Model Rail vs Fermentation
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- Inspirational layout plans
- Product reviews
- Step-by-step articles
- Read or listen to articles
- Access current and back issues
- Subscriber rewards
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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
Fermentation
Explore the world of culinary fermentation with this magazine app. Discover recipes, expert tips, and in-depth features on creating delicious and healthy fermented foods at home. Perfect for beginners and small business owners alike.
- Expert tips and tricks
- Extensive recipes
- In-depth features on concoctions
- Editorial board insights
- Money-saving culinary techniques
- Health benefits of fermented foods
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Roll up your sleeves and take part in the evolution of this wild culinary phenomenon. Transform daily rituals with fun, fizzy, and flavorful alternatives bolstered by surprising health benefits unique to this incredible food science. You’ll discover how easy and accessible crafting your own money-saving fermented masterpieces can be with Fermentation magazine. Inside each issue you’ll find everything you need to know about the art of fermentation, whether you’re an ambitious amateur or looking to fortify your small business. You'll get tips and tricks from the experts, recipes galore, and in-depth features on some of the most outlandish concoctions we can find. About those experts – you’ll love getting to know our exclusive Editorial Board. Six seasoned authors and entrepreneurs will be on hand to contribute authoritative advice and insight for hobbyists and aspiring professionals alike. You may recognize some of the brilliant minds – and their esteemed works – that we’ve assembled: Chris Colby (Home Brew Recipe Bible), Gianaclis Caldwell (Mastering Artisan Cheesemaking), Jereme Zimmerman (Make Mead Like a Viking), Kirsten K. Shockey (Fiery Ferments), Meredith Leigh (Pure Charcuterie: The Craft & Poetry of Curing Meats at Home), and Victoria Miller (From No-Knead to Sourdough). Fermentation Pricing: • Subscription 1 Month - USD 2.99* • Subscription 1 Year - USD 29.99* * For non-US app stores, the equivalent currency charges will apply. Please note: App subscriptions do not include access to subscription-only content on our website. Additional Subscription Information: • Payment will be charged to iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase. • Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period. • Account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period, and identify the cost of the renewal. • Subscriptions may be managed by the user and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to the user's Account Settings after purchase. • No cancellation of the current subscription is allowed during active subscription period. Privacy Policy - https://bit.ly/2J5Ujfh Terms of Use - https://bit.ly/2J1YZqL • Any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when the user purchases a subscription to that publication, where applicable.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: Model Rail at 51% against Fermentation's 0%. Model Rail also leads on ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 5 months vs every 23 months). Fermentation's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 4.8) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 16.0). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model 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 Rail sells 9 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month and Fermentation sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Fermentation holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Model Rail has 112 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 51% of Model Rail's written reviews are positive against 0% of Fermentation's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.
Model Rail ships an update every 5 months, Fermentation every 23 months. The most recent releases landed on November 6, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Model Rail | Fermentation |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.8 (112 ratings) | 5.0 (2 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 50.8% of reviews — better | 0.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 112 — better | 2 |
| Update frequency | Every 5 months — better | Every 23 months |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | 13.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 97 MB | 38 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Bauer Media (Publishing) | Ogden Publications, Inc. |
Customer experience
Model Rail
Fermentation
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
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- 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
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- 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
Fermentation
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Model Rail
- Model Rail Monthly Sub$2.991 Month
- Free trial - 1 Month1 Month trial$4.991 Month
- Monthly Subscription$4.991 Month
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- Model Rail magazine Subscriptions$9.993 Months
- Model Rail magazine Subscriptions1 Month trial$19.996 Months
- Model Rail Summer Sale Subscription$27.991 Year
- Model Rail - Annual Backissues$32.991 Year
- Model Rail magazine Subscriptions1 Month trial$39.991 Year
- Model Rail Magazine2 variants$2.99
Fermentation
- Monthly Subscription$2.991 Month
- Annual Subscription$29.991 Year
- Fermentation Feed 1$9.99
- Fermentation Feed 2$9.99
- Fermentation Feed 4$9.99
Show 5 moreShow fewer
- Fermentation Feed 96$9.99
- Fermentation Feed 97$9.99
- Fermentation Feed 98$9.99
- Fermentation Feed 99$9.99
- Fermentation Feed 100$9.99
Questions
Is Model Rail free?
Is Fermentation free?
Which has better reviews, Model Rail or Fermentation?
Do Model Rail or Fermentation have ads?
Which is updated more often, Model Rail or Fermentation?
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