Win vs Z21
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Win
Control your model train setup remotely from your iPhone or iPad. Manage locomotives, switches, routes, and more with this companion app for Win-Digipet Premium Edition.
- Locomotive control
- Function decoder control
- Track layout management
- Switching routes and tours
- Solenoid device control
- Emergency off state control
Read full descriptionHide full description
Win Digipet-Mobile is the iPhone App that you have always wanted for the popular model train software Win-Digipet. Prerequisite for the use is the operation of Win-Digipet Premium Edition version 2009.4b (2009.5 for switching routes and tours) in your home network. The win-Digipet computer must be reachable via WiFi. The app provides the following functions: -locomotive control (locomotive pictures in list) -function decoder control -Track layout for switching solenoids/counters and blockings -switching routes and tours within the track layout -solenoid-device control e.g. turnouts/signals -display/control/release of the current emergency off state (WDP 2012 required) -place train on train number labels or remove them (WDP 2012 required) -driving direction indication in the train number labels (WDP 2015 required) -logbook (WDP 2018 required) -central clock (WDP 2018 required) -universal app for iPhone/iPod touch and iPad
Z21
Control your model train layout and locomotives wirelessly from your iOS device. Manage your locomotive library, program digital components, and operate switches and signals with an intuitive touch interface. Enjoy a realistic train control experience with customizable driver cabs.
- Wireless control of locomotives and layout
- Manage locomotive library with images
- Program digital components
- Intuitive graphic interface for switches and signals
- Downloadable driver cabs for realistic control
- Demo mode available
Read full descriptionHide full description
Use this app to connect to a Z21 Digital Center. A demo mode is available. With this app you can manage locomotive libraries, locomotives and locomotive functions, program digital components – and of course control all locomotives with DCC- or Motorola-decoder, as easy and convenient as is only possible with touch-technology. The digital switchboard Z21 connects your model train unit and your digital locomotives with your iOS device via WLAN. This way you can control the operation on your train layout easily and conveniently from your mobile device. Model train control was never this easy and convenient: With one swipe of your hand you can scroll to your model of choice in the locomotive library. A slight touch on the headlight symbol and the front and backlights go on. A second touch, this time on the speaker symbol, and the locomotive makes a sound. Drag your finger over the speed indicator and the train accelerates. The further highlights of the Z21-App • Control your entire layout with an intuitive, graphic interface and have easy access to the entire scope of functions of your digital locomotives. • Manage your entire locomotive-library in just one application, including individual locomotive images for an ideal overview. • Control the digital functions of your locomotives with intuitive function symbols instead of complicated key combinations. • Create a blueprint of your railway system and control your switches, signals and modules with a single click. • Download driver cabs and control your locomotives from a real train driver’s point of view.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: Win at 86% against Z21's 38%. Win also leads on rating (5.0 vs 3.8) and in-app purchases (none vs 1). Z21's advantage is update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 18 months) and ratings volume (13 vs 1). On price, ads 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
Both are free to download. Z21 sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Win asks for nothing beyond the download.
Win holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Z21 has 13 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 86% of Win's written reviews are positive against 38% of Z21's.
Win ships an update every 18 months, Z21 every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and September 19, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Win | Z21 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better | 3.8 (13 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 85.7% of reviews — better | 37.6% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 1 | 13 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 18 months | Every 3 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 | 12.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 4 MB | 232 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Markus Herzog | Modelleisenbahn GmbH |
Customer experience
Win
Z21
Bugs and requests
Win
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
Z21
Reported bugs
17 issues- App crashes on startup (white screen issue)
- Connection drops to Z21 central station
- Throttle display shows incorrect or blank speeds
- Function buttons not responding properly in multitraction mode
- Route synchronization failures across multiple control station pages
Show 12 moreShow fewer
- Weichen (turnout) display showing white/blank images
- App freezes during speed adjustment
- Export functionality crashes (PRO version)
- Occupancy feedback not displaying (Roco 10808)
- iOS 14+ compatibility issues
- Slow response times and lag
- Layout elements jumping off-screen when editing
- Routes highlighting incorrectly or not at all
- Password-protected bug report zip file inaccessible to users
- Fleischmann turntable module not available
- Bridge modules cannot be displayed diagonally
- Data loss after app updates
Requested features
20 requests- Offline locomotive database access
- Dark mode or customizable color schemes
- Background image support for layout design
- Turntable/rotary module support
- Automatic event-based control (occupancy detection, crossing automation)
Show 15 moreShow fewer
- Pendulum train control functionality
- Manual route deactivation capability
- Larger emergency stop button
- Locomotive database sharing between layouts
- Multi-language support (Spanish, French, Italian, Russian, Japanese)
- Diagonal bridge module display
- Camera locomotive integration
- Double slip switch operation
- Text labeling in layout designer
- Improved signal image selection interface
- Vehicle filtering and categorization system
- Windows/Mac desktop application
- Start-destination buttons for easier route control
- Occupancy feedback module support (Roco 10808)
- Copy and paste functionality in layout mode
In-app purchases
Win
No in-app purchases
Z21
- Z21 Full Version$17.99








