Comparison

WiThrottle Lite vs E

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

WiThrottle Lite

Control your model railroad trains wirelessly from your mobile device. This app acts as a throttle, connecting to JMRI software or specific hardware modules for seamless operation. Enjoy basic DCC throttle functions, speed and direction control, and function access.

Highlights
  • Wireless DCC throttle
  • Speed and direction control
  • F0 - F68 function control
  • Acquire addresses wirelessly
  • Adjust throttle slider sensitivity
  • Automatic networking
  • Flashlight feature
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. WiThrottle Lite is the free version of WiThrottle. 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 module. 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 Lite 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, or iPad mobile devices may use their own WiThrottle or WiThrottle Lite simultaneously during an operating session. WiThrottle Lite allows you to confirm compatibility at no cost 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: - No time limits or expiration on use - Fully functional basic DCC throttle - Speed and direction control - F0 - F68 functions - Acquire addresses wirelessly - Adjust sensitivity of the throttle slider - Train idles if interrupted (e.g. phone call) - Automatic networking - Flashlight for devices equipped with camera flash WiThrottle Lite 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

E

Control your Bachmann E-Z App trains wirelessly from your Apple device. Manage speed, direction, lights, and sounds with an intuitive interface. Update train firmware to access the latest features.

Highlights
  • Wireless train control
  • Speed and direction management
  • Light and sound effects
  • Simultaneous control of multiple trains
  • Firmware updates
Features
Read full description

E-Z App allows you to control any Bachmann E-Z App train directly from your Apple mobile device. The app has a simple easy-to-use interface to control speed, direction, lights, and realistic train sounds built right into the app. Control as many trains as you want simultaneously from up to 100 ft, and enjoy updated features through regular app updates. Also use E-Z App to update the firmware in your Bachmann E-Z App train to take advantage of all the latest features. Now that's the way to run a railroad! REQUIRES ONE OF THE BACHMANN E-Z APP MODEL TRAINS BELOW TO USE THIS APP. Blue Lightning train set Blue Star train set Scout Special train set ATSF #9447 ALCO 2-6-0 Louisville & Nashville #549 ALCO 2-6-0 NYC® #1910 ALCO 2-6-0 Pennsylvania #3236 ALCO 2-6-0 Union Pacific® #41 ALCO 2-6-0 BNSF #2520 - GP35 Boston & Maine #1508 – McGINNIS - RS-3 Canadian National #4000 - GP35 Great Northern #3021 - GP35 Lackawanna #604 - FT A-Unit New Haven #543 - RS-3 New York Central #1600 - FT A-Unit Pennsylvania #2252 - GP35 Pennsylvania #8605 - RS-3 Rio Grande #3044 - GP35 Rio Grande #5202 - RS-3 Santa Fe #163 (warbonnet) - FT A-Unit Santa Fe #2099 (Blue & Yellow) - RS-3 Southern #6100 - FT A-Unit Western Pacific #901 - FT A-Unit AVAILABLE AT SHOP.BACHMANNTRAINS.COM. http://tinyurl.com/E-ZAppTrain

Screenshots

WiThrottle Lite4 screens
E4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: WiThrottle Lite at 4.4 against E's 3.8. WiThrottle Lite also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 1) and review sentiment (78% vs 53%). E's advantage is update cadence (every 6 weeks vs every 3 months). On price, ratings volume, ads and monetization model 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

Both are free to download. E sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. WiThrottle Lite asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

WiThrottle Lite holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 3.8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 34 and 28 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 78% of WiThrottle Lite's written reviews are positive against 53% of E's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

WiThrottle Lite ships an update every 3 months, E every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 2, 2026 and September 29, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
WiThrottle Lite versus E: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterWiThrottle LiteE
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (34 ratings) — better3.8 (28 ratings)
Positive reviews77.8% of reviews — better53.3% of reviews
Number of ratings34 — better28
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 6 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS11.0 — better12.0
Further details — not scored
Size6 MB97 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperBeth HoffmanBachmann Industries, Inc

Customer experience

WiThrottle Lite

All ratings34 ratings
Positive88.2%
Neutral5.9%
Negative5.9%
Written reviews27 reviews
Positive77.8%
Neutral11.1%
Negative11.1%

E

All ratings28 ratings
Positive67.9%
Neutral7.1%
Negative25.0%
Written reviews15 reviews
Positive53.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative46.7%

In-app purchases

None

WiThrottle Lite

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

E

One-time1
  • Christmas Song Pack$3.99

Questions

Is WiThrottle Lite free?
WiThrottle Lite is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is E free?
E is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, WiThrottle Lite or E?
WiThrottle Lite is rated higher. WiThrottle Lite averages 4.4 out of 5 from 34 ratings, while E averages 3.8 from 28 ratings.
Do WiThrottle Lite or E have ads?
Neither WiThrottle Lite nor E shows ads.
Which is updated more often, WiThrottle Lite or E?
WiThrottle Lite ships an update every 3 months, and E every 6 weeks. Most recently, WiThrottle Lite was updated on October 2, 2026 and E on September 29, 2026.

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