Comparison

DCC vs RailPilot

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 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.

Highlights
  • 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
Features
Read full description

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

About

RailPilot

Read full description

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

DCC4 screens
RailPilot3 screens

Verdict

The call

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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. DCC sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. RailPilot asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

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.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
DCC versus RailPilot: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDCCRailPilot
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.3 (6 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews50.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings6 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeks — betterEvery 4 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size125 MB2 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperKostiantyn KolesnikEric Staedler

In-app purchases

8 purchases

DCC

Subscriptions6
  • Images database, monthly$1.991 Month
  • Cloud services, monthly$1.991 Month
  • Basic control, monthly$2.991 Month
Show 3 more
  • Premium control, monthly$6.991 Month
  • Basic control, annually$24.991 Year
  • Premium control, annually$55.991 Year
One-time2
  • Basic control, life-time$49.99
  • Premium control, life-time$119.99
None

RailPilot

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is DCC free?
DCC is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is RailPilot free?
RailPilot is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do DCC or RailPilot have ads?
Neither DCC nor RailPilot shows ads.
Which is updated more often, DCC or RailPilot?
DCC ships an update every 2 weeks, and RailPilot every 4 months. Most recently, DCC was updated on November 8, 2026 and RailPilot on October 28, 2026.

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