# Train Empire vs train games

The clearest difference is price: train games at Free against Train Empire's $1.99. train games also leads on update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 60 months) and review sentiment (65% vs 43%). Train Empire's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 10) and ads (none vs shown). On rating and device support there is nothing between them.

train games is free to download; Train Empire costs $1.99 up front. train games sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. Train Empire asks for nothing beyond the download.

train games holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 4.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 59 and 208 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 43% of Train Empire's written reviews are positive against 65% of train games's.

Train Empire ships an update every 60 months, train games every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and November 7, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Train Empire | train games |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $1.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | [4.3 (59 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/train-empire/id569641118/reviews) | **[4.5 (208 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/train-games-chicago-train/id1515318781/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 59 | **208** |
| Positive reviews | 42.9% of reviews | **65.4% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 60 months | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | Paid | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Size | 33 MB | 107 MB |
| Requires iOS | **8.0** | 13.3 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Playtend Apps LLP](https://appshunter.io/developer/320166203) | [Cezary Tomczak](https://appshunter.io/developer/1076101131) |

## 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


### train games

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/train-games-chicago-train/id1515318781)

Manage a rail empire in this train simulator. Build networks, optimize cargo routes, and operate iconic steam and modern trains. Experience strategic tycoon gameplay with realistic simulation.

**Highlights:** Master freight transport and optimize routes, Operate iconic steam and modern trains, Manage train stations and rail yards, Expand rail network across Chicago, Strategic tycoon gameplay and realistic simulation, Stunning steam era graphics, Complete achievements and challenges

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

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Item no 1 | $1.99 | one-time |
| Item no 2 | $1.99 | one-time |
| Golden coins | $2.99 | one-time |
| NO ADS | $3.99 | one-time |
| Mega pack -30% SALE | $6.99 | one-time |
| All items | $8.99 | one-time |
| Blue Hats Mega Bundle | $9.99 | one-time |
| Mega golden coins | $9.99 | one-time |
| Mega pack | $11.99 | one-time |
| Ultra Pack | $41.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Great game for railfans
- 👍 Grind-free tycoon experience
- 👍 Realistic trains
- 👍 Uses Google Maps
- 👍 Amazing trains

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Game is broken
- 🐛 Can't unlock rewards
- 🐛 Can't get new buildings
- 🐛 Counters show 0
- 🐛 Worried game may crash

**Reported bugs**

- Reward timers show 0
- Cannot unlock rewards
- Cannot acquire new buildings
- Resource counters show 0
- Game may crash

**Requested features**

- Fix reward timers
- Fix building acquisition
- Fix resource counters
- Fix train accommodation
- Explain electric train dispatch


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Train Empire free?

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

### Is train games free?

train games is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Train Empire or train games?

train games is rated higher. Train Empire averages 4.3 out of 5 from 59 ratings, while train games averages 4.5 from 208 ratings.

### Do Train Empire or train games have ads?

train games shows ads; Train Empire does not.

### Which is updated more often, Train Empire or train games?

Train Empire ships an update every 60 months, and train games every 3 weeks. Most recently, Train Empire was updated on November 1, 2026 and train games on November 7, 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.*