Train Throttle vs DCC
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- Wireless DCC train control
- Control multiple engines/consists
- Set turnouts and toggle routes
- Free trial with core features
- Full feature subscription
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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
DCC
Transform your mobile devices into wireless controllers for your model railroad. Manage trains, signals, and accessories remotely without wired connections. Ideal for seamless operation around your layout.
- Handheld model railroad controller
- Wireless train operation
- Control signals and turnouts
- Accessory control
- Seamless layout movement
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DCC-EX Cab is an application that turns your devices into handheld controllers for your model railroad. With DCC-EX Cab you can follow your trains around your layout without having to worry about plugging and unplugging a wired device as you move along. Using a wireless network connection and a DCC-EX command station connected to the network, DCC-EX Cab can be used to run trains and for controlling signals, turnouts, and other accessories that are configured in the command station.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Train Throttle at 5.0 against DCC's 3.0. DCC's advantage is update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 2 months). On price, review sentiment, ratings volume and ads 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
Both are free to download. Train Throttle sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per year and DCC sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Train Throttle holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2 and 4 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 100% and 100% positive.
Train Throttle ships an update every 2 months, DCC every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 10, 2026 and August 13, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Train Throttle | DCC |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (2 ratings) — better | 3.0 (4 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 2 | 4 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 2 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Mac | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 16.1 | 15.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 6 MB | 120 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Drew Hoffman | Kostiantyn Kolesnik |
Customer experience
Train Throttle
DCC
In-app purchases
Train Throttle
- Subscribe$1.991 Year
- Tip a Coffee$3.99
- Purchase$12.99
DCC
- Cloud services, monthly$2.991 Month
- Premium control, monthly$7.991 Month
- Ultimate, monthly$12.991 Month
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- Premium control, annually$39.991 Year
- Premium control, life-time$119.99
