Comparison

iRunTrains for iPhone lite vs Railstream

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

Head to head
About

iRunTrains for iPhone lite

Control and operate 3D trains from any perspective. Enjoy realistic engine and track sounds, customize your trains, and switch tracks to avoid collisions. This simulator offers endless fun for all ages with no scoring or end game.

Highlights
  • 3D train simulation
  • Realistic engine and track sounds
  • Manual throttle and brake controls
  • Switch track control
  • Customizable train cars and engines
  • Multiple trains on one layout
  • 3D audio effects
Features
Read full description

Train yourself anywhere! You control the trains with iRunTrains for iPhone. With iRT, you're just seconds away from fun. It's fun for any age and perfect for enthusiasts and novices alike! Play immediately; play repeatedly. Watch (or ride) your trains from any position with the first 3D train simulator for iPhone! No points, scoring, or end game; just enjoy the rails. - Apple-featured - Throttle, brake, and reverse each train under your control - No setup or learning curve - Drive these hobby trains as soon as the app starts! - Run multiple trains on each layout - Diesel end Steam engine sounds! - Edit train cars and engines - Turn switch control box; switch the tracks just in time! - Variable speed train throttle - Intuitive train controls and full iPhone gesture-based interface - Manual and Dynamic, train-tracking views - Ride the train engine or caboose! - 2 free track sets; inApp purchase 16 track upgrade pack - Buildings, bridges, houses, and loading docks - Ocean with changing tide, waves - Hideaway interface - Pushbutton train selector - Multifunction view selector and status display - Help overlay for controls - Selectable train steam/exhaust - Choose your terrain colors - Train acceleration/deceleration - Collision/Derailment detection 3D Audio - Engine and track sounds - Bells and Whistles Can you survive Turnout City without a collision? Switch the tracks just in time! Support: http://www.onomaly.com Follow us on Twitter: @onomaly

About

Railstream

Experience live railcams from across the United States and Canada. Watch over two dozen cameras in real time, with a selection available for all viewers and premium content for members. Keep your devices entertained with continuous railway action.

Highlights
  • Live railcams
  • United States and Canada coverage
  • Real-time streaming
  • Multiple camera views
  • Membership-exclusive content
Features
Read full description

Live from the United States and Canada, Railstream brings you over 2 dozen railcams to watch in real time! Nine cameras are available for all viewers, while others are membership only. Try this app and your TV and mobile devices will never be dark again! Railstream Pricing: • Subscription 1 Month - USD 12.99* • Subscription 1 Year - USD 149.99* * For non-US app stores, the equivalent currency charges will apply. Please note: App subscriptions do not include access to subscription-only content on our website. Additional Subscription Information: • Payment will be charged to iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase. • Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period. • Account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period, and identify the cost of the renewal. • Subscriptions may be managed by the user and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to the user's Account Settings after purchase. • No cancellation of the current subscription is allowed during active subscription period. Privacy Policy - https://bit.ly/2J5Ujfh Terms of Use - https://bit.ly/2J1YZqL • Any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when the user purchases a subscription to that publication, where applicable.

Screenshots

iRunTrains for iPhone lite4 screens
Railstream4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is monetization model: iRunTrains for iPhone lite at free with in-app purchases against Railstream's subscription. iRunTrains for iPhone lite also leads on rating (4.6 vs 4.1) and ads (none vs shown). Railstream's advantage is update cadence (every 4 months vs every 11 months) and device support (4 vs 2). On price, ratings volume and in-app purchases 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. iRunTrains for iPhone lite sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Railstream sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $12.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

iRunTrains for iPhone lite holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.1. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 59 and 143 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 82% of iRunTrains for iPhone lite's written reviews are positive against 58% of Railstream's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

iRunTrains for iPhone lite ships an update every 11 months, Railstream every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on October 2, 2026 and October 21, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
iRunTrains for iPhone lite versus Railstream: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameteriRunTrains for iPhone liteRailstream
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (59 ratings) — better4.1 (143 ratings)
Positive reviews81.8% of reviews — better58.5% of reviews
Number of ratings59143 — better
Update frequencyEvery 11 monthsEvery 4 months — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterSubscription
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple TV — better
Requires iOS10.3 — better15.6
Further details — not scored
Size133 MB85 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperOnomaly LLCRailstream, LLC

Customer experience

iRunTrains for iPhone lite

All ratings59 ratings
Positive89.8%
Neutral3.4%
Negative6.8%
Written reviews11 reviews
Positive81.8%
Neutral9.1%
Negative9.1%

Railstream

All ratings128 ratings
Positive75.8%
Neutral4.7%
Negative19.5%
Written reviews65 reviews
Positive58.5%
Neutral7.7%
Negative33.8%

Bugs and requests

iRunTrains for iPhone lite

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Railstream

Reported bugs

24 issues
  • Boyce Cam stuck at night
  • Sound bugs on Fostoria Ohio free cams
  • App crashes or freezes
  • App gets slow
  • Login issues, doesn't recall membership
Show 19 more
  • Annoying messages for members
  • Stuck waiting message
  • Reset and spinning wheel icon
  • iPad app killed after update
  • Static and connection problems
  • App kicks out members
  • Selma cam glitches, shows daytime at night
  • Issues with Apple Play (sound but blank screen)
  • Blank picture on Apple Play for some cameras
  • Cameras off at 10pm PST
  • Cameras jumping back and forth
  • Internal service error on password reset
  • App crashes in landscape mode
  • Payment option not available (forcing PayPal)
  • App says 'something went wrong' on sign in
  • Shenedoah junction free cam does not work
  • White line bug on video player
  • Light brown screen with RETRY error
  • Little black airplane icon

Requested features

21 requests
  • Add Thomasville NC railcam for free
  • Lower membership price
  • Add Metra camera
  • Add multi-view cams back
  • Add more multi-view cams
Show 16 more
  • Add a railcam in WA (Sumner, Puyallup, Auburn, Tukwilla)
  • Add another free camera for Atlanta, GA (other direction)
  • Add cameras in St. Louis, MO, Jonesboro, AR, Memphis, TN, Little Rock, AR
  • Add 1 or 2 new free cams
  • Add more free cameras
  • Add more cameras on the west coast
  • Add cameras at Horseshoe Curve
  • Add cameras on the BNSF railway line
  • Add more spots on the free section
  • Add BNSF and Union Pacific cameras
  • Add playback mode
  • Add a cam in Cleveland Ohio
  • Add more cams and information overlay
  • Add Spokane or Seattle cams
  • Add a dark mode option
  • Add advanced analytics dashboard

In-app purchases

1 purchases

iRunTrains for iPhone lite

One-time1
  • Unlock All Tracks/Remove Ads$1.99
10 purchases

Railstream

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly Subscription$12.991 Month
  • Annual Subscription$149.991 Year
One-time8
  • Railstream Feed 95$12.99
  • Railstream Feed 96$12.99
  • Railstream Feed 93$12.99
Show 5 more
  • Railstream Feed 94$12.99
  • Railstream Feed 97$12.99
  • Railstream Feed 98$12.99
  • Railstream Feed 99$12.99
  • Railstream Feed 100$12.99

Questions

Is iRunTrains for iPhone lite free?
iRunTrains for iPhone lite is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Railstream free?
Railstream is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, iRunTrains for iPhone lite or Railstream?
iRunTrains for iPhone lite is rated higher. iRunTrains for iPhone lite averages 4.6 out of 5 from 59 ratings, while Railstream averages 4.1 from 143 ratings.
Do iRunTrains for iPhone lite or Railstream have ads?
Railstream shows ads; iRunTrains for iPhone lite does not.
Which is updated more often, iRunTrains for iPhone lite or Railstream?
iRunTrains for iPhone lite ships an update every 11 months, and Railstream every 4 months. Most recently, iRunTrains for iPhone lite was updated on October 2, 2026 and Railstream on October 21, 2026.

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