ECoS Cab vs TrainNavigator
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- Handheld model railroad controller
- Wireless network connection
- Control trains, signals, and accessories
- No need for wired devices
- Compatible with ESU ECoS, CabControl, PIKO SmartBox
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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.
TrainNavigator
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Simple DCCex controller for model railroad -multiple throttles to control locos -turnouts controller defined in DCCex setup -layout editor with turnout control -auto-discovery of your DCCex server The app needs only access to local network to connect to DCCex permission. Terms of use: https://trainnavigator.fisharea.eu/terms.html
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is ads: TrainNavigator at none against ECoS Cab's shown. TrainNavigator also leads on update cadence (every 4 days vs every 6 weeks) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.0). On price, in-app purchases and device support 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. ECoS Cab sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month and TrainNavigator sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $7.99 per year. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
ECoS Cab ships an update every 6 weeks, TrainNavigator every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on September 15, 2026 and May 17, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | ECoS Cab | TrainNavigator |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.0 (5 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 60.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 5 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 6 weeks | Every 4 days — better |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 12.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 120 MB | 28 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Kostiantyn Kolesnik | Michal Kajaba |
In-app purchases
ECoS Cab
- Cloud Sync, monthly$2.991 Month
- Client, monthly2 variants$12.991 Month
- Web Server, monthly2 variants$17.991 Month
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- Client, annually2 variants$99.991 Year
- Client, life-time2 variants$149.99
TrainNavigator
- TrainNavigator Premium$7.991 Year
