Comparison

ECoS Cab vs Rail Model Calc

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

Head to head
About

ECoS Cab

Transform your mobile devices into wireless handheld controllers for your model railroad. Seamlessly manage trains, signals, and accessories across your layout without the hassle of wired connections. Requires a compatible command station connected to your network.

Highlights
  • Handheld model railroad controller
  • Wireless network connection
  • Control trains, signals, and accessories
  • No need for wired devices
  • Compatible with ESU ECoS, CabControl, PIKO SmartBox
Read full description

ECoS Cab is the number-one application that turns your devices into handheld controllers for your model railroad. With ECoS Cab, you can follow your trains around your layout without worrying about plugging and unplugging a wired device as you move. Using a wireless network connection and an ESU ECoS, ESU CabControl, PIKO SmartBox, or Central Station Reloaded command station connected to the network, ECoS Cab can run trains and control signals, turnouts, and other accessories configured in the command station.

About

Rail Model Calc

Features
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Overview This is a calculator app that includes calculation functions necessary when playing with railroad model. How to use After launching the app,the first screen that appears is the Home screen, which also serves as a menu. Swipe and tap the menu on the Home screen to transition to various calculation modes. You can use various calculation modes to perform calculations necessary for railway model track length and railway model production. This App offer the following calculation modes. •Home mode Home is available simple calculations. Set F1-F10 memory on this screen. •Normal mode It is a normal calculator. •Straight mode This mode calculates horizontal and vertical lengths when laying a straight rail diagonally. •Curve mode This mode calculates the vertical, horizontal, and diagonal lengths when laying a curve rail. •S-Curve mode This mode calculates the vertical, horizontal, and diagonal lengths when laying a s-curve rail. •Scale X/Y mode This mode calculates the scale. •Inch to MM mode This mode converts yards and inches to millimeters. For details on how to use it, there is a manual on "?" button. Disclaimer This calculator is for the railroad modeling hobby. The calculation results is the numerical value which be calculated by the developer. It may be different from the numerical value by model manufacturer. In particular, commercially available railroad model rails allow for dimensional errors. Therefore, the calculation results do not necessarily represent what the track layout cannot or can be done. This application is subject to change without notice. The developer assumes no responsibility for any loss or claims by third parties which may arise from the use of this application.

Screenshots

ECoS Cab4 screens
Rail Model Calc4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Rail Model Calc at none against ECoS Cab's 9. ECoS Cab's advantage is update cadence (every 6 weeks vs every 14 months). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement 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. ECoS Cab sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Rail Model Calc asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

ECoS Cab ships an update every 6 weeks, Rail Model Calc every 14 months. The most recent releases landed on September 15, 2026 and September 13, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
ECoS Cab versus Rail Model Calc: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterECoS CabRail Model Calc
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.0 (5 ratings) — better
Positive reviews60.0% of reviews
Number of ratings5 — better
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeks — betterEvery 14 months
AdsYesYes
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — betteriPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.0 — better15.4
Further details — not scored
Size120 MB13 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperKostiantyn KolesnikNobuyuki Kumakura

In-app purchases

5 purchases

ECoS Cab

Subscriptions4
  • Cloud Sync, monthly$2.991 Month
  • Client, monthly2 variants$12.991 Month
  • Web Server, monthly2 variants$17.991 Month
Show 1 more
  • Client, annually2 variants$99.991 Year
One-time1
  • Client, life-time2 variants$149.99
None

Rail Model Calc

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is ECoS Cab free?
ECoS Cab is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Rail Model Calc free?
Rail Model Calc is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do ECoS Cab or Rail Model Calc have ads?
Both ECoS Cab and Rail Model Calc show ads.
Which is updated more often, ECoS Cab or Rail Model Calc?
ECoS Cab ships an update every 6 weeks, and Rail Model Calc every 14 months. Most recently, ECoS Cab was updated on September 15, 2026 and Rail Model Calc on September 13, 2026.

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