Comparison

Wi vs Train Sounds Effects

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

Head to head
About

Wi

Control your model railroad with an iOS device. This app offers comprehensive and innovative control for M.T.H. Digital Command System (DCS) and can also manage TMCC® and Legacy® engines. It's designed for ease of use, allowing you to run multiple trains and control accessories.

Highlights
  • Comprehensive model railroad control
  • Run MTH ProtoSound 2.0/3.0 locomotives
  • Control Atlas O® ProtoSound 3.0
  • Cross-platform control (TMCC®, Legacy®)
  • Run multiple trains simultaneously
  • Control switches and accessories
  • Immersive sound and control features
Features
Read full description

Control you entire model railroad from any iOS phone or tablet in this simple to use yet feature rich app! The M.T.H. Digital Command System (DCS) is the most comprehensive and innovative model train control system available. While, at the same time, the easiest to set up and use! You’ll be running your trains in just a few minutes after installing the Wi-Fi DCS app and connecting to any one of several M.T.H. DCS track interface units. The DCS system is capable of running conventional AC or DC powered model trains utilizing track power controls as well as the ultimate experience of full featured MTH ProtoSound 2.0 or 3.0 and Atlas O® ProtoSound 3.0 locomotives. In addition, DCS is the only cross-platform model railroad control system. When cabled to a Lionel® command base DCS also runs TMCC® and Legacy® engines all within the same app, on the same track, at the same time!! No other system has this capability. The DCS app is compatible with our entry level system, the DCS Explorer for those just starting their journey into model railroading. For more advanced users, the DCS Wi-Fi Interface Unit (WIU) in combination with the Track Interface Unit (TIU) or, the all new Wi-Fi Track Interface Unit (WTIU) opens up the vast array of features available within the world of DCS. Run multiple trains simultaneously on the same track, control switches and accessories, and immerse yourself in the depth of sound and control features that is Wi-Fi DCS. Simply the best way to run YOUR railroad!!

About

Train Sounds Effects

Enhance your model railway experience with a variety of realistic train sound effects. Control playback with switches for continuous loops or buttons for single plays, and adjust individual volumes. Import your own sounds to further personalize your setup.

Highlights
  • Expand model railway with sound effects
  • Use iPad or external speakers
  • Control playback with switches (loop) or buttons (once)
  • Individually adjust volume for each element
  • Import custom sound effects
Features
Read full description

With Train-Sounds you expand your model railway with additional sound effects. Thus the joy deepens around your model railway. Use your iPad speakers or external speakers to listen these effects. The combination of switches and buttons allow you to determine how these effects are to be played. With switches, the effects are playing in a continuous loop and with buttons only once. At each switching element, you can adjust the volume individually. Buy through the in-app you add value to your version of Train-Sounds, you can bring your own sound effects into the program.

Screenshots

Wi4 screens
Train Sounds Effects3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Train Sounds Effects at 73% against Wi's 36%. Train Sounds Effects also leads on rating (4.1 vs 3.7) and iOS requirement (12.3 vs 17.0). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and ads 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. Wi sells 3 one-off in-app purchases and Train Sounds Effects sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Train Sounds Effects holds the better App Store score, 4.1 against 3.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 24 and 10 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 36% of Wi's written reviews are positive against 73% of Train Sounds Effects's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on September 7, 2026 and September 19, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Wi versus Train Sounds Effects: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterWiTrain Sounds Effects
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.7 (24 ratings)4.1 (10 ratings) — better
Positive reviews36.1% of reviews73.3% of reviews — better
Number of ratings24 — better10
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 3 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS17.012.3 — better
Further details — not scored
Size26 MB51 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMike's Train House, Inc.Janko Enke

Customer experience

Wi

All ratings16 ratings
Positive62.5%
Neutral12.5%
Negative25.0%
Written reviews36 reviews
Positive36.1%
Neutral13.9%
Negative50.0%

Train Sounds Effects

All ratings10 ratings
Positive80.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative20.0%
Written reviews15 reviews
Positive73.3%
Neutral6.7%
Negative20.0%

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Wi

One-time3
  • Standard$4.99
  • Premium Upgrade$19.99
  • Premium$24.99
1 purchases

Train Sounds Effects

One-time1
  • Extra Package$0.99

Questions

Is Wi free?
Wi is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Train Sounds Effects free?
Train Sounds Effects is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Wi or Train Sounds Effects?
Train Sounds Effects is rated higher. Wi averages 3.7 out of 5 from 24 ratings, while Train Sounds Effects averages 4.1 from 10 ratings.
Do Wi or Train Sounds Effects have ads?
Neither Wi nor Train Sounds Effects shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Wi or Train Sounds Effects?
Wi ships an update every 3 months, and Train Sounds Effects every 3 months. Most recently, Wi was updated on September 7, 2026 and Train Sounds Effects on September 19, 2026.

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