Comparison

Locontrol vs RailControl Pro

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

Head to head
About

Locontrol

Control your model railroad locomotives with an elegant DCC controller. Capture videos and photos of your trains in action. Compatible with DCC systems featuring Wi-Fi modules and JMRI.

Highlights
  • DCC locomotive control
  • In-app camera for videos and photos
  • Wi-Fi module compatibility
  • JMRI integration
  • Elegant and easy-to-use interface
  • Locomotive list management
Features
Read full description

Control your locomotives in a model railroad layout with the most elegant DCC controller for iOS! And with the Locontrol camera, make videos and take photos while commanding the trains! Locontrol is compatible with any DCC system with a Wi-Fi module, as MRC (with a Prodigy Wi-Fi Module) or Digitrax (with a LNWI module). Locontrol can also control your trains via JMRI. - Make videos and take pictures while controlling your locos; - Easy to use through your locomotive list; - Elegant interface with easy access to all main functions; - Compatible with any DCC system with a Wi-Fi server; - Use with JMRI: just set the Wi-Fi server available on Decoder Pro; Terms & Conditions: https://locontrol.flycricket.io/terms.html Privacy Policy: https://locontrol.flycricket.io/privacy.html

About

RailControl Pro

Easily control your Märklin model train layout from your iPhone or iPad. Manage locomotives, accessories, and events with intuitive controls, keyboard shortcuts, and even game controllers. Offers a free trial before requiring a subscription.

Highlights
  • Connect Märklin CS2/CS3
  • Control locomotives (speed, direction, functions)
  • Control accessories (turnouts, signals)
  • Start events
  • Multi-window and Stage Manager support on iPad
  • Dark Mode
  • Keyboard shortcuts
  • Game controller support
Features
Read full description

Easy Control for Märklin CS2 and CS3 RailControl Pro is an easy-to-use app for controlling your model train layout with your iPhone or iPad. Connect With RailControl Pro it’s easier than ever to connect Märklin Central Station 2 or Central Station 3 to your iPhone or iPad. Control Locomotives Control speed, driving direction and the functions of your locomotives with just a touch, click, keystroke, or even a game controller. Control Articles Turnouts, signals, turntables and other accessories, can be controlled in the Track Diagram or Articles overview. Control Events Events can now be started straight from RailControl Pro as well. Real Multi Window Juggle with windows on iPad. Be it to host your favorite locs next to each other, or just to keep the track diagram within reach. Feeling brave? RailControl Pro also supports Stage Manager. Dark Mode RailControl Pro aims to blend in. Controlling your trains in a dark room, or outside in the sun? We have your back! Keyboard Shortcuts Pros use keyboard shortcuts. That's why RailControl Pro has them. Controlling locs with a keyboard turns out to be great. Game Controllers Connect up to four game controllers to your iPhone or iPad and hand it over to other people for even more fun! Free Trial Try RailControl Pro one week for free with the trial. After the trial period, RailControl Pro requires a yearly subscription to work. RailControl Pro requires Märklin Central Station 2 or Central Station 3. Märklin and Central Station are trademarks of Gebr. Märklin & Cie GmbH, registered in the U.S. and other countries. RailControl Pro is not affiliated in any way with Gebr. Märklin & Cie GmbH. Privacy Policy: https://www.railcontrol.pro/privacy/ Terms of Use: https://www.railcontrol.pro/terms-of-use/

Screenshots

Locontrol4 screens
RailControl Pro4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: RailControl Pro at 72% against Locontrol's 47%. RailControl Pro also leads on rating (3.3 vs 3.0). Locontrol's advantage is update cadence (weekly vs monthly) and iOS requirement (11.2 vs 16.6). On price, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases 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. Locontrol sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month and RailControl Pro sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $14.99 per year. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

RailControl Pro holds the better App Store score, 3.3 against 3.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 15 and 6 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 47% of Locontrol's written reviews are positive against 72% of RailControl Pro's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Locontrol ships an update weekly, RailControl Pro monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 7, 2026 and October 4, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Locontrol versus RailControl Pro: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterLocontrolRailControl Pro
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.0 (15 ratings)3.3 (6 ratings) — better
Positive reviews47.4% of reviews72.2% of reviews — better
Number of ratings15 — better6
Update frequencyWeekly — betterMonthly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, Mac — better
Requires iOS11.2 — better16.6
Further details — not scored
Size32 MB15 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperDanny AraujoBoterham

Customer experience

Locontrol

All ratings15 ratings
Positive46.7%
Neutral6.7%
Negative46.7%
Written reviews19 reviews
Positive47.4%
Neutral5.3%
Negative47.4%

RailControl Pro

All ratings6 ratings
Positive66.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative33.3%
Written reviews18 reviews
Positive72.2%
Neutral5.6%
Negative22.2%

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Locontrol

Subscriptions2
  • Full Access1 Month trial$0.991 Month
  • Full Access$9.991 Year
3 purchases

RailControl Pro

Subscriptions3
  • Hobby7 Days trial$14.991 Year
  • Pro7 Days trial$24.991 Year
  • Family Pro7 Days trial$39.991 Year

Questions

Is Locontrol free?
Locontrol is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is RailControl Pro free?
RailControl Pro is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Locontrol or RailControl Pro?
RailControl Pro is rated higher. Locontrol averages 3.0 out of 5 from 15 ratings, while RailControl Pro averages 3.3 from 6 ratings.
Do Locontrol or RailControl Pro have ads?
Neither Locontrol nor RailControl Pro shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Locontrol or RailControl Pro?
Locontrol ships an update weekly, and RailControl Pro monthly. Most recently, Locontrol was updated on October 7, 2026 and RailControl Pro on October 4, 2026.

Other comparisons