Smart Device Controller vs LocoLink
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.
LocoLink
Control your model railway layout wirelessly from your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. Manage locomotives, switch turnouts and signals, and even automate train movements. Features include a track plan editor, block system, and CV programming.
- Wireless DCC command station control
- Locomotive speed and function control
- Turnout and signal switching
- Interactive track plan editor
- Block system and automation
- CV programming and speed table editing
- Game controller support
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LocoLink is the ultimate model railway control app for iPhone, iPad and Mac. Connect wirelessly to your digital command station and take full control of your layout. DRIVE & CONTROL - Control locomotives with an intuitive speed lever (vertical or horizontal) - Switch between Forward, Reverse and Emergency Stop instantly - Toggle decoder functions F0-F28 (lights, sound, smoke, couplers and more) - Use speed presets (25%, 50%, 75%, 100%) for quick speed changes - Swipe between locomotives on iPhone, or use the sidebar on iPad/Mac TURNOUTS & SIGNALS - Switch turnouts and signals with one tap - Create routes that switch multiple turnouts and signals at once - Support for DCC and Motorola (MM2) address modes TRACK PLAN (SWITCHBOARD) - Draw your layout with tracks, turnouts, signals and stations - Operate everything visually from your track plan - Multiple tabs for different layout sections BLOCK SYSTEM & AUTOMATION - Automatic train detection with S88 feedback modules - Block routes with automatic stopping and departing - Shuttle service between two points - Timetables with model clock (1x to 60x speed) - Drive schedules with customizable steps CV PROGRAMMING - Step-by-step programming wizard - Expert mode for direct CV read/write - Speed table editing (CV67-94) GAME CONTROLLER - Use PlayStation via Bluetooth - Configurable button mapping Requires a compatible digital command station and WiFi connection. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://locolink.io/privacy.html
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: LocoLink at 4.0 against Smart Device Controller's 3.3. LocoLink also leads on update cadence (every 5 days vs every 3 months) and device support (5 vs 3). Smart Device Controller's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 10) and ratings volume (6 vs 1). On price, review sentiment and ads 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. LocoLink sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month. Smart Device Controller asks for nothing beyond the download.
LocoLink holds the better App Store score, 4.0 against 3.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Smart Device Controller has 6 ratings behind it against 1, 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 33% of LocoLink's.
Smart Device Controller ships an update every 3 months, LocoLink every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on September 29, 2026 and October 14, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Smart Device Controller | LocoLink |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.3 (6 ratings) | 4.0 (1 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 27.3% of reviews | 33.3% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 6 — better | 1 |
| 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, Mac, Apple Watch — better |
| Requires iOS | 10.3 — better | 15.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 26 MB | 73 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | SEKISUI KINZOKU CO., LTD | Tom Westerman |
Customer experience
Smart Device Controller
LocoLink
In-app purchases
Smart Device Controller
No in-app purchases
LocoLink
- LocoLink Pro iOS1 Month trial$5.991 Month
- LocoLink Pro Mac1 Month trial$8.991 Month
- LocoLink Pro All Devices1 Month trial$9.991 Month
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- LocoLink+ iOS1 Month trial$29.991 Year
- LocoLink Pro iOS1 Month trial$59.991 Year
- LocoLink Pro Mac1 Month trial$69.991 Year
- LocoLink Pro All Devices1 Month trial$79.991 Year
- LocoLink Pro iOS Forever$249.99
- LocoLink Pro Mac Forever$299.99
- LocoLink Pro All Forever$399.99
Questions
Is Smart Device Controller free?
Is LocoLink free?
Which has better reviews, Smart Device Controller or LocoLink?
Do Smart Device Controller or LocoLink have ads?
Which is updated more often, Smart Device Controller or LocoLink?
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