# EchoLink vs Trains Magazine

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.

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.

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.

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

## The numbers

| Metric | EchoLink | Trains Magazine |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[3.9 (46 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/echolink/id350688562/reviews)** | [2.9 (57 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/trains-magazine/id570738984/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 46 | **57** |
| Positive reviews | **61.4% of reviews** | 8.3% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 4 months** | Every 5 months |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 20 MB | 89 MB |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 | 13.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Synergenics, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/350688565) | [Flying Media Group, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1600548072) |

## What reviewers say

### EchoLink

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/echolink/id350688562)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Wonderful System
- 🚀 Great for ham travelers
- 🚀 Amazing App
- 🚀 Great tool for Hams
- 🚀 Excellent System

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 EchoLink does not work
- 🐛 Can't find stations!
- 🐛 Not working on ios26 iPhone pro max
- 🐛 Mic gain
- 🐛 Connectivity problems lately

**Reported bugs**

- 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

**Requested features**

- Bigger PTT please?
- Add more to app
- Password reset in app option
- Almost There!
- Bigger PTT please?


### Trains Magazine

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/trains-magazine/id570738984)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Trains Magazine | $4.99 | per month |
| Trains Magazine | $44.95 | per year |
| Big Boys on Sherman Hill | $0.99 | one-time |
| January 2013 | $5.99 | one-time |
| February 2013 | $5.99 | one-time |
| March 2013 | $5.99 | one-time |
| April 2013 | $5.99 | one-time |
| February 2014 | $5.99 | one-time |
| Locomotive 2013 | $9.99 | one-time |
| Locomotives 2016 | $9.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked 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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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*