# Model Engineer vs British Railway Modelling

The clearest difference is rating: British Railway Modelling at 4.8 against Model Engineer's 4.4. British Railway Modelling also leads on update cadence (every 7 months vs every 16 months). Model Engineer's advantage is iOS requirement (11.2 vs 15.6). On price, review sentiment, ratings volume and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Model Engineer sells 15 in-app purchases, starting at $22.99 per 3 months and British Railway Modelling sells 25 in-app purchases, starting at $4.49 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

British Railway Modelling holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 12 and 19 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 50% and 50% positive.

Model Engineer ships an update every 16 months, British Railway Modelling every 7 months. The most recent releases landed on September 4, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Model Engineer | British Railway Modelling |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.4 (12 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/model-engineer/id584847270/reviews) | **[4.8 (19 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/british-railway-modelling/id586208605/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 12 | **19** |
| Positive reviews | 50.0% of reviews | 50.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 16 months | **Every 7 months** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 27 MB | 23 MB |
| Requires iOS | **11.2** | 15.6 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Mortons Media Group Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/510309961) | [Warners Group Publications PLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/586192010) |

## What reviewers say

### Model Engineer

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/model-engineer/id584847270)

Explore the world of mechanical models, from vintage steam locomotives to modern engineering marvels. Access constructional articles, technique guides, and prototype profiles. Published 26 times a year, this app offers current and back issues for purchase.

**Highlights:** Constructional articles, Technique and tool guides, Prototype profiles, Current and back issue purchases, Digital subscription options, Cross-platform access via pocketmags account

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

**In-app purchases (15)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Model Engineer Auto-Renewable Subscriptions | $22.99 | per 3 months |
| Model Engineer Auto-Renewable Subscriptions | $44.99 | per 6 months |
| Model Engineer Auto-Renewable Subscriptions | $51.99 | per year |
| Vol. 209 No. 4438 (id:377458) | $3.99 | one-time |
| 4528 (id:413119) | $3.99 | one-time |
| 4529 (id:413121) | $3.99 | one-time |
| 4536 (id:413135) | $3.99 | one-time |
| 4540 (id:413143) | $3.99 | one-time |
| 4670 (id:493511) | $3.99 | one-time |
| 4527 (id:370106) | $3.99 | one-time |
| 4525 (id:379801) | $3.99 | one-time |
| No. 214 Vol. 4506 (id:403682) | $3.99 | one-time |
| 4582 (id:450649) | $3.99 | one-time |
| 25 Years of Mod... (id:799136) | $6.99 | one-time |
| The Best of Mod... (id:807404) | $7.99 | one-time |


### British Railway Modelling

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/british-railway-modelling/id586208605)

This app offers a digital edition of a popular model railway magazine, featuring layouts, practical advice, and product reviews. It includes bonus content like extra pictures and videos, and provides access to exhibitions. Save money by downloading the app and purchasing issues or subscriptions digitally.

**Highlights:** Digital magazine issues, Model layout photography, Practical modelling advice, Product reviews, Bonus digital content, Exhibition information

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

**In-app purchases (25)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| British Railway Modelling Auto Subscriptions | $4.49 | per month |
| BRM Auto Renewable Subscription | $5.99 | per month |
| British Railway Modelling Auto Subscriptions | $18.99 | per 6 months |
| BRM Auto Renewable Subscription | $28.49 | per 6 months |
| British Railway Modelling Auto Subscriptions | $58.99 | per year |
| BRM Auto Renewable Subscription | $58.99 | per year |
| British Railway... (id:480529) | $2.99 | one-time |
| World of Railwa... (id:649037) | $2.99 | one-time |
| Guide to Scenery (id:714658) | $2.99 | one-time |
| Guide to Weathe... (id:725464) | $2.99 | one-time |
| Best of BRM Sp... (pp:1023631) | $3.99 | one-time |
| BRM Guide to La... (id:485355) | $3.99 | one-time |
| Guide to Modell... (id:774753) | $4.99 | one-time |
| August 2014 *BU... (id:796711) | $5.99 | one-time |
| The BRM guide t... (id:796865) | $5.99 | one-time |
| The BRM Guide T... (id:792636) | $5.99 | one-time |
| The BRM guide t... (id:792639) | $5.99 | one-time |
| The BRM guide t... (id:789234) | $5.99 | one-time |
| Nov 2022 (id:782177) | $5.99 | one-time |
| Jul-23 (id:725452) | $5.99 | one-time |
| Dec 24 (pp:1001681) | $5.99 | one-time |
| BRM ANNUAL 2013 (id:796509) | $5.99 | one-time |
| BRM Live (id:796650) | $5.99 | one-time |
| BRM Live - Camp... (id:796647) | $5.99 | one-time |
| Feb 26 (pp:1126780) | $6.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Model Engineer free?

Model Engineer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is British Railway Modelling free?

British Railway Modelling is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Model Engineer or British Railway Modelling?

British Railway Modelling is rated higher. Model Engineer averages 4.4 out of 5 from 12 ratings, while British Railway Modelling averages 4.8 from 19 ratings.

### Do Model Engineer or British Railway Modelling have ads?

Neither Model Engineer nor British Railway Modelling shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Model Engineer or British Railway Modelling?

Model Engineer ships an update every 16 months, and British Railway Modelling every 7 months. Most recently, Model Engineer was updated on September 4, 2026 and British Railway Modelling on September 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.*