Comparison

DCC Commander vs TrainNavigator

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

Head to head
About

DCC Commander

Control your model railroad with a DCC-EX Command Station on your iOS device. Manage multiple throttles, program configuration variables, and customize settings for a personalized experience. Enjoy a free, full-featured product with optional subscriptions to remove ads.

Highlights
  • Control up to 10 throttles
  • Configure unlimited cabs
  • Program configuration variables
  • One-time network setup
  • Customizable product settings
  • In-app help page
Features
Read full description

DCC Commander 2.0 lets you operate and manage your model railroad from your iOS device using a compatible DCC Command Station. Requires a DCC-EX Command Station or JMRI WiThrottle server with compatible DCC Command Station. Built for hands-on layout operation, DCC Commander combines multi-cab throttle control, layout viewing, route selection, cab management, turnout definitions, and programming track tools in one app. Features include: - Control multiple throttles from one screen in landscape mode - Use a focused single-throttle view in portrait mode - Assign cabs to throttles with cab IDs, names, and photo images - Configure function buttons, including toggle and momentary behavior - Use software momentum modes for smoother speed changes - View your attached layout directly from the Throttle screen - Swipe across tracks and turnouts to select routes visually - Save and reuse route definitions - Activate turnout routes from the Layout view - Build and edit layout designs with tracks, turnouts, and reusable definitions - Manage turnout templates, turnout definitions, and route definitions - Program cab addresses and CV values on the programming track - Configure saved Command Stations for quick reconnect - Supports DCC-EX network Command Stations - Supports JMRI WiThrottle for compatible throttle operations - Built-in help pages for throttle, cabs, programming, network, builder, settings, workflow, and app information - DCC Commander is free to use after watching a rewarded advertisement, which unlocks throttle access for a 3 hours time. A subscription option is available to remove advertising gates and provide full access. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://electrongoo.com/privacypolicy.html DCC Commander Subscription: A subscription will remove ALL advertisements. Both monthly and annual subscriptions are available. The monthly subscription costs $2.99/Month (USD). The annual subscription costs $29.00/year (USD). Get 12 months for the price of 10 months with an annual subscription. Payment is charged to your iTunes account at confirmation of purchase. Your subscription renews automatically unless you cancel 24 hours before the renewal date. You can manage your subscription in the AppStore on your device. Note: DCC Commander requires compatible model railroad DCC hardware. For DCC-EX Command Station details, visit: https://dcc-ex.com/ex-commandstation/index.html Note: JMRI WiThrottle requires JMRI installation, visit https://www.jmri.org/help/en/html/setup/index.shtml

About

TrainNavigator

Features
Read full description

Simple DCCex controller for model railroad -multiple throttles to control locos -turnouts controller defined in DCCex setup -layout editor with turnout control -auto-discovery of your DCCex server The app needs only access to local network to connect to DCCex permission. Terms of use: https://trainnavigator.fisharea.eu/terms.html

Screenshots

DCC Commander4 screens
TrainNavigator3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: TrainNavigator at every 4 days against DCC Commander's every 3 weeks. TrainNavigator also leads on iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price ยท Rating ยท Positive reviews ยท Number of ratings ยท Update frequency ยท Ads ยท In-app purchases ยท Monetization ยท Best chart rank ยท Devices ยท Requires iOS

CostPrice ยท In-app purchases ยท Ads ยท Monetization

Both are free to download. DCC Commander sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month and TrainNavigator sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $7.99 per year. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

DCC Commander ships an update every 3 weeks, TrainNavigator every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on September 20, 2026 and May 17, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences ยท 6 level
DCC Commander versus TrainNavigator: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDCC CommanderTrainNavigator
PriceFreeFree
Positive reviews100.0% of reviewsโ€”
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 4 days โ€” better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesโ€”
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.012.0 โ€” better
Further details โ€” not scored
Size131 MB28 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperElectrongooMichal Kajaba

In-app purchases

2 purchases

DCC Commander

Subscriptions2
  • DCC Commander - (Monthly)$2.991 Month
  • DCC Commander - (Annual)$29.991 Year
1 purchases

TrainNavigator

Subscriptions1
  • TrainNavigator Premium$7.991 Year

Questions

Is DCC Commander free?
DCC Commander is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is TrainNavigator free?
TrainNavigator is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do DCC Commander or TrainNavigator have ads?
Neither DCC Commander nor TrainNavigator shows ads.
Which is updated more often, DCC Commander or TrainNavigator?
DCC Commander ships an update every 3 weeks, and TrainNavigator every 4 days. Most recently, DCC Commander was updated on September 20, 2026 and TrainNavigator on May 17, 2026.

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