# Train Empire vs Sid Meier’s Railroads!

The clearest difference is price: Sid Meier’s Railroads! at Free against Train Empire's $1.99. Sid Meier’s Railroads! also leads on update cadence (every 5 months vs every 60 months) and rating (4.7 vs 4.3). Train Empire's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and iOS requirement (8.0 vs 15.5). On ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Sid Meier’s Railroads! is free to download; Train Empire costs $1.99 up front. Sid Meier’s Railroads! sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Train Empire asks for nothing beyond the download.

Sid Meier’s Railroads! holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Sid Meier’s Railroads! has 1.4K ratings behind it against 59, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 43% of Train Empire's written reviews are positive against 59% of Sid Meier’s Railroads!'s.

Train Empire ships an update every 60 months, Sid Meier’s Railroads! every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on October 10, 2026 and October 21, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Train Empire | Sid Meier’s Railroads! |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $1.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | [4.3 (59 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/train-empire/id569641118/reviews) | **[4.7 (1.4K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sid-meiers-railroads/id1449719281/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 59 | **1.4K** |
| Positive reviews | 42.9% of reviews | **59.4% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 60 months | **Every 5 months** |
| Monetization | Paid | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Size | 33 MB | 1.6 GB |
| Requires iOS | **8.0** | 15.5 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Playtend Apps LLP](https://appshunter.io/developer/320166203) | [Feral Interactive Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/402470125) |

## What reviewers say

### Train Empire

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/train-empire/id569641118)

Build and manage a sprawling train empire across different historical eras. Pick up and drop off passengers and cargo to earn credits, unlock new engines and cars, and progress through challenging levels. Experience unique soundtracks and detailed map scenes as you master the rails.

**Highlights:** Manage train empire across four historical eras, Pick up and drop off passengers and cargo, Unlock new engines and train cars, 21 engines, 25 freight cars, 20 passenger cars, Unique soundtracks for each era, 20 illustrated map scenes, Game Center integration with leaderboards

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### Sid Meier’s Railroads!

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sid-meiers-railroads/id1449719281)

Become a railroad tycoon by building and managing intricate railway networks. Optimize routes, transport goods and passengers, and grow your profits through shrewd business decisions and innovation. Compete with historical figures to become the greatest rail baron.

**Highlights:** Lay tracks and design routes, Transport freight and passengers, Acquire patents and trade stocks, Build or buy industries, Compete with historical figures, Collect 40 famous trains, Train Table Mode for creative building

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Full Game Unlock | $12.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Great game
- 👍 Faithful port of original
- 🎮 Enjoyable gameplay
- 🎨 Beautiful graphics
- 🕰️ Hours of replay value

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes
- 🔋 Battery draining issues
- 🕹️ Fiddly track laying controls
- 🤖 Subpar AI opponents
- 💰 Expensive for a mobile game

**Reported bugs**

- Disappearing tracks
- Routing issues and inability to connect stations
- Map freezing and becoming unresponsive

**Requested features**

- Larger maps
- More scenarios and campaigns
- Multiplayer mode
- Ability to buy/sell shares
- More train and engine variety


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Train Empire free?

Train Empire costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Sid Meier’s Railroads! free?

Sid Meier’s Railroads! is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Train Empire or Sid Meier’s Railroads!?

Sid Meier’s Railroads! is rated higher. Train Empire averages 4.3 out of 5 from 59 ratings, while Sid Meier’s Railroads! averages 4.7 from 1.4K ratings.

### Do Train Empire or Sid Meier’s Railroads! have ads?

Neither Train Empire nor Sid Meier’s Railroads! shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Train Empire or Sid Meier’s Railroads!?

Train Empire ships an update every 60 months, and Sid Meier’s Railroads! every 5 months. Most recently, Train Empire was updated on October 10, 2026 and Sid Meier’s Railroads! on October 21, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*