DCC vs RailPilot
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
DCC
Transform your devices into powerful controllers for your DCC-EX command station. Manage locomotives, control track elements, and access diagnostic tools. Supports various input methods for a customized experience.
- Locomotive control (speed, direction, functions)
- Roster and inventory management
- Turnout and output control
- Route and automation activation
- CV reading and writing
- Diagnostics and station display mirror
- Bluetooth, gamepad, and keyboard support
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DCC-EX Cab is the number one application that turns your devices into controllers for your DCC-EX command station. • Drive locomotives: speed, direction, functions, emergency stop • Manage your roster, inventory, and consists • Pick locomotive and rolling stock pictures from the built-in and shared catalogs or use your own • Control turnouts, turntables, outputs, and sensors • Start routes and automations • Set the mode and power of each track • Read and write CVs on the programming track or on the main • Many tools for setting up and testing locomotives and layout hardware • Diagnostics and a mirror of the station's display • Use Bluetooth controllers, gamepads, or a keyboard, with your own button assignments
RailPilot
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RailPilot – The smart control for your model railroad RailPilot lets you control your model trains easily with your iPhone – fast, intuitive, and reliable. The app is specifically designed for use with the Z21 command station and offers a modern alternative to classic model railroad control. Your locos, centrally stored RailPilot stores all locomotive data on a server in your local network – hosted by you. This means your data always stays with you, and there’s no need to sync between devices: everyone on your network accesses the same collection. At a glance: • Train control via the Z21 command station • Central locomotive management through a local server • No need to transfer data between devices • Easy, user-friendly interface • Fast access to your entire locomotive fleet Requirements: • Z21 command station from Roco/Fleischmann • Self-hosted RailPilot server on your local network Get RailPilot now and upgrade your model railroad control system!
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: RailPilot at none against DCC's 8. DCC's advantage is update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 4 months) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 18.0). 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
Both are free to download. DCC sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. RailPilot asks for nothing beyond the download.
DCC ships an update every 2 weeks, RailPilot every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on November 8, 2026 and October 28, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | DCC | RailPilot |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 2.3 (6 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 50.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 6 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks — better | Every 4 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 — better | 18.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 125 MB | 2 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Kostiantyn Kolesnik | Eric Staedler |
In-app purchases
DCC
- Images database, monthly$1.991 Month
- Cloud services, monthly$1.991 Month
- Basic control, monthly$2.991 Month
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- Premium control, monthly$6.991 Month
- Basic control, annually$24.991 Year
- Premium control, annually$55.991 Year
- Basic control, life-time$49.99
- Premium control, life-time$119.99
RailPilot
No in-app purchases








