Comparison

RailControl Pro vs backGammon.Studio

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

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Features
Read full description

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/

About

backGammon.Studio

Features
Read full description

Organize and track your tournaments interacting and helping the participants in an friendly interactive platform

Screenshots

RailControl Pro4 screens
backGammon.Studio4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: backGammon.Studio at none against RailControl Pro's 3. backGammon.Studio also leads on update cadence (every 3 days vs monthly) and iOS requirement (11.0 vs 16.6). On price, ads 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. RailControl Pro sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $14.99 per year. backGammon.Studio asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

RailControl Pro ships an update monthly, backGammon.Studio every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on October 4, 2026 and September 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
RailControl Pro versus backGammon.Studio: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRailControl ProbackGammon.Studio
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.3 (6 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews72.2% of reviews—
Number of ratings6 — better—
Update frequencyMonthlyEvery 3 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, MaciPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS16.611.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size15 MB13 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperBoterhamVIRTUALMEDICA

In-app purchases

3 purchases

RailControl Pro

Subscriptions3
  • Hobby7 Days trial$14.991 Year
  • Pro7 Days trial$24.991 Year
  • Family Pro7 Days trial$39.991 Year
None

backGammon.Studio

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is RailControl Pro free?
RailControl Pro is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is backGammon.Studio free?
backGammon.Studio is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do RailControl Pro or backGammon.Studio have ads?
Neither RailControl Pro nor backGammon.Studio shows ads.
Which is updated more often, RailControl Pro or backGammon.Studio?
RailControl Pro ships an update monthly, and backGammon.Studio every 3 days. Most recently, RailControl Pro was updated on October 4, 2026 and backGammon.Studio on September 30, 2026.

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