Comparison

WiThrottle vs Fast Clock

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

Fast Clock

This application simulates a fast clock for model railroads. It allows for custom logos and maps, and can synchronize with external systems like JMRI or use real-time.

Highlights
  • Model railroad fast clock simulation
  • Custom logo support
  • Custom map integration
  • JMRI time synchronization
  • Real-time clock option
Features
Read full description

A model railroad fast clock app Supports custom logos Supports custom maps Can read time from JMRI, the built-in fast clock, or real time

Screenshots

WiThrottle4 screens
Fast Clock4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: WiThrottle at 83% against Fast Clock's 25%. WiThrottle also leads on rating (4.3 vs 3.8) and ratings volume (40 vs 5). Fast Clock's advantage is price (Free vs $9.99) and update cadence (every 2 days vs every 2 months). On 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

Fast Clock 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 3.8. 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 25% of Fast Clock's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

WiThrottle ships an update every 2 months, Fast Clock every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on October 10, 2026 and September 20, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
WiThrottle versus Fast Clock: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterWiThrottleFast Clock
Price$9.99Free — better
Rating4.3 (40 ratings) — better3.8 (5 ratings)
Positive reviews83.1% of reviews — better25.0% of reviews
Number of ratings40 — better5
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 2 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS11.0 — better15.6
Further details — not scored
Size6 MB5 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperBeth HoffmanKevin Snow

Customer experience

WiThrottle

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

Fast Clock

All ratings5 ratings
Positive40.0%
Neutral60.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive25.0%
Neutral75.0%
Negative0.0%

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

Fast Clock

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

WiThrottle

No in-app purchases

None

Fast Clock

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is WiThrottle free?
WiThrottle costs $9.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Fast Clock free?
Fast Clock is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, WiThrottle or Fast Clock?
WiThrottle is rated higher. WiThrottle averages 4.3 out of 5 from 40 ratings, while Fast Clock averages 3.8 from 5 ratings.
Do WiThrottle or Fast Clock have ads?
Neither WiThrottle nor Fast Clock shows ads.
Which is updated more often, WiThrottle or Fast Clock?
WiThrottle ships an update every 2 months, and Fast Clock every 2 days. Most recently, WiThrottle was updated on October 10, 2026 and Fast Clock on September 20, 2026.

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