# WiThrottle vs ECoS Cab

The clearest difference is price: ECoS Cab at Free against WiThrottle's $9.99. WiThrottle's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 9) and ads (none vs shown). On update cadence and device support there is nothing between them.

ECoS Cab is free to download; WiThrottle costs $9.99 up front. ECoS Cab sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. WiThrottle asks for nothing beyond the download.

WiThrottle holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: WiThrottle has 40 ratings behind it against 5, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 83% of WiThrottle's written reviews are positive against 60% of ECoS Cab's.

WiThrottle ships an update every 2 months, ECoS Cab every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and September 15, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | WiThrottle | ECoS Cab |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $9.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | **[4.3 (40 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/withrottle/id344172578/reviews)** | [4.0 (5 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ecos-cab/id1481627848/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **40** | 5 |
| Positive reviews | **83.1% of reviews** | 60.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 6 weeks** |
| Monetization | Paid | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Size | 6 MB | 120 MB |
| Requires iOS | **11.0** | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Beth Hoffman](https://appshunter.io/developer/344172581) | [Kostiantyn Kolesnik](https://appshunter.io/developer/1481627847) |

## What reviewers say

### WiThrottle

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/withrottle/id344172578)

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:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy to use interface
- 🚀 Works great with JMRI
- 📱 Controls trains wirelessly
- 💡 Excellent value for money
- 🔧 Great customer support

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Connection drops when backgrounded
- 🐛 JMRI connection issues
- 🐛 Some features not working
- 🐛 UI could be improved
- 🐛 Limited on iPhone vs iPad

**Reported bugs**

- 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

**Requested features**

- 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


### ECoS Cab

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ecos-cab/id1481627848)

Transform your mobile devices into wireless handheld controllers for your model railroad. Seamlessly manage trains, signals, and accessories across your layout without the hassle of wired connections. Requires a compatible command station connected to your network.

**Highlights:** Handheld model railroad controller, Wireless network connection, Control trains, signals, and accessories, No need for wired devices, Compatible with ESU ECoS, CabControl, PIKO SmartBox

**In-app purchases (5)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Cloud Sync, monthly | $2.99 | per month |
| Client, monthly | $12.99 | per month |
| Web Server, monthly | $17.99 | per month |
| Client, annually | $99.99 | per year |
| Client, life-time | $149.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is WiThrottle free?

WiThrottle costs $9.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is ECoS Cab free?

ECoS Cab is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, WiThrottle or ECoS Cab?

WiThrottle is rated higher. WiThrottle averages 4.3 out of 5 from 40 ratings, while ECoS Cab averages 4.0 from 5 ratings.

### Do WiThrottle or ECoS Cab have ads?

ECoS Cab shows ads; WiThrottle does not.

### Which is updated more often, WiThrottle or ECoS Cab?

WiThrottle ships an update every 2 months, and ECoS Cab every 6 weeks. Most recently, WiThrottle was updated on September 23, 2026 and ECoS Cab on September 15, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*