Comparison

iVSP vs RocControl

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

Head to head
About

iVSP

Experience ship navigation with Voith propulsion systems. Explore the mechanics and hydrodynamics of Voith Schneider Propellers (VSP) and their unique thrust capabilities on various vessel types. Learn about the innovative technology behind this propulsion system.

Highlights
  • Steer ships with Voith propulsion
  • Explore Voith Schneider Propeller mechanics
  • Understand VSP hydrodynamics
  • Simulate various vessel types
  • Learn about VSP thrust generation
Features
Read full description

The iVSP app allows users to steer ships equipped with Voith propulsion systems, in particular Voith Schneider Propeller (VSP). These are real ships of various types: Voith Water Tractors (tugs), double-ended ferries, offshore vessels, and yachts. iVSP also provides a deeper insight into the mechanics and hydrodynamics of the Voith Schneider Propeller (VSP) and its unique propeller forces. The VSP enables the fastest generation of thrust in all directions – stepless and precisely. VSPs combine propulsion, steering, and roll stabilization in a single unit, eliminating the need for rudders. Thrust and steering forces can be generated in any direction from zero to maximum. The Voith Schneider Propeller generates thrust by means of profiled blades that protrude from the ship's bottom and rotate around a vertical axis. The blades are mounted in a rotor casing that is flush with the ship's bottom. The rotational movement of the blades around the common vertical axis is superimposed by a local oscillatory movement of the individual propeller blades around their own axis. This oscillatory movement is generated by a kinematic mechanism (kinematics). The Voith Schneider Propeller is based on an idea by Austrian inventor Ernst Schneider, and its effectiveness was first successfully demonstrated in model tests in 1926. The development potential of the VSP is far from exhausted, and Voith engineers are continuously working to further improve its efficiency. In addition, the company is constantly developing new applications for various types of ships for this unique propulsion system. Suggestions for the application and further improvement of the VSP are always welcome. The relevant contact details for Voith can be found in the main menu of iVSP.

About

RocControl

Control your digital model railroad layouts remotely. Manage locomotives, switches, and signals, and set trains to run automatically. Connect to a Rocrail server to operate your entire layout from your mobile device.

Highlights
  • Control locomotives, switches, and signals
  • Automatic train operation
  • Dialogs for blocks, turntables, and staging yards
  • Dedicated locomotive throttle
  • Layout, driving, and system control tabs
  • Automatic connection to local Rocrail servers
Features
Read full description

The app controls digital model railroad layouts by driving locomotives, set switches, set signal, and let run trains automatically. This app is a mobile client for the model railroad program Rocrail. See https://wiki.rocrail.net for more information on Rocrail. The app offers dialogs for blocks, turntables, traversers, staging and fiddleyards; All you need to control your model railroad layout with a mobile device. A special dialog is the throttle for controlling locomotives speed and functions. The app has 3 main tabs: One for the layout, one for driving and one for the system controls and tracing. In order to control a model railroad layout the app must be connected to a Rocrail server. If one is found on the local network, mDNS/Bonjour, it will automatically connect to it. The Rocrail Demo server can be connected if no local server has been found. This option is available in the Settings menu, the gear symbol right on top, if no local server has been found.

Screenshots

iVSP4 screens
RocControl4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: iVSP at 100% against RocControl's 50%. iVSP also leads on iOS requirement (13.0 vs 16.6). RocControl's advantage is update cadence (fortnightly vs every 21 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

iVSP ships an update every 21 months, RocControl fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and September 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
iVSP versus RocControl: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameteriVSPRocControl
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews — better50.0% of reviews
Number of ratings1 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 21 monthsFortnightly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch
Requires iOS13.0 — better16.6
Further details — not scored
Size384 MB4 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperVoith Digital Solutions IncRocrail

Customer experience

iVSP

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

RocControl

Written reviews2 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%

In-app purchases

None

iVSP

No in-app purchases

None

RocControl

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is iVSP free?
iVSP is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is RocControl free?
RocControl is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do iVSP or RocControl have ads?
Neither iVSP nor RocControl shows ads.
Which is updated more often, iVSP or RocControl?
iVSP ships an update every 21 months, and RocControl fortnightly. Most recently, iVSP was updated on October 15, 2026 and RocControl on September 30, 2026.

Other comparisons