Comparison

Fast Clock vs Rail Roster

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

Head to head
About

Fast Clock

This application simulates a fast clock for model railroads. It allows for custom logos and maps, and can synchronize with external systems like JMRI or use real-time.

Highlights
  • Model railroad fast clock simulation
  • Custom logo support
  • Custom map integration
  • JMRI time synchronization
  • Real-time clock option
Features
Read full description

A model railroad fast clock app Supports custom logos Supports custom maps Can read time from JMRI, the built-in fast clock, or real time

About

Rail Roster

Manage and catalog your model train collection with detailed records for trains, accessories, and consists. Track specifications, purchase history, and operational details, with powerful search and filtering tools. Visualize your collection's growth and value with insightful dashboards and charts.

Highlights
  • Catalog trains, accessories, and consists
  • Detailed model and prototype specifications
  • Track electronics, operation, and maintenance
  • Purchase history and value tracking
  • Photo support with galleries
  • Consist building and analysis tools
  • Collection insights and charts
Features
Read full description

Rail Roster helps model railroad hobbyists catalog trains, accessories, and consists with rich details, photos, and collection insights. Keep your entire roster in one place. Track model specs, electronics, condition, pricing, prototype info, and notes, then quickly find items with powerful search, sorting, and filters. Key Features • Track trains, accessories, and consists in one collection • Rich train records: category, locomotive type, road name/number, model number, livery, scale, era, coupler type, and notes • Prototype reference fields: builder, operator, dates, wheel arrangement, gauge, speed, horsepower, tractive effort, and more • Electronics and operation tracking: DCC, decoder/address, sound, lights, smoke, dummy units, and maintenance flags • NMRA weight guidance with compliance targets and status • Purchase tracking: date, location, price paid, and MSRP • Photo support across trains, accessories, and consists with thumbnail strips plus full-screen, swipeable, zoomable galleries • Consist tools: member ordering/roles/direction, readiness score, coupler consistency, DCC/DC mix, NMRA compliance, and aggregate stats (length, weight, paid value, MSRP) • Collection Info dashboard: inventory totals and value summary, plus premium charts for category, scale, era, locomotive type, DCC vs DC, NMRA compliance, and collection growth • Fast search, sort, and filter chips (category, scale, era, manufacturer, purchase location, coupler type, locomotive type, DCC, dummy, NMRA, and photo status) • iCloud sync diagnostics with account status, last sync/check timestamps, and detailed sync error history • Preferences and personalization: default scale and alternate app icons Rail Roster is built for collectors who want a clean, visual, data-rich way to manage and grow their model railroad fleet. Premium unlocks unlimited inventory/photos, advanced charts, and all custom app icons. Privacy Policy: https://www.roboticsnailsoftware.com/work/railroster/privacy-policy Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Fast Clock4 screens
Rail Roster4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Rail Roster at 5.0 against Fast Clock's 3.8. Fast Clock's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 5) and update cadence (every 2 days vs weekly). On price, ads 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Rail Roster sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per year. Fast Clock asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Rail Roster holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Fast Clock has 5 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Fast Clock ships an update every 2 days, Rail Roster weekly. Both last shipped on October 7, 2026.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Fast Clock versus Rail Roster: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFast ClockRail Roster
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.8 (5 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews25.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings5 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 2 days — betterWeekly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, Mac — better
Requires iOS15.6 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size5 MB128 MB
Age rating4++4
DeveloperKevin SnowRobotic Snail Software LLC

Customer experience

Fast Clock

All ratings5 ratings
Positive40.0%
Neutral60.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive25.0%
Neutral75.0%
Negative0.0%

Rail Roster

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Fast Clock

No in-app purchases

5 purchases

Rail Roster

Subscriptions1
  • Premium - Yearly1 Month trial$4.991 Year
One-time4
  • Small Tip$0.99
  • Medium Tip$2.99
  • Large Tip$4.99
Show 1 more
  • Premium - Lifetime$19.99

Questions

Is Fast Clock free?
Fast Clock is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Rail Roster free?
Rail Roster is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Fast Clock or Rail Roster?
Rail Roster is rated higher. Fast Clock averages 3.8 out of 5 from 5 ratings, while Rail Roster averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Fast Clock or Rail Roster have ads?
Neither Fast Clock nor Rail Roster shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Fast Clock or Rail Roster?
Fast Clock ships an update every 2 days, and Rail Roster weekly. Most recently, Fast Clock was updated on October 7, 2026 and Rail Roster on October 7, 2026.

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