# Design A Train vs Train Sim Pro

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Design A Train at none against Train Sim Pro's 3. Design A Train also leads on review sentiment (71% vs 63%) and iOS requirement (8.0 vs 12.0). Train Sim Pro's advantage is ratings volume (161 vs 25). On price, rating, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

Design A Train costs $1.99 and Train Sim Pro $1.99 up front. Train Sim Pro sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. Design A Train asks for nothing beyond the download.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.4 for Design A Train against 4.5 for Train Sim Pro. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Train Sim Pro has 161 ratings behind it against 25, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 71% of Design A Train's written reviews are positive against 63% of Train Sim Pro's.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on August 25, 2026 and September 29, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Design A Train | Train Sim Pro |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $1.99 | $1.99 |
| Rating | [4.4 (25 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/design-a-train/id461796192/reviews) | **[4.5 (161 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/train-sim-pro/id597315950/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 25 | **161** |
| Positive reviews | **71.4% of reviews** | 62.6% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 35 MB | 809 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) | [1788918 Alberta Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/597315953) |

## 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


### Train Sim Pro

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/train-sim-pro/id597315950)

Experience realistic train simulation with over 70 train types and 15 environments. Build custom scenes, enjoy cab views, and realistic sounds. Perfect for train enthusiasts of all ages.

**Highlights:** Realistic 3D graphics, 70+ 3D train types, 15 realistic 3D environments, Custom environment building, Cab views for all trains, Realistic train sounds, Train derailments

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Freight Train Driver | $0.99 | one-time |
| Commuter Train Driver | $0.99 | one-time |
| Steam Train Driver | $0.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Great train simulator
- 🚀 Engaging and detailed
- 🚀 Improving with updates
- 💡 Customizable trains and scenery

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Crashes and bugs
- 🐛 Glitches with train physics and animations
- 🐛 Unrealistic train and environment graphics
- 🐛 Lack of variety in train models and liveries

**Reported bugs**

- Frequent crashes when loading maps or starting sessions
- Trains behaving unrealistically (e.g. cars going off track, wheels not turning)
- Graphical issues like 2D train models and missing details
- Inconsistent or missing sound effects

**Requested features**

- Add more modern and diverse train models
- Improve train physics and animations
- Expand track layouts and environments
- Introduce missions, goals, and multiplayer
- Allow more customization options


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Design A Train free?

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

### Is Train Sim Pro free?

Train Sim Pro costs $1.99, and also offers in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Design A Train or Train Sim Pro?

Train Sim Pro is rated higher. Design A Train averages 4.4 out of 5 from 25 ratings, while Train Sim Pro averages 4.5 from 161 ratings.

### Do Design A Train or Train Sim Pro have ads?

Neither Design A Train nor Train Sim Pro shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Design A Train or Train Sim Pro?

Design A Train ships an update every 2 months, and Train Sim Pro every 2 months. Most recently, Design A Train was updated on August 25, 2026 and Train Sim Pro on September 29, 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.*