Comparison

TouchCab vs WiThrottle Lite

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

Head to head
About

TouchCab

Control your DCC model railroad wirelessly from your iPhone or iPod touch. Manage locomotives, speed, functions, and switches with a user-friendly interface. Compatible with ESU, Märklin, and Lenz command stations.

Highlights
  • Wireless DCC model railroad control
  • Control locomotives and their functions
  • Manage speed and train routes
  • Operate switches and signals
  • Alphabetical listing of locomotives and accessories
  • Switchable left/right-handed operation
Features
Read full description

You have a model railroad. You have an ECoS or ECoS2 digital command station from ESU, a Central Station from Märklin or a Lenz v3.6 command station. You also have an iPhone or an iPod touch from Apple and a wireless network connected to the command station. Would you like to run your model railroad from the iPhone or iPod? You can - with TouchCab. So what is TouchCab? TouchCab is a handheld controller for your DCC (Digital Command Control) model railroad / railway / train set. With TouchCab you can follow your trains around your layout without having to worry about plugging and unplugging a wired device. You can throw switches/turnouts and set train routes as you move along. Features: - Control all the locomotives defined in the command station. - Access up to 29 functions of each locomotive. - Clear overview of the locomotive’s speed and state. - Easily change the throttle from left- to right handed operation. - Wireless network connection to the command station. - Control all switches/turnouts and signals defined in the command station. - Locomotives and accessories are listed alphabetically, regardless of their order in the command station lists. Supported DCC command stations: ECoS 50000 by ESU (v1.1.3 or higher) ECoS 2 50200 by ESU (v3.2.0 or higher) Central Station 60212 by Märklin (v2.0.4 or higher) Lenz 23151 XpressNet Interface with Lenz v3.6 command stations LZV100 or LZ100 Requirements: -Digital Model Railway with a compatible DCC Command Station - Network connection to the command station - Wireless connection to the iPhone or iPod Touch Instructions: - Tap the speed wedge in either side to speed up and slow down your trains - Change speed gradually by dragging across the speed wedge - Double-tap the halt button to halt all trains. - Swipe the function buttons sideways to access locomotive functions above F7 - Switch between left and right hand operation from the options tab - Control routes and turnouts from the turnouts tab - Control signals and other accessories from the signals tab Want to try before your buy? Try TouchCab Free - a feature limited free version that is built on the same code base as TouchCab.

About

WiThrottle Lite

Control your model railroad trains wirelessly from your mobile device. This app acts as a throttle, connecting to JMRI software or specific hardware modules for seamless operation. Enjoy basic DCC throttle functions, speed and direction control, and function access.

Highlights
  • Wireless DCC throttle
  • Speed and direction control
  • F0 - F68 function control
  • Acquire addresses wirelessly
  • Adjust throttle slider sensitivity
  • Automatic networking
  • Flashlight feature
Features
Read full description

Use your iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad as a throttle for model railroad control! **PLEASE NOTE** This App is not a stand-alone product! Other hardware and software are required. WiThrottle Lite is the free version of WiThrottle. Link to the popular JMRI software through a local Wi-Fi network to access throttle, address, and function controls wirelessly. -or- Connect directly to an MRC Prodigy WiFi module. -or- Connect directly to a Digitrax LnWi module. -or- Connect directly to a WifiTrax WFD-30/31 module. Digital Command Control (DCC) is now the most common control method for earnest model railroaders, allowing multiple trains to be controlled simultaneously anywhere on the track. JMRI is an interface program that works with most brands of DCC and is very popular because it simplifies DCC programming, signaling, control, and many other aspects of running a permanent layout. It is also free and multi-platform. Instead of direct control through the DCC system, WiThrottle Lite links with JMRI or a dedicated module. This provides a universal interface to many possible combinations of technology and model railroads. As DCC evolves, JMRI is updated as needed to match current technology. JMRI Requirements: - JMRI 2.12 or higher, JMRI 5.2 or newer recommended - DCC system interfaced to a computer and a model railroad - Local Wi-Fi network MRC Prodigy WiFi Requirements: - MRC Prodigy WiFi module - MRC Prodigy DCC system Digitrax LnWi Requirements: - Digitrax LnWi module - Digitrax DCC system WifiTrax WFD-30/31 Requirements: - WifiTrax WFD module - NCE DCC system If you operate at either a club or private home that uses JMRI for operations and has Wi-Fi, access to the local network (host may need to share their password) is all you need. Multiple iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad mobile devices may use their own WiThrottle or WiThrottle Lite simultaneously during an operating session. WiThrottle Lite allows you to confirm compatibility at no cost before buying the full App. Please visit our website for additional information. Our goal is to enhance your model railroading experience by providing convenient, wireless control of your existing system. WiThrottle is the final piece of the puzzle. Features: - No time limits or expiration on use - Fully functional basic DCC throttle - Speed and direction control - F0 - F68 functions - Acquire addresses wirelessly - Adjust sensitivity of the throttle slider - Train idles if interrupted (e.g. phone call) - Automatic networking - Flashlight for devices equipped with camera flash WiThrottle Lite will integrate seamlessly if: - you can already control a train using the built-in throttles of JMRI 2.12 or later - your iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad can access your local wireless network (not cellular or Bluetooth)

Screenshots

TouchCab4 screens
WiThrottle Lite4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: WiThrottle Lite at Free against TouchCab's $9.99. WiThrottle Lite also leads on rating (4.4 vs 2.1) and ratings volume (34 vs 7). TouchCab's advantage is iOS requirement (8.0 vs 11.0). On review sentiment, update cadence, 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

WiThrottle Lite is free to download; TouchCab costs $9.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

WiThrottle Lite holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 2.1. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 7 and 34 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 77% and 78% positive.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

TouchCab ships an update every 2 months, WiThrottle Lite every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 3, 2026 and October 12, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
TouchCab versus WiThrottle Lite: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTouchCabWiThrottle Lite
Price$9.99Free — better
Rating2.1 (7 ratings)4.4 (34 ratings) — better
Positive reviews77.3% of reviews77.8% of reviews — better
Number of ratings734 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 months — betterEvery 3 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS8.0 — better11.0
Further details — not scored
Size5 MB6 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMike SutherlandBeth Hoffman

Customer experience

TouchCab

All ratings7 ratings
Positive28.6%
Neutral0.0%
Negative71.4%
Written reviews22 reviews
Positive77.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative22.7%

WiThrottle Lite

All ratings34 ratings
Positive88.2%
Neutral5.9%
Negative5.9%
Written reviews27 reviews
Positive77.8%
Neutral11.1%
Negative11.1%

In-app purchases

None

TouchCab

No in-app purchases

None

WiThrottle Lite

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is TouchCab free?
TouchCab costs $9.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is WiThrottle Lite free?
WiThrottle Lite is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, TouchCab or WiThrottle Lite?
WiThrottle Lite is rated higher. TouchCab averages 2.1 out of 5 from 7 ratings, while WiThrottle Lite averages 4.4 from 34 ratings.
Do TouchCab or WiThrottle Lite have ads?
Neither TouchCab nor WiThrottle Lite shows ads.
Which is updated more often, TouchCab or WiThrottle Lite?
TouchCab ships an update every 2 months, and WiThrottle Lite every 3 months. Most recently, TouchCab was updated on October 3, 2026 and WiThrottle Lite on October 12, 2026.

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