Compared
Layout control software compared
Computer control lets you drive trains, throw points and run automatic sequences from a PC, tablet or phone. Here’s how the main programs compare, from the makers’ own information.
| Software | Licence | Cost (as stated by the maker) | Runs on | Works with |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JMRIJMRI project (volunteers) | Open source: GNU GPL v2 with Classpath Exception (docs CC BY-SA 4.0) | Free | Windows, macOS, Linux, Raspberry Pi OS | Very wide: DCC-EX, Digitrax LocoNet, NCE, Lenz/XpressNet (incl. Hornby, Roco), SPROG, ESU ECoS, Roco/Fleischmann Z21, Märklin CS2, MERG CBU… |
| DCC-EX (EX-CommandStation + EXRAIL)DCC-EX team (volunteers) | GNU GPL v3 | Free (software) | Runs on Arduino Mega / ESP32 / Nucleo, EX-Installer: Windows, macOS, Linux | Its own hardware |
| iTrain 6Berros (Netherlands) | Proprietary; personal, non-transferable licence for private use on your own computers; clubs one licence per layout | Lite €139, Standard €239, Plus €309, Professional €399 (vendor page, 18 Oct 2026) | macOS, Windows, Linux | Many systems incl. ESU ECoS, LocoNet, Lenz XpressNet, Roco Z21, Zimo MX1/MX10, BiDiB, SPROG, DCC-EX, Märklin CS2/CS3, Intellibox, YaMoRC |
| RocrailRocrail (Robert Jan Versluis) | Rocrail Basic described as free software | SupportKey: €12 per year (up to 3 years by multiples of €12) | macOS (Apple Silicon & Intel), Linux (Intel & ARM64), Raspberry Pi OS, Windows (Intel & ARM64) | Many command stations (see wiki) |
| TrainController (Railroad & Co.)Freiwald Software See note | Proprietary | — | — | — |
| TraintasticTraintastic project | Free and open source (GPL v2 per GitHub LICENSE) | Free | Windows, Linux | See manual's supported hardware appendix |
JMRI
- Maker
- JMRI project (volunteers)
- Version
- 5.16 production (16 July 2026); 5.17.4 test (10 Oct 2026)
- Licence
- Open source: GNU GPL v2 with Classpath Exception (docs CC BY-SA 4.0)
- Cost
- Free
- Runs on
- Windows, macOS, Linux, Raspberry Pi OS
- Works with
- Very wide: DCC-EX, Digitrax LocoNet, NCE, Lenz/XpressNet (incl. Hornby, Roco), SPROG, ESU ECoS, Roco/Fleischmann Z21, Märklin CS2, MERG CBUS, LCC/OpenLCB, C/MRI, BiDiB, MQTT and more
- Automation
- DecoderPro: decoder programming and loco roster
- PanelPro: control panels, Layout Editor, signals, routes, Logix
- DispatcherPro: dispatching
- OperationsPro: car forwarding and manifests
- Supports WiFi throttles (per hardware list)
Pricing: Free download
Requirements: Java 11 or later for releases after 4.26
DCC-EX (EX-CommandStation + EXRAIL)
- Maker
- DCC-EX team (volunteers)
- Licence
- GNU GPL v3
- Cost
- Free (software)
- Runs on
- Runs on Arduino Mega / ESP32 / Nucleo, EX-Installer: Windows, macOS, Linux
- Works with
- Its own hardware
- Automation
- Command station firmware for DIY hardware
- EXRAIL scripted automation (myAutomation.h)
- WiThrottle protocol for Engine Driver / WiThrottle apps
- EX-WebThrottle browser throttle
- Works with JMRI and Rocrail
Pricing: Free software; you buy the hardware (DIY parts or ready-to-run EX-CSB1)
Requirements: Supported microcontroller + motor driver
iTrain 6
- Maker
- Berros (Netherlands)
- Version
- 6.x
- Licence
- Proprietary; personal, non-transferable licence for private use on your own computers; clubs one licence per layout
- Cost
- Lite €139, Standard €239, Plus €309, Professional €399 (vendor page, 18 Oct 2026)
- Runs on
- macOS, Windows, Linux
- Works with
- Many systems incl. ESU ECoS, LocoNet, Lenz XpressNet, Roco Z21, Zimo MX1/MX10, BiDiB, SPROG, DCC-EX, Märklin CS2/CS3, Intellibox, YaMoRC
- Automation
- Lite: manual control, switchboard, track routes, block control (1 interface)
- Standard: + fully automatic driving (2 interfaces)
- Plus: + decoder programming, extra train overview for second monitor (4 interfaces)
- Professional: + networking across computers/tablets/phones, 3 switchboards, no object limits
- Non-Pro editions capped at 256 locos/accessories/feedbacks, 128 blocks, 4 boosters
Pricing: One-off licence per edition; free 6.x upgrades; 7.x and later at upgrade prices; 2-month full-function trial licence
Rocrail
- Maker
- Rocrail (Robert Jan Versluis)
- Licence
- Rocrail Basic described as free software
- Cost
- SupportKey: €12 per year (up to 3 years by multiples of €12)
- Runs on
- macOS (Apple Silicon & Intel), Linux (Intel & ARM64), Raspberry Pi OS, Windows (Intel & ARM64)
- Works with
- Many command stations (see wiki)
- Automation
- Manual, semi-automatic, timetable or fully automatic operation; mixed manual/automatic
- Rocview desktop UI; RocControl (iOS), andRoc (Android), Rocweb (browser), WIO-Control throttles
- Multiple synchronised user interfaces
- Node-RED / IoT integration
Pricing: Basic free; optional SupportKey (donation) unlocks Rocrail Pro extras, usable on all your computers
Requirements: Runs natively (no Java)
TrainController (Railroad & Co.)
- Maker
- Freiwald Software
- Licence
- Proprietary
Traintastic
- Maker
- Traintastic project
- Version
- Manual for v0.3.1; early-access builds available
- Licence
- Free and open source (GPL v2 per GitHub LICENSE)
- Cost
- Free
- Runs on
- Windows, Linux
- Works with
- See manual's supported hardware appendix
- Automation
- Drive locos and functions
- Draw schematic layouts
- Points and signals
- Feedback sensors and train tracking
- Train identification via RailCom and LiSSY
- Smart booster monitoring
- Wireless and web throttles
- Multiple PCs
- Optional Lua scripting
Pricing: Free; optional donations
Prices and features change — check the maker’s website before you buy. We haven’t tested these programs ourselves; this comparison is based on the makers’ own documentation listed below.
Sources
Checked 18 October 2026. Written in our own words from:
- jmri.org (jmri.org)
- jmri.org (jmri.org)
- jmri.org (jmri.org)
- dcc-ex.com (dcc-ex.com)
- github.com (github.com)
- berros.eu (berros.eu)
- berros.eu (berros.eu)
- berros.eu (berros.eu)
- berros.eu (berros.eu)
- rocrail-wiki.net (rocrail-wiki.net)
- rocrail-wiki.net (rocrail-wiki.net)
- freiwaldsoftware.de (freiwaldsoftware.de)
- traintastic.org (traintastic.org)
- github.com (github.com)
Spotted something wrong or out of date? Tell us and we’ll check it against the sources.