Comparison

EchoLink vs Trains Magazine

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

Head to head
About

EchoLink

Connect to the EchoLink network using your iOS device. This application allows validated Amateur Radio operators to access the system from virtually anywhere. Registration with a valid Amateur Radio callsign is required.

Highlights
  • Connect to EchoLink network
  • Use on iPhone, iPad, iPod touch
  • Validated user access
  • Remote connectivity
Features
Read full description

Please note: This app is for licensed Amateur Radio operators only. See www.echolink.org for more information. EchoLink for iOS provides access to the EchoLink network for validated EchoLink users. You can use this app to connect to the EchoLink system from almost anywhere, using an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. If you are not already a validated EchoLink user, you will be required to register (using your Amateur Radio callsign and a password of your choice) the first time you run the app. Please see the iPhone FAQ at www.echolink.org. Please direct any bug reports or feature suggestions to the Web site at http://www.echolink.org/support.htm, since developers do not read app reviews. If you are interested in becoming a licensed Amateur Radio operator, see www.arrl.org for more information. EchoLink is a registered U.S. trademark of Synergenics, LLC.

About

Trains Magazine

Access in-depth features, news, and expert commentary on all things railroading. Enjoy a customizable reading experience with offline access and interactive navigation.

Highlights
  • Probing features and railroad news
  • Expert commentary and industry reports
  • Detailed maps and photography
  • Offline reading of downloaded issues
  • Customizable reading modes and font size
  • Interactive table of contents
Features
Read full description

Trains is the #1 magazine among railroad enthusiasts! Each issue is packed with probing features, railroad news, expert commentary, cutting-edge industry reports, detailed maps and spectular photography covering railroading's influential history and exciting future. Site: https://trains.com/ FEATURES: -Optimized for Your Device: Enjoy a smooth, browser-friendly experience. -Offline Reading: Download issues to your device browser to read anytime, even without wifi. -Bookmarks: Save articles to revisit later. -Text View: Switch to a responsive reading view for comfort. -Reading Modes: Customize background (light, dark, sepia, gray) and adjust font size. -Interactive Table of Contents: Easily jump between articles. NOTE: When purchasing a subscription or single copy of this title, you agree to the privacy and policy and terms of use which can be viewed at http://Firecrown.com/Privacy-Policy and http://Firecrown.com/Terms-of-Use. Trains publishes 12 issues per year, but reserves the right to change the number of issues in an annual term, including discontinuing any format and substituting and/or modifying the manner in which the subscription is distributed. Apple iOS Subscriptions: Subscription(s) will automatically renew via your Apple Account prior to the end of your subscription term. You can turn off the Apple auto-renew feature up to 24-hours before the end of your subscription by going into Apple Account Settings. Subscriptions cannot be cancelled during the active subscription period.

Screenshots

EchoLink3 screens
Trains Magazine4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: EchoLink at 61% against Trains Magazine's 8%. EchoLink also leads on rating (3.9 vs 2.9) and in-app purchases (none vs 10). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and ads 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. Trains Magazine sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. EchoLink asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

EchoLink holds the better App Store score, 3.9 against 2.9. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 46 and 57 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 61% of EchoLink's written reviews are positive against 8% of Trains Magazine's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

EchoLink ships an update every 4 months, Trains Magazine every 5 months. Both last shipped on November 10, 2026.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
EchoLink versus Trains Magazine: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterEchoLinkTrains Magazine
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.9 (46 ratings) — better2.9 (57 ratings)
Positive reviews61.4% of reviews — better8.3% of reviews
Number of ratings4657 — better
Update frequencyEvery 4 months — betterEvery 5 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS13.013.0
Further details — not scored
Size20 MB89 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSynergenics, LLCFlying Media Group, LLC

Customer experience

EchoLink

All ratings41 ratings
Positive68.3%
Neutral12.2%
Negative19.5%
Written reviews383 reviews
Positive61.4%
Neutral12.3%
Negative26.4%

Trains Magazine

All ratings54 ratings
Positive44.4%
Neutral3.7%
Negative51.9%
Written reviews36 reviews
Positive8.3%
Neutral11.1%
Negative80.6%

Bugs and requests

EchoLink

Reported bugs

13 issues
  • Latest version (2.19) could use some improvement
  • No way to reset password
  • Doesn't seem to be working on my phone, I enter call sign, password, and email. I click on login and nothing happens
  • Just updated EchoLink to find that it's now stuttering all the time
  • After the upgrade there are connection issues
Show 8 more
  • No support for passwords longer than 14 characters
  • The app won't allow me back in to validate my information
  • Doesn't work on iphone
  • Unable to Use; Password Too Long
  • Cannot connect to local reapeater
  • Can't close app
  • Latest update issues
  • Cannot connect

Requested features

13 requests
  • Bigger PTT please?
  • Add more to app
  • Password reset in app option
  • Almost There!
  • Bigger PTT please?
Show 8 more
  • Searching for call sign s
  • Not able to connect with 14.4 iOS upgrade
  • Mac version
  • Dark Mode Wonky
  • Missing Nodes
  • Echolink multitasking
  • Needs a help or tutorial
  • Needs full sysop node server capabilities

Trains Magazine

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

EchoLink

No in-app purchases

10 purchases

Trains Magazine

Subscriptions2
  • Trains Magazine$4.991 Month
  • Trains Magazine$44.951 Year
One-time8
  • Big Boys on Sherman Hill$0.99
  • January 2013$5.99
  • February 2013$5.99
Show 5 more
  • March 2013$5.99
  • April 2013$5.99
  • February 2014$5.99
  • Locomotive 2013$9.99
  • Locomotives 2016$9.99

Questions

Is EchoLink free?
EchoLink is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Trains Magazine free?
Trains Magazine is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, EchoLink or Trains Magazine?
EchoLink is rated higher. EchoLink averages 3.9 out of 5 from 46 ratings, while Trains Magazine averages 2.9 from 57 ratings.
Do EchoLink or Trains Magazine have ads?
Neither EchoLink nor Trains Magazine shows ads.
Which is updated more often, EchoLink or Trains Magazine?
EchoLink ships an update every 4 months, and Trains Magazine every 5 months. Most recently, EchoLink was updated on November 10, 2026 and Trains Magazine on November 10, 2026.

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