Smart Device Controller vs Lionel Cab3
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- Wireless model train operation
- Soundbox compatibility
- Use as wireless power pack
- Smartphone remote control
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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.
Lionel Cab3
Control your Lionel model trains directly via Bluetooth or by connecting to the Base3 command system. Experience enhanced control and unlock the full capabilities of your locomotives.
- Bluetooth locomotive control
- One-to-one pairing
- Base3 system interface
- Unlock full train potential
- Direct locomotive control
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This APP allows you to control your Lionel engines in two different ways. 1. Connect to Lionel Bluetooth-equipped locomotives in a one-to-one pairing, controlling them without the need of a command base. 2. Interface with Lionel's Base3 to unlock all the potential your Lionel model trains have to offer.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Lionel Cab3 at 3.7 against Smart Device Controller's 3.3. Lionel Cab3 also leads on update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 3 months) and ratings volume (41 vs 6). On price, review sentiment, ads and in-app purchases 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Lionel Cab3 holds the better App Store score, 3.7 against 3.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Lionel Cab3 has 41 ratings behind it against 6, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 20% of Smart Device Controller's written reviews are positive against 27% of Lionel Cab3's.
Smart Device Controller ships an update every 3 months, Lionel Cab3 every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on June 2, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Smart Device Controller | Lionel Cab3 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.3 (6 ratings) | 3.7 (41 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 20.0% of reviews | 27.3% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 6 | 41 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | Every 3 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 10.3 | 9.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 26 MB | 134 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | SEKISUI KINZOKU CO., LTD | Lionel, LLC |
Customer experience
Smart Device Controller
Lionel Cab3
In-app purchases
Smart Device Controller
No in-app purchases
Lionel Cab3
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Smart Device Controller free?
Is Lionel Cab3 free?
Which has better reviews, Smart Device Controller or Lionel Cab3?
Do Smart Device Controller or Lionel Cab3 have ads?
Which is updated more often, Smart Device Controller or Lionel Cab3?
Other comparisons
