# TrainDesign vs ChatMate

The clearest difference is price: ChatMate at Free against TrainDesign's $1.99. ChatMate also leads on update cadence (every 3 days vs every 4 months) and device support (3 vs 1). TrainDesign's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 4). On ads there is nothing between them.

ChatMate is free to download; TrainDesign costs $1.99 up front. ChatMate sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. TrainDesign asks for nothing beyond the download.

TrainDesign ships an update every 4 months, ChatMate every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on September 21, 2026 and May 16, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | TrainDesign | ChatMate |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $1.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | **[2.4 (14 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/traindesign/id820553356/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **14** | — |
| Positive reviews | 33.3% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | **Every 3 days** |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Size | 16 MB | 20 MB |
| Requires iOS | 26.0 | **13.0** |
| Devices | iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 9+ |
| Developer | [Kind of Blue](https://appshunter.io/developer/456377317) | [Eder Alan Martinez Marquez](https://appshunter.io/developer/1680852571) |

## What reviewers say

### TrainDesign

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/traindesign/id820553356)

Design and plan your model railroad tracks with ease. This app allows you to create custom layouts, modify track segments, and adjust curves to your specifications. Unleash your creativity and build intricate routes with intuitive touch controls.

**Highlights:** Plan model railroad tracks, Create custom track lines, Modify track segments (orient, stretch, shrink), Adjust curve width, angle, and radius, Determine track altitude, Intuitive touch controls

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### ChatMate

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chatmate/id6447494980)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| ChatMate Premium | $9.99 | per month |
| ChatMate Premium | $99.99 | per year |
| Premium 1 día | $0.99 | one-time |
| Premium 7 días | $4.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is TrainDesign free?

TrainDesign costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is ChatMate free?

ChatMate is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Do TrainDesign or ChatMate have ads?

Neither TrainDesign nor ChatMate shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, TrainDesign or ChatMate?

TrainDesign ships an update every 4 months, and ChatMate every 3 days. Most recently, TrainDesign was updated on September 21, 2026 and ChatMate on May 16, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*