Comparison

WiThrottle vs Rail Model Track Calc

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
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

Rail Model Track Calc

Easily calculate horizontal and vertical dimensions for diagonal railroad model track layouts. Input track length and angle to get precise measurements for combining different track pieces. Avoid guesswork and ensure accurate model railway construction.

Highlights
  • Calculate horizontal and vertical track lengths
  • Input track length and angle
  • Precise measurements in 0.5 mm increments
  • Error margin less than 0.5mm
  • Reset function for calculations
  • Designed for railroad modeling hobbyists
Features
Read full description

Overview This is an application that can calculate the horizontal and vertical lengths when laying out the railroad model tracks diagonally. For example, when a straight track is laid out after laying a curved track(e.g. 45° angle). Or straight tracks after laying out railroad points (e.g. 15°) etc. If you lay out the track diagonally like this, It is necessary to know the horizontal and vertical dimensions in order to combine other tracks to create a layout. But, it is troublesome to calculate the size. There is also need to rely on intuition. So please, use this application. This application you can easily calculate the dimensions of the track. How to use 1. Enter a millimeter number for the track length. 2. Select an angle. 3. The Horizontal, Difference, and Vertical, which are the calculation results, are displayed. Decimal point can be used. Calculation result As the calculation result, the horizontal length (angle 0°), horizontal difference, and vertical length are displayed in units of 0.5 mm. The error of the calculation result is less than 0.5mm Reset button The numbers and angles are reset. Disclaimer This calculator is for the railroad modeling hobby. The calculation results is the numerical value which be calculated by the developer. It may be different from the numerical value by model manufacturer. In particular, commercially available railroad model rails allow for dimensional errors. Therefore, the calculation results do not necessarily represent what the track layout cannot or can be done. This application is subject to change without notice. The developer assumes no responsibility for any loss or claims by third parties which may arise from the use of this application.

Screenshots

WiThrottle4 screens
Rail Model Track Calc4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: WiThrottle at 83% against Rail Model Track Calc's 0%. WiThrottle also leads on rating (4.3 vs 1.0) and ads (none vs shown). Rail Model Track Calc's advantage is price (Free vs $9.99). On 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

Rail Model Track Calc 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 1.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: WiThrottle has 40 ratings behind it against 1, 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 0% of Rail Model Track Calc's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

WiThrottle ships an update every 2 months, Rail Model Track Calc every 18 months. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and August 6, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 2 level
WiThrottle versus Rail Model Track Calc: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterWiThrottleRail Model Track Calc
Price$9.99Free — better
Rating4.3 (40 ratings) — better1.0 (1 ratings)
Positive reviews83.1% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings40 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 2 months — betterEvery 18 months
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidAd-supported — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS11.0 — better15.4
Further details — not scored
Size6 MB9 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperBeth HoffmanNobuyuki Kumakura

Customer experience

WiThrottle

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

Rail Model Track Calc

All ratings1 ratings
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

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

Rail Model Track Calc

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

WiThrottle

No in-app purchases

None

Rail Model Track Calc

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is WiThrottle free?
WiThrottle costs $9.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Rail Model Track Calc free?
Rail Model Track Calc is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, WiThrottle or Rail Model Track Calc?
WiThrottle is rated higher. WiThrottle averages 4.3 out of 5 from 40 ratings, while Rail Model Track Calc averages 1.0 from 1 ratings.
Do WiThrottle or Rail Model Track Calc have ads?
Rail Model Track Calc shows ads; WiThrottle does not.
Which is updated more often, WiThrottle or Rail Model Track Calc?
WiThrottle ships an update every 2 months, and Rail Model Track Calc every 18 months. Most recently, WiThrottle was updated on September 23, 2026 and Rail Model Track Calc on August 6, 2026.

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