireless Camera versus ThrottleCard: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterLionel Wireless CameraThrottleCard
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.2 (14 ratings)4.3 (11 ratings) — better
Positive reviews50.0% of reviews
Number of ratings14 — better11
Update frequencyEvery 51 monthsWeekly — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Vision Pro — better
Requires iOS15.0 — better17.5
Further details — not scored
Size28 MB117 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperLionel, LLCRyan Gant

Customer experience

Lionel Wireless Camera

All ratings12 ratings
Positive58.3%
Neutral16.7%
Negative25.0%

ThrottleCard

All ratings11 ratings
Positive72.7%
Neutral18.2%
Negative9.1%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral25.0%
Negative25.0%

In-app purchases

None

Lionel Wireless Camera

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

ThrottleCard

Subscriptions2
  • ThrottleCard Premium - Monthly7 Days trial$0.991 Month
  • ThrottleCard Premium - Yearly7 Days trial$9.991 Year

Questions

Is Lionel Wireless Camera free?
Lionel Wireless Camera is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is ThrottleCard free?
ThrottleCard is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Lionel Wireless Camera or ThrottleCard?
ThrottleCard is rated higher. Lionel Wireless Camera averages 3.2 out of 5 from 14 ratings, while ThrottleCard averages 4.3 from 11 ratings.
Do Lionel Wireless Camera or ThrottleCard have ads?
ThrottleCard shows ads; Lionel Wireless Camera does not.
Which is updated more often, Lionel Wireless Camera or ThrottleCard?
Lionel Wireless Camera ships an update every 51 months, and ThrottleCard weekly. Most recently, Lionel Wireless Camera was updated on July 4, 2026 and ThrottleCard on July 6, 2026.

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