Smart Device Controller vs Virtual Railfan
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.
Virtual Railfan
Stream live video feeds of real trains from numerous cameras across North America. Experience the thrill of watching trains in real-time, with a wide selection of locations available.
- Watch real trains live
- Live camera feeds
- Multiple North American locations
- Real-time train viewing
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Watch real trains live. The most live cameras and locations in North America. Terms of Use (EULA) - https://live.virtualrailfan.com/terms-and-conditions/web
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Smart Device Controller at none against Virtual Railfan's 2. Smart Device Controller also leads on iOS requirement (10.3 vs 15.0). Virtual Railfan's advantage is update cadence (every 5 days vs every 3 months) and review sentiment (50% vs 27%). On price, ads 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
Both are free to download. Virtual Railfan sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $8.99 per month. Smart Device Controller asks for nothing beyond the download.
Virtual Railfan holds the better App Store score, 3.5 against 3.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Virtual Railfan has 49 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 50% of Virtual Railfan's.
Smart Device Controller ships an update every 3 months, Virtual Railfan every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on September 29, 2026 and October 11, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Smart Device Controller | Virtual Railfan |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.3 (6 ratings) | 3.5 (49 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 27.3% of reviews | 50.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 6 | 49 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | Every 5 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple TV — better |
| Requires iOS | 10.3 — better | 15.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 26 MB | 90 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | SEKISUI KINZOKU CO., LTD | Virtual Railfan |
Customer experience
Smart Device Controller
Virtual Railfan
In-app purchases
Smart Device Controller
No in-app purchases
Virtual Railfan
- First Class- Monthly Billing$8.991 Month
- First Class- Annual Billing$99.991 Year
Questions
Is Smart Device Controller free?
Is Virtual Railfan free?
Which has better reviews, Smart Device Controller or Virtual Railfan?
Do Smart Device Controller or Virtual Railfan have ads?
Which is updated more often, Smart Device Controller or Virtual Railfan?
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