Comparison

HM | DC vs Simon Plug&Drive

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

Head to head
About

HM | DC

Control your model train DC layout wirelessly using Bluetooth. Manage multiple circuits, locomotive speed, braking, sounds, and accessories like signals and lights. Plan your track layouts with an integrated builder.

Highlights
  • Bluetooth low energy control
  • Independent control of 2 circuits
  • Locomotive speed and braking control
  • Loco sound and inertia features
  • Accessory control (signals, lights)
  • Integrated track layout planner
Features
Read full description

App Based Analogue Control From now on there is no need for the controller to be tethered to the track because by using Bluetooth low energy (BLE) technology Hornby’s HM6000 control system can operate a DC layout with consummate ease. The HM6000 system not only provides simple control of two circuits but also features inertia and braking control, loco sounds, minimum and maximum speed control plus an intuitive layout planning feature Utilising both Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and Bluetooth Mesh Network architecture, developed by Hornby, the HM6000 provides a stable and responsive system that becomes increasingly efficient the more a model layout develops. The App based HM|DC system is built around two pieces of hardware which form the key elements of the set up and these are the HM6000 App Circuit Controller and the HM6010 App Operating Accessory unit. The HM6000 is paired with the HM|DC application on a smartphone or tablet and provides control of up to 2 circuits independent of each other. Up to 4 HM6000 units can be linked to the application which consequently provides control of 8 independent circuits via one device be it a smartphone or tablet. Similarly, the HM6010 is also paired with the HM|DC application on a smartphone or tablet and that in turn allows for the control of up to 4 accessories be they continuous current such as used for lighting or a quick burst of power used to operate a point motor. Up to three HM6010 units can be linked to the application providing control of up to twelve accessories from one smartphone or tablet. Locomotive Control The HM6000 DC application is simple and straightforward to use and includes many features not included in other DC controllers, for example, the HM6000 not only controls a locomotives speed and direction but also the braking of the model which can be incrementally applied. An ‘Emergency Stop & Resume’ function are also featured to immediately halt all circuits at the touch of a virtual button, this allowing for an effective pause time to alter settings before resuming with new settings in place. Accessory Control The HM6010 DC operating accessory unit provides multiple ways of controlling accessories including those that require a constant current or others that function from receiving a short burst of power. HM6010 allows the user to flick between Red, Green or Off for signal lights, On or Off for street or model house lighting plus providing constant power for accessories such as turntables. Points and certain other accessories require a quick pulse of current and this too can be provided by the HM6010 App. These operations can be activated via the dedicated accessories screen on a smartphone or tablet or through using the accessory toolbar that is integrated into the circuit control screen. Track Builder Integrated into the HM|DC application is a very useful function that provides the facility to plan and build numerous layouts while at the same time listing the components required as the virtual layout takes shape. Short Circuit Detection An innovative and rapid short circuit detection system included in the HM6000 software can quickly detect a short circuit and providing that the short has been removed, the system can once again become ‘live’ with a touch of a virtual button. Such a function can prove to be very useful should a locomotive move from one circuit to another which may be operating with opposite polarities. Such an action will cause a short circuit which can quickly and easily be corrected by altering a directional button on the circuit control screen. R7292 - HM6000 App Circuit Control • Controls 2 circuits* • Speed control • Includes 18 individual locomotive sounds • Track builder *Control up to 8 circuits – additional HM6000 controllers required.

About

Simon Plug&Drive

Features
Read full description

Take control of your electric vehicle charging point with Simon Plug&Drive. Easily manage your Simon charger and optimise energy consumption. Simon Plug&Drive will always be there on your smartphone when you need it so that your vehicle is always ready.   Connect and configure your charger: - Identify, activate and control your charging point using Bluetooth. - Save money by scheduling the hours with the most economical electricity rates in your calendar. - Modulates and defines the contracted power. - Charge your vehicle using the solar energy generated by your photovoltaic panels. - Locks the device so that only you can use it. Download the App and start enjoying the Simon Plug&Drive experience. For any questions: sat@simon.es

Screenshots

HM | DC4 screens
Simon Plug&Drive4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Simon Plug&Drive at every 2 months against HM | DC's every 9 months. HM | DC's advantage is iOS requirement (10.0 vs 15.6). On price, ads, in-app purchases 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

HM | DC ships an update every 9 months, Simon Plug&Drive every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on June 3, 2026 and September 18, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 6 level
HM | DC versus Simon Plug&Drive: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHM | DCSimon Plug&Drive
PriceFreeFree
Positive reviews70.0% of reviews—
Update frequencyEvery 9 monthsEvery 2 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS10.0 — better15.6
Further details — not scored
Size68 MB63 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperHornby Hobbies LtdSimon

In-app purchases

None

HM | DC

No in-app purchases

None

Simon Plug&Drive

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is HM | DC free?
HM | DC is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Simon Plug&Drive free?
Simon Plug&Drive is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do HM | DC or Simon Plug&Drive have ads?
Neither HM | DC nor Simon Plug&Drive shows ads.
Which is updated more often, HM | DC or Simon Plug&Drive?
HM | DC ships an update every 9 months, and Simon Plug&Drive every 2 months. Most recently, HM | DC was updated on June 3, 2026 and Simon Plug&Drive on September 18, 2026.

Other comparisons