Comparison

Model Inventory vs ThrottleCard

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

Head to head
About

Model Inventory

This app helps model railroad enthusiasts organize their collections. Track locomotives, rolling stock, structures, and accessories with custom categories, purchase details, photos, and notes. It's ideal for managing your collection and for use at train shows.

Highlights
  • Track locomotives, rolling stock, structures, scenery, accessories
  • Create custom categories
  • Log purchase date and cost
  • Store photos
  • Add notes
  • Useful for train shows and swap meets
Features
Read full description

Easy-to-use inventory system for tracking your model railroad locomotives, rolling stock, structures, scenery and accessories. Create custom categories, log item purchase date and cost, store photos, and make notes. Perfect to take to train shows and swap meets.

About

ThrottleCard

Control your model railroad with this app featuring vintage-inspired controls and realistic animations. It supports multiple trains, game controllers, and offers advanced features like turnout and route control. A free version is available, with a premium subscription for enhanced functionality.

Highlights
  • Multi-throttle support
  • Vintage-inspired controls
  • Game controller integration
  • Automatic command station discovery
  • Turnout and route control
  • Apple Watch support
Features
Read full description

All aboard! Take control of your model railroad with this elegantly designed app that brings vintage charm to modern model train control. Whether you're a seasoned engineer or just starting your journey in model railroading, ThrottleCard delivers powerful features wrapped in a beautiful, easy-to-use interface. Hear what the community is saying: "FINALLY! The BEST Model Railroad Mobile App for IPhone?" - DIY and Digital Railroad YouTube Channel KEY FEATURES: * Control multiple trains simultaneously with intuitive multi-throttle support * Beautiful vintage-inspired gauges and controls with realistic animations * Game Controller Support! Easily drive your Trains with a PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, or MFi Game Controller with pre-mapped buttons * Landscape mode on iPhone is optimized for excellent compatibility with handheld MFi Game Controllers. * Easily create consists on the fly right from within the app * Automatic command station discovery * Comprehensive locomotive function control * Full turnout (switch) control * Routes Support * Fast Clock Support * Supports WiThrottle and DCC-EX Protocols * Roster with locomotive images * A variety of classic railroad inspired themes * Haptic Feedback for intuitive responsiveness and operation * Mirror-Mode mode for comfortable operation in either hand * Multiple classic railroad-inspired themes * iPad support * Apple Watch Support With many more exciting features in the roadmap! To use ThrottleCard, simply connect to any WiThrottle Protocol enabled command station including JMRI, DCC-EX, and various commercial offerings. ThrottleCard can be used for free without a subscription to control the speed, direction, and functions of a single locomotive at a time, throw turnouts, and change to any of the railroad inspired themes. Subscribe to Premium for $0.99/Month or $9.99/Year - 16% off - to unlock the ability to control multiple trains (cards), multiple locomotives in a consist, game controllers, routes, locomotive programming* and to support the future development of additional, exciting features! We’ll even give you a week free to try it out. ThrottleCard Watch will mirror the throttles you have setup on your phone and will allow for remote control of speed with the Digital Crown as well as light, horn, and bell control right from your wrist. For best results, change the "Return to Clock" settings for ThrottleCard watch to "After 1 Hour" by going to Settings (on watch or watch iOS app) > General > Return To Clock > ThrottleCard > Choose "Custom" > Choose "After 1 Hour" below. This will keep ThrottleCard open on your watch longer while it's in the foreground. We’re committed to making the best tools possible for the model railroad community and would love to hear your feedback on the features you’d like to see next. Get started with the latest in model railroading today! *DCC-EX Command Station is required for locomotive programming. The ‘WiThrottle protocol’ is a communications protocol developed by Brett Hoffman. ‘WiThrottle’ is a trademark owned by Brett Hoffman. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://throttlecard.com/privacy.html

Screenshots

Model Inventory4 screens
ThrottleCard4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: ThrottleCard at 4.3 against Model Inventory's 3.1. ThrottleCard also leads on review sentiment (50% vs 24%) and update cadence (weekly vs every 4 weeks). Model Inventory's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and ads (none vs shown). On price, ratings volume 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. ThrottleCard sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Model Inventory asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

ThrottleCard holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 3.1. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 9 and 14 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 24% of Model Inventory's written reviews are positive against 50% of ThrottleCard's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Model Inventory ships an update every 4 weeks, ThrottleCard weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 20, 2026 and October 21, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Model Inventory versus ThrottleCard: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterModel InventoryThrottleCard
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.1 (9 ratings)4.3 (14 ratings) — better
Positive reviews24.4% of reviews50.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings914 — better
Update frequencyEvery 4 weeksWeekly — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Vision Pro — better
Requires iOS9.0 — better17.5
Further details — not scored
Size10 MB117 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperWoodland ScenicsRyan Gant

Customer experience

Model Inventory

All ratings9 ratings
Positive44.4%
Neutral22.2%
Negative33.3%
Written reviews41 reviews
Positive24.4%
Neutral14.6%
Negative61.0%

ThrottleCard

All ratings11 ratings
Positive72.7%
Neutral18.2%
Negative9.1%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral25.0%
Negative25.0%

In-app purchases

None

Model Inventory

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

ThrottleCard

Subscriptions2
  • ThrottleCard Premium - Monthly7 Days trial$0.991 Month
  • ThrottleCard Premium - Yearly7 Days trial$9.991 Year

Questions

Is Model Inventory free?
Model Inventory is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is ThrottleCard free?
ThrottleCard is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Model Inventory or ThrottleCard?
ThrottleCard is rated higher. Model Inventory averages 3.1 out of 5 from 9 ratings, while ThrottleCard averages 4.3 from 14 ratings.
Do Model Inventory or ThrottleCard have ads?
ThrottleCard shows ads; Model Inventory does not.
Which is updated more often, Model Inventory or ThrottleCard?
Model Inventory ships an update every 4 weeks, and ThrottleCard weekly. Most recently, Model Inventory was updated on October 20, 2026 and ThrottleCard on October 21, 2026.

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