Comparison

Win vs Z21

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

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • Locomotive control
  • Function decoder control
  • Track layout management
  • Switching routes and tours
  • Solenoid device control
  • Emergency off state control
Features
Read 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

About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Features
Read 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

Win3 screens
Z214 screens

Verdict

The call

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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Z21 sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Win asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

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.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Win versus Z21: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterWinZ21
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better3.8 (13 ratings)
Positive reviews85.7% of reviews — better37.6% of reviews
Number of ratings113 — better
Update frequencyEvery 18 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.612.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size4 MB232 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMarkus HerzogModelleisenbahn GmbH

Customer experience

Win

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews7 reviews
Positive85.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative14.3%

Z21

All ratings13 ratings
Positive69.2%
Neutral7.7%
Negative23.1%
Written reviews93 reviews
Positive37.6%
Neutral20.4%
Negative41.9%

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 more
  • 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 more
  • 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

None

Win

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Z21

One-time1
  • Z21 Full Version$17.99

Questions

Is Win free?
Win is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Z21 free?
Z21 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Win or Z21?
Win is rated higher. Win averages 5.0 out of 5 from 1 ratings, while Z21 averages 3.8 from 13 ratings.
Do Win or Z21 have ads?
Neither Win nor Z21 shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Win or Z21?
Win ships an update every 18 months, and Z21 every 3 weeks. Most recently, Win was updated on September 25, 2026 and Z21 on September 19, 2026.

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