Comparison

Build A Train 2 vs Train Simulator

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

Train Simulator

Become a train driver in this 2D simulator, delivering cargo and revitalizing regional economies. Upgrade your locomotives, manage infrastructure, and explore diverse landscapes. Experience realistic train gameplay with dynamic weather.

Highlights
  • Cargo delivery and economic management
  • Train upgrades and modifications
  • Diverse game world exploration
  • Realistic train simulation gameplay
  • Dynamic weather conditions
  • Challenging tasks and contracts
Features
Read full description

In-game regional economies are in poor condition, transport systems are suffering losses, enterprises and factories are idle, and the transport network is not properly maintained. Are you ready to change the situation? Download the 2D train simulator game and put on the shoes of a real train driver! Play Train Simulator and deliver various cargoes from agricultural products and building materials to goods for light and heavy industry. In this train sim, you should meet the heads of railroads, improve relations between the train stations and develop the economic potential of entire regions! You have an impressive list of trains at your disposal. All trains have been recreated from the real drawings. Start with an inconspicuous diesel locomotive, take orders & earn money to get new spare parts and equipment. Upgrade and modify train compositions to handle difficult orders and earn more money. Eventually, unlock the entire fleet of equipment up to the heaviest and most powerful locomotives of the 20th century! On your way, you’ll solve infrastructure problems in a wide variety of places such as deserts, cities, forests, swamps, mountains, and many other game locations. Why you’ll spend hours playing the railroad sim game: - Advanced train management - Deliberate upgrade system - Many challenging tasks - Expansive game world - Real train simulator gameplay - Beautiful 2D graphics & sound effects - Dynamic weather conditions Download Train Simulator for free and enjoy the realistic gameplay! Sign contracts, load wagons, choose a destination, start the engine, and go along the rails of luck!

Screenshots

Build A Train 24 screens
Train Simulator4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Train Simulator at Free against Build A Train 2's $2.99. Train Simulator also leads on rating (4.7 vs 3.8) and update cadence (every 2 months vs every 46 months). Build A Train 2's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 14) and ads (none vs shown). On review sentiment 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

Train Simulator is free to download; Build A Train 2 costs $2.99 up front. Train Simulator sells 14 one-off in-app purchases. Build A Train 2 asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Train Simulator holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Train Simulator has 5.2K ratings behind it against 24, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 67% of Build A Train 2's written reviews are positive against 64% of Train Simulator's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Build A Train 2 ships an update every 46 months, Train Simulator every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 23, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 2 level
Build A Train 2 versus Train Simulator: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBuild A Train 2Train Simulator
Price$2.99Free — better
Rating3.8 (24 ratings)4.7 (5.2K ratings) — better
Positive reviews66.7% of reviews — better64.2% of reviews
Number of ratings245.2K — better
Update frequencyEvery 46 monthsEvery 2 months — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS8.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size100 MB820 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPlaytend Apps LLPAzur Interactive Games Limited

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

All ratings5,239 ratings
Positive92.7%
Neutral3.5%
Negative3.8%
Written reviews193 reviews
Positive64.2%
Neutral10.9%
Negative24.9%

Bugs and requests

Build A Train 2

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Train Simulator

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Game crashes on startup for some users
  • Inability to save progress or sync across devices
  • Glitches with train performance and handling

Requested features

4 requests
  • Add more train types (steam, electric, etc.)
  • Implement passenger service
  • Improve hill climbing and traction
  • Reduce reliance on ads or provide ad-free option

In-app purchases

None

Build A Train 2

No in-app purchases

14 purchases

Train Simulator

One-time14
  • Engine Boost$0.99
  • Crew 4$1.99
  • Starter pack sale$2.99
Show 11 more
  • Starter Pack$3.99
  • ChME3 Sale$3.99
  • WDM2 Sale$5.99
  • ChME3 Locomotive$5.99
  • More gold boxes$7.99
  • WDM2 Locomotive$7.99
  • EMD SD70 Sale$7.99
  • More silver boxes$7.99
  • FD20 Sale$7.99
  • EMD SD70 Locomotive$9.99
  • FD20 Locomotive$10.99

Questions

Is Build A Train 2 free?
Build A Train 2 costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Train Simulator free?
Train Simulator is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Build A Train 2 or Train Simulator?
Train Simulator is rated higher. Build A Train 2 averages 3.8 out of 5 from 24 ratings, while Train Simulator averages 4.7 from 5.2K ratings.
Do Build A Train 2 or Train Simulator have ads?
Train Simulator shows ads; Build A Train 2 does not.
Which is updated more often, Build A Train 2 or Train Simulator?
Build A Train 2 ships an update every 46 months, and Train Simulator every 2 months. Most recently, Build A Train 2 was updated on October 23, 2026 and Train Simulator on October 25, 2026.

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