Comparison

Train Empire vs Tram Tycoon

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

Head to head
About

Train Empire

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
Read full description

From the makers of Build A Train (downloaded by millions of train lovers worldwide) comes an epic adventure: Train Empire! Master the rails and grow your train empire across time periods: 1850-1900, 1900-1950, 1950-2000 and 2000-2050. Your mission is to pick up and drop off passengers and cargo. Complete your mission on each level and you'll earn credits to unlock faster, stronger engines or new train cars with added capacity for cargo or passengers. But be quick! You'll have to guide your train wisely to deliver everything you need to unlock new levels. Features include: • 21 engines, 25 freight cars and 20 passenger cars • Four eras of train fun, each with unique soundtracks • 20 illustrated map scenes • zoom mode that moves the scene with your train • night mode at the end of each level • tutorial mode on the first level of the game to assist beginners • Game Center integration with leaderboards and achievements All aboard!

About

Tram Tycoon

Manage a city's tram network to transport citizens efficiently before time runs out. Strategically buy, upgrade, and sell tram vehicles and stations to grow your transit empire. Experience a historical journey from 1960 to 2020 with dynamic city growth, weather, and day phases.

Highlights
  • Time management strategy
  • Tram vehicle management
  • City station building and upgrades
  • Historical progression (1960-2020)
  • Dynamic city growth
  • Day/night cycles and weather effects
Features
Read full description

Tram Tycoon is a city railway transportation time management strategy game in which you have to transport as many citizens as possible before the time runs out (do not let them travel by a taxi). It is necessary to regularly buy new tram vehicles (electric city train vehicles), send them to an appropriate rail line, and sell them to replace old ones (accident prevention) to grow your pocket rapid transit business. Tram stops are also an indispensable part of the game. You will be responsible for building, repairing, and upgrading each city train station and of course for the budget of your virtual transport empire. Earn as many experience points as possible on each level before the time runs out. Every tram car has a different capacity and will give you a different amount of experience points for every transported passenger during service, so choose wisely what train to buy before each contract. GAME FEATURES: - 60 absolutely free levels to choose from - 14 tram models (from historic to modern) - Growing cities with many types of buildings - Go through tramway history from 1960 to 2020 - Day phases and different weather conditions - A quick, accessible, well explaining tutorial Set all cities in motion with trams and become a successful traffic giant!

Screenshots

Train Empire4 screens
Tram Tycoon4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Tram Tycoon at Free against Train Empire's $1.99. Tram Tycoon also leads on update cadence (every 4 months vs every 60 months). Train Empire's advantage is rating (4.3 vs 3.0) and in-app purchases (none vs 1). On 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Tram Tycoon is free to download; Train Empire costs $1.99 up front. Tram Tycoon sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Train Empire asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Train Empire holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 3.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Train Empire has 59 ratings behind it against 2, 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 33% of Tram Tycoon's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Train Empire ships an update every 60 months, Tram Tycoon every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on October 23, 2026 and October 8, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard9 real differences · 1 level
Train Empire versus Tram Tycoon: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTrain EmpireTram Tycoon
Price$1.99Free — better
Rating4.3 (59 ratings) — better3.0 (2 ratings)
Positive reviews42.9% of reviews — better33.3% of reviews
Number of ratings59 — better2
Update frequencyEvery 60 monthsEvery 4 months — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS8.0 — better12.2
Further details — not scored
Size33 MB20 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPlaytend Apps LLPDaniel Viktorin

Customer experience

Train Empire

All ratings59 ratings
Positive81.4%
Neutral10.2%
Negative8.5%
Written reviews7 reviews
Positive42.9%
Neutral14.3%
Negative42.9%

Tram Tycoon

All ratings2 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive33.3%
Neutral33.3%
Negative33.3%

In-app purchases

None

Train Empire

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Tram Tycoon

One-time1
  • DISABLE ADS FOREVER$3.99

Questions

Is Train Empire free?
Train Empire costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Tram Tycoon free?
Tram Tycoon is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Train Empire or Tram Tycoon?
Train Empire is rated higher. Train Empire averages 4.3 out of 5 from 59 ratings, while Tram Tycoon averages 3.0 from 2 ratings.
Do Train Empire or Tram Tycoon have ads?
Tram Tycoon shows ads; Train Empire does not.
Which is updated more often, Train Empire or Tram Tycoon?
Train Empire ships an update every 60 months, and Tram Tycoon every 4 months. Most recently, Train Empire was updated on October 23, 2026 and Tram Tycoon on October 8, 2026.

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