Comparison

Robotics vs RailMaker

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

Head to head
About

Robotics

Control and program robotic models built with specific engineering kits. Utilize Bluetooth connectivity and a visual programming language to script motor movements, sounds, and pauses based on sensor feedback. Includes preloaded programs for various robot models.

Highlights
  • Bluetooth connectivity
  • Remote-control mode
  • Visual sensor data display
  • Script and save programs
  • Preloaded robot programs
  • Visual programming language
  • Sensor-triggered program segments
Features
Read full description

For use with the engineering kits “Robotics: Smart Machines”, “Robotics: Smart Machines - Rovers & Vehicles Edition”, and “Robotics: Smart Machines - Tracks & Treads Edition” by Thames & Kosmos. This app is the “brain” of the robotic models you build with the Robotics: Smart Machines kits. The app uses the feedback from the models’ ultrasonic sensor together with programmed commands to control the models. App Features • Connect to your models via Bluetooth connection. • Remote-control mode lets you directly control the models’ two motors forward and backward. • Remote-control mode gives you a visual display of the object distance readings from the ultrasound sensor. • Programming mode lets you script and save programs. • Seven programs (Programs 1-7) are preloaded to work specifically with seven of the robot models in the “Robotics: Smart Machines” kit. Eight programs (Programs 9-16) are preloaded to work specifically with eight of the robot models in the “Robotics: Smart Machines - Rovers & Vehicles Edition” kit. Eight programs (Programs 17-24) are preloaded to work specifically with eight of the robot models in the “Robotics: Smart Machines - Tracks & Treads Edition” kit. • A simple, visual programming language lets you program motors, sounds, and pauses. • Different program segments can be set to run upon first run and then when the ultrasound sensor detects objects at different distances from the model. • Use the 60-page or 64-page, step-by-step illustrated manual included in either kit to learn how to use all of the programming features. ***** Suggestions, feature requests, or questions? We look forward to your feedback! Mail to: support@thamesandkosmos.com Updates and news on www.thamesandkosmos.com *****

About

RailMaker

Features
Read full description

Draw a line. Get a railway. Sketch a loop with your finger or Apple Pencil and RailMaker lays real wooden track along it, using only the pieces in your box. Cross your line and the road gets a bridge. Touch it with a second stroke and it gets a branch. Then follow the numbered steps and build it on the floor. RailMaker works with IKEA LILLABO and with the BRIO-compatible family: BRIO, Hape, Bigjigs, Lidl Playtive and other classic wooden track. Piece sizes were measured from the makers' own 3D models and photos, so a loop that closes on screen closes on the floor. YOUR BOX • Add the sets you own with a tap: LILLABO 20, 10, 5, 45 and 50-piece sets, BRIO 33028, 33401, 33402, 33307 and 33772, Hape Figure 8 and E3700, Playtive track and switch sets. Or count loose pieces by hand. • One box per place you build in: home, grandma's, the summer house. Each keeps its own pieces and its own floor. • Set the longest side of your rug or room, and nothing built will be bigger than that. DRAW IT • One stroke becomes a closed loop or an open route with sidings. • A crossing becomes a bridge with two ramps. A second stroke that touches the road becomes a branch with two splitters. • RailMaker tells you what your box can afford before it builds, and never shows a crossing without a bridge. OR LET RAILMAKER INVENT ONE • Tap Create and get a spread of layouts, from the biggest circuit down to a simple oval, all from your pieces. • A closed loop for a train that runs forever, or an open route from A to B with stops. • Toddler-friendly: no crossings, no switches. • Must-use pieces: pick a ramp and every layout gets a real bridge. BUILD BY HAND • A track editor where every piece clicks onto the red dot, and nothing goes where it would not really fit. • Close the loop: the fewest pieces that join the two ends. • Pieces you don't have are marked with a basket and go on a shopping list. • Undo, redo, flip, a grid, and save to the Gallery with instructions. THEN ASSEMBLE IT • Every plan comes with numbered steps: which piece, how many to take from the bin, where it goes. • A dark, full-screen build mode for the floor, one step at a time. • "Pieces you'll need" shows what the plan uses against what you own. • Simplify: rounder corners and fewer pieces from the same drawing. • Share the steps as text, or export the layout as a file. GALLERY • 30 ready-made layouts for both track families: figure eights, viaducts, double-track loops, switchyards, terminals. Each one is matched against your box. • Your saved railways, with their steps. Open a layout file a friend sent you. FREE, AND WHAT PREMIUM ADDS Drawing, generating, the editor and the assembly steps are free, without a counter. Free keeps 3 saved plans and opens 6 ready-made layouts. RailMaker Premium opens the whole gallery, keeps every plan, and adds layout files in and out, plus turning a built track back into a drawing. Choose monthly, yearly with a free week, or a one-time lifetime unlock. All three support Family Sharing. No account, no ads, no tracking. Everything stays on your device and works offline. For iPhone and iPad, in English, German, French, Spanish and Polish. Subscriptions renew automatically unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Manage or cancel them in Settings › Apple Account › Subscriptions. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://yevgenii.dev/projects/railmaker/privacy RailMaker is an independent app. It is not made by, or affiliated with, IKEA, BRIO, Hape, Bigjigs or Lidl. Their names are used only to say which track the app works with.

Screenshots

Robotics4 screens
RailMaker4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Robotics at none against RailMaker's 3. Robotics also leads on iOS requirement (10.3 vs 26.2). On price, ads 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. RailMaker sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Robotics asks for nothing beyond the download.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Robotics versus RailMaker: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRoboticsRailMaker
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.3 (239 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews13.1% of reviews—
Number of ratings239 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 5 months—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS10.3 — better26.2
Further details — not scored
Size53 MB7 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperFranckh-Kosmos Verlags-GmbH & Co. KGYevgenii Kryzhanivskyi

Bugs and requests

Robotics

Reported bugs

10 issues
  • App crashes when pressing Bluetooth button
  • Bluetooth fails to connect on iOS 13+ and iPhone 13
  • App disconnects during use and won't reconnect
  • App freezes and becomes unresponsive
  • Bluetooth button stays grey and non-functional
Show 5 more
  • App incompatible with 64-bit Apple requirements
  • Programming features don't execute properly
  • Robot falls apart when custom designs are used
  • Motor only works in reverse direction
  • Distance sensor readings not detected by app

Requested features

9 requests
  • Update app for iOS 13+ and modern iPhone compatibility
  • Add external control option without Bluetooth dependency
  • Improve app stability and connection reliability
  • Provide clearer, more detailed instructions
  • Add more coding options and programming features
Show 4 more
  • Implement proper customer support system
  • Add camera functionality documentation for spy bot variant
  • Improve robot speed performance
  • Add easy power-off mechanism

RailMaker

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Robotics

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

RailMaker

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly Premium$2.991 Month
  • Yearly Premium3 Days trial$17.991 Year
One-time1
  • Lifetime premium$24.99

Questions

Is Robotics free?
Robotics is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is RailMaker free?
RailMaker is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Robotics or RailMaker have ads?
Neither Robotics nor RailMaker shows ads.

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