Comparison

train games vs Train Sim Builder

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

Head to head
About

train games

Manage a thriving rail empire in a bustling city. Operate iconic trains, build your network, and optimize cargo routes to become a true tycoon. Experience strategic gameplay with realistic simulation and stunning visuals.

Highlights
  • Freight transport optimization
  • Operate iconic steam and modern trains
  • Authentic train station management
  • Dynamic rail network expansion
  • Strategic gameplay and realistic simulation
  • Stunning steam era graphics
Features
Read full description

Dive into the bustling world of trains in the heart of Illinois with Chicago Train Tycoon, the ultimate train simulator experience for mobile devices! Perfect for fans of train games, this engaging train simulator puts you in control of powerful steam locomotives and cutting-edge freight trains as you manage a thriving rail empire. Build your own rail network, expand cargo routes, and take on the role of a true tycoon in the world of rail transportation. In Chicago Train Tycoon, the railways come to life as you operate historic steam engines and modern trains alike. Whether you’re guiding a classic steam train across the rail yards or optimizing routes for efficient cargo transport, every decision shapes your journey towards becoming a train tycoon. This game combines the strategic challenges of a tycoon simulation with the immersive feel of a true train game, making it an essential experience for train enthusiasts everywhere. Features: - Master the Art of Freight Transport: Manage and optimize your train routes, ensuring timely delivery of various cargo types across the city’s iconic train stations and beyond. With each successful delivery, you earn rewards to expand and upgrade your fleet. - Iconic Trains and Steam Engines: Operate a collection of classic steam trains alongside modern diesel and electric locomotives. From historical steam mobile engines to powerful freight trains, experience the evolution of rail transport as you build your empire. - Authentic Train Station Management: Experience life as a train station manager in 20th-century Chicago. With detailed train station environments and bustling rail yards, you’ll feel the pulse of the city’s thriving freight industry as you manage arrivals, departures, and scheduling. - Dynamic Rail Network Expansion: Lay down rails, construct new train stations, and expand your network across the Chicago area. Every decision affects your growth as a tycoon and your ability to meet the increasing demands of cargo transportation. - Strategic Gameplay Meets Realistic Simulation: Combining the best of train games and tycoon simulators, Chicago Train Tycoon challenges you to balance operational efficiency with growth strategies. Optimize train schedules, manage resources, and invest in the future of your rail empire. - Stunning Steam Era Graphics: Immerse yourself in detailed, steam-powered environments that recreate the golden age of trains. Each locomotive is designed with precision, and every rail, track, and train station captures the spirit of historical Chicago. - Achievements & Challenges: Complete tasks and overcome challenges as you progress. From transporting fragile cargo to mastering tricky rail routes, each challenge tests your skills as a train game enthusiast. Chicago Train Tycoon combines the nostalgic charm of steam locomotives with the excitement of a modern train simulator, offering fans of train games and tycoon simulators the perfect mobile experience. Take control of powerful freight trains, develop your rail empire, and become the ultimate train tycoon in one of America’s most iconic cities. Whether you're a seasoned train enthusiast or new to the world of trains, this game provides hours of captivating gameplay as you explore the legacy and future of rail in the bustling heart of Chicago. Download Chicago Train Tycoon today and start your journey as a rail tycoon! PLEASE NOTE! Chicago Train Railroad Tycoon is an online free strategy tycoon simulator game to download and play that requires a network connection to play. Some in-game items can also be purchased for real money. if you don't want to use this feature please disable in-app purchases in your device's settings. Do you have any suggestions or problems in your TrainStation? Our caring community train managers would love to hear from you, visit https://discord.gg/MPHxcMsP

About

Train Sim Builder

Design and operate your own train world with realistic 3D graphics. Build custom layouts, place hundreds of items, and drive over 80 different trains with detailed cabin views. Enjoy regular content updates and exciting train derailments.

Highlights
  • Realistic 3D graphics
  • Customizable track layouts
  • Hundreds of decorative items
  • Drive 80+ trains and locomotives
  • Interior cabin views
  • Train derailment physics
  • Regular content updates
Features
Read full description

Train Sim Builder includes everything you need to build and operate your own dream train world. You can build a fun layout in minutes, or spend hours perfecting your own train environment. Then drive one of the 80+ trains included in Train Sim Builder. Control speed, direction, sound horn and bell, control train lights, switch between night and day mode all with multiple camera angles. Watch as the train goes by from a station or sit inside a realistc 3D cabin. - Awesomely realistic 3D graphics - Customize the track layouts - Place 100s of items to complete your perfect Train Environments - Drive one of the 80+ included Trains and historical Locomotives - 60+ Rolling Stock Train Cars - Play or customize one of the pre-made Train Levels - Interior cabin views for all trains - Train derailments - No in app purchases - Regular content updates

Screenshots

train games4 screens
Train Sim Builder4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Train Sim Builder at none against train games's 21. Train Sim Builder also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.5) and update cadence (daily vs every 3 weeks). train games's advantage is ratings volume (207 vs 3). 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. train games sells 21 one-off in-app purchases. Train Sim Builder asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Train Sim Builder holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: train games has 207 ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 65% of train games's written reviews are positive against 86% of Train Sim Builder's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

train games ships an update every 3 weeks, Train Sim Builder daily. Both last shipped on October 25, 2026.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
train games versus Train Sim Builder: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
Parametertrain gamesTrain Sim Builder
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (207 ratings)5.0 (3 ratings) — better
Positive reviews65.4% of reviews85.7% of reviews — better
Number of ratings207 — better3
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksDaily — better
AdsYesYes
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesAd-supported — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS13.312.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size107 MB346 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperCezary Tomczak1788918 Alberta Ltd

Customer experience

train games

All ratings206 ratings
Positive86.9%
Neutral3.4%
Negative9.7%
Written reviews52 reviews
Positive65.4%
Neutral3.8%
Negative30.8%

Train Sim Builder

All ratings3 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews7 reviews
Positive85.7%
Neutral14.3%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

train games

Reported bugs

30 issues
  • Reward timers show 0
  • Cannot unlock rewards
  • Cannot acquire new buildings
  • Resource counters show 0
  • Game may crash
Show 25 more
  • Cannot accommodate trains
  • Cannot dispatch electric trains
  • Game closes immediately after opening
  • Upgrading planes not working
  • Lost all game data after deleting and redownloading
  • Game won't let user in
  • Too many ads
  • Purchase failed, coin deducted
  • Nothing shows up on the map
  • Reward videos lock up
  • Route data takes a very long time to load
  • Stuck on tutorial, cannot unload train
  • Maps are not popping up
  • Route selection screen is broken
  • Cannot change routes on trains
  • Game closes by itself
  • Game is not working
  • Error when trying to select passenger train route
  • Map makes no sense, no coal marker
  • Game has locked up
  • Metra does not work
  • Game is pumped full of ads
  • Incorrect number of conductors used
  • Glitchy movements of the screen
  • Paid for gems and money, received nothing

Requested features

27 requests
  • Fix reward timers
  • Fix building acquisition
  • Fix resource counters
  • Fix train accommodation
  • Explain electric train dispatch
Show 22 more
  • Add Amtrak trains
  • Add My Little Pony collaboration
  • Make Chicago train idle tycoon 2 sequel
  • Make American steam trains game
  • Fix route data loading
  • Fix map issues
  • Fix passenger train routes
  • Add coal marker to map
  • Fix Metra functionality
  • Add more trains
  • Improve train variety
  • Add custom train asset sharing
  • Fix upgrade issues
  • Fix game loading issues
  • Fix tutorial issues
  • Fix route selection screen
  • Fix game crashing
  • Fix reward video issues
  • Fix data loss issues
  • Fix ads
  • Fix purchase issues
  • Fix map display issues

Train Sim Builder

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

21 purchases

train games

One-time21
  • Item no 6$1.99
  • Item no 3$1.99
  • Item no 7$1.99
Show 18 more
  • Item no 5$1.99
  • Item no 1$1.99
  • Item no 2$1.99
  • Item no 4$1.99
  • Golden coins$2.99
  • Energy$3.99
  • NO ADS$3.99
  • Blue Hat Bundle$4.99
  • Starter pack$5.99
  • Mega pack -30% SALE$6.99
  • Lumber pack$7.99
  • All items$8.99
  • Blue Hats Mega Bundle$9.99
  • Nuclear energy$9.99
  • Mega golden coins$9.99
  • Mega pack$11.99
  • Release 2.0 Package$19.99
  • Ultra Pack$41.99
None

Train Sim Builder

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is train games free?
train games is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Train Sim Builder free?
Train Sim Builder is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, train games or Train Sim Builder?
Train Sim Builder is rated higher. train games averages 4.5 out of 5 from 207 ratings, while Train Sim Builder averages 5.0 from 3 ratings.
Do train games or Train Sim Builder have ads?
Both train games and Train Sim Builder show ads.
Which is updated more often, train games or Train Sim Builder?
train games ships an update every 3 weeks, and Train Sim Builder daily. Most recently, train games was updated on October 25, 2026 and Train Sim Builder on October 25, 2026.

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