Comparison

Model Paints vs ThrottleCard

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

Head to head
About

Model Paints

This app provides a comprehensive database of over 20,000 paints from numerous manufacturers, assisting scale model builders. It offers tools for browsing paint charts, matching colors from photos or the camera, and calculating scale conversions. The database is automatically updated with new colors and paint information.

Highlights
  • Extensive paint manufacturer database
  • Color matching from photos and camera
  • Scale calculation tools
  • Paint blending for new colors
  • Automatic database updates
  • Search by barcode
  • Paints lists support
Features
Read full description

A database of paints from most of the manufacturers designed for modellers (more than 20000 paints). Model Paints simplifies scale model builder work by providing a set of easy to use and comprehensive tools. With Model Paints you can: - Browse paint charts from colour standards and model kit paint manufacturers; - Matching paints from whole database or your favourite paints only; - Matching from selected photo from you library; - Online matching from camera; - Get detailed information about paint; - Scale calculation; - Paint matching for a manually specified color - Search for paints by barcode - Paints lists support - Lightening result can depends scale - Getting new colors when blending paints - Database automatically update Current paint manufactures are include: - Abteilung 502 - Agama - AK Interactive - AMMO by Mig Jimenez - Andrea Miniatures - Arion Models - Aztek - Badger - Citadel Paints - Coat D'Arms - Createx Colors - CreateFX - Flames Of War - Floquil - Forge World - Gianonotes - Gravity Colors - Hannants - Hataka - Heki - Heller - Humbrol - Italeri - IPP - Jim Scale - Lefranc Bourgeois - LifeColor - Meng - Mig Productions - Mission Models - Model Master - Molotow - mr.Hobby - Mr.Paint - Pactra - Privateer Press - Pro Acryl - RailMatch - Reaper Miniatures - Revell - Scale75 - Scalecoat - Scale Colors - SMS Paints - Sovereign Hobbies - Splash Paints - Tamiya - Testors - The Army Painter - Vallejo - Wargames Foundry - Wilder - Winsor & Newton - [ ARM.PNT ] - Акан - Моделист - ZIPMaket - Zvezda ... and more References Charts: - Army-Navy Aeronautical (ANA) - British Standard 381C - British Standard 4800 - Federal Standard 595C - RLM - RAL Classic

About

ThrottleCard

Control your model railroad with this app featuring vintage-inspired controls and realistic animations. It supports multiple trains, game controllers, and offers advanced features like turnout and route control. A free version is available, with a premium subscription for enhanced functionality.

Highlights
  • Multi-throttle support
  • Vintage-inspired controls
  • Game controller integration
  • Automatic command station discovery
  • Turnout and route control
  • Apple Watch support
Features
Read full description

All aboard! Take control of your model railroad with this elegantly designed app that brings vintage charm to modern model train control. Whether you're a seasoned engineer or just starting your journey in model railroading, ThrottleCard delivers powerful features wrapped in a beautiful, easy-to-use interface. Hear what the community is saying: "FINALLY! The BEST Model Railroad Mobile App for IPhone?" - DIY and Digital Railroad YouTube Channel KEY FEATURES: * Control multiple trains simultaneously with intuitive multi-throttle support * Beautiful vintage-inspired gauges and controls with realistic animations * Game Controller Support! Easily drive your Trains with a PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, or MFi Game Controller with pre-mapped buttons * Landscape mode on iPhone is optimized for excellent compatibility with handheld MFi Game Controllers. * Easily create consists on the fly right from within the app * Automatic command station discovery * Comprehensive locomotive function control * Full turnout (switch) control * Routes Support * Fast Clock Support * Supports WiThrottle and DCC-EX Protocols * Roster with locomotive images * A variety of classic railroad inspired themes * Haptic Feedback for intuitive responsiveness and operation * Mirror-Mode mode for comfortable operation in either hand * Multiple classic railroad-inspired themes * iPad support * Apple Watch Support With many more exciting features in the roadmap! To use ThrottleCard, simply connect to any WiThrottle Protocol enabled command station including JMRI, DCC-EX, and various commercial offerings. ThrottleCard can be used for free without a subscription to control the speed, direction, and functions of a single locomotive at a time, throw turnouts, and change to any of the railroad inspired themes. Subscribe to Premium for $0.99/Month or $9.99/Year - 16% off - to unlock the ability to control multiple trains (cards), multiple locomotives in a consist, game controllers, routes, locomotive programming* and to support the future development of additional, exciting features! We’ll even give you a week free to try it out. ThrottleCard Watch will mirror the throttles you have setup on your phone and will allow for remote control of speed with the Digital Crown as well as light, horn, and bell control right from your wrist. For best results, change the "Return to Clock" settings for ThrottleCard watch to "After 1 Hour" by going to Settings (on watch or watch iOS app) > General > Return To Clock > ThrottleCard > Choose "Custom" > Choose "After 1 Hour" below. This will keep ThrottleCard open on your watch longer while it's in the foreground. We’re committed to making the best tools possible for the model railroad community and would love to hear your feedback on the features you’d like to see next. Get started with the latest in model railroading today! *DCC-EX Command Station is required for locomotive programming. The ‘WiThrottle protocol’ is a communications protocol developed by Brett Hoffman. ‘WiThrottle’ is a trademark owned by Brett Hoffman. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://throttlecard.com/privacy.html

Screenshots

Model Paints1 screens
ThrottleCard4 screens

Verdict

The call

Model Paints and ThrottleCard both sit at 4.3 stars, but that hides the real split: 81% of Model Paints's written reviews are positive against 50% of ThrottleCard's. Model Paints also leads on iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.5). ThrottleCard's advantage is update cadence (weekly vs every 2 months). On price, rating, ratings volume 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Model Paints sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per year and ThrottleCard sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.3 for Model Paints against 4.3 for ThrottleCard. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 37 and 14 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 81% of Model Paints's written reviews are positive against 50% of ThrottleCard's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Model Paints ships an update every 2 months, ThrottleCard weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 16, 2026 and October 21, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Model Paints versus ThrottleCard: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterModel PaintsThrottleCard
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.3 (37 ratings) — better4.3 (14 ratings)
Positive reviews80.6% of reviews — better50.0% of reviews
Number of ratings37 — better14
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsWeekly — better
AdsYesYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Vision Pro — better
Requires iOS15.0 — better17.5
Further details — not scored
Size44 MB117 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperValentin OzerovRyan Gant

Customer experience

Model Paints

All ratings37 ratings
Positive83.8%
Neutral5.4%
Negative10.8%
Written reviews36 reviews
Positive80.6%
Neutral2.8%
Negative16.7%

ThrottleCard

All ratings11 ratings
Positive72.7%
Neutral18.2%
Negative9.1%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral25.0%
Negative25.0%

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Model Paints

Subscriptions1
  • Annual subscription$2.991 Year
One-time1
  • Remove Ads$5.99
2 purchases

ThrottleCard

Subscriptions2
  • ThrottleCard Premium - Monthly7 Days trial$0.991 Month
  • ThrottleCard Premium - Yearly7 Days trial$9.991 Year

Questions

Is Model Paints free?
Model Paints is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is ThrottleCard free?
ThrottleCard is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Model Paints or ThrottleCard?
Model Paints is rated higher. Model Paints averages 4.3 out of 5 from 37 ratings, while ThrottleCard averages 4.3 from 14 ratings.
Do Model Paints or ThrottleCard have ads?
Both Model Paints and ThrottleCard show ads.
Which is updated more often, Model Paints or ThrottleCard?
Model Paints ships an update every 2 months, and ThrottleCard weekly. Most recently, Model Paints was updated on October 16, 2026 and ThrottleCard on October 21, 2026.

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