WiThrottle vs Lionel iCab
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- Wireless throttle control
- JMRI integration
- Function controls F0-F68
- Control routes & turnouts
- Import roster & function labels
- Acquire & dispatch addresses
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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)
Lionel iCab
Control Lionel TMCC and LEGACY engines, accessories, and trains from your iPhone or iPod Touch. Features include extended locomotive control, speed graphs, and accessory management.
- Control TMCC and LEGACY engines
- Accessory and train operation
- Extended Legacy locomotive controls
- Speed graph with target/actual speed
- Quilling Whistle feature
- Train Builder for unified operation
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Use your Apple iPhone or iPod Touch device to operate Lionel TMCC and LEGACY engines, accessories and trains. iCab includes the most popular features from Lionel's flagship hardware-based LEGACY CAB2 remote including the Train Builder and Quilling Whistle. NOTE: Additional hardware is required to use iCab. iCab includes the operating features of the basic Lionel cab remote plus: - Extended Legacy locomotive control screens - Speed Graph with target and actual speed - Six preset official railroad speeds - Quilling Whistle - Accessory control screen - Special screen for Legacy StationSounds Diner car control - Automatically loads Engine Roster (LEGACY Command Base required) - Train Builder combines multiple locomotives, rolling stock and accessories for unified operation Also available is the Lionel LCS app for iPad. Use this companion app for easy control of layout switches and accessories. iCab app requirements: Lionel LCS WiFi (6-81325) to connect to your layout (up to 15 users can share a single LCS WiFi module). The iCab App works with the Lionel command base model Base-1L; a Legacy command base (v1.52 required) adds additional features. All available from Lionel LLC.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: WiThrottle at 83% against Lionel iCab's 30%. WiThrottle also leads on rating (4.3 vs 3.3) and chart position (#177 vs unranked). Lionel iCab's advantage is price (Free vs $9.99) and iOS requirement (7.0 vs 11.0). On ratings volume, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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
Lionel iCab 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 3.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 40 and 19 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 83% of WiThrottle's written reviews are positive against 30% of Lionel iCab's.
WiThrottle ships an update every 2 months, Lionel iCab every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on October 23, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | WiThrottle | Lionel iCab |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $9.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 4.3 (40 ratings) — better | 3.3 (19 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 83.1% of reviews — better | 30.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 40 — better | 19 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months — better | Every 4 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Free — better |
| Best chart rank | #177 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 11.0 | 7.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 6 MB | 15 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Beth Hoffman | Lionel, LLC |
Customer experience
WiThrottle
Lionel iCab
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
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- 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
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- 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
Lionel iCab
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
WiThrottle
No in-app purchases
Lionel iCab
No in-app purchases








