Comparison

PFx Brick vs SmartProgrammer

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

Head to head
About

PFx Brick

Control and customize your PFx Brick devices with this app. Manage motor functions, lighting effects, and sound through a Bluetooth connection. Offers intuitive control panels and emulation of classic remote controls.

Highlights
  • Bluetooth Low Energy connection
  • Motor control and lighting effects
  • Multi-channel sound effects
  • Customizable control panels
  • Emulation of LEGO Power Functions IR remotes
  • Device configuration (name, power saving, audio)
Features
Read full description

The PFx Brick mobile app gives you customization and control of your PFx Brick using a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) connection with your iPhone or iPad. All of the sophisticated motor control, dazzling lighting effects, and multi-channel sound effects of the PFx Brick are at your fingertips with the PFx Brick app. Seamlessly connect and control your PFx Brick(s) with your choice of easy to use control panels. Setup and customize your PFx Brick just the way you want it! Features - Scan for new PFx Bricks and "pair" your favourite PFx Bricks for easy access - Configure every aspect of the PFx Brick including its name, power saving features, lighting channels, audio defaults, and sophisticated motor control adjustments - Directly control your PFx Brick with easy to use sliders, knobs, and buttons arranged on a variety of control panels - Instantly swipe to the control panel of your choice at any time - Emulation of LEGO® Power Functions dual speed and dual joystick IR remote controls let you operate your PFx Brick the same way using IR and Bluetooth! Supported Devices - PFx Brick 4 MB - PFx Brick 8 MB - PFx Brick 16 MB LEGO® is a trademark of the LEGO Group of companies which does not sponsor, authorize or endorse this application.

About

SmartProgrammer

Easily adjust digital parameters for your decoders with an intuitive app. Offers standard and expert modes for basic or detailed settings, including sound options. Quickly update connected decoders and transfer sound data.

Highlights
  • Intuitive decoder parameter adjustment
  • Standard and expert mode settings
  • Quick decoder updates
  • Sound data transfer via SUSI
  • Function key remapping
  • Integrated signal box
Features
Read full description

- Einstellen von Digitalparametern Ihrer Decoder über intuitive App - Kinderleichte Bedienung ohne Programmierkenntnisse - Standardmodus: Alle grundlegenden Decodereinstellungen können einfach geändert werden - Expertenmodus: Detailliertere Einstellungen aller Decodereigenschaften und Soundmöglichkeiten - Schnelles Update der angeschlossenen PIKO SmartDecoder - Automatische Firmwareupdates über die App - Grafische Darstellung der an der Lok getätigten Einstellungen in der App und in Verbindung mit dem PIKO SmartTester - Schnelle Übertragung der Sounddaten über die SUSI-Schnittstelle - Funktionstastenbelegung kann sehr einfach geändert werden - Integriertes Stellwerk zum schalten von z.B. Weichendecodern Zusätzlich kann der PIKO SmartProgrammer auch als autonome Minizentrale eingesetzt werden um einzelne Fahrzeuge zu steuern oder kleine Programmierabläufe zu erstellen, z.B. für einen automatischen Pendelzugbetrieb in Vitrinen oder auch auf dem Schreibtisch.

Screenshots

PFx Brick4 screens
SmartProgrammer4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: PFx Brick at 100% against SmartProgrammer's 67%. PFx Brick also leads on iOS requirement (9.3 vs 12.2). SmartProgrammer's advantage is update cadence (every 6 weeks vs every 16 months). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

PFx Brick ships an update every 16 months, SmartProgrammer every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 8, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
PFx Brick versus SmartProgrammer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPFx BrickSmartProgrammer
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (2 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews — better66.7% of reviews
Number of ratings2 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 16 monthsEvery 6 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS9.3 — better12.2
Further details — not scored
Size17 MB126 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperFx Bricks Inc.PIKO Spielwaren GmbH

Customer experience

PFx Brick

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

SmartProgrammer

Written reviews3 reviews
Positive66.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative33.3%

In-app purchases

None

PFx Brick

No in-app purchases

None

SmartProgrammer

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is PFx Brick free?
PFx Brick is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is SmartProgrammer free?
SmartProgrammer is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do PFx Brick or SmartProgrammer have ads?
Neither PFx Brick nor SmartProgrammer shows ads.
Which is updated more often, PFx Brick or SmartProgrammer?
PFx Brick ships an update every 16 months, and SmartProgrammer every 6 weeks. Most recently, PFx Brick was updated on October 8, 2026 and SmartProgrammer on September 23, 2026.

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