Comparison

Build A Train Lite vs Mini Train for Kids

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 Lite

Design and drive your own virtual trains in a city or on a full map. Customize engines and cars, control speed and switches, and pick up cargo. Features include night mode and the ability to import custom designs.

Highlights
  • Select and customize engine and car styles
  • Drag-to-reorder car functionality
  • Drive train in city environment
  • Control switches and speed on a full map
  • Pick up cargo and collect points
  • Night mode driving
  • Import custom train designs
Features
Read full description

Build A Train Lite is the perfect virtual train set for your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch. It includes the following features: »»» Select the 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. Test drive your train in a city environment. »»» Launch game mode and drive your train across a full train set map. Control the switches on the track to determine where your train goes. Control the speed of your train. Pick-up cargo and collect points. »»» Night mode feature lets you drive your train at night »»» Additional levels available via in-app purchase. »»» Import Custom Engines & Train Cars. Use Design A Train to create your own personal train and then import engines and cars into Build A Train Lite. Endless customizability! »»» Child lock feature lets you disable all sharing, other apps promotions and in-app purchases. Build A Train Lite is a universal app and will work on your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch.

About

Mini Train for Kids

Embark on a train adventure to collect golden stars across various levels. Switch tracks, build your own paths, and adjust speed settings for a fun learning experience. Discover new environments and unlock additional levels through in-app purchases.

Highlights
  • Collect golden stars
  • Switch tracks
  • Build custom tracks
  • Adjust train speed
  • Learn track switching logic
  • Unlockable levels and environments
Features
Read full description

Choo choo… Kids will take the mini train on a journey to harvest all golden stars from each level… Kids will be able to switch tracks and allow the mini train to take different paths… Kids will also be able to build their own tracks in a free mode or in the "construction" mode to collect all the golden stars. The train offers 3 speed settings, allowing kids to adjust game difficulty by themselves. This game allows to learn track switching logic while having fun… The free game allows to discover several circuits, you may unlock other circuits (75 levels to unlock) through an in-app purchase if you wish to do so. 2 environments (meadow and desert) will add variety to your toddlers journeys... Now with a bonus pack of 15 new levels!!! This game is part of your "Learning is fun" educational game collection. Visit our website for more info: http://ar-entertainment.net/learning/ipad.html or http://ar-entertainment.net/learning/

Screenshots

Build A Train Lite4 screens
Mini Train for Kids4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Mini Train for Kids at 5.0 against Build A Train Lite's 4.3. Build A Train Lite's advantage is ratings volume (526 vs 5) and review sentiment (88% vs 67%). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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. Build A Train Lite sells 10 one-off in-app purchases and Mini Train for Kids sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Mini Train for Kids holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Build A Train Lite has 526 ratings behind it against 5, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 88% of Build A Train Lite's written reviews are positive against 67% of Mini Train for Kids's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Build A Train Lite ships an update every 2 months, Mini Train for Kids every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on October 29, 2026 and November 1, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Build A Train Lite versus Mini Train for Kids: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBuild A Train LiteMini Train for Kids
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.3 (526 ratings)5.0 (5 ratings) — better
Positive reviews87.9% of reviews — better66.7% of reviews
Number of ratings526 — better5
Update frequencyEvery 2 months — betterEvery 5 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS4.3 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size54 MB40 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPlaytend Apps LLPAlexandre Minard

Customer experience

Build A Train Lite

All ratings527 ratings
Positive81.6%
Neutral6.8%
Negative11.6%
Written reviews405 reviews
Positive87.9%
Neutral7.9%
Negative4.2%

Mini Train for Kids

All ratings5 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews9 reviews
Positive66.7%
Neutral11.1%
Negative22.2%

In-app purchases

10 purchases

Build A Train Lite

One-time10
  • Level 3: Dark Night$0.99
  • Level 4: Warehouse District$0.99
  • Level 5: Frosty Rails$0.99
Show 7 more
  • Level 6: Mountain Pass$0.99
  • Level 7: Airport$0.99
  • Level 8: Cargo Island$0.99
  • Level 9: Metropolis$0.99
  • Level 10: The Harbor$0.99
  • Level 11: Red Canyon$0.99
  • Level 13: Stadium$0.99
1 purchases

Mini Train for Kids

One-time1
  • Unlock all train levels$0.99

Questions

Is Build A Train Lite free?
Build A Train Lite is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Mini Train for Kids free?
Mini Train for Kids is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Build A Train Lite or Mini Train for Kids?
Mini Train for Kids is rated higher. Build A Train Lite averages 4.3 out of 5 from 526 ratings, while Mini Train for Kids averages 5.0 from 5 ratings.
Do Build A Train Lite or Mini Train for Kids have ads?
Neither Build A Train Lite nor Mini Train for Kids shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Build A Train Lite or Mini Train for Kids?
Build A Train Lite ships an update every 2 months, and Mini Train for Kids every 5 months. Most recently, Build A Train Lite was updated on October 29, 2026 and Mini Train for Kids on November 1, 2026.

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