Comparison

Z21 mobile vs Heatfan Controller

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

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • Connect to Z21 Digital Center
  • Manage locomotive libraries
  • Control locomotives (DCC/Motorola)
  • Program digital components
  • Intuitive graphic interface
  • Locomotive function control
Read full description

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.

About

Heatfan Controller

Read full description

The Heatfan App makes your heating smarter, more efficient, and fully controllable. Simply pair your Heatfan Wi‑Fi Controller to the app to take full command of your radiator fans—from anywhere. Key Features: Smart Fan Control Set a temperature‑sensitive modulation curve so that fans adjust their speed automatically based on radiator surface temperature. There are five automatic heating levels plus a sixth Boost/Cooling mode for maximum airflow on hot days or rapid heat-up moments Scheduling & Timers Schedule when fans should operate at higher or lower power—for example, quieter during nighttime or boosted during peak heating times. Live & Historical Graphs Monitor radiator temperatures in all rooms in real time, and review trends via clear, interactive graphs. This gives you actionable insight to optimize comfort and efficiency Individual Room Control Manage up to 10 Heatfan units (up to 50 fans) individually. Fine‑tune speed curves and schedules per room for precise heating behavior Energy Savings & Efficiency Heatfans enhance radiator performance by 15–20% and can reduce gas usage by up to 30%. With low energy consumption—approximately 1 kWh/year per unit—the savings far outweigh the tiny operating cost of about €0.20 per year Ultra‑Quiet Operation Operating quieter than 20 dB in normal modes, and only louder in Boost/Cooling mode, the Heatfan remains virtually silent during everyday use Why use the Heatfan App? Achieve faster, more even warmth across rooms Fine‑tune fan speed and response based on real temperature data Reduce your energy bills and CO₂ footprint Monitor everything conveniently via your smartphone Install the Heatfan App today to connect your smart controller, track temperatures, and manage your home heating with precision—wherever you are.

Screenshots

Z21 mobile3 screens
Heatfan Controller4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is iOS requirement: Z21 mobile at 6.1.6 against Heatfan Controller's 15.1. On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 23, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
Z21 mobile versus Heatfan Controller: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterZ21 mobileHeatfan Controller
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (5 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews50.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings5 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS6.1.6 — better15.1
Further details — not scored
Size27 MB66 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperModelleisenbahn GmbHHeatFan

In-app purchases

None

Z21 mobile

No in-app purchases

None

Heatfan Controller

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Z21 mobile free?
Z21 mobile is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Heatfan Controller free?
Heatfan Controller is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Z21 mobile or Heatfan Controller have ads?
Neither Z21 mobile nor Heatfan Controller shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Z21 mobile or Heatfan Controller?
Z21 mobile ships an update every 2 months, and Heatfan Controller every 2 months. Most recently, Z21 mobile was updated on October 23, 2026 and Heatfan Controller on October 24, 2026.

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