# ThrottleCard vs SPEEDSTK

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.

Both are free to download. ThrottleCard sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. SPEEDSTK asks for nothing beyond the download.

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.

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

## The numbers

| Metric | ThrottleCard | SPEEDSTK |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.3 (14 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/throttlecard/id6739982126/reviews) | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/speedstk/id6774602450/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **14** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | 50.0% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Weekly** | Every 6 weeks |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 117 MB | 3 MB |
| Requires iOS | **17.5** | 17.6 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Vision Pro** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Ryan Gant](https://appshunter.io/developer/941497897) | [Model Train Technology LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/6774602636) |

## What reviewers say

### ThrottleCard

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/throttlecard/id6739982126)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| ThrottleCard Premium - Monthly | $0.99 | per month |
| ThrottleCard Premium - Yearly | $9.99 | per year |


### SPEEDSTK

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/speedstk/id6774602450)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked 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.

---

*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*