Comparison

Train Throttle vs DCC Commander

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

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • Wireless DCC train control
  • Control multiple engines/consists
  • Set turnouts and toggle routes
  • Free trial with core features
  • Full feature subscription
Features
Read full description

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

About

DCC Commander

Control your model railroad with a DCC-EX Command Station on your iOS device. Manage multiple throttles, program configuration variables, and customize settings for a personalized experience. Enjoy a free, full-featured product with optional subscriptions to remove ads.

Highlights
  • Control up to 10 throttles
  • Configure unlimited cabs
  • Program configuration variables
  • One-time network setup
  • Customizable product settings
  • In-app help page
Features
Read full description

DCC Commander 2.0 lets you operate and manage your model railroad from your iOS device using a compatible DCC Command Station. Requires a DCC-EX Command Station or JMRI WiThrottle server with compatible DCC Command Station. Built for hands-on layout operation, DCC Commander combines multi-cab throttle control, layout viewing, route selection, cab management, turnout definitions, and programming track tools in one app. Features include: - Control multiple throttles from one screen in landscape mode - Use a focused single-throttle view in portrait mode - Assign cabs to throttles with cab IDs, names, and photo images - Configure function buttons, including toggle and momentary behavior - Use software momentum modes for smoother speed changes - View your attached layout directly from the Throttle screen - Swipe across tracks and turnouts to select routes visually - Save and reuse route definitions - Activate turnout routes from the Layout view - Build and edit layout designs with tracks, turnouts, and reusable definitions - Manage turnout templates, turnout definitions, and route definitions - Program cab addresses and CV values on the programming track - Configure saved Command Stations for quick reconnect - Supports DCC-EX network Command Stations - Supports JMRI WiThrottle for compatible throttle operations - Built-in help pages for throttle, cabs, programming, network, builder, settings, workflow, and app information - DCC Commander is free to use after watching a rewarded advertisement, which unlocks throttle access for a 3 hours time. A subscription option is available to remove advertising gates and provide full access. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://electrongoo.com/privacypolicy.html DCC Commander Subscription: A subscription will remove ALL advertisements. Both monthly and annual subscriptions are available. The monthly subscription costs $2.99/Month (USD). The annual subscription costs $29.00/year (USD). Get 12 months for the price of 10 months with an annual subscription. Payment is charged to your iTunes account at confirmation of purchase. Your subscription renews automatically unless you cancel 24 hours before the renewal date. You can manage your subscription in the AppStore on your device. Note: DCC Commander requires compatible model railroad DCC hardware. For DCC-EX Command Station details, visit: https://dcc-ex.com/ex-commandstation/index.html Note: JMRI WiThrottle requires JMRI installation, visit https://www.jmri.org/help/en/html/setup/index.shtml

Screenshots

Train Throttle4 screens
DCC Commander4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: DCC Commander at every 3 weeks against Train Throttle's every 2 months. On price, review sentiment, 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Train Throttle sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per year and DCC Commander sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Train Throttle ships an update every 2 months, DCC Commander every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 10, 2026 and September 20, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
Train Throttle versus DCC Commander: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTrain ThrottleDCC Commander
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (2 ratings) — better
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings2 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, MaciPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS16.115.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size6 MB131 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDrew HoffmanElectrongoo

Customer experience

Train Throttle

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

DCC Commander

Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Train Throttle

Subscriptions1
  • Subscribe$1.991 Year
One-time2
  • Tip a Coffee$3.99
  • Purchase$12.99
2 purchases

DCC Commander

Subscriptions2
  • DCC Commander - (Monthly)$2.991 Month
  • DCC Commander - (Annual)$29.991 Year

Questions

Is Train Throttle free?
Train Throttle is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is DCC Commander free?
DCC Commander is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Train Throttle or DCC Commander have ads?
Neither Train Throttle nor DCC Commander shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Train Throttle or DCC Commander?
Train Throttle ships an update every 2 months, and DCC Commander every 3 weeks. Most recently, Train Throttle was updated on September 10, 2026 and DCC Commander on September 20, 2026.

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