Steam Railway vs Fermentation
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Steam Railway
Explore the world of steam railways with news, features, and historical content. Access exclusive member rewards, discounts, and a vast archive of past issues. Enjoy articles with audio options and switch between digital and magazine views.
- Latest steam railway news
- Topical and historical features
- Unlimited archive access
- Member-exclusive rewards
- Read or listen to articles
- Browse current and back issues
- Switch between Digital and Magazine View
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Steam Railway is the ultimate celebration of steam railways, locomotives, rolling stock and much, much more. In addition to all the latest news from the world of steam, we bring you a variety of topical and informative features, together with historical and archive material, whether it’s happening on the main line or on preserved railways large or small. As a Steam Railway member, you will get: - Immediate access to all our content - Unlimited access to our archive - A selection of highlighted articles from the editor - Members-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-members - 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 We also bring you fascinating articles exploring the past, present and future of our railway scene, all backed by stunning photography and incisive comment and analysis from some of the industry’s most respected journalists. With our exciting new digital membership, we now bring you exclusive content, member-only rewards, full access to the archives and more! - All the latest news from the world of preservation, both in the UK and overseas - Dedicated columns on the main line and narrow gauge steam scenes - Exclusive insight and comment from industry leaders and professionals, including the Heritage - Railway Association - The Roster covers overhauls, restorations and running notes from Britain’s steam fleet - One stop guide to forthcoming steam events and galas - Reviews of the latest railway books - Model Shop and Collectors’ Corner – your guide to the worlds of model railways and railwayana - Gallery – the most impressive images from today’s top line side photographers Download today! Please Note: This app is optimised for iOS 14 an up. 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.bauerdatapromise.co.uk
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: Steam Railway at 52% against Fermentation's 0%. Steam Railway 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 4.4) 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. Steam Railway sells 10 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 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Steam Railway has 29 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 52% of Steam Railway'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.
Steam Railway ships an update every 5 months, Fermentation every 23 months. The most recent releases landed on November 10, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Steam Railway | Fermentation |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.4 (29 ratings) | 5.0 (2 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 52.2% of reviews — better | 0.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 29 — 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 | 73 MB | 38 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Bauer Media (Publishing) | Ogden Publications, Inc. |
Customer experience
Steam Railway
Fermentation
In-app purchases
Steam Railway
- Steam Railway 1 Month$2.991 Month
- Free trial - 1 Month1 Month trial$4.991 Month
- Steam Railway Subscriptions$11.993 Months
Show 5 moreShow fewer
- Steam Railway Subscriptions$24.996 Months
- SR Annual - 20% discount$28.491 Year
- Steam Railway -50% Annual Sub1 Year trial$34.991 Year
- Steam Railway Subscriptions1 Month trial$43.991 Year
- Annual Subscription$49.991 Year
- Steam Railway 2016 Issue 455$3.99
- Steam Railway 2016 Issue 456$3.99
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 Steam Railway free?
Is Fermentation free?
Which has better reviews, Steam Railway or Fermentation?
Do Steam Railway or Fermentation have ads?
Which is updated more often, Steam Railway or Fermentation?
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