Comparison

Model Rail vs Daily Echo

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

Head to head
About

Model Rail

Explore inspirational layout plans, product reviews, and step-by-step guides for model railway enthusiasts. Access current and back issues, read or listen to articles, and enjoy subscriber-exclusive rewards. Perfect for beginners and experienced hobbyists alike.

Highlights
  • Inspirational layout plans
  • Product reviews
  • Step-by-step articles
  • Read or listen to articles
  • Access current and back issues
  • Subscriber rewards
Features
Read full description

Model Rail is Britain's brightest and most informative magazine for model railway fans. We cover every stage of the hobby, from buying a first model train set right through to museum standard fine-scale modelling in a lively style that encourages readers to get involved in the world's greatest hobby. - The finest home and club layouts - Stunning photography - Unbiased and in-depth product reviews - Step-by-step articles - Inspirational layout plans - Expert tips As a Model Rail Subscriber, you will get: - Immediate access to all our content - Unlimited access to our archive - A selection of highlighted articles from the editor - Subscribers-only rewards including discounts, prizes, and freebies Features of the app we love: - Read or listen to articles (choice of three voices) - Browse all current and back issues - Free articles available to non-subscribers - Search content that interests you - Save articles from the content feed to enjoy later - Switch between Digital View and Magazine View for the best experience Whether you're a beginner or an experienced model railway enthusiast, the Model Rail app has something for everyone. Download the app today and join the community of model railway fans. Please Note: This app is optimised for iOS 14 and higher. If you're using an iPad 1 or 2, iPad Mini 1 or iPhone 5 (or before) you may struggle to run this app smoothly. Your subscription will automatically renew each billing period, and you will be charged through your iTunes account within 24-hours prior to the end of the current cycle. You can turn off auto-renew at any time from your iTunes account settings up until 24-hours before the end of the current period, but refunds will not be provided for any unused portion of the term. Please visit our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service for more information: Terms of Use https://www.bauerlegal.co.uk/app-terms-of-use-03032025 Privacy Policy https://www.bauerlegal.co.uk/privacy-policy-20250411

About

Daily Echo

Stay informed with local news, sports, and events from Southampton and surrounding areas. Enjoy ad-free reading, digital newspapers, interactive puzzles, and article audio playback.

Highlights
  • Live breaking news updates
  • Ad-free reading experience
  • Full digital newspaper editions
  • Daily interactive puzzles
  • Article audio player
Features
Read full description

The Daily Echo offers comprehensive coverage of the latest news, sport and events in Southampton, Winchester, Eastleigh, the New Forest and the surrounding areas in Hampshire. We’re committed to delivering quality journalism with a local focus and driving community engagement. The Daily Echo also celebrates the region's cultural vibrancy with features on arts, entertainment and leisure activities, alongside dedicated coverage of Southampton FC. The Daily Echo app is the best way to keep up to date with all the breaking news, sports and events in Hampshire and gives you the following great features… • Live Updates: Get the latest Southampton news, events and sport as it happens • Ad-Free Reading: No ads, no pop-ups, no distractions • Daily Digital Newspapers: Read the paper in full, cover to cover • Interactive Puzzles: Play new crosswords, sudoku and more every day • Article Audio Player: Listen to articles and create content playlists All subscriptions are auto-renewing. Payment for this subscription will be charged to your Apple account upon purchase. The subscription will auto-renew within 24 hours of the current subscription expiring, at the same rate as the initial purchase. Auto-renewing subscriptions can be managed via Account Settings allowing them to be turned off. No cancellations of the current subscription are allowed during the active subscription period. Privacy Policy - https://www.newsquest.co.uk/our-policies/privacy-policy/ Terms of Use - https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Model Rail4 screens
Daily Echo4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Model Rail at 51% against Daily Echo's 6%. Model Rail also leads on monetization model (free with in-app purchases vs subscription). 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. Model Rail sells 13 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month and Daily Echo sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $5.49 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Model Rail ships an update every 5 months, Daily Echo every 4 months. Both last shipped on November 1, 2026.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Model Rail versus Daily Echo: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterModel RailDaily Echo
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (112 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews50.8% of reviews — better5.9% of reviews
Number of ratings112 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 5 monthsEvery 4 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterSubscription
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.015.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size97 MB147 MB
Age rating4+17+
DeveloperBauer Media (Publishing)Newsquest

Customer experience

Model Rail

All ratings109 ratings
Positive97.2%
Neutral0.0%
Negative2.8%
Written reviews59 reviews
Positive50.8%
Neutral5.1%
Negative44.1%

Daily Echo

Written reviews17 reviews
Positive5.9%
Neutral5.9%
Negative88.2%

Bugs and requests

Model Rail

Reported bugs

18 issues
  • Unable to connect to read paid magazines
  • Icons don't work
  • Search is clumsy
  • App does not recognize existing subscribers
  • Cannot download March issue
Show 13 more
  • Lost access to all previously purchased issues
  • Cannot download latest issue
  • App won't open after update
  • New version is very slow
  • Downloaded version is behind printed version
  • Cannot gain access to previously paid editions
  • Cannot download latest edition despite paying
  • App doesn't remember your position
  • Toolbars stay in place as you read
  • Download stuck at 95%
  • App force closing constantly
  • Downloads collapse and stop at 85%
  • Download stopped at 5%

Requested features

15 requests
  • More reader layouts for pleasure
  • Invite readers to submit photos of their creations
  • App to view on a PC
  • Dark mode option
  • Ability to turn off notifications
Show 10 more
  • Unsubscribe button for emails
  • Option to revert to old app version
  • Improve zoom ability
  • Fix page joins in landscape mode
  • Proper full screen view
  • Remember current location when switching apps
  • Improve download speeds
  • Allow streaming
  • Fix blurred pages
  • Add more additional features

Daily Echo

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

13 purchases

Model Rail

Subscriptions12
  • Model Rail Monthly Sub$2.991 Month
  • Free trial - 1 Month1 Month trial2 variants$4.991 Month
  • Monthly Subscription$4.991 Month
Show 9 more
  • Model Rail magazine Subscriptions$9.993 Months
  • Model Rail magazine Subscriptions1 Month trial$19.996 Months
  • MR Annual - 20% discount$24.991 Year
  • Model Rail Summer Sale Subscription$27.991 Year
  • Model Rail SubDiscount 2599$28.491 Year
  • Model Rail 50% Annual Sub1 Year trial$30.991 Year
  • Model Rail - Annual Backissues$32.991 Year
  • Model Rail magazine Subscriptions1 Month trial$39.991 Year
  • Annual Subscription$49.991 Year
One-time1
  • Model Rail Magazine3 variants$2.99
3 purchases

Daily Echo

Subscriptions3
  • Monthly Subscription$5.491 Month
  • 6 Month Subscription$29.996 Months
  • Annual Subscription$59.991 Year

Questions

Is Model Rail free?
Model Rail is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Daily Echo free?
Daily Echo is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Model Rail or Daily Echo have ads?
Neither Model Rail nor Daily Echo shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Model Rail or Daily Echo?
Model Rail ships an update every 5 months, and Daily Echo every 4 months. Most recently, Model Rail was updated on November 1, 2026 and Daily Echo on November 1, 2026.

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