Comparison

ThrottleCard vs SPEEDSTK

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

SPEEDSTK

This app transforms your iPhone into a live data display for your Speed Stick device, offering real-time locomotive information without an internet connection. It's designed for model railroad enthusiasts who need precise speed readings for their trains.

Highlights
  • Live Bluetooth data streaming
  • Offline operation
  • Distraction-free display
  • Automatic device detection
  • Works with existing layouts
Features
Read full description

SPEEDSTK turns your iPhone into a live readout for your Speed Stick device. Pair over Bluetooth and instantly see real-time data from your locomotive — right in the palm of your hand. SPEED STICK V5.1B or later (Bluetooth version Hardware) is required. Built for model railroaders who want real numbers instead of guesswork, SPEEDSTK reads broadcasts directly from your Speed Stick and displays them as you run your trains. FEATURES • Live readings streamed over Bluetooth as your train runs • No internet connection required — everything works locally • Simple, distraction-free display you can read at a glance • Automatically detects nearby Speed Stick devices • Works alongside your existing layout and controls Whether you're calibrating a new locomotive, dialing in realistic scale speeds, or just want to see what your trains are really doing, SPEEDSTK gives you the data instantly. Requires a Speed Stick device. Made by Model Train Technology LLC.

Screenshots

ThrottleCard4 screens
SPEEDSTK4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: SPEEDSTK at 5.0 against ThrottleCard's 4.3. SPEEDSTK also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 2) and ads (none vs shown). ThrottleCard's advantage is update cadence (weekly vs every 6 weeks) and ratings volume (14 vs 1). On price and iOS requirement 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. SPEEDSTK asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

SPEEDSTK holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: ThrottleCard has 14 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

ThrottleCard ships an update weekly, SPEEDSTK every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 21, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
ThrottleCard versus SPEEDSTK: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterThrottleCardSPEEDSTK
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.3 (14 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews50.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings14 — better1
Update frequencyWeekly — betterEvery 6 weeks
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Vision Pro — betteriPhone
Requires iOS17.5 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size117 MB3 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperRyan GantModel Train Technology LLC

Customer experience

ThrottleCard

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

SPEEDSTK

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

2 purchases

ThrottleCard

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

SPEEDSTK

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is ThrottleCard free?
ThrottleCard is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is SPEEDSTK free?
SPEEDSTK is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, ThrottleCard or SPEEDSTK?
SPEEDSTK is rated higher. ThrottleCard averages 4.3 out of 5 from 14 ratings, while SPEEDSTK averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do ThrottleCard or SPEEDSTK have ads?
ThrottleCard shows ads; SPEEDSTK does not.
Which is updated more often, ThrottleCard or SPEEDSTK?
ThrottleCard ships an update weekly, and SPEEDSTK every 6 weeks. Most recently, ThrottleCard was updated on October 21, 2026 and SPEEDSTK on October 24, 2026.

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