Z21 mobile vs Model Train Script
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.
Model Train Script
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ModelTrainScript offers you easy automation of your Z21 or ECoS controlled model train layout. It allows you to configure and run simple automation scripts directly from you iPhone, iPad or Mac. There are a lot of great open source solutions available to automate your layout, however ModelTrainScript has the focus to make automation as easy as possible. We try to do that by offering a user friendly interface for composing scripts and by reducing the amount of physical components you need. No need for a dedicated computer as central unit, just connect your iPhone (or iPad/Mac) and you are ready to go. In short ModelTrainScript has the following features: - Provide easy automation of your layout with scripts - Manual control your layout with graphical representation - Provide a catalog of your vehicle collection - Data is synced via iCloud over all your Apple devices - Ability to use your device camera to control your vehicles ModelTrainScript requires a command station supporting the Z21 or ECoS lan protocol, it supports the following standards: - Feedback: RBus, CBus and LBus (LocoNet) - RailCom (over CBus, LocoNet and ECoSLink) for occupancy detection. For more information visit our website or feel free to contact us in case of any questions or feedback!
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Z21 mobile at none against Model Train Script's 2. Z21 mobile also leads on iOS requirement (6.1.6 vs 18.6). Model Train Script's advantage is update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 2 months). On price, ads and device support 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. Model Train Script sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. Z21 mobile asks for nothing beyond the download.
Z21 mobile ships an update every 2 months, Model Train Script every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and September 17, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Z21 mobile | Model Train Script |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.4 (5 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 50.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 5 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 3 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 6.1.6 — better | 18.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 27 MB | 46 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Modelleisenbahn GmbH | Arjan Pragt |
In-app purchases
Z21 mobile
No in-app purchases
Model Train Script
- Donation for ModelTrainScript$9.00
- License$12.99
Questions
Is Z21 mobile free?
Is Model Train Script free?
Do Z21 mobile or Model Train Script have ads?
Which is updated more often, Z21 mobile or Model Train Script?
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