RailControl Pro vs Train Throttle
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
RailControl Pro
Easily control your Märklin model train layout from your iPhone or iPad. Manage locomotives, accessories, and events with intuitive controls, keyboard shortcuts, and even game controllers. Offers a free trial before requiring a subscription.
- Connect Märklin CS2/CS3
- Control locomotives (speed, direction, functions)
- Control accessories (turnouts, signals)
- Start events
- Multi-window and Stage Manager support on iPad
- Dark Mode
- Keyboard shortcuts
- Game controller support
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Easy Control for Märklin CS2 and CS3 RailControl Pro is an easy-to-use app for controlling your model train layout with your iPhone or iPad. Connect With RailControl Pro it’s easier than ever to connect Märklin Central Station 2 or Central Station 3 to your iPhone or iPad. Control Locomotives Control speed, driving direction and the functions of your locomotives with just a touch, click, keystroke, or even a game controller. Control Articles Turnouts, signals, turntables and other accessories, can be controlled in the Track Diagram or Articles overview. Control Events Events can now be started straight from RailControl Pro as well. Real Multi Window Juggle with windows on iPad. Be it to host your favorite locs next to each other, or just to keep the track diagram within reach. Feeling brave? RailControl Pro also supports Stage Manager. Dark Mode RailControl Pro aims to blend in. Controlling your trains in a dark room, or outside in the sun? We have your back! Keyboard Shortcuts Pros use keyboard shortcuts. That's why RailControl Pro has them. Controlling locs with a keyboard turns out to be great. Game Controllers Connect up to four game controllers to your iPhone or iPad and hand it over to other people for even more fun! Free Trial Try RailControl Pro one week for free with the trial. After the trial period, RailControl Pro requires a yearly subscription to work. RailControl Pro requires Märklin Central Station 2 or Central Station 3. Märklin and Central Station are trademarks of Gebr. Märklin & Cie GmbH, registered in the U.S. and other countries. RailControl Pro is not affiliated in any way with Gebr. Märklin & Cie GmbH. Privacy Policy: https://www.railcontrol.pro/privacy/ Terms of Use: https://www.railcontrol.pro/terms-of-use/
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 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
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Train Throttle at 5.0 against RailControl Pro's 3.3. Train Throttle also leads on review sentiment (100% vs 72%). RailControl Pro's advantage is ratings volume (6 vs 2). On price, update cadence, 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
Both are free to download. RailControl Pro sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $14.99 per year and Train Throttle sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per year. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Train Throttle holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 6 and 2 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 72% of RailControl Pro's written reviews are positive against 100% of Train Throttle's.
RailControl Pro ships an update monthly, Train Throttle every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 17, 2026 and September 10, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | RailControl Pro | Train Throttle |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.3 (6 ratings) | 5.0 (2 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 72.2% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 6 — better | 2 |
| Update frequency | Monthly — better | Every 2 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Mac | iPhone, iPad, Mac |
| Requires iOS | 16.6 | 16.1 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 15 MB | 6 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Boterham | Drew Hoffman |
Customer experience
RailControl Pro
Train Throttle
In-app purchases
RailControl Pro
- Hobby7 Days trial$14.991 Year
- Pro7 Days trial$24.991 Year
- Family Pro7 Days trial$39.991 Year
Train Throttle
- Subscribe$1.991 Year
- Tip a Coffee$3.99
- Purchase$12.99
Questions
Is RailControl Pro free?
Is Train Throttle free?
Which has better reviews, RailControl Pro or Train Throttle?
Do RailControl Pro or Train Throttle have ads?
Which is updated more often, RailControl Pro or Train Throttle?
Other comparisons
