Messwagen vs iTrain 5 remote
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Messwagen
Measure model railway systems with centimeter accuracy and detect gradients. This app transmits measurement data live via Wi-Fi to a mobile device or PC for graphical evaluation and speed determination, enabling precise measurements even in hidden areas.
- Centimeter-accurate system measurement
- Gradient detection (per thousand)
- Live data transmission via Wi-Fi
- Graphical evaluations on PC
- Average speed determination
- Measurement in non-visible areas
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The PIKO Measure Cars represents an absolute innovation in the model railway sector! Finally, it is possible to measure a complete system - and on the centimeter and gradients on per thousand! In conjunction with this mobile app or a PC, the measurement data and information can be played live using Wi-Fi. Graphical evaluations can be displayed on the PC and average speeds can be determined! This way, it is possible to perform accurate measurements even in non-visible layout areas.
iTrain 5 remote
This application functions as a wireless remote control for model railroad enthusiasts using the iTrain 5 software. It allows users to manage train routes, start and stop trains, and reserve blocks on their model railroad layout directly from their mobile device.
- Wireless remote control for model trains
- Connects to iTrain 5 server
- Control automatic and semi-automatic routes
- Start, finish, and stop routes
- Reserve and withdraw block reservations
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The iTrain 5 remote is an App to control your model railroad trains. It connects as a client to the software iTrain 5 in Server mode and cannot be used on itself, but it is only a wireless remote control for this software. Before starting the App you have to configure the network settings in the Preferences of the device (so not in the App itself). You have to supply the name or IP address of the iTrain 5 Server. You can easily find the server address at the bottom of the main windows of the iTrain application. Just double-click on the icon before Clients. See the iTrain manual for more info. The buttons at the bottom on the left are for starting routes in Automatic and Semi-Automatic mode (green), Finishing the route (yellow) and Stopping the route (red). With the buttons at the bottom on the right side you can reserve the next block in the direction of the locomotive (+) or withdraw the reservation (-) when no route is active.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: iTrain 5 remote at 100% against Messwagen's 60%. iTrain 5 remote also leads on iOS requirement (9.3 vs 11.0). Messwagen's advantage is update cadence (every 6 months vs every 15 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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Messwagen ships an update every 6 months, iTrain 5 remote every 15 months. Both last shipped on October 3, 2026.
| Parameter | Messwagen | iTrain 5 remote |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 1.0 (1 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 60.0% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 1 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 6 months — better | Every 15 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 11.0 | 9.3 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 104 MB | 11 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | PIKO Spielwaren GmbH | Berros |
Customer experience
Messwagen
iTrain 5 remote
In-app purchases
Messwagen
No in-app purchases
iTrain 5 remote
No in-app purchases
