Comparison

WiThrottle vs Lionel Wireless Camera

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

Head to head
About

WiThrottle

Control your model railroad trains wirelessly using your mobile device. This app connects to JMRI software or specific hardware modules for comprehensive throttle, address, and function management.

Highlights
  • Wireless throttle control
  • JMRI integration
  • Function controls F0-F68
  • Control routes & turnouts
  • Import roster & function labels
  • Acquire & dispatch addresses
Features
Currently charting
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. 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. 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 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, and iPad mobile devices may use their own WiThrottle app simultaneously during an operating session. If you would like to sample WiThrottle, we offer a Lite version at no charge. This allows you to confirm compatibility 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: - Select road or yard throttle control arrangements - Dual throttle screen - F0 - F68 function controls - Build and break Advanced Consists - Link multiple addresses for control by one throttle (Universal Consists) - Control JMRI routes & turnouts - Imports roster list and function labels from your JMRI files - Access the JMRI WebServer for control panels and more - Adjust sensitivity of the throttle slider - Set for right or left hand use - Acquire and dispatch addresses wirelessly - Train idles if interrupted (e.g. phone call) - Control track power - Fastclock display - Automatic networking - Flashlight for devices equipped with camera flash WiThrottle 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)

About

Lionel Wireless Camera

View your model railroad layout from the perspective of your train. This app connects to a WiFi camera in a compatible Lionel car, streaming live video to your device for enjoyment or recording.

Highlights
  • Live video streaming
  • Record train view
  • Works with compatible Lionel cars
  • WiFi camera integration
  • View model railroad empire
Features
Read full description

See your model railroad empire as never before! The Lionel Wireless Camera App works in conjunction with the WiFi camera mounted in your Lionel car, such as the Norfolk Southern Buena Vista Theater Car (SKU 6-84230). The on-board camera transmits live video from the car via a WiFi signal so that you can enjoy or record the view from your train as you move across your layout.

Screenshots

WiThrottle4 screens
Lionel Wireless Camera4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Lionel Wireless Camera at Free against WiThrottle's $9.99. WiThrottle's advantage is rating (4.3 vs 3.2) and update cadence (every 2 months vs every 51 months). On ratings volume, ads, in-app purchases 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

Lionel Wireless Camera is free to download; WiThrottle 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 holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 3.2. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 40 and 14 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

WiThrottle ships an update every 2 months, Lionel Wireless Camera every 51 months. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and July 4, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 5 level
WiThrottle versus Lionel Wireless Camera: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterWiThrottleLionel Wireless Camera
Price$9.99Free — better
Rating4.3 (40 ratings) — better3.2 (14 ratings)
Positive reviews83.1% of reviews—
Number of ratings40 — better14
Update frequencyEvery 2 months — betterEvery 51 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidFree — better
Best chart rank#147 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS11.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size6 MB28 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperBeth HoffmanLionel, LLC

Customer experience

WiThrottle

All ratings40 ratings
Positive80.0%
Neutral7.5%
Negative12.5%
Written reviews65 reviews
Positive83.1%
Neutral9.2%
Negative7.7%

Lionel Wireless Camera

All ratings12 ratings
Positive58.3%
Neutral16.7%
Negative25.0%

Bugs and requests

WiThrottle

Reported bugs

13 issues
  • Power ON/OFF broken
  • Horn gets stuck on with DCC-EX
  • Minor glitchy unresponsive throttle slider
  • App would not connect to JMRI 5.2
  • Connection to JMRI server drops when app goes to background
Show 8 more
  • Bug with controlling turnouts
  • Blank screen and app crashing on iPhone with WifiTraxx WFD-30
  • Connection bug fixes needed
  • iPhone XR will not connect to server (Digitrax LNWI)
  • Network set to autodetect causes issues
  • Problems getting switch names and function labels from Decoder Pro
  • When switching locks, loco stops instead of continuing
  • App crashes when selecting throttle tab after selecting locomotive address

Requested features

25 requests
  • Support for DCC-EX
  • Night mode and dark mode
  • Turnout/Points control in main UI
  • Routes support with MRC Wi-Fi module
  • Customizable features like Android app
Show 20 more
  • Support for ESU decoders with 30+ functions
  • Keep trains running when app closes/phone sleeps
  • Support for landscape orientation
  • Show layout with JMRI and switch orientation
  • Ability to throw switches
  • On-cab signaling, block announcement
  • Ability to make and break consists
  • Turnout controls
  • Juggling two locos on one screen
  • SS control throttle option
  • Screen rotation support
  • Control accessory addresses
  • Disable auto-stop feature
  • Multiple train control
  • Consisting
  • Ops mode programming
  • Switch control
  • Torch icon on top of screen
  • Ability to change CV values in operations mode
  • Volume buttons adjust speed

Lionel Wireless Camera

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

WiThrottle

No in-app purchases

None

Lionel Wireless Camera

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is WiThrottle free?
WiThrottle costs $9.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Lionel Wireless Camera free?
Lionel Wireless Camera is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, WiThrottle or Lionel Wireless Camera?
WiThrottle is rated higher. WiThrottle averages 4.3 out of 5 from 40 ratings, while Lionel Wireless Camera averages 3.2 from 14 ratings.
Do WiThrottle or Lionel Wireless Camera have ads?
Neither WiThrottle nor Lionel Wireless Camera shows ads.
Which is updated more often, WiThrottle or Lionel Wireless Camera?
WiThrottle ships an update every 2 months, and Lionel Wireless Camera every 51 months. Most recently, WiThrottle was updated on September 23, 2026 and Lionel Wireless Camera on July 4, 2026.

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