Comparison

Build A Train 2 vs Toy Train 3D

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

Head to head
About

Build A Train 2

Design custom trains and build your own maps to drive them on. This sequel allows kids to create unique engines and cars, then explore their creations. Future content updates are included free.

Highlights
  • Customize train engines and cars
  • 64 color options for trains
  • Map builder with terrain and track layout
  • Configure trains with up to 8 cars
  • Drive trains on custom maps
  • Unlockable content through gameplay
Features
Read full description

Build A Train 2 is the sequel to the top train app Build A Train! MILLIONS of little train-lovers have enjoyed the original Build A Train, and many have asked us to be able to create their own maps. Well now you can! Build A Train 2 lets kids design their own custom train engines and cars, build their own maps, and then drive their trains on their maps. It is the the perfect one-stop train adventure for your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch. It's also a universal app – buy once, play on any of your devices. Even better, all future content updates are included FREE in the full version of Build A Train 2. 

 PLEASE NOTE: Designed for kids aged 1-6.
 
Build A Train 2 includes the following features:
 • Customize your train engines and cars Choose from dozens of train templates to mix and match train bodies, windows, wheels, and more! • 64 fun colors available Color the perfect train. Literally thousands of possible trains will be at your child’s fingertips! • Map builder Design truly custom maps by selecting a terrain, a track layout, choosing the stations and even adding extras for flourish! • Configure your train Add up to 8 train engines and cars to your train configuration. Swipe through your train galleries, tap your favorites and drag them into place. Simply double tap to delete or drag a new one on top to replace. • Drive your train on a map Control the switches on the track to determine where your train goes. Control the speed of your train. Pick-up cargo and collect points. NEW! Drag your control panel to the left, right or bottom of the screen! 
• Unlockable content Start with a few map elements and unlock items through gameplay, by driving on the maps and picking up cargo. Watch your child’s face light up as he or she earns new items! Available in English, Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Hungarian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish! If you enjoy Build A Train 2, please let us know by giving us a rating or review on the App Store! We also appreciate direct feedback and bug reports, which we will address within 1-2 business days. Email us at support@playtend.com Enjoy!

About

Toy Train 3D

Experience the joy of operating a miniature railway with this model railroad simulator. Design and build your own unique train layouts to bring your railway dreams to life.

Highlights
  • Model railroad simulation
  • Train operation gameplay
  • Customizable layout creation
  • Realistic toy train experience
  • Intuitive design tools
Features
Read full description

Toy Train 3D is a model railroad simulator. You can enjoy running a train. You can create the original layout.

Screenshots

Build A Train 24 screens
Toy Train 3D4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Toy Train 3D at Free against Build A Train 2's $2.99. Toy Train 3D also leads on rating (4.5 vs 3.8) and update cadence (every 6 weeks vs every 46 months). Build A Train 2's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and iOS requirement (8.0 vs 12.0). On ratings volume, in-app purchases 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

Toy Train 3D is free to download; Build A Train 2 costs $2.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Toy Train 3D holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 3.8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 24 and 10 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 67% of Build A Train 2's written reviews are positive against 75% of Toy Train 3D's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Build A Train 2 ships an update every 46 months, Toy Train 3D every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 10, 2026 and October 11, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Build A Train 2 versus Toy Train 3D: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBuild A Train 2Toy Train 3D
Price$2.99Free — better
Rating3.8 (24 ratings)4.5 (10 ratings) — better
Positive reviews66.7% of reviews75.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings24 — better10
Update frequencyEvery 46 monthsEvery 6 weeks — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidAd-supported — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS8.0 — better12.0
Further details — not scored
Size100 MB28 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPlaytend Apps LLPKouichi Hayashi

Customer experience

Build A Train 2

All ratings24 ratings
Positive75.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative25.0%
Written reviews6 reviews
Positive66.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative33.3%

Toy Train 3D

All ratings10 ratings
Positive80.0%
Neutral20.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews8 reviews
Positive75.0%
Neutral25.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Build A Train 2

No in-app purchases

None

Toy Train 3D

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Build A Train 2 free?
Build A Train 2 costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Toy Train 3D free?
Toy Train 3D is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Build A Train 2 or Toy Train 3D?
Toy Train 3D is rated higher. Build A Train 2 averages 3.8 out of 5 from 24 ratings, while Toy Train 3D averages 4.5 from 10 ratings.
Do Build A Train 2 or Toy Train 3D have ads?
Toy Train 3D shows ads; Build A Train 2 does not.
Which is updated more often, Build A Train 2 or Toy Train 3D?
Build A Train 2 ships an update every 46 months, and Toy Train 3D every 6 weeks. Most recently, Build A Train 2 was updated on October 10, 2026 and Toy Train 3D on October 11, 2026.

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