Comparison

Build A Train 2 vs Train Simulator PRO 2018

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
Currently charting
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

Train Simulator PRO 2018

Experience the thrill of being a train engineer by driving realistic locomotives across a vast US landscape. Manage freight or passenger trains, navigate complex routes, and build a successful railway company. Enjoy stunning graphics and interactive cab controls for an immersive simulation.

Highlights
  • Drive passenger or freight trains
  • Explore 1000 sq miles of terrain
  • 15 cities to visit
  • 6 unique locomotives
  • Interactive engineer's cabin
  • Realistic damage system
  • Dynamic weather and day/night cycle
Features
Read full description

Have you ever dreamed of being a train engineer? Train Simulator PRO 2018 will let you drive carefully modeled locomotives leading passenger or freight trains across the eastern half of the US. Whether you like fast passenger locomotives or powerful freight movers able to pull dozens of cars, in our game you will find it all. Whatever you choose, you will have to watch out for speed limits, rail crossings, signals and other trains. Plan your route wisely to maximize profits and create the most powerful railway company in the US! During your travels, you can admire photo-realistic graphics including cities, suburbs, factories, countrysides and much more. Each locomotive includes a carefully-rendered engineer’s cabin with working levers and gauges for maximum realism. However, you have to be careful as driving recklessly or pushing the brakes for too long may damage the train. So put your engineer’s cap on, and let’s get rolling! Main features: ▶ Almost 1000 square miles of terrain ▶ 15 cities to explore and choose job from ▶ 6 unique locomotives ▶ 14 detailed cars (3 passenger and 11 freight) ▶ Locomotives and cars damage system ▶ Locomotive cabs with interactive levers and gauges ▶ Dynamic weather and day/night system ▶ Other trains and traffic on roads ▶ Photo-realistic graphics ▶Advanced signalling and speed limit systems

Screenshots

Build A Train 24 screens
Train Simulator PRO 20184 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Build A Train 2 at none against Train Simulator PRO 2018's 5. Build A Train 2 also leads on ads (none vs shown) and rating (3.8 vs 3.4). Train Simulator PRO 2018's advantage is update cadence (every 6 weeks vs every 46 months) and ratings volume (506 vs 24). On 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

Build A Train 2 costs $2.99 and Train Simulator PRO 2018 $5.99 up front. Train Simulator PRO 2018 sells 5 one-off in-app purchases. Build A Train 2 asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Build A Train 2 holds the better App Store score, 3.8 against 3.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Train Simulator PRO 2018 has 506 ratings behind it against 24, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 67% of Build A Train 2's written reviews are positive against 42% of Train Simulator PRO 2018's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Build A Train 2 ships an update every 46 months, Train Simulator PRO 2018 every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and September 27, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard10 real differences · 1 level
Build A Train 2 versus Train Simulator PRO 2018: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBuild A Train 2Train Simulator PRO 2018
Price$2.99 — better$5.99
Rating3.8 (24 ratings) — better3.4 (506 ratings)
Positive reviews66.7% of reviews — better41.5% of reviews
Number of ratings24506 — better
Update frequencyEvery 46 monthsEvery 6 weeks — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
Best chart rank#200 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS8.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size100 MB828 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPlaytend Apps LLPMAGEEKS SC

Customer experience

Build A Train 2

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

Train Simulator PRO 2018

All ratings506 ratings
Positive57.1%
Neutral8.1%
Negative34.8%
Written reviews200 reviews
Positive41.5%
Neutral10.5%
Negative48.0%

Bugs and requests

Build A Train 2

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Train Simulator PRO 2018

Reported bugs

6 issues
  • Long trains not recognized at grade crossings
  • Engine damage and repair costs too high
  • Inconsistent speed limit enforcement
  • Missions not starting/completing properly
  • Inability to unload cargo without crashing
Show 1 more
  • Money/coin issues (disappearing, unable to earn enough)

Requested features

10 requests
  • Expand map to include West Coast
  • Add more train models and types (e.g. steam engines)
  • Implement multiplayer functionality
  • Add more camera views and free roam mode
  • Allow customization of trains (colors, logos, etc.)
Show 5 more
  • Implement a creative mode
  • Add ability to sell/trade locomotives and railcars
  • Improve lighting and environment details
  • Implement interactive controls (levers, etc.)
  • Add grade crossing gates and signals

In-app purchases

None

Build A Train 2

No in-app purchases

5 purchases

Train Simulator PRO 2018

One-time5
  • Handful of Gems$0.99
  • Pile of Gems$2.99
  • Sack of Gems$4.99
Show 2 more
  • Bucket of Gems$9.99
  • Chest of Gems$19.99

Questions

Is Build A Train 2 free?
Build A Train 2 costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Train Simulator PRO 2018 free?
Train Simulator PRO 2018 costs $5.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Build A Train 2 or Train Simulator PRO 2018?
Build A Train 2 is rated higher. Build A Train 2 averages 3.8 out of 5 from 24 ratings, while Train Simulator PRO 2018 averages 3.4 from 506 ratings.
Do Build A Train 2 or Train Simulator PRO 2018 have ads?
Train Simulator PRO 2018 shows ads; Build A Train 2 does not.
Which is updated more often, Build A Train 2 or Train Simulator PRO 2018?
Build A Train 2 ships an update every 46 months, and Train Simulator PRO 2018 every 6 weeks. Most recently, Build A Train 2 was updated on September 23, 2026 and Train Simulator PRO 2018 on September 27, 2026.

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