Comparison

WiThrottle Lite vs Locontrol

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

Locontrol

Control your model railroad locomotives with an elegant DCC controller. Capture videos and photos of your trains in action. Compatible with DCC systems featuring Wi-Fi modules and JMRI.

Highlights
  • DCC locomotive control
  • In-app camera for videos and photos
  • Wi-Fi module compatibility
  • JMRI integration
  • Elegant and easy-to-use interface
  • Locomotive list management
Features
Read full description

Control your locomotives in a model railroad layout with the most elegant DCC controller for iOS! And with the Locontrol camera, make videos and take photos while commanding the trains! Locontrol is compatible with any DCC system with a Wi-Fi module, as MRC (with a Prodigy Wi-Fi Module) or Digitrax (with a LNWI module). Locontrol can also control your trains via JMRI. - Make videos and take pictures while controlling your locos; - Easy to use through your locomotive list; - Elegant interface with easy access to all main functions; - Compatible with any DCC system with a Wi-Fi server; - Use with JMRI: just set the Wi-Fi server available on Decoder Pro; Terms & Conditions: https://locontrol.flycricket.io/terms.html Privacy Policy: https://locontrol.flycricket.io/privacy.html

Screenshots

WiThrottle Lite4 screens
Locontrol4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: WiThrottle Lite at 4.4 against Locontrol's 3.0. WiThrottle Lite also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 2) and review sentiment (78% vs 47%). Locontrol's advantage is update cadence (weekly vs every 3 months). On price, ratings volume, ads 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

Both are free to download. Locontrol sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. 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 3.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 34 and 15 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 78% of WiThrottle Lite's written reviews are positive against 47% of Locontrol's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

WiThrottle Lite ships an update every 3 months, Locontrol weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 12, 2026 and October 7, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
WiThrottle Lite versus Locontrol: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterWiThrottle LiteLocontrol
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (34 ratings) — better3.0 (15 ratings)
Positive reviews77.8% of reviews — better47.4% of reviews
Number of ratings34 — better15
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS11.0 — better11.2
Further details — not scored
Size6 MB32 MB
Age rating4+17+
DeveloperBeth HoffmanDanny Araujo

Customer experience

WiThrottle Lite

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

Locontrol

All ratings15 ratings
Positive46.7%
Neutral6.7%
Negative46.7%
Written reviews19 reviews
Positive47.4%
Neutral5.3%
Negative47.4%

In-app purchases

None

WiThrottle Lite

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

Locontrol

Subscriptions2
  • Full Access1 Month trial$0.991 Month
  • Full Access$9.991 Year

Questions

Is WiThrottle Lite free?
WiThrottle Lite is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Locontrol free?
Locontrol is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, WiThrottle Lite or Locontrol?
WiThrottle Lite is rated higher. WiThrottle Lite averages 4.4 out of 5 from 34 ratings, while Locontrol averages 3.0 from 15 ratings.
Do WiThrottle Lite or Locontrol have ads?
Neither WiThrottle Lite nor Locontrol shows ads.
Which is updated more often, WiThrottle Lite or Locontrol?
WiThrottle Lite ships an update every 3 months, and Locontrol weekly. Most recently, WiThrottle Lite was updated on October 12, 2026 and Locontrol on October 7, 2026.

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