Comparison

Train Simulator vs Design & Run Train

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

Head to head
About

Train Simulator

Experience realistic train driving with simple one-touch controls. Transport various cargo through diverse landscapes, manage speed and timing, and unlock new challenges. Enjoy endless replayability with fresh contracts and route variations.

Highlights
  • One-touch train controls
  • Modern and classic train selection
  • Diverse cargo transport missions
  • Beautiful landscape environments
  • Signal and traffic management
  • Unlockable challenges and upgrades
Features
Read full description

Train Simulator: Cargo Journey puts you in control of modern and classic trains with simple one-touch gameplay that anyone can enjoy. Drive through beautiful jungle landscapes, busy city routes, and open desert tracks while managing speed, timing, and precision. Each run offers new cargo contracts and route variations, keeping gameplay fresh and engaging. Transport logs, oil, coal, and containers while reacting to signals, crossings, and traffic. Earn coins as you play, unlock new challenges, and improve your driving skills over time. Designed for quick sessions and endless replayability, Train Simulator delivers a smooth and relaxing experience with just the right amount of challenge. Whether you enjoy casual driving or mastering perfect timing, every journey is a chance to become a better train driver.

About

Design & Run Train

Design and build custom trains from various parts and templates. Then, drive your creations on tracks, controlling speed, horns, and switches while experiencing realistic station announcements.

Highlights
  • Design and build custom trains
  • Control train speed and horns
  • Use railroad switches
  • Experience realistic station announcements
  • Add and remove train wagons
  • Craft train parts from brick pieces
Features
Read full description

Design & run train games allow you to play and learn everything about train craft and driving. You will learn how to control a train as it goes around a track, activate different horns, control speed, add and remove wagons, use railroad switches, listen to real train station announcements, and train riding around tracks. Design & craft all the parts of the train to ride on railway tracks. You can build unique trains by putting together pieces of colorful bricks like a puzzle. You can select from multiple varieties of classical locomotive templates, which range from old steam train to powerful diesel locomotive to modern high-speed train. Optionally, they can create entirely new designs using various brick styles and train parts. Once a train has been built, you can thus go on the railway and experience exciting train riding adventures.

Screenshots

Train Simulator4 screens
Design & Run Train4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Train Simulator at 100% against Design & Run Train's 0%. Train Simulator also leads on rating (5.0 vs 1.8) and ads (none vs shown). Design & Run Train's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 5) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.0). On price, ratings volume 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Train Simulator sells 5 one-off in-app purchases. Design & Run Train asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Train Simulator holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 1.8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 9 and 23 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 100% of Train Simulator's written reviews are positive against 0% of Design & Run Train's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Train Simulator ships an update every 5 months, Design & Run Train every 47 months. Both last shipped on November 3, 2026.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Train Simulator versus Design & Run Train: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTrain SimulatorDesign & Run Train
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (9 ratings) — better1.8 (23 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings923 — better
Update frequencyEvery 5 months — betterEvery 47 months
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesAd-supported — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.012.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size163 MB72 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAsif NaeemFarrukh Ahmad

Customer experience

Train Simulator

All ratings8 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Design & Run Train

All ratings20 ratings
Positive15.0%
Neutral10.0%
Negative75.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral50.0%
Negative50.0%

In-app purchases

5 purchases

Train Simulator

One-time5
  • Remove ads$0.99
  • Coins Bundle$0.99
  • Shield Bundle$0.99
Show 2 more
  • Boost Bundle$0.99
  • 100000 Coins$4.99
None

Design & Run Train

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Train Simulator free?
Train Simulator is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Design & Run Train free?
Design & Run Train is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Train Simulator or Design & Run Train?
Train Simulator is rated higher. Train Simulator averages 5.0 out of 5 from 9 ratings, while Design & Run Train averages 1.8 from 23 ratings.
Do Train Simulator or Design & Run Train have ads?
Design & Run Train shows ads; Train Simulator does not.
Which is updated more often, Train Simulator or Design & Run Train?
Train Simulator ships an update every 5 months, and Design & Run Train every 47 months. Most recently, Train Simulator was updated on November 3, 2026 and Design & Run Train on November 3, 2026.

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