Comparison

Build A Train 2 vs Subway Simulator 2D

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

Subway Simulator 2D

Experience the life of a subway train driver in a vast city metro system. Transport passengers across 21 lines and 89 stations, managing speed, signals, and stops. Unlock new lines, upgrade trains, and customize their appearance as you explore over 100 km of tracks.

Highlights
  • Explore 89 stations on 21 metro lines
  • Drive underground, overground, and underwater rails
  • Upgrade train speed, acceleration, and brakes
  • Learn real subway signaling system
  • Customize train paint
  • Realistic train and ambient sounds
Features
Read full description

Become a subway train driver and explore the whole metro system of the city (89 unique stations on 21 lines) which contains more than 100 kilometers of underground, overground, and underwater rails. Experience what it takes to be a subway train operator in this railroad driving simulation game and transport as many passengers as you can across the rapid transit system. Learn a real subway signaling system, drive the train at an appropriate speed, stop carefully at the end of each station, pick up all passengers, and get to the final station as soon as possible. There are a lot of things to do in the game. Earn coins by transporting fully animated passengers to unlock new metro lines and useful train upgrades, get huge rewards by discovering new stations, change the look of any train to your liking, study the city map to get better knowledge of the whole metro system, enjoy driving in the opposite direction, beat your time records, or just enjoy realistic sounds you have never heard in any subway simulator during driving a train. Subway Simulator 2D features: - Explore the giant city with 89 unique stations on 21 lines - Drive through 3 types of railroad (underground, overground, underwater) - Upgrade the maximal speed, acceleration, and brakes of your trains to progress faster - Upgrade your stamina to explore new areas and get closer to the final station - Learn the real subway signaling system (traffic lights) in a progressive and simple tutorial - Visit a mini paint shop to change the paint of your trains to your liking - Meet trains going in the opposite direction across the metro system - Simple game controls (power button, brake button, door button) - Real train and ambient sounds There is no time to waste, driver! Get into the cabin and enjoy driving in the Subway Simulator 2D, the biggest world of subways you have ever seen in one game!

Screenshots

Build A Train 24 screens
Subway Simulator 2D4 screens

Verdict

The call

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

Subway Simulator 2D is free to download; Build A Train 2 costs $2.99 up front. Subway Simulator 2D sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. Build A Train 2 asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Subway Simulator 2D holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 3.8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 24 and 23 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 67% of Build A Train 2's written reviews are positive against 73% of Subway Simulator 2D's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Build A Train 2 ships an update every 46 months, Subway Simulator 2D every 6 months. The most recent releases landed on October 10, 2026 and October 18, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Build A Train 2 versus Subway Simulator 2D: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBuild A Train 2Subway Simulator 2D
Price$2.99Free — better
Rating3.8 (24 ratings)4.5 (23 ratings) — better
Positive reviews66.7% of reviews72.7% of reviews — better
Number of ratings24 — better23
Update frequencyEvery 46 monthsEvery 6 months — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS8.0 — better12.4
Further details — not scored
Size100 MB124 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPlaytend Apps LLPDaniel Viktorin

Customer experience

Build A Train 2

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

Subway Simulator 2D

All ratings23 ratings
Positive87.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative13.0%
Written reviews44 reviews
Positive72.7%
Neutral6.8%
Negative20.5%

In-app purchases

None

Build A Train 2

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

Subway Simulator 2D

One-time2
  • STANDARD PACK$3.99
  • PREMIUM PACK$7.99

Questions

Is Build A Train 2 free?
Build A Train 2 costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Subway Simulator 2D free?
Subway Simulator 2D is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Build A Train 2 or Subway Simulator 2D?
Subway Simulator 2D is rated higher. Build A Train 2 averages 3.8 out of 5 from 24 ratings, while Subway Simulator 2D averages 4.5 from 23 ratings.
Do Build A Train 2 or Subway Simulator 2D have ads?
Subway Simulator 2D shows ads; Build A Train 2 does not.
Which is updated more often, Build A Train 2 or Subway Simulator 2D?
Build A Train 2 ships an update every 46 months, and Subway Simulator 2D every 6 months. Most recently, Build A Train 2 was updated on October 10, 2026 and Subway Simulator 2D on October 18, 2026.

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