# HM | DCC vs RailPilot

The clearest difference is ads: RailPilot at none against HM | DCC's shown. HM | DCC's advantage is iOS requirement (11.0 vs 18.0). On price, update cadence, 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.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on October 8, 2026 and October 3, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | HM | DCC | RailPilot |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 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 | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | Every 4 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Size | 48 MB | 2 MB |
| Requires iOS | **11.0** | 18.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Hornby Hobbies Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/870599697) | [Eric Staedler](https://appshunter.io/developer/1818134874) |

## 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

**In-app purchases:** none


### RailPilot

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/railpilot/id6746725630)

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is HM | DCC free?

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

### Is RailPilot free?

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

### Do HM | DCC or RailPilot have ads?

HM | DCC shows ads; RailPilot does not.

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

HM | DCC ships an update every 4 months, and RailPilot every 4 months. Most recently, HM | DCC was updated on October 8, 2026 and RailPilot on October 3, 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.*