# HM | DCC vs Chirp Parent

The clearest difference is update cadence: Chirp Parent at every 3 weeks against HM | DCC's every 4 months. HM | DCC's advantage is iOS requirement (11.0 vs 16.0). On price, ads, 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.

HM | DCC ships an update every 4 months, Chirp Parent every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 20, 2026 and October 9, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | HM | DCC | Chirp Parent |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[3.0 (6 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hm-dcc/id1660757271/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **6** | — |
| Positive reviews | 56.3% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Size | 48 MB | 31 MB |
| Requires iOS | **11.0** | 16.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Hornby Hobbies Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/870599697) | [ChirpFamily](https://appshunter.io/developer/1789082931) |

## What reviewers say

### 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

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### Chirp Parent

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chirp-parent/id6740233412)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is HM | DCC free?

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

### Is Chirp Parent free?

Chirp Parent is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Do HM | DCC or Chirp Parent have ads?

Neither HM | DCC nor Chirp Parent shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, HM | DCC or Chirp Parent?

HM | DCC ships an update every 4 months, and Chirp Parent every 3 weeks. Most recently, HM | DCC was updated on October 20, 2026 and Chirp Parent on October 9, 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.*