Comparison

Rail Roster vs SPEEDSTK

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

Head to head
About

Rail Roster

Manage and catalog your model train collection with detailed records for trains, accessories, and consists. Track specifications, purchase history, and operational details, with powerful search and filtering tools. Visualize your collection's growth and value with insightful dashboards and charts.

Highlights
  • Catalog trains, accessories, and consists
  • Detailed model and prototype specifications
  • Track electronics, operation, and maintenance
  • Purchase history and value tracking
  • Photo support with galleries
  • Consist building and analysis tools
  • Collection insights and charts
Features
Read full description

Rail Roster helps model railroad hobbyists catalog trains, accessories, and consists with rich details, photos, and collection insights. Keep your entire roster in one place. Track model specs, electronics, condition, pricing, prototype info, and notes, then quickly find items with powerful search, sorting, and filters. Key Features • Track trains, accessories, and consists in one collection • Rich train records: category, locomotive type, road name/number, model number, livery, scale, era, coupler type, and notes • Prototype reference fields: builder, operator, dates, wheel arrangement, gauge, speed, horsepower, tractive effort, and more • Electronics and operation tracking: DCC, decoder/address, sound, lights, smoke, dummy units, and maintenance flags • NMRA weight guidance with compliance targets and status • Purchase tracking: date, location, price paid, and MSRP • Photo support across trains, accessories, and consists with thumbnail strips plus full-screen, swipeable, zoomable galleries • Consist tools: member ordering/roles/direction, readiness score, coupler consistency, DCC/DC mix, NMRA compliance, and aggregate stats (length, weight, paid value, MSRP) • Collection Info dashboard: inventory totals and value summary, plus premium charts for category, scale, era, locomotive type, DCC vs DC, NMRA compliance, and collection growth • Fast search, sort, and filter chips (category, scale, era, manufacturer, purchase location, coupler type, locomotive type, DCC, dummy, NMRA, and photo status) • iCloud sync diagnostics with account status, last sync/check timestamps, and detailed sync error history • Preferences and personalization: default scale and alternate app icons Rail Roster is built for collectors who want a clean, visual, data-rich way to manage and grow their model railroad fleet. Premium unlocks unlimited inventory/photos, advanced charts, and all custom app icons. Privacy Policy: https://www.roboticsnailsoftware.com/work/railroster/privacy-policy Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

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

Rail Roster4 screens
SPEEDSTK4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: SPEEDSTK at none against Rail Roster's 5. SPEEDSTK also leads on iOS requirement (17.6 vs 26.0). Rail Roster's advantage is update cadence (every 8 days vs every 6 weeks) and device support (3 vs 1). On price, rating, ratings volume and ads 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. Rail Roster sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per year. SPEEDSTK asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for Rail Roster against 5.0 for SPEEDSTK. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1 and 1 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Rail Roster ships an update every 8 days, SPEEDSTK every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 25, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 4 level
Rail Roster versus SPEEDSTK: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRail RosterSPEEDSTK
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings)
Number of ratings11
Update frequencyEvery 8 days — betterEvery 6 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreemiumFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Mac — betteriPhone
Requires iOS26.017.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size205 MB3 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperRobotic Snail Software LLCModel Train Technology LLC

Customer experience

Rail Roster

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

SPEEDSTK

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

In-app purchases

5 purchases

Rail Roster

Subscriptions1
  • Premium - Yearly1 Month trial$4.991 Year
One-time4
  • Small Tip$0.99
  • Medium Tip$2.99
  • Large Tip$4.99
Show 1 more
  • Premium - Lifetime$19.99
None

SPEEDSTK

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Rail Roster free?
Rail Roster 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, Rail Roster or SPEEDSTK?
Rail Roster and SPEEDSTK are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 1 and 1 ratings respectively.
Do Rail Roster or SPEEDSTK have ads?
Neither Rail Roster nor SPEEDSTK shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Rail Roster or SPEEDSTK?
Rail Roster ships an update every 8 days, and SPEEDSTK every 6 weeks. Most recently, Rail Roster was updated on October 25, 2026 and SPEEDSTK on October 24, 2026.

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