Comparison

DCC vs TrainNavigator

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

Head to head
About

DCC

Transform your mobile devices into wireless controllers for your model railroad. Manage trains, signals, and accessories remotely without wired connections. Ideal for seamless operation around your layout.

Highlights
  • Handheld model railroad controller
  • Wireless train operation
  • Control signals and turnouts
  • Accessory control
  • Seamless layout movement
Features
Read full description

DCC-EX Cab is an application that turns your devices into handheld controllers for your model railroad. With DCC-EX Cab you can follow your trains around your layout without having to worry about plugging and unplugging a wired device as you move along. Using a wireless network connection and a DCC-EX command station connected to the network, DCC-EX Cab can be used to run trains and for controlling signals, turnouts, and other accessories that are configured in the command station.

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

DCC4 screens
TrainNavigator3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: TrainNavigator at every 4 days against DCC's every 2 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 · 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. DCC sells 5 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 ships an update every 2 weeks, TrainNavigator every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on August 13, 2026 and May 17, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
DCC versus TrainNavigator: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDCCTrainNavigator
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.0 (4 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings4 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeksEvery 4 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.012.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size120 MB28 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperKostiantyn KolesnikMichal Kajaba

In-app purchases

5 purchases

DCC

Subscriptions4
  • Cloud services, monthly$2.991 Month
  • Premium control, monthly$7.991 Month
  • Ultimate, monthly$12.991 Month
Show 1 more
  • Premium control, annually$39.991 Year
One-time1
  • Premium control, life-time$119.99
1 purchases

TrainNavigator

Subscriptions1
  • TrainNavigator Premium$7.991 Year

Questions

Is DCC free?
DCC is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is TrainNavigator free?
TrainNavigator is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do DCC or TrainNavigator have ads?
Neither DCC nor TrainNavigator shows ads.
Which is updated more often, DCC or TrainNavigator?
DCC ships an update every 2 weeks, and TrainNavigator every 4 days. Most recently, DCC was updated on August 13, 2026 and TrainNavigator on May 17, 2026.

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