Comparison

Model Railroad Set vs Train Sim Builder

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

Head to head
About

Model Railroad Set

Experience the nostalgic joy of a virtual model train set. Drive trains on pre-made or shared layouts, control speed, honk the horn, and operate switches. Capture and share snapshots of your railway adventures.

Highlights
  • Drive trains on built-in layouts
  • Operate switches and control speed
  • Multiple camera angles
  • Take and share snapshots
  • Build custom train layouts
  • Share layouts via email
  • Animated scenery elements
Features
Read full description

Relive the childhood joy of playing with a virtual model train set. Free version allows driving the train on our several built-in layouts or any that you receive via email from friends. Move the train forwards and backwards, faster or slower. Honk the horn. Operate upcoming switches. Instantly change between multiple camera angles to view and follow the train. Easily take in game snapshots to share via text, email, or social media. Purchase the optional Train Builder Kit to build your own train layout and share it via email with your friends. Others only need the free version and your email. Create your own model railroad from our extensive menu of train cars, track pieces, roadways, automobiles, rivers, buildings, trees and other items. Automobiles automatically follow the roadway, and stop at train crossings. Windmills and Merry Go Rounds are animated. Purchase the Train Builder Kit as an In-App purchase on either iOS or Apple TV and use on both. Layouts are stored in the cloud and accessible from both. Email your layout (using iOS version) to a friend and they can easily download the free version to play. They can later purchase the Train Builder Kit to add additional features themselves. Fun for all ages. Universal App - supports all iPhone and iPad models, including standard and Retina displays. Works with iOS 6, 7, 8 or 9.

About

Train Sim Builder

Design and operate your own train world with realistic 3D graphics. Build custom layouts, place hundreds of items, and drive over 80 different trains with detailed cabin views. Enjoy regular content updates and exciting train derailments.

Highlights
  • Realistic 3D graphics
  • Customizable track layouts
  • Hundreds of decorative items
  • Drive 80+ trains and locomotives
  • Interior cabin views
  • Train derailment physics
  • Regular content updates
Features
Read full description

Train Sim Builder includes everything you need to build and operate your own dream train world. You can build a fun layout in minutes, or spend hours perfecting your own train environment. Then drive one of the 80+ trains included in Train Sim Builder. Control speed, direction, sound horn and bell, control train lights, switch between night and day mode all with multiple camera angles. Watch as the train goes by from a station or sit inside a realistc 3D cabin. - Awesomely realistic 3D graphics - Customize the track layouts - Place 100s of items to complete your perfect Train Environments - Drive one of the 80+ included Trains and historical Locomotives - 60+ Rolling Stock Train Cars - Play or customize one of the pre-made Train Levels - Interior cabin views for all trains - Train derailments - No in app purchases - Regular content updates

Screenshots

Model Railroad Set4 screens
Train Sim Builder4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Train Sim Builder at 100% against Model Railroad Set's 11%. Train Sim Builder also leads on rating (5.0 vs 2.6) and in-app purchases (none vs 1). Model Railroad Set's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and ratings volume (73 vs 3). On price 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 Railroad Set sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Train Sim Builder asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Train Sim Builder holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 2.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Model Railroad Set has 73 ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 11% of Model Railroad Set's written reviews are positive against 100% of Train Sim Builder's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Model Railroad Set ships an update every 5 weeks, Train Sim Builder daily. The most recent releases landed on October 11, 2026 and October 8, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 2 level
Model Railroad Set versus Train Sim Builder: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterModel Railroad SetTrain Sim Builder
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.6 (73 ratings)5.0 (3 ratings) — better
Positive reviews11.1% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings73 — better3
Update frequencyEvery 5 weeksDaily — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesAd-supported — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple TV — betteriPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS6.0 — better12.0
Further details — not scored
Size72 MB346 MB
Age rating+44+
DeveloperMagnin & Associates1788918 Alberta Ltd

Customer experience

Model Railroad Set

All ratings73 ratings
Positive37.0%
Neutral5.5%
Negative57.5%
Written reviews45 reviews
Positive11.1%
Neutral8.9%
Negative80.0%

Train Sim Builder

All ratings3 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews6 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

Model Railroad Set

Reported bugs

10 issues
  • Won't take to the actual game
  • Zoomed in, out of shape, glitched
  • Buttons off screen
  • Freezes phone
  • Cannot be shut down, requires reboot
Show 5 more
  • Items disappear when playing
  • Tracks don't meet
  • Purchase button does nothing
  • Crashes frequently
  • Tracks don't always connect

Requested features

8 requests
  • Make the game free to build
  • Connect roads, waterways, and railways
  • Better overall design
  • Improve graphics
  • Make own track functionality
Show 3 more
  • Add hills
  • List add-on details and prices clearly
  • Combine building bits for custom creations

Train Sim Builder

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Model Railroad Set

One-time1
  • Train Builder Kit$3.99
None

Train Sim Builder

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Model Railroad Set free?
Model Railroad Set is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Train Sim Builder free?
Train Sim Builder is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Model Railroad Set or Train Sim Builder?
Train Sim Builder is rated higher. Model Railroad Set averages 2.6 out of 5 from 73 ratings, while Train Sim Builder averages 5.0 from 3 ratings.
Do Model Railroad Set or Train Sim Builder have ads?
Train Sim Builder shows ads; Model Railroad Set does not.
Which is updated more often, Model Railroad Set or Train Sim Builder?
Model Railroad Set ships an update every 5 weeks, and Train Sim Builder daily. Most recently, Model Railroad Set was updated on October 11, 2026 and Train Sim Builder on October 8, 2026.

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