# Build A Train vs googolChooChoo3D2

The clearest difference is price: googolChooChoo3D2 at Free against Build A Train's $2.99. googolChooChoo3D2 also leads on update cadence (monthly vs every 3 months). Build A Train's advantage is rating (4.7 vs 4.0) and ads (none vs shown). On review sentiment, ratings volume, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

googolChooChoo3D2 is free to download; Build A Train costs $2.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Build A Train holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 69 and 34 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 82% of Build A Train's written reviews are positive against 77% of googolChooChoo3D2's.

Build A Train ships an update every 3 months, googolChooChoo3D2 monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 26, 2026 and September 8, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Build A Train | googolChooChoo3D2 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $2.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | **[4.7 (69 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/build-a-train/id398937831/reviews)** | [4.0 (34 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/googolchoochoo3d2/id1223923252/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **69** | 34 |
| Positive reviews | **82.2% of reviews** | 76.9% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | **Monthly** |
| Monetization | Paid | **Ad-supported** |
| Best chart rank | **#135** | — |
| Size | 52 MB | 39 MB |
| Requires iOS | **8.0** | 12.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Playtend Apps LLP](https://appshunter.io/developer/320166203) | [Kouichi Hayashi](https://appshunter.io/developer/1809037541) |

## What reviewers say

### Build A Train

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/build-a-train/id398937831)

**Currently charting:** #135 Top Paid · Family (US App Store)

Design and operate your own virtual train set. Choose engines and cars, then drive your creation through various environments, controlling switches and speed. Unlock new levels and enjoy a mess-free train experience.

**Highlights:** Select and customize train engines and cars, Drag-and-reorder car functionality, Drive trains in city environments, Control track switches and train speed, Pick up cargo and collect points, Unlockable bonus levels and maps, Night mode driving

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👨‍👧‍👦 Excellent for young children and toddlers
- 🎮 Intuitive and easy-to-use controls
- 🚂 Engaging train-building mechanics
- 🎨 Good graphics and visual design
- 🧠 Educational value for problem-solving and planning

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Crashes on older iOS versions
- 🔊 Sound issues after updates
- 😑 Limited content depth for older children
- 🔁 Becomes repetitive and boring quickly
- 💰 Not worth the paid price point

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes on iOS 9 iPad Mini
- App crashes on iOS 8
- Sound not working after updates
- App not working after night mode update
- Progress/points deleted after updates

**Requested features**

- More trains and locomotives (steam trains, CSX, Union Pacific, BNSF, SD-45, C44-9W)
- Ability to build custom tracks
- Longer trains with more than 3 cars
- Train reversal capability
- Cargo drop-off mechanics


### googolChooChoo3D2

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/googolchoochoo3d2/id1223923252)

Design and build your own 3D model railroad layouts with customizable tracks, structures, and terrain. Experience your creations from various viewpoints, including the driver's seat of a running train.

**Highlights:** 3D model railroad simulation, Customizable track and structure placement, Terrain creation and editing, Multiple viewing perspectives, Automatic tunnel generation, Driver's seat view

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Build A Train free?

Build A Train costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is googolChooChoo3D2 free?

googolChooChoo3D2 is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Build A Train or googolChooChoo3D2?

Build A Train is rated higher. Build A Train averages 4.7 out of 5 from 69 ratings, while googolChooChoo3D2 averages 4.0 from 34 ratings.

### Do Build A Train or googolChooChoo3D2 have ads?

googolChooChoo3D2 shows ads; Build A Train does not.

### Which is updated more often, Build A Train or googolChooChoo3D2?

Build A Train ships an update every 3 months, and googolChooChoo3D2 monthly. Most recently, Build A Train was updated on September 26, 2026 and googolChooChoo3D2 on September 8, 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.*