i vs Train Throttle
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
i
Control two-color lamp strings with a simple, intuitive interface. Intelligently manage colorful and white lights, and customize display patterns through the app's functions.
- Control two-color lamp strings
- Manage colorful and white lights
- Remote control-like interface
- Intelligent display pattern control
- Simple and easy operation
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i-string is an APP used to control two-color lamp strings. It controls colorful/white lights like a remote control. The interface is like a remote control, simple and easy to operate.The display pattern of the colored lights can be intelligently controlled through the function key on the APP. You are welcome to download and try.
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.
- Wireless DCC train control
- Control multiple engines/consists
- Set turnouts and toggle routes
- Free trial with core features
- Full feature subscription
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Train Throttle is a fully featured client for the JMRI WiThrottle server, which allows you to control your DCC equipped model trains using your iPhone or iPad 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
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: i at none against Train Throttle's 3. i also leads on iOS requirement (10.0 vs 16.1). On price, rating, ratings volume and update cadence 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. Train Throttle sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per year. i asks for nothing beyond the download.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for i against 5.0 for Train Throttle. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1 and 2 respectively.
Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 4, 2026 and September 28, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | i | Train Throttle |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (1 ratings) | 5.0 (2 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | — | 100.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 1 | 2 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 2 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, Mac |
| Requires iOS | 10.0 — better | 16.1 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 16 MB | 6 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Heng Chih Huang | Drew Hoffman |
Customer experience
i
Train Throttle
In-app purchases
i
No in-app purchases
Train Throttle
- Subscribe$1.991 Year
- Tip a Coffee$3.99
- Purchase$12.99
