Comparison

Model Car Builder vs Model Car Collector

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

Head to head
About

Model Car Builder

This app provides in-depth, step-by-step guides for detailing and building model cars. It features articles from experienced modelers, catering to both beginners and advanced hobbyists. Magazine subscriptions are available for purchase within the app.

Highlights
  • Step-by-step detailing guides
  • Feature cars by top modelers
  • Beginner to advanced tips
  • Magazine subscriptions
  • Visual design and graphics focus
Features
Read full description

MODEL CAR BUILDER (MCB). I’ve been a model car builder all my life. I started as a kid and I’ve been building ever since. In the late 80s, early 90s I published a model car magazine called “Plastic Fanatic”. I sold the magazine and went back to school to study visual design and computer graphics. Kind of fell out of the hobby for a while, but then my wife and friends encouraged me to start building again, that’s when I decided to start a new magazine. Only this time the magazine is strictly a “how-to” magazine. No kit reviews, no events coverage, no new products section, strictly how-to’s and feature cars. Our in-depth how-to articles show you step-by-step how to detail a model car and our feature cars are done by some of the best modelers in the country. If you’re a serious model car builder, or a beginner looking for tips, then MCB is a “must have” for your work bench. Magazine Subscriptions are available for purchase inside this app. Six months subscription - $13.99 (automatically renewed until canceled) One year subscription - $16.99 (automatically renewed until canceled) Your subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period. Your iTunes account will automatically be charged at the same price for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period unless you change your subscription preferences in your account settings. You can manage your subscriptions through your account settings after purchase on your device. No cancellation of the current subscription is allowed during active subscription period. Please visit http://www.magzter.com/ns/privacy-policy.html for our Privacy Policy and http://www.magzter.com/ns/terms_condition.html for our Terms & Conditions

About

Model Car Collector

Easily manage your scale model car collection. Track brands, models, and variants, and view catalog values. Organize your collection with filters and set collection goals. Optional in-app purchases unlock advanced statistics and export features.

Highlights
  • Track diecast and resin model cars
  • View catalog values and limited editions
  • Organize collection with filters
  • Set collection goals
  • Advanced statistics (PRO)
  • Collection export (PRO)
Features
Read full description

Model Car Collector helps you track and manage your scale model car collection. Keep an overview of your collection, including brands, models, variants, and catalog values. Add models from the catalog or create custom entries to reflect your own collection. Features: • Track diecast and resin model cars by brand, model, and manufacturer • View catalog values and limited editions • Organize and browse your collection with filters • Complete collection goals and challenges PRO features (optional in-app purchase): • Advanced collection statistics • Value performance insights • Collection export • Additional filters and goals No account required. Data is stored locally on the device. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Model Car Builder4 screens
Model Car Collector3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Model Car Collector at 5.0 against Model Car Builder's 3.3. Model Car Collector also leads on monetization model (free with in-app purchases vs subscription) and update cadence (fortnightly vs every 3 months). Model Car Builder's advantage is ratings volume (12 vs 1) and iOS requirement (8.0 vs 15.1). On price, ads, 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

Both are free to download. Model Car Builder sells 10 one-off in-app purchases and Model Car Collector sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Model Car Collector holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Model Car Builder has 12 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Model Car Builder ships an update every 3 months, Model Car Collector fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Model Car Builder versus Model Car Collector: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterModel Car BuilderModel Car Collector
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.3 (12 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews25.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings12 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsFortnightly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationSubscriptionFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS8.0 — better15.1
Further details — not scored
Size26 MB34 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMagzter Inc.Celal Kaan Aytemir

In-app purchases

10 purchases

Model Car Builder

One-time10
  • Model Car Builder - Fall 2013$4.99
  • Model Car Builder - Summer 2013$4.99
  • Model Car Builder - Spring 2013$4.99
Show 7 more
  • Model Car Builder - Winter 2013$4.99
  • Model Car Builder - Winter 2014$4.99
  • Model Car Builder - Summer 2014$4.99
  • Model Car Builder - Winter 2014 vol 2$4.99
  • Model Car Builder Winter 2015$4.99
  • Model Car Builder - Summer 2015$4.99
  • Model Car Builder - Winter 2014, Vol 2, No. 5$4.99
2 purchases

Model Car Collector

Subscriptions1
  • Pro Monthly$6.991 Month
One-time1
  • PRO Lifetime$69.99

Questions

Is Model Car Builder free?
Model Car Builder is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Model Car Collector free?
Model Car Collector is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Model Car Builder or Model Car Collector?
Model Car Collector is rated higher. Model Car Builder averages 3.3 out of 5 from 12 ratings, while Model Car Collector averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Model Car Builder or Model Car Collector have ads?
Neither Model Car Builder nor Model Car Collector shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Model Car Builder or Model Car Collector?
Model Car Builder ships an update every 3 months, and Model Car Collector fortnightly. Most recently, Model Car Builder was updated on November 1, 2026 and Model Car Collector on October 30, 2026.

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