# DCC Commander vs Poor Man's Throttle

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Poor Man's Throttle at none against DCC Commander's 2. Poor Man's Throttle also leads on update cadence (every 3 days vs every 3 weeks). On price, review sentiment, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. DCC Commander sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Poor Man's Throttle asks for nothing beyond the download.

DCC Commander ships an update every 3 weeks, Poor Man's Throttle every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on October 7, 2026 and October 10, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | DCC Commander | Poor Man's Throttle |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | **[5.0 (4 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/poor-mans-throttle/id6760155416/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | — | **4** |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | **Every 3 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 131 MB | 110 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Electrongoo](https://appshunter.io/developer/351416422) | [James Theimer](https://appshunter.io/developer/1003785136) |

## What reviewers say

### DCC Commander

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dcc-commander/id6498150761)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| DCC Commander - (Monthly) | $2.99 | per month |
| DCC Commander - (Annual) | $29.99 | per year |


### Poor Man's Throttle

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/poor-mans-throttle/id6760155416)

Transform your smartphone into a wireless throttle for model trains. This app enables smooth, responsive control of locomotives using inexpensive electronics and your phone, ideal for DIY enthusiasts and hobbyists looking for an affordable wireless solution.

**Highlights:** Wireless smartphone throttle, PWM motor control for smooth operation, Control speed, direction, and stop, DIY hardware integration, Affordable components, Ideal for DC and dead-rail layouts

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is DCC Commander free?

DCC Commander is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Poor Man's Throttle free?

Poor Man's Throttle is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Do DCC Commander or Poor Man's Throttle have ads?

Neither DCC Commander nor Poor Man's Throttle shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, DCC Commander or Poor Man's Throttle?

DCC Commander ships an update every 3 weeks, and Poor Man's Throttle every 3 days. Most recently, DCC Commander was updated on October 7, 2026 and Poor Man's Throttle on October 10, 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.*