# WiThrottle vs Lionel LCS

The clearest difference is price: Lionel LCS at Free against WiThrottle's $9.99. Lionel LCS also leads on iOS requirement (5.1.1 vs 11.0). WiThrottle's advantage is review sentiment (83% vs 40%) and rating (4.3 vs 3.8). On update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

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

WiThrottle holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 3.8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 40 and 13 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 83% of WiThrottle's written reviews are positive against 40% of Lionel LCS's.

WiThrottle ships an update every 2 months, Lionel LCS every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 26, 2026 and October 23, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | WiThrottle | Lionel LCS |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $9.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | **[4.3 (40 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/withrottle/id344172578/reviews)** | [3.8 (13 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lionel-lcs/id666934678/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **40** | 13 |
| Positive reviews | **83.1% of reviews** | 40.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 months** | Every 3 months |
| Monetization | Paid | **Free** |
| Size | 6 MB | 21 MB |
| Requires iOS | 11.0 | **5.1.1** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Beth Hoffman](https://appshunter.io/developer/344172581) | [Lionel, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/616773170) |

## 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


### Lionel LCS

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lionel-lcs/id666934678)

Control your model railroad's locomotives, switches, and accessories wirelessly. This app connects to your Lionel LCS Wi-Fi adapter, allowing you to manage track power and lighting with a touch. Expand your control by connecting to a Lionel LEGACY base to manage your locomotive roster.

**Highlights:** Operate model locomotives, Control switches and accessories, Manage track power and lighting, Connect to LCS Wi-Fi adapter, View and edit locomotive roster, Touchscreen control

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is WiThrottle free?

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

### Is Lionel LCS free?

Lionel LCS is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, WiThrottle or Lionel LCS?

WiThrottle is rated higher. WiThrottle averages 4.3 out of 5 from 40 ratings, while Lionel LCS averages 3.8 from 13 ratings.

### Do WiThrottle or Lionel LCS have ads?

Neither WiThrottle nor Lionel LCS shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, WiThrottle or Lionel LCS?

WiThrottle ships an update every 2 months, and Lionel LCS every 3 months. Most recently, WiThrottle was updated on October 26, 2026 and Lionel LCS on October 23, 2026.

---

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