Build A Train vs TrainSet 3D
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 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
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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!
TrainSet 3D
Design and operate your own railway layouts with a virtual steam locomotive. Enjoy a classic simulation experience where you can build intricate track designs and watch your trains run. Minor mishaps are easily fixed with a simple tap.
- Design custom train tracks
- Operate steam locomotives
- In-game repair functionality
- Classic simulation gameplay
- Suitable for all ages
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TrainSet 3D is an homage to that classic HyperCard stack. Design your own tracks and run the steam locomotive around them. If you crash, no worries, repair is just a tap away. Fun for kids of all ages.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: Build A Train at every 3 months against TrainSet 3D's every 39 months. Build A Train also leads on ratings volume (69 vs 1) and chart position (#193 vs unranked). TrainSet 3D's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 4.7) and review sentiment (100% vs 82%). On ads, in-app purchases, monetization model 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
Build A Train costs $2.99 and TrainSet 3D $0.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
TrainSet 3D holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Build A Train has 69 ratings behind it against 1, 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 100% of TrainSet 3D's.
Build A Train ships an update every 3 months, TrainSet 3D every 39 months. The most recent releases landed on September 21, 2026 and September 2, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Build A Train | TrainSet 3D |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2.99 | $0.99 — better |
| Rating | 4.7 (69 ratings) | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 82.2% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 69 — better | 1 |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months — better | Every 39 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Best chart rank | #193 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 8.0 — better | 18.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 52 MB | 116 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Playtend Apps LLP | Polyhedron Learning Media, Inc. |
Customer experience
Build A Train
TrainSet 3D
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
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- 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
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- 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
TrainSet 3D
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Build A Train
No in-app purchases
TrainSet 3D
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Build A Train free?
Is TrainSet 3D free?
Which has better reviews, Build A Train or TrainSet 3D?
Do Build A Train or TrainSet 3D have ads?
Which is updated more often, Build A Train or TrainSet 3D?
Other comparisons
