Comparison

Design & Run Train vs Idle Tokyo Train Loop

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

Head to head
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.

About

Idle Tokyo Train Loop

Build a circular railway around Tokyo by extending tracks, adding trains, and improving facilities. Watch your city grow and evolve from day to night in this relaxing simulation game.

Highlights
  • Build a circular railway
  • Add and upgrade trains
  • Extend tracks and connect stations
  • Dynamic day-night cycle
  • Relaxing watch-and-play gameplay
  • Unlock new train types and routes
Features
Read full description

Tokyo Train Loop Build a circular railway that loops around Tokyo ----- Gradually add more trains to the city, extend the tracks, connect the stations, and eventually complete “one great circular loop” around Tokyo. Tokyo Train Loop is a route-building simulation game set in Tokyo, where you can sit back and watch a world of endlessly running trains while nurturing your very own circular railway. ----- Watching trains loop around is deeply satisfying On screen, trains travel quietly—and steadily—through the streets of Tokyo. What begins as a short stretch of track grows longer as you play, eventually developing into a full loop that circles the city. As trains increase, formations grow longer, and the rails finally connect into one continuous circle, feel the satisfaction of completing the loop. This game is designed to make the process of building the loop itself enjoyable. ----- Extend the rails and expand Tokyo Your actions are simple:  Add train cars  Extend the tracks  Improve facilities  Create new trains With just these, the city and its railway will naturally grow. No complicated controls or confusing systems. Easy to enjoy with a few taps—or even just by watching. Designed so anyone can play comfortably. ----- A Tokyo that shifts from day to night The city changes with time. Morning, daytime, evening, and night— the light and atmosphere gently evolve as the hours pass.  Bright daytime Tokyo  Rails glowing in the sunset  Trains and city lights shining at night Even simply watching the trains run as the scenery slowly changes can feel surprisingly calming. ----- Play at your own pace, as long as you like In Tokyo Train Loop, there’s no pressure. No rankings to chase, no demanding gameplay, no difficult controls. Perfect for:  Players who want to progress little by little  Fans of trains and city scenery  Anyone who enjoys relaxing, watch-and-play games Whatever your style, the game is built to match your pace. ----- More and more to unlock over time As you progress, Tokyo becomes livelier with:  New types of trains  Changes in train formations  Expanded routes  A busier, more vibrant city A city that starts quiet, then slowly fills with trains— watching that transformation is part of the charm. ----- “Completion” isn’t the end Even after the circular loop is complete, the journey continues. You can keep developing the route, add more buildings to create an even more beautiful cityscape, and shape Tokyo into the world you want to see. A city you can keep watching for as long as you like— that’s the Tokyo we aim to build. ----- Tokyo Train Loop is perfect for players who:  Love trains and railways  Enjoy steady, incremental growth  Want short, relaxing play sessions during busy days  Are looking for a calming game to watch and unwind If any of that sounds like you, this world is waiting. ----- Complete your own circular railway around Tokyo. Together with trains that never stop, why not grow Tokyo’s city and rail network— slowly, gently, at your own pace? Sound effects provided by https://otologic.jp

Screenshots

Design & Run Train4 screens
Idle Tokyo Train Loop4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Idle Tokyo Train Loop at 100% against Design & Run Train's 0%. Idle Tokyo Train Loop also leads on rating (4.4 vs 1.8) and update cadence (weekly vs every 47 months). Design & Run Train's advantage is iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.0). On price, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Idle Tokyo Train Loop holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 1.8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 23 and 10 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 0% of Design & Run Train's written reviews are positive against 100% of Idle Tokyo Train Loop's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Design & Run Train ships an update every 47 months, Idle Tokyo Train Loop weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Design & Run Train versus Idle Tokyo Train Loop: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDesign & Run TrainIdle Tokyo Train Loop
PriceFreeFree
Rating1.8 (23 ratings)4.4 (10 ratings) — better
Positive reviews0.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings23 — better10
Update frequencyEvery 47 monthsWeekly — better
AdsYesYes
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationAd-supportedAd-supported
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS12.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size72 MB177 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperFarrukh Ahmadmonois Inc.

Customer experience

Design & Run Train

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

Idle Tokyo Train Loop

All ratings10 ratings
Positive80.0%
Neutral10.0%
Negative10.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Design & Run Train

No in-app purchases

None

Idle Tokyo Train Loop

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Design & Run Train free?
Design & Run Train is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Idle Tokyo Train Loop free?
Idle Tokyo Train Loop is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Design & Run Train or Idle Tokyo Train Loop?
Idle Tokyo Train Loop is rated higher. Design & Run Train averages 1.8 out of 5 from 23 ratings, while Idle Tokyo Train Loop averages 4.4 from 10 ratings.
Do Design & Run Train or Idle Tokyo Train Loop have ads?
Both Design & Run Train and Idle Tokyo Train Loop show ads.
Which is updated more often, Design & Run Train or Idle Tokyo Train Loop?
Design & Run Train ships an update every 47 months, and Idle Tokyo Train Loop weekly. Most recently, Design & Run Train was updated on October 24, 2026 and Idle Tokyo Train Loop on October 30, 2026.

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