Comparison

Barcode Monsters vs RailPilot

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

Head to head
About

Barcode Monsters

Discover and collect unique monsters hidden within barcodes. Scan any barcode to reveal a creature and add it to your journal and collection. Explore over 40 different monsters and track your progress.

Highlights
  • Scan barcodes to discover monsters
  • Collect over 40 unique monsters
  • Monster journal to track scans
  • View monster profiles and achievements
  • Supports 10+ barcode types
Features
Read full description

Welcome to Barcode Monsters, the QR scanner app that lets you discover and collect monsters while scanning. Hidden within each barcode is a unique monster within, waiting to be found. [ Scan ]: Take out your scanner and start looking for monsters! When you're in scan mode, pointing the camera at a barcode will read it and show you what monster is hiding within. With over 40 monsters, can you find them all? [ Journal ]: Need to find a barcode you scanned in the past? No problem! The journal feature keeps track of all your past scans so you can look back on your adventure and see what monsters you've found. [ Collection ]: As you find monsters, you'll add them to your monster collection! Tap on a monster's profile to learn more about them, including how many you've found and if you've earned any achievements. May Barcode Monsters be your QR scanner of choice as you discover the hidden world within barcodes all around us! Barcode Monsters supports over 10 types of barcodes, including -- Code 128, Code 39, Code 39 Extended, Interleaved 2 of 5, ISBN 13, EAN 13, EAN 8, UPC-A, UPC-E, Data Matrix ASCII, and QR Codes.

About

RailPilot

Read full description

RailPilot – The smart control for your model railroad RailPilot lets you control your model trains easily with your iPhone – fast, intuitive, and reliable. The app is specifically designed for use with the Z21 command station and offers a modern alternative to classic model railroad control. Your locos, centrally stored RailPilot stores all locomotive data on a server in your local network – hosted by you. This means your data always stays with you, and there’s no need to sync between devices: everyone on your network accesses the same collection. At a glance: • Train control via the Z21 command station • Central locomotive management through a local server • No need to transfer data between devices • Easy, user-friendly interface • Fast access to your entire locomotive fleet Requirements: • Z21 command station from Roco/Fleischmann • Self-hosted RailPilot server on your local network Get RailPilot now and upgrade your model railroad control system!

Screenshots

Barcode Monsters4 screens
RailPilot3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: RailPilot at every 4 months against Barcode Monsters's every 8 months. Barcode Monsters's advantage is iOS requirement (13.0 vs 18.0). 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

Barcode Monsters ships an update every 8 months, RailPilot every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and October 28, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Barcode Monsters versus RailPilot: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBarcode MonstersRailPilot
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (8 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings8 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 8 monthsEvery 4 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS13.0 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size13 MB2 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperKevin OtoshiEric Staedler

In-app purchases

None

Barcode Monsters

No in-app purchases

None

RailPilot

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Barcode Monsters free?
Barcode Monsters is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is RailPilot free?
RailPilot is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Barcode Monsters or RailPilot have ads?
Neither Barcode Monsters nor RailPilot shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Barcode Monsters or RailPilot?
Barcode Monsters ships an update every 8 months, and RailPilot every 4 months. Most recently, Barcode Monsters was updated on November 3, 2026 and RailPilot on October 28, 2026.

Other comparisons