Comparison

iRunTrains Lite vs Heritage Units

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

Head to head
About

iRunTrains Lite

Experience a realistic 3D train simulator with intuitive controls. Drive, ride, and manage multiple trains across dynamic layouts. Enjoy immersive sound and physics, with options to customize scenery and add personal touches.

Highlights
  • 3D train simulation
  • Intuitive train controls
  • Run multiple trains
  • Track switching
  • Variable speed throttle
  • Ride the trains
  • Dynamic views
Features
Read full description

With iRunTrains, you're just seconds away from fun. It's fun for any age and perfect for enthusiasts and novices alike! Play immediately; play repeatedly. A real 3D simulator! Watch and run multiple trains from any position or ride them like the engineer! Apple-featured "New and Noteworthy" **We're celebrating 9 years on the App Store. Thanks for all your support!!** See more screenshots and video at http://onomaly.com/iRunTrains.html You'll love iRunTrain's fun and innovative features. It's the most original train simulator! - No big setup or learning curve; drive the trains immediately - You control 'em with intuitive train controls - Run multiple trains on each layout - Track switching; switch the tracks just in time! - Variable speed train throttle - Ride the trains and keep an eye on your caboose! - 6 Awesome dynamic views to watch your trains - Seaside setting with loading dock - Full touch-gesture viewing and control - Pinch to zoom; Tap sides to pan; Drag to change view angle - No points, scoring, or end game; just enjoy the rails Awesome Features: - 2 Free, awesome track layouts! - in-App purchase unlocks all larger, multi-level tracks - 3D rails and track bed - Add your photo to the billboard - Pushbutton train selector - Speedometers - Moving traction bars! - Turn switch control box - Multifunction view selector and status display - Help overlay for controls - Choose your terrain colors and textures 3D Audio - Engine sounds - Track sounds - Bells and Whistles - Pitch and volume based on proximity and speed Manual and Dynamic Views - Chase the train in a helicopter (with sounds!) - Ride the train engine or ride the caboose and more - Can you survive Turnout City without a collision? - View info guides Physics n' more - Train acceleration/deceleration - Collision & Derailment detection - Rising tide and shimmering waves - Movings clouds Control the trains! Run 'em. Ride 'em. Chase 'em. Bump 'em. Park 'em! Thanks for helping us make iRunTrains a success! Also check out our version for the iPhone! Support: http://www.onomaly.com Follow us on Twitter: @iRunTrains also Follow us on Twitter: @onomaly

About

Heritage Units

This app allows users to track and report special interest locomotives from major US railroads. View reported units on a map within a 200-mile radius and contribute new sightings directly from your device.

Highlights
  • Track heritage units
  • Report new locomotive locations
  • View locomotives on maps
  • Search within 200 miles
  • Support for major railroads
Features
Read full description

Track and report Heritage units (locomotives) and other special interest units for Norfolk Southern, Union Pacific, CSX, BNSF and other railroads. Features: • View reported locomotives within a 200 mile radius of your devices location. • Report a new locomotive location directly from the app • View locomotives on maps All recorded locomotive information is provided by volunteers using native apps and website (https://www.heritageunits.com) Continued use of GPS running in the background can dramatically decrease battery life. Terms of use: https://www.heritageunits.com/user/terms Privacy policy: https://www.heritageunits.com/user/privacy

Screenshots

Heritage Units4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: iRunTrains Lite at none against Heritage Units's shown. iRunTrains Lite also leads on rating (4.3 vs 4.1) and review sentiment (78% vs 58%). Heritage Units's advantage is update cadence (every 10 days vs every 5 months) and ratings volume (258 vs 40). On price, 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. iRunTrains Lite sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Heritage Units sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per year. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

iRunTrains Lite holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 4.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Heritage Units has 258 ratings behind it against 40, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 78% of iRunTrains Lite's written reviews are positive against 58% of Heritage Units's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

iRunTrains Lite ships an update every 5 months, Heritage Units every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and November 2, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
iRunTrains Lite versus Heritage Units: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameteriRunTrains LiteHeritage Units
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.3 (40 ratings) — better4.1 (258 ratings)
Positive reviews77.5% of reviews — better58.1% of reviews
Number of ratings40258 — better
Update frequencyEvery 5 monthsEvery 10 days — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS10.3 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size116 MB122 MB
Age rating4+17+
DeveloperOnomaly LLCBrian Minnich

Customer experience

iRunTrains Lite

All ratings36 ratings
Positive77.8%
Neutral11.1%
Negative11.1%
Written reviews40 reviews
Positive77.5%
Neutral2.5%
Negative20.0%

Heritage Units

All ratings253 ratings
Positive76.3%
Neutral8.3%
Negative15.4%
Written reviews93 reviews
Positive58.1%
Neutral15.1%
Negative26.9%

Bugs and requests

iRunTrains Lite

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Heritage Units

Reported bugs

14 issues
  • App crashes when refreshing or loading reports
  • Persistent 'You've reached your limit for spots' error that lasts weeks or months
  • Login credentials rejected despite correct password/username
  • Automatic logout after 1-2 months of inactivity
  • Premium subscription purchases not recognized by app
Show 9 more
  • Email validation not working or emails not received
  • Location tracking showing incorrect geographic location
  • Reports not posting after submission despite multiple attempts
  • Timezone error when submitting reports
  • App incompatibility with certain iOS versions (iOS 12, etc.)
  • Cannot report certain locomotives that exist in database
  • Notification system stops working after initial use
  • API exceptions with no user-side resolution
  • Random account suspensions without explanation

Requested features

15 requests
  • Dark mode and light mode toggle
  • Report timestamp visibility to distinguish old vs new reports
  • Edit and delete buttons for submitted reports
  • Increase daily/monthly report submission limits
  • Ability to favorite or star specific locomotives
Show 10 more
  • View history of past reports made by user
  • Color-coded report age indicators (green for current, red for old, etc.)
  • Push notifications for units within 50-100 miles
  • Guest mode without account creation requirement
  • Chat feature for railfan community discussion
  • Add more heritage units to database (NS 3625, BNSF H1s, etc.)
  • Unlimited photo uploads for free users
  • Live time and destination information for trains
  • Ability to report multiple units in single photo with highlights
  • Include normal locomotives, not just heritage units

In-app purchases

1 purchases

iRunTrains Lite

One-time1
  • Unlock All Tracks$2.99
2 purchases

Heritage Units

Subscriptions2
  • Ad Free$0.991 Year
  • Premium Membership$5.991 Year

Questions

Is iRunTrains Lite free?
iRunTrains Lite is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Heritage Units free?
Heritage Units is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, iRunTrains Lite or Heritage Units?
iRunTrains Lite is rated higher. iRunTrains Lite averages 4.3 out of 5 from 40 ratings, while Heritage Units averages 4.1 from 258 ratings.
Do iRunTrains Lite or Heritage Units have ads?
Heritage Units shows ads; iRunTrains Lite does not.
Which is updated more often, iRunTrains Lite or Heritage Units?
iRunTrains Lite ships an update every 5 months, and Heritage Units every 10 days. Most recently, iRunTrains Lite was updated on November 1, 2026 and Heritage Units on November 2, 2026.

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