# WiThrottle vs TrainNavigator

The clearest difference is price: TrainNavigator at Free against WiThrottle's $9.99. TrainNavigator also leads on update cadence (every 4 days vs every 2 months). WiThrottle's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1). On ads, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

TrainNavigator is free to download; WiThrottle costs $9.99 up front. TrainNavigator sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $7.99 per year. WiThrottle asks for nothing beyond the download.

WiThrottle ships an update every 2 months, TrainNavigator every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and May 17, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | WiThrottle | TrainNavigator |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $9.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | **[4.3 (40 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/withrottle/id344172578/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **40** | — |
| Positive reviews | 83.1% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 4 days** |
| Monetization | Paid | — |
| Size | 6 MB | 28 MB |
| Requires iOS | **11.0** | 12.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Beth Hoffman](https://appshunter.io/developer/344172581) | [Michal Kajaba](https://appshunter.io/developer/987937761) |

## 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


### TrainNavigator

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/trainnavigator/id6738654983)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| TrainNavigator Premium | $7.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is WiThrottle free?

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

### Is TrainNavigator free?

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

### Do WiThrottle or TrainNavigator have ads?

Neither WiThrottle nor TrainNavigator shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, WiThrottle or TrainNavigator?

WiThrottle ships an update every 2 months, and TrainNavigator every 4 days. Most recently, WiThrottle was updated on September 23, 2026 and TrainNavigator on May 17, 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.*