Comparison

Build A Train vs Train Simulator PRO 2018

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

Head to head
About

Build A Train

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
Read full description

Build A Train is the perfect virtual train set for your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch. It's also a universal app – buy once, play on any of your devices. Even better, all future content updates are included FREE in the full version of Build A Train. PLEASE NOTE: Designed for kids aged 1-6. What parents are saying: "I got this for my train-loving 3 year old and he loves it! He loves to build the trains and fly the helicopter and my husband and I love trying to beat each other's scores! Great app!" "My 5 year old LOVES trains and he really enjoys playing this game. Thanks for the updates. The horn and bell were a big hit." "Great job with the update. My 6 year old had a great time trying to get enough points to unlock the tracks. My 2 year old loves the horn and the bell. Nice job." What reviewers are saying: "Build a Train is an entertaining app for younger children. It would be great for car rides or anytime you want to entertain your children with an imaginative game" - TUAW.com Build A Train "...proves that, when it comes to train-themed mobile games, the iOS platform rules the rails." - Macworld "Build A Train offers all the fun and excitement of a good old fashioned train set with a few added extras and the best feature of all from a mothers perspective… no mess!" - theimum.com "I was amazed at how quickly my 5 year old not only grasped the concept but became completely engrossed in the game. He didn't want to put it down for anything. He has always loved trains and this is the perfect type of app for him. It's challenging but he can still master it. As far as train games go (and well pretty much any kids games to be honest) this one is a big winner in our book! Completely worth the money." - NowWhatBaby.blogspot.com ********* Build A Train includes the following features: »»» Select an engine for your train. Choose from a variety of styles, colors and design. »»» Select the cars for your train. Configure your train as desired -- easy drag-to-reorder functionality gives you full control of your train. Simply double-tap the cars in your train to delete them. Test drive your train in a city environment. »»» Launch game mode and drive your train. Control the switches on the track to determine where your train goes. Control the speed of your train. Pick-up cargo and collect points. Celebrate by tooting a horn or ringing a bell. »»» Night mode feature lets you drive your train at night. »»» Unlockable content. Start with 20 maps to play on and then collect points to unlock new bonus levels for your train including ocean, palace, pyramids, bright lights and volcano. Want to know more? *** SEE A VIDEO REVIEW from Apps for Children with Special Needs: http://vimeo.com/21054012 *** TRY THE LITE VERSION FOR FREE: Just search for Build A Train Lite in the App Store. ***Top 10 Educational Game*** ***Named What's Hot by Apple*** ***TUAW.com App of the Day*** Featured in Free App Magic selection by MagicSolver. Interested in more features? New engines, more game mechanics or trains? More worlds? QUESTIONS? Let us know by emailing: support@playtend.com ***THANKS for all the feedback.**** Remember -- your CONSTRUCTIVE feedback helps keep quality updates coming!

About

Train Simulator PRO 2018

Experience the thrill of being a train engineer by driving realistic locomotives across a vast US landscape. Manage freight or passenger trains, navigate complex routes, and build a successful railway company. Enjoy stunning graphics and interactive cab controls for an immersive simulation.

Highlights
  • Drive passenger or freight trains
  • Explore 1000 sq miles of terrain
  • 15 cities to visit
  • 6 unique locomotives
  • Interactive engineer's cabin
  • Realistic damage system
  • Dynamic weather and day/night cycle
Features
Read full description

Have you ever dreamed of being a train engineer? Train Simulator PRO 2018 will let you drive carefully modeled locomotives leading passenger or freight trains across the eastern half of the US. Whether you like fast passenger locomotives or powerful freight movers able to pull dozens of cars, in our game you will find it all. Whatever you choose, you will have to watch out for speed limits, rail crossings, signals and other trains. Plan your route wisely to maximize profits and create the most powerful railway company in the US! During your travels, you can admire photo-realistic graphics including cities, suburbs, factories, countrysides and much more. Each locomotive includes a carefully-rendered engineer’s cabin with working levers and gauges for maximum realism. However, you have to be careful as driving recklessly or pushing the brakes for too long may damage the train. So put your engineer’s cap on, and let’s get rolling! Main features: ▶ Almost 1000 square miles of terrain ▶ 15 cities to explore and choose job from ▶ 6 unique locomotives ▶ 14 detailed cars (3 passenger and 11 freight) ▶ Locomotives and cars damage system ▶ Locomotive cabs with interactive levers and gauges ▶ Dynamic weather and day/night system ▶ Other trains and traffic on roads ▶ Photo-realistic graphics ▶Advanced signalling and speed limit systems

Screenshots

Build A Train4 screens
Train Simulator PRO 20184 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Build A Train at 4.7 against Train Simulator PRO 2018's 3.4. Build A Train also leads on review sentiment (82% vs 42%) and in-app purchases (none vs 5). Train Simulator PRO 2018's advantage is ratings volume (506 vs 69). On update cadence 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

Build A Train costs $2.99 and Train Simulator PRO 2018 $5.99 up front. Train Simulator PRO 2018 sells 5 one-off in-app purchases. Build A Train asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Build A Train holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Train Simulator PRO 2018 has 506 ratings behind it against 69, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 82% of Build A Train's written reviews are positive against 42% of Train Simulator PRO 2018's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Build A Train ships an update every 3 months, Train Simulator PRO 2018 every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 21, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 2 level
Build A Train versus Train Simulator PRO 2018: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBuild A TrainTrain Simulator PRO 2018
Price$2.99 — better$5.99
Rating4.7 (69 ratings) — better3.4 (506 ratings)
Positive reviews82.2% of reviews — better41.5% of reviews
Number of ratings69506 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 6 weeks — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS8.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size52 MB828 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPlaytend Apps LLPMAGEEKS SC

Customer experience

Build A Train

All ratings69 ratings
Positive91.3%
Neutral2.9%
Negative5.8%
Written reviews135 reviews
Positive82.2%
Neutral3.0%
Negative14.8%

Train Simulator PRO 2018

All ratings506 ratings
Positive57.1%
Neutral8.1%
Negative34.8%
Written reviews200 reviews
Positive41.5%
Neutral10.5%
Negative48.0%

User reviews

Build A Train

From 69 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👨‍👧‍👦 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

Room to improve

  • 🐛 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

Train Simulator PRO 2018

From 506 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Best train game ever
  • 🚀 Awesome game
  • 🚀 Excellent
  • 🚀 High quality
  • 🚀 Great graphics and gameplay

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Crashes
  • 🐛 Glitches
  • 🐛 Money issues
  • 🐛 Lack of features
  • 💰 Expensive in-app purchases

Bugs and requests

Build A Train

Reported bugs

7 issues
  • 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
Show 2 more
  • Trains don't pivot correctly at track points
  • No sound with new software update

Requested features

19 requests
  • 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
Show 14 more
  • More maps and track layouts
  • Daytime and nighttime modes
  • Railroad crossings with lights and bell sounds
  • On/off button instead of switch
  • Ground-level or on-board camera views
  • Passenger trains with station stops
  • Train yard/switch yard map
  • Ability to save train designs and scores
  • Environmental elements (trees, streams, caves, bridges)
  • Video creator feature
  • More interactive sound effects and bells/whistles
  • Ability to change train colors/paint like Ramone
  • Dual engines for very long trains
  • More complex track designs with tunnels and plus-shaped intersections

Train Simulator PRO 2018

Reported bugs

6 issues
  • Long trains not recognized at grade crossings
  • Engine damage and repair costs too high
  • Inconsistent speed limit enforcement
  • Missions not starting/completing properly
  • Inability to unload cargo without crashing
Show 1 more
  • Money/coin issues (disappearing, unable to earn enough)

Requested features

10 requests
  • Expand map to include West Coast
  • Add more train models and types (e.g. steam engines)
  • Implement multiplayer functionality
  • Add more camera views and free roam mode
  • Allow customization of trains (colors, logos, etc.)
Show 5 more
  • Implement a creative mode
  • Add ability to sell/trade locomotives and railcars
  • Improve lighting and environment details
  • Implement interactive controls (levers, etc.)
  • Add grade crossing gates and signals

In-app purchases

None

Build A Train

No in-app purchases

5 purchases

Train Simulator PRO 2018

One-time5
  • Handful of Gems$0.99
  • Pile of Gems$2.99
  • Sack of Gems$4.99
Show 2 more
  • Bucket of Gems$9.99
  • Chest of Gems$19.99

Questions

Is Build A Train free?
Build A Train costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Train Simulator PRO 2018 free?
Train Simulator PRO 2018 costs $5.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Build A Train or Train Simulator PRO 2018?
Build A Train is rated higher. Build A Train averages 4.7 out of 5 from 69 ratings, while Train Simulator PRO 2018 averages 3.4 from 506 ratings.
Do Build A Train or Train Simulator PRO 2018 have ads?
Train Simulator PRO 2018 shows ads; Build A Train does not.
Which is updated more often, Build A Train or Train Simulator PRO 2018?
Build A Train ships an update every 3 months, and Train Simulator PRO 2018 every 6 weeks. Most recently, Build A Train was updated on September 21, 2026 and Train Simulator PRO 2018 on September 24, 2026.

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