Comparison

Smart Device Controller vs Railstream

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

Head to head
About

Smart Device Controller

Transform your smartphone into a wireless remote for model trains. It offers compatibility with Soundbox, allowing for operation or use as a wireless power pack without the Soundbox. Control your model train setups with ease.

Highlights
  • Wireless model train operation
  • Soundbox compatibility
  • Use as wireless power pack
  • Smartphone remote control
Read full description

Operate model trains by wireless control! Compatible with Soundbox! Your smartphone turns into a remote controller for a model train. You can use it as a remote controller for Soundbox. You do not have to use Soundbox and use this product as a wireless power pack. Let's download "Smart Device Controller application" to your smartphone or tablet on hand.

About

Railstream

Experience live railcams from across the United States and Canada. Watch over two dozen cameras in real time, with a selection available for all viewers and premium content for members. Keep your devices entertained with continuous railway action.

Highlights
  • Live railcams
  • United States and Canada coverage
  • Real-time streaming
  • Multiple camera views
  • Membership-exclusive content
Features
Read full description

Live from the United States and Canada, Railstream brings you over 2 dozen railcams to watch in real time! Nine cameras are available for all viewers, while others are membership only. Try this app and your TV and mobile devices will never be dark again! Railstream Pricing: • Subscription 1 Month - USD 12.99* • Subscription 1 Year - USD 149.99* * For non-US app stores, the equivalent currency charges will apply. Please note: App subscriptions do not include access to subscription-only content on our website. Additional Subscription Information: • Payment will be charged to iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase. • Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period. • Account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period, and identify the cost of the renewal. • Subscriptions may be managed by the user and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to the user's Account Settings after purchase. • No cancellation of the current subscription is allowed during active subscription period. Privacy Policy - https://bit.ly/2J5Ujfh Terms of Use - https://bit.ly/2J1YZqL • Any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when the user purchases a subscription to that publication, where applicable.

Screenshots

Smart Device Controller4 screens
Railstream4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Railstream at 4.1 against Smart Device Controller's 3.3. Railstream also leads on review sentiment (58% vs 27%) and ratings volume (128 vs 6). Smart Device Controller's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 10) and ads (none vs shown). On price, update cadence 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. Railstream sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $12.99 per month. Smart Device Controller asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Railstream holds the better App Store score, 4.1 against 3.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Railstream has 128 ratings behind it against 6, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 27% of Smart Device Controller's written reviews are positive against 58% of Railstream's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Smart Device Controller ships an update every 3 months, Railstream every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on September 29, 2026 and October 8, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Smart Device Controller versus Railstream: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSmart Device ControllerRailstream
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.3 (6 ratings)4.1 (128 ratings) — better
Positive reviews27.3% of reviews58.5% of reviews — better
Number of ratings6128 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 months — betterEvery 4 months
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterSubscription
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple TV — better
Requires iOS10.3 — better15.6
Further details — not scored
Size26 MB85 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSEKISUI KINZOKU CO., LTDRailstream, LLC

Customer experience

Smart Device Controller

All ratings6 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral16.7%
Negative33.3%
Written reviews11 reviews
Positive27.3%
Neutral36.4%
Negative36.4%

Railstream

All ratings128 ratings
Positive75.8%
Neutral4.7%
Negative19.5%
Written reviews65 reviews
Positive58.5%
Neutral7.7%
Negative33.8%

Bugs and requests

Smart Device Controller

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Railstream

Reported bugs

24 issues
  • Boyce Cam stuck at night
  • Sound bugs on Fostoria Ohio free cams
  • App crashes or freezes
  • App gets slow
  • Login issues, doesn't recall membership
Show 19 more
  • Annoying messages for members
  • Stuck waiting message
  • Reset and spinning wheel icon
  • iPad app killed after update
  • Static and connection problems
  • App kicks out members
  • Selma cam glitches, shows daytime at night
  • Issues with Apple Play (sound but blank screen)
  • Blank picture on Apple Play for some cameras
  • Cameras off at 10pm PST
  • Cameras jumping back and forth
  • Internal service error on password reset
  • App crashes in landscape mode
  • Payment option not available (forcing PayPal)
  • App says 'something went wrong' on sign in
  • Shenedoah junction free cam does not work
  • White line bug on video player
  • Light brown screen with RETRY error
  • Little black airplane icon

Requested features

21 requests
  • Add Thomasville NC railcam for free
  • Lower membership price
  • Add Metra camera
  • Add multi-view cams back
  • Add more multi-view cams
Show 16 more
  • Add a railcam in WA (Sumner, Puyallup, Auburn, Tukwilla)
  • Add another free camera for Atlanta, GA (other direction)
  • Add cameras in St. Louis, MO, Jonesboro, AR, Memphis, TN, Little Rock, AR
  • Add 1 or 2 new free cams
  • Add more free cameras
  • Add more cameras on the west coast
  • Add cameras at Horseshoe Curve
  • Add cameras on the BNSF railway line
  • Add more spots on the free section
  • Add BNSF and Union Pacific cameras
  • Add playback mode
  • Add a cam in Cleveland Ohio
  • Add more cams and information overlay
  • Add Spokane or Seattle cams
  • Add a dark mode option
  • Add advanced analytics dashboard

In-app purchases

None

Smart Device Controller

No in-app purchases

10 purchases

Railstream

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly Subscription$12.991 Month
  • Annual Subscription$149.991 Year
One-time8
  • Railstream Feed 95$12.99
  • Railstream Feed 96$12.99
  • Railstream Feed 93$12.99
Show 5 more
  • Railstream Feed 94$12.99
  • Railstream Feed 97$12.99
  • Railstream Feed 98$12.99
  • Railstream Feed 99$12.99
  • Railstream Feed 100$12.99

Questions

Is Smart Device Controller free?
Smart Device Controller is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Railstream free?
Railstream is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Smart Device Controller or Railstream?
Railstream is rated higher. Smart Device Controller averages 3.3 out of 5 from 6 ratings, while Railstream averages 4.1 from 128 ratings.
Do Smart Device Controller or Railstream have ads?
Railstream shows ads; Smart Device Controller does not.
Which is updated more often, Smart Device Controller or Railstream?
Smart Device Controller ships an update every 3 months, and Railstream every 4 months. Most recently, Smart Device Controller was updated on September 29, 2026 and Railstream on October 8, 2026.

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