# Design A Train vs Design & Run Train

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Design A Train at 71% against Design & Run Train's 0%. Design A Train also leads on rating (4.4 vs 1.8) and ads (none vs shown). Design & Run Train's advantage is price (Free vs $1.99). On ratings volume, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Design & Run Train is free to download; Design A Train costs $1.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Design A Train holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 1.8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 25 and 23 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 71% of Design A Train's written reviews are positive against 0% of Design & Run Train's.

Design A Train ships an update every 2 months, Design & Run Train every 47 months. The most recent releases landed on October 23, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Design A Train | Design & Run Train |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $1.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | **[4.4 (25 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/design-a-train/id461796192/reviews)** | [1.8 (23 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/design-and-run-train/id1550583867/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **25** | 23 |
| Positive reviews | **71.4% of reviews** | 0.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 months** | Every 47 months |
| Monetization | **Free** | Ad-supported |
| Size | 35 MB | 72 MB |
| Requires iOS | **8.0** | 12.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Playtend Apps LLP](https://appshunter.io/developer/320166203) | [Farrukh Ahmad](https://appshunter.io/developer/1446716321) |

## What reviewers say

### Design A Train

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/design-a-train/id461796192)

Design and color your own trains with a variety of tools and stickers. Once complete, you can save, share, print, or integrate your creations into other train-themed games.

**Highlights:** Customize train cars and engines, Easy one-touch coloring, Add and reposition stickers, Assemble and rearrange full trains, Export to other train games, Save, share, and print creations

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### Design & Run Train

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/design-and-run-train/id1550583867)

Design and build custom trains from various parts and templates. Then, drive your creations on tracks, controlling speed, horns, and switches while experiencing realistic station announcements.

**Highlights:** Design and build custom trains, Control train speed and horns, Use railroad switches, Experience realistic station announcements, Add and remove train wagons, Craft train parts from brick pieces

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Design A Train free?

Design A Train costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Design & Run Train free?

Design & Run Train is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Design A Train or Design & Run Train?

Design A Train is rated higher. Design A Train averages 4.4 out of 5 from 25 ratings, while Design & Run Train averages 1.8 from 23 ratings.

### Do Design A Train or Design & Run Train have ads?

Design & Run Train shows ads; Design A Train does not.

### Which is updated more often, Design A Train or Design & Run Train?

Design A Train ships an update every 2 months, and Design & Run Train every 47 months. Most recently, Design A Train was updated on October 23, 2026 and Design & Run Train on October 24, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*