Comparison

Z21 mobile HD vs Model Train Script

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

Head to head
About

Z21 mobile HD

Control your model train layout and locomotives directly from your iOS device. Manage your locomotive library, program digital components, and operate trains with intuitive touch controls. A demo mode is available for exploration.

Highlights
  • Connect to Z21 Digital Center
  • Manage locomotive libraries
  • Control locomotives with DCC/Motorola decoders
  • Program digital components
  • Intuitive graphic interface
  • Assign custom locomotive images
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

Model Train Script

Features
Read full description

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!

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is iOS requirement: Z21 mobile HD at 5.1.1 against Model Train Script's 18.6. 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. Z21 mobile HD sells 3 one-off in-app purchases and Model Train Script sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Z21 mobile HD ships an update monthly, Model Train Script every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 18, 2026 and October 4, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
Z21 mobile HD versus Model Train Script: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterZ21 mobile HDModel Train Script
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (3 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews57.1% of reviews—
Number of ratings3 — better—
Update frequencyMonthlyEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPadiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS5.1.1 — better18.6
Further details — not scored
Size46 MB46 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperModelleisenbahn GmbHArjan Pragt

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Z21 mobile HD

One-time3
  • BR52$10.99
  • RH 109.13$10.99
  • BR103$10.99
2 purchases

Model Train Script

One-time2
  • Donation for ModelTrainScript$9.00
  • License$12.99

Questions

Is Z21 mobile HD free?
Z21 mobile HD is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Model Train Script free?
Model Train Script is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Z21 mobile HD or Model Train Script have ads?
Neither Z21 mobile HD nor Model Train Script shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Z21 mobile HD or Model Train Script?
Z21 mobile HD ships an update monthly, and Model Train Script every 3 weeks. Most recently, Z21 mobile HD was updated on September 18, 2026 and Model Train Script on October 4, 2026.

Other comparisons