Comparison

Build A Train 2 vs TrainCanCan

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

TrainCanCan

Engage in fun train simulations with various locomotive types, including bullet trains and maglevs. Interact with the environment by tapping icons to trigger events like crossings, tunnels, and scenery changes. Special items offer unique gameplay enhancements.

Highlights
  • Multiple train types (bullet, maglev, steam)
  • Interactive environment elements (crossings, tunnels, bridges)
  • Special item power-ups
  • Manual and automatic train control modes
  • Scenery and vehicle variety
Read full description

You can have fun running various trains, including bullet trains, regular trains, steam locomotives, and maglev trains. Simply tap the icons to easily switch between different types of trains and enjoy! Icons will appear from the bottom left, so try tapping them. You can transform into various trains, and crossings, tunnels, and bridges will also appear. Freight trains and trams will also make an appearance. In addition, various vehicles will appear on the screen, so try tapping them! Something fun might happen! Icon Descriptions - Maglev Train Icon: Transforms into a maglev train for a limited time. - Regular Train Icon: Changes into various types of regular trains. - Bullet Train Icon: Transforms into a bullet train for a limited time. - Steam Locomotive Icon: Transforms into a steam locomotive for a limited time. - Railroad Crossing Icon: Displays a railroad crossing. - Tunnel Icon: Displays a tunnel. - Bridge Icon: Displays a bridge. - Station Icon: Automatically stops at stations. (In manual mode, you must stop at the station yourself.) - Scenery Change Icon: Changes the scenery to a different route. - Horn Icon: Sounds the train's horn. There are four special item buttons (single-tap version) that can be used without consuming hearts. Pressing the unlimited special item button at the top of the screen consumes 5 hearts and allows you to use special items freely for 60 seconds. The special items are: 1. "Big Button": Makes the train grow bigger in two stages. 2. "Railroad Crossing": Allows you to place railroad crossings as much as you like. 3. "Freight Train": Makes a freight train pass by. 4. "Tram": Makes a tram appear. Hearts regenerate over time. In manual mode, you can control the train manually. Many working vehicles, police cars, ambulances, fire trucks, buses, construction vehicles, sports cars, compact cars, and minivans will also appear, so look forward to them

Screenshots

Build A Train 24 screens
TrainCanCan4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: TrainCanCan at Free against Build A Train 2's $2.99. TrainCanCan also leads on rating (4.4 vs 3.8) and update cadence (every 3 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

TrainCanCan 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

TrainCanCan holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 3.8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 24 and 27 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 67% of Build A Train 2's written reviews are positive against 89% of TrainCanCan's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

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

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Build A Train 2 versus TrainCanCan: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBuild A Train 2TrainCanCan
Price$2.99Free — better
Rating3.8 (24 ratings)4.4 (27 ratings) — better
Positive reviews66.7% of reviews88.9% of reviews — better
Number of ratings2427 — better
Update frequencyEvery 46 monthsEvery 3 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 MB256 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPlaytend Apps LLPhiroyuki uchida

Customer experience

Build A Train 2

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

TrainCanCan

All ratings27 ratings
Positive88.9%
Neutral3.7%
Negative7.4%
Written reviews9 reviews
Positive88.9%
Neutral11.1%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Build A Train 2

No in-app purchases

None

TrainCanCan

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Build A Train 2 free?
Build A Train 2 costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is TrainCanCan free?
TrainCanCan is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Build A Train 2 or TrainCanCan?
TrainCanCan is rated higher. Build A Train 2 averages 3.8 out of 5 from 24 ratings, while TrainCanCan averages 4.4 from 27 ratings.
Do Build A Train 2 or TrainCanCan have ads?
TrainCanCan shows ads; Build A Train 2 does not.
Which is updated more often, Build A Train 2 or TrainCanCan?
Build A Train 2 ships an update every 46 months, and TrainCanCan every 3 weeks. Most recently, Build A Train 2 was updated on October 10, 2026 and TrainCanCan on October 2, 2026.

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