Comparison

ThrottleCard vs DM50

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

Head to head
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

About

DM50

Features
Read full description

DM50 is a faithful tribute to the golden era of scientific calculators, bringing the legendary HP-style experience to your iPhone with modern enhancements. Whether you're an engineer, student, scientist, or calculator enthusiast, DM50 delivers the power and precision you need, with the tactile familiarity of classic RPN entry and a crisp, authentic 132×64 monochrome LCD display. REVERSE POLISH NOTATION (RPN) A true HP-style RPN engine with a dynamic multi-level stack, stack lift, SWAP, ROLL and DROP. Once you learn the flow, complex calculations become faster and more intuitive. ALGEBRAIC MODE (CAS) Type expressions the way you write them: full operator precedence, parentheses and implicit multiplication (2π, 3(4+5)). Includes numerical derivatives ∂(f,a), definite integrals ∫(f,a,b), and nine memory variables (x, y, z, A–F) for chained calculations. EQUATIONS AND INEQUALITIES Solve linear and quadratic equations — complex roots included — and linear inequalities. MATRIX ALGEBRA Matrices up to 5×5 in a dedicated editor: addition, subtraction, multiplication, transpose, trace, determinant and inverse. MORE MATH MODES • 3D vector calculations • Complex number arithmetic • Base conversion: decimal, binary, octal and hexadecimal • Formula library with pixel-art diagrams, inspired by the classics • Constants library with common physical and mathematical constants SCIENTIFIC FUNCTIONS • Trigonometry with RAD / DEG / GRAD angle modes • Logarithms, exponentials, powers and roots • Hyperbolic functions, factorials and more AUTHENTIC EXPERIENCE • Pixel-perfect monochrome LCD rendering (132×64) • Classic keyboard layout with BLUE / ORANGE • Real-time status bar: clock, angle mode, modifiers and battery • Retro sound effects BUILT FOR POWER USERS DM50 is designed for depth. The layered modifier system exposes dozens of functions without cluttering the interface — just like the classic calculators it draws in A LITTLE FUN TOO A built-in dice game to take a break between calculations. Track your high score.

Screenshots

ThrottleCard4 screens
DM504 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: ThrottleCard at Free against DM50's $0.99. ThrottleCard also leads on update cadence (weekly vs monthly). DM50's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and ads (none vs shown). On 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

ThrottleCard is free to download; DM50 costs $0.99 up front. ThrottleCard sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. DM50 asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

ThrottleCard ships an update weekly, DM50 monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 30, 2026 and November 5, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
ThrottleCard versus DM50: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterThrottleCardDM50
PriceFree — better$0.99
Rating4.3 (14 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews50.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings14 — better—
Update frequencyWeekly — betterMonthly
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Vision ProiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac
Requires iOS17.515.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size117 MB1 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperRyan GantJavier Bascones

In-app purchases

2 purchases

ThrottleCard

Subscriptions2
  • ThrottleCard Premium - Monthly7 Days trial$0.991 Month
  • ThrottleCard Premium - Yearly7 Days trial$9.991 Year
None

DM50

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is ThrottleCard free?
ThrottleCard is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is DM50 free?
DM50 costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do ThrottleCard or DM50 have ads?
ThrottleCard shows ads; DM50 does not.
Which is updated more often, ThrottleCard or DM50?
ThrottleCard ships an update weekly, and DM50 monthly. Most recently, ThrottleCard was updated on October 30, 2026 and DM50 on November 5, 2026.

Other comparisons