Z21 mobile vs Dremel
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Z21 mobile
Control your model train layout and locomotives from your iOS device. Manage your locomotive library, program digital components, and operate trains with touch controls. A demo mode is available.
- Connect to Z21 Digital Center
- Manage locomotive libraries
- Control locomotives (DCC/Motorola)
- Program digital components
- Intuitive graphic interface
- Locomotive function control
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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-Mobile-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.
Dremel
This app connects to a smart rotary tool to provide usage insights, performance alerts, and speed recommendations. It helps users find the right accessories and settings for their projects, monitor tool battery life, and manage tool health.
- Bluetooth pairing with smart rotary tool
- Accessory and speed recommendations
- Tool dashboard with battery and usage time
- Performance alerts and preventative tips
- Accessory guides for various Dremel tools
- Material guide for rotary tool accessories
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INTRODUCING THE DREMEL 8260. THE WORLD’S FIRST BRUSHLESS SMART ROTARY TOOL PROVIDING SUPERIOR PERFORMANCE, USAGE INSIGHTS, PERFORMANCE ALERTS AND SPEED RECOMMENDATIONS. CONTROL: Find the right rotary accessory and speed for your project. Choose from over 170 combinations of materials, applications and accessories to get the most out of your Dremel rotary tool. Set the recommended speed right from the app. MONITOR: Your tool dashboard shows the exact battery % left in your 8260 and the amount of usage time (in minutes) left in your tool. See the tool and battery’s operating temperature using a green, yellow and red status indicator. MANAGE: Receive performance alerts and preventative tips for when your tool is overheating, overloading and when your battery is low. View your alerts and tips in an Alert Center. BLUETOOTH PAIRING: Quickly connect your 8260 to your app with a guided pairing process. An 8260 can be paired to many smart devices but will only be allowed to be actively paired to one device at a time. Add multiple 8260 rotary tools to one device. CUSTOM NAME: Give your tool a unique and personalized name in the app. ADDITIONAL FEATURES FOR DREMEL TOOL OWNERS ACCESSORY GUIDES: Explore the hundreds of Dremel Accessories for Rotary Tools, Oscillating, Compact Saws and Versa Power Cleaning tools with handy interactive accessory guides. MATERIAL GUIDE for Rotary Tools: Find the right accessory and speed recommendations for your Rotary Tool based on 9 popular materials (Softwood, Hardwood, Steel, Plastic/Laminates, Aluminum/Brass, Ceramic, Shell/Stone, Glass and Drywall). Explore over 50 accessory types intended to perform a variety of applications (Carving/Engraving, Routing, Grinding/Sharpening, Cutting, Cleaning/Polishing, Sanding, Drilling, Grout Removal) SIMPLE SUPPORT: Reach Dremel customer support by phone or email quickly and easily.
Screenshots
Verdict
Z21 mobile and Dremel both sit at 4.4 stars, but that hides the real split: 50% of Z21 mobile's written reviews are positive against 21% of Dremel's. Z21 mobile also leads on iOS requirement (6.1.6 vs 18.0). Dremel's advantage is ratings volume (19 vs 5). On price, rating, update cadence and ads 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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.4 for Z21 mobile against 4.4 for Dremel. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 5 and 19 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 50% of Z21 mobile's written reviews are positive against 21% of Dremel's.
Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 11, 2026 and October 12, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Z21 mobile | Dremel |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.4 (5 ratings) | 4.4 (19 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 50.0% of reviews — better | 21.4% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 5 | 19 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 2 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 6.1.6 — better | 18.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 27 MB | 193 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Modelleisenbahn GmbH | Bosch US |
Customer experience
Z21 mobile
Dremel
In-app purchases
Z21 mobile
No in-app purchases
Dremel
No in-app purchases









