# MACE POD vs HM | DCC

The clearest difference is ads: MACE POD at none against HM | DCC's shown. MACE POD also leads on update cadence (weekly vs every 4 months). HM | DCC's advantage is iOS requirement (11.0 vs 15.0). On price, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

MACE POD ships an update weekly, HM | DCC every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on September 8, 2026 and June 10, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | MACE POD | HM | DCC |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | **[2.3 (4 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hm-dcc/id1660757271/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | — | **4** |
| Positive reviews | — | 56.3% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Weekly** | Every 4 months |
| Monetization | — | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 74 MB | 48 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **11.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [MACE Systems Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/1319194474) | [Hornby Hobbies Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/870599697) |

## What reviewers say

### MACE POD

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mace-pod/id1331542691)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### HM | DCC

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hm-dcc/id1660757271)

Control your model railway system wirelessly with this app. Build your locomotive library, customize their settings, and design your dream layout with untethered control over points, signals, and turntables. Enjoy free sound profiles and upgrade existing systems.

**Highlights:** Wireless model railway control, Locomotive customization, On-the-fly setting adjustments, Layout design tool, Controllable points, signals, turntables, Free locomotive sound profiles, Bluetooth® device linking

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is MACE POD free?

MACE POD is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is HM | DCC free?

HM | DCC is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Do MACE POD or HM | DCC have ads?

HM | DCC shows ads; MACE POD does not.

### Which is updated more often, MACE POD or HM | DCC?

MACE POD ships an update weekly, and HM | DCC every 4 months. Most recently, MACE POD was updated on September 8, 2026 and HM | DCC on June 10, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*