Comparison

Dock Watch vs Train Throttle

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

Head to head
About

Dock Watch

This app notifies drivers when a loading dock light turns green, allowing them to rest. It pairs with a portable device clipped to the light and tracks dock times for future planning.

Highlights
  • Instant green light notifications
  • Tracks time to red and back to green
  • Calculates total dock time
  • Records dock times across the US
  • Facilitates trip planning and bidding
Features
Read full description

The Dock Watch app provides notification to the driver when the loading dock light has turned green, allowing the driver to get good rest while waiting to be loaded/unloaded. By harnessing the power of a smartphone or tablet, Dock Watch is the only system that gives the driver the peace of mind of knowing that they will be instantly notified as soon as the loading dock light turns green. Simply download the free app and pair it to the portable Dock Watch device that the driver will clip on to the loading dock light. This device is available for purchase on dockwatch.io. Clip the device on the loading dock light, activate/arm it and wait for notification that the light has turned green. The app also keeps track of how long it took for the light to turn red, how long it took for the light to turn back to green from red and the total time the driver is in the dock from activation to green light. The Dock Watch system keeps track of dock times all over the US where the device has been used and this information will be used in the future to allow drivers/companies to look up average wait times at facilities and in turn enable them to better plan their trips or bid the lane.

About

Train Throttle

Control your DCC model trains wirelessly from your Mac, iPhone, or iPad. Manage multiple engines, set turnouts, and toggle routes. A free trial offers core functionality, with a subscription unlocking advanced features.

Highlights
  • Wireless DCC train control
  • Control multiple engines/consists
  • Set turnouts and toggle routes
  • Free trial with core features
  • Full feature subscription
Features
Read full description

Train Throttle is a fully featured client for the JMRI WiThrottle server, which allows you to control your DCC equipped model trains using your mac (and a compatible WiThrottle server). You can control multiple engines or consists, set turnouts, toggle routes, and more. The free trial is unlimited! However, certain features are disabled, including: * Turnout control * Route control * Roster lists * Functions 13-68 * Some Customization features The use of this app is covered by Apple's EULA: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ This app respects your privacy: https://drewhoffman.net/trainthrottle/privacy.html

Screenshots

Dock Watch4 screens
Train Throttle4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Dock Watch at none against Train Throttle's 3. Dock Watch also leads on iOS requirement (14.1 vs 16.1). Train Throttle's advantage is update cadence (every 2 months vs every 27 months). On price, rating, ratings volume and ads 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 Throttle sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per year. Dock Watch asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for Dock Watch against 5.0 for Train Throttle. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 3 and 2 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Dock Watch ships an update every 27 months, Train Throttle every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on June 6, 2026 and September 10, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Dock Watch versus Train Throttle: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDock WatchTrain Throttle
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (3 ratings)5.0 (2 ratings)
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings3 — better2
Update frequencyEvery 27 monthsEvery 2 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, Mac — better
Requires iOS14.1 — better16.1
Further details — not scored
Size3 MB6 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperChad HerzogDrew Hoffman

Customer experience

Dock Watch

All ratings3 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Train Throttle

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Dock Watch

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

Train Throttle

Subscriptions1
  • Subscribe$1.991 Year
One-time2
  • Tip a Coffee$3.99
  • Purchase$12.99

Questions

Is Dock Watch free?
Dock Watch is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Train Throttle free?
Train Throttle is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Dock Watch or Train Throttle?
Dock Watch and Train Throttle are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 3 and 2 ratings respectively.
Do Dock Watch or Train Throttle have ads?
Neither Dock Watch nor Train Throttle shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Dock Watch or Train Throttle?
Dock Watch ships an update every 27 months, and Train Throttle every 2 months. Most recently, Dock Watch was updated on June 6, 2026 and Train Throttle on September 10, 2026.

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