# Simon Plug&Drive vs HM | DCC

The clearest difference is ads: Simon Plug&Drive at none against HM | DCC's shown. Simon Plug&Drive also leads on update cadence (every 2 months vs every 4 months). HM | DCC's advantage is iOS requirement (11.0 vs 15.6). On price, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Simon Plug&Drive ships an update every 2 months, HM | DCC every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on September 18, 2026 and June 10, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Simon Plug&Drive | HM | DCC |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | **[2.3 (4 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hm-dcc/id1660757271/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | — | **4** |
| Positive reviews | — | 56.3% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 months** | Every 4 months |
| Monetization | — | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 63 MB | 48 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 | **11.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Simon](https://appshunter.io/developer/531284305) | [Hornby Hobbies Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/870599697) |

## What reviewers say

### Simon Plug&Drive

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/simon-plug-and-drive/id1633641300)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### HM | DCC

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hm-dcc/id1660757271)

Control your model railway system wirelessly with this app. Build your locomotive library, customize their settings, and design your dream layout with untethered control over points, signals, and turntables. Enjoy free sound profiles and upgrade existing systems.

**Highlights:** Wireless model railway control, Locomotive customization, On-the-fly setting adjustments, Layout design tool, Controllable points, signals, turntables, Free locomotive sound profiles, Bluetooth® device linking

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Simon Plug&Drive free?

Simon Plug&Drive is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is HM | DCC free?

HM | DCC is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Do Simon Plug&Drive or HM | DCC have ads?

HM | DCC shows ads; Simon Plug&Drive does not.

### Which is updated more often, Simon Plug&Drive or HM | DCC?

Simon Plug&Drive ships an update every 2 months, and HM | DCC every 4 months. Most recently, Simon Plug&Drive was updated on September 18, 2026 and HM | DCC on June 10, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*