Comparison

Train Throttle vs ThrottleCard

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

ThrottleCard

Control your model railroad with this app featuring vintage-inspired controls and realistic animations. It supports multiple trains, game controllers, and offers advanced features like turnout and route control. A free version is available, with a premium subscription for enhanced functionality.

Highlights
  • Multi-throttle support
  • Vintage-inspired controls
  • Game controller integration
  • Automatic command station discovery
  • Turnout and route control
  • Apple Watch support
Features
Read full description

All aboard! Take control of your model railroad with this elegantly designed app that brings vintage charm to modern model train control. Whether you're a seasoned engineer or just starting your journey in model railroading, ThrottleCard delivers powerful features wrapped in a beautiful, easy-to-use interface. Hear what the community is saying: "FINALLY! The BEST Model Railroad Mobile App for IPhone?" - DIY and Digital Railroad YouTube Channel KEY FEATURES: * Control multiple trains simultaneously with intuitive multi-throttle support * Beautiful vintage-inspired gauges and controls with realistic animations * Game Controller Support! Easily drive your Trains with a PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, or MFi Game Controller with pre-mapped buttons * Landscape mode on iPhone is optimized for excellent compatibility with handheld MFi Game Controllers. * Easily create consists on the fly right from within the app * Automatic command station discovery * Comprehensive locomotive function control * Full turnout (switch) control * Routes Support * Fast Clock Support * Supports WiThrottle and DCC-EX Protocols * Roster with locomotive images * A variety of classic railroad inspired themes * Haptic Feedback for intuitive responsiveness and operation * Mirror-Mode mode for comfortable operation in either hand * Multiple classic railroad-inspired themes * iPad support * Apple Watch Support With many more exciting features in the roadmap! To use ThrottleCard, simply connect to any WiThrottle Protocol enabled command station including JMRI, DCC-EX, and various commercial offerings. ThrottleCard can be used for free without a subscription to control the speed, direction, and functions of a single locomotive at a time, throw turnouts, and change to any of the railroad inspired themes. Subscribe to Premium for $0.99/Month or $9.99/Year - 16% off - to unlock the ability to control multiple trains (cards), multiple locomotives in a consist, game controllers, routes, locomotive programming* and to support the future development of additional, exciting features! We’ll even give you a week free to try it out. ThrottleCard Watch will mirror the throttles you have setup on your phone and will allow for remote control of speed with the Digital Crown as well as light, horn, and bell control right from your wrist. For best results, change the "Return to Clock" settings for ThrottleCard watch to "After 1 Hour" by going to Settings (on watch or watch iOS app) > General > Return To Clock > ThrottleCard > Choose "Custom" > Choose "After 1 Hour" below. This will keep ThrottleCard open on your watch longer while it's in the foreground. We’re committed to making the best tools possible for the model railroad community and would love to hear your feedback on the features you’d like to see next. Get started with the latest in model railroading today! *DCC-EX Command Station is required for locomotive programming. The ‘WiThrottle protocol’ is a communications protocol developed by Brett Hoffman. ‘WiThrottle’ is a trademark owned by Brett Hoffman. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://throttlecard.com/privacy.html

Screenshots

Train Throttle4 screens
ThrottleCard4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Train Throttle at 100% against ThrottleCard's 50%. Train Throttle also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.3) and ads (none vs shown). ThrottleCard's advantage is update cadence (weekly vs every 2 months) and ratings volume (11 vs 2). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support 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 ThrottleCard sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Train Throttle holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: ThrottleCard has 11 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 100% of Train Throttle's written reviews are positive against 50% of ThrottleCard's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Train Throttle ships an update every 2 months, ThrottleCard weekly. The most recent releases landed on September 10, 2026 and July 6, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Train Throttle versus ThrottleCard: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTrain ThrottleThrottleCard
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (2 ratings) — better4.3 (11 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews — better50.0% of reviews
Number of ratings211 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsWeekly — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, MaciPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Vision Pro — better
Requires iOS16.1 — better17.5
Further details — not scored
Size6 MB117 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDrew HoffmanRyan Gant

Customer experience

Train Throttle

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

ThrottleCard

All ratings11 ratings
Positive72.7%
Neutral18.2%
Negative9.1%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral25.0%
Negative25.0%

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Train Throttle

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

ThrottleCard

Subscriptions2
  • ThrottleCard Premium - Monthly7 Days trial$0.991 Month
  • ThrottleCard Premium - Yearly7 Days trial$9.991 Year

Questions

Is Train Throttle free?
Train Throttle is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is ThrottleCard free?
ThrottleCard is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Train Throttle or ThrottleCard?
Train Throttle is rated higher. Train Throttle averages 5.0 out of 5 from 2 ratings, while ThrottleCard averages 4.3 from 11 ratings.
Do Train Throttle or ThrottleCard have ads?
ThrottleCard shows ads; Train Throttle does not.
Which is updated more often, Train Throttle or ThrottleCard?
Train Throttle ships an update every 2 months, and ThrottleCard weekly. Most recently, Train Throttle was updated on September 10, 2026 and ThrottleCard on July 6, 2026.

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