Hello, guys. Are you interested to develop railway tracking app? If so, this is the best guide for you because here you get all the information about railway tracker app development.
Due to the lack of technology, passengers or travelers face multiple problems or challenges, like having to wait for trains for a long time because they don’t know about the train location. Many times, trains are late reaching the station, and delay is the foremost basic thing when traveling. Well, there are many reasons to invent such an app idea, and the core one is time wastage.
With the help of railway tracking apps, people can manage their time by tracking their trains and doing other important tasks within the delayed time. These apps help a lot and positively enhance passenger experience by providing real-time updates on train locations, schedules, and delays. These sorts of advanced apps also promote safety by offering alerts and updates on unexpected changes or emergencies.
In this guide, you will discover everything about railway tracking apps, including what they are, how they work, reasons to invest in this app idea, the 5 top applications, the cost to develop railway tracking app, the tech stack, revenue models, the railway tracking app development process, and many more.
But before moving forward, you have to know about the app market and its trends. The market size will give you the confidence to make a confident decision to invest in this app idea. So, let’s look at these amazing market stats.
Market Size & Trends About Railway Tracking Apps
The global railway telematics market, which includes railway tracking apps, is expected to grow significantly in the coming years. In 2020, the market was valued at approximately $4.98 billion and is projected to reach around $12.43 billion by 2030, indicating a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.5% from 2021 to 2030.
According to Grand View Research, the railway telematics market is also anticipated to expand in the United States. It was valued at $3,067.9 million in 2023 and is expected to reach $4,539.3 million by 2030, with a CAGR of 5.8% from 2024 to 2030.
Additionally, as per 360i Research, the broader smart railways market, encompassing various digital and automated railway solutions, is projected to grow from $56.30 billion in 2023 to $129.48 billion by 2030, reflecting a CAGR of 12.63%.
These statistics highlight a strong global trend towards adopting advanced technologies in railway systems, including tracking applications, to enhance efficiency, safety, and passenger experience.
What is a Railway Tracking App ?
A Railway Tracking App is a mobile application that helps users to track their trains in real-time. These kinds of apps provide important details like train schedules, live location, expected arrival and departure times, and platform information.
These apps are designed to make traveling easier by offering alerts about delays or cancellations and even letting users check seat availability or book tickets. Whether you’re planning a trip or keeping track of a loved one’s journey, a railway tracking app ensures convenience and reduces travel-related stress.
Note: If you are planning for public transport tracking app development then you can use these revenue models as well for your app. By using these monetization strategies you can make a good amount of money.
Features to Add to the Railway Tracking Mobile App Development
These are the features that are really important to integrate during the railway tracking app development. These amazing features will enhance your app’s value and make it more adaptable in this current competitive market. As per the user perspective, users want a full-fledged app that can provide A to Z things and solve their issues easily.
So, build railway tracking app that is ideal from the user’s perspective. Let’s discuss these features, which are essential to add to your app at the time of railway tracker app development.
Real-Time Train Tracking
Real-time train tracking is the most important feature in these kinds of applications because it enables users to view live train locations on a map, ensuring accurate tracking and updates. This is the foremost feature, and you really need to add it to your app.
Live Arrival and Departure Times
Live arrival and departure times are also essential features in railway tracking apps. This feature allows the app to display real-time updates on train arrival and departure schedules to help passengers plan their trips efficiently.
Route Information
Route information is kind of a core feature because it provides clear details about train routes, including stops and connections, for seamless journey planning. Passengers will get updated with this feature and manage their time accordingly.
Station Information
The station information feature is a very helpful feature in railway tracking apps because it offers details about nearby stations, including facilities, platform numbers, and directions. Users can track the station information accurately, and this is gonna be helpful by all means.
Service Alerts
Service alerts are also a useful feature in these apps, and they must be integrated at the time of railway tracking app development. This feature notifies users about delays, cancellations, or changes in train schedules to avoid inconveniences.
Integration with Ticketing
Integration with ticketing is also a useful feature because it enables users to book tickets directly through the app for a seamless travel experience. If you consider this feature to your app during railway tracking system app development, you successfully make the best one.
Favorite Routes or Stations
Favorite routes or stations are also favorable features in these sorts of applications because they allow users to mark preferred routes or stations for quick access to relevant updates. Because of this feature, users will engage with the app.
Multi-Modal Transit Support
Multi model transit support is also a supportive feature in railway tracking applications, this integrates additional transport options like buses or metros to help users plan comprehensive journeys. Passengers can manage their next journey with the help of this feature.
Interactive Map
Interactive maps help a lot, so you must add this feature to your app at the time of railway tracker app development. This includes an interactive map with real-time updates on train locations and user-friendly navigation.
Customizable Settings
Customization settings are also a preferable feature in such an app because they allow users to customize notifications, select preferred transit lines, or choose display preferences. Users can customize the app settings according to their preferences.
Accessibility Features
The accessibility feature is very important for railway tracking apps. It ensures the app is user-friendly for all, with features like voice guidance, font adjustments, and wheelchair accessibility information.
Offline Mode
The offline mode feature is ideal for these kinds of railway tracking apps because it offers offline access to schedules and route maps for convenience in areas with limited internet connectivity. So add this feature to your app at the time of railway tracking system app development.
Feedback and Support
Feedback and support are engaging features in these sorts of apps because they add a section for users to share their feedback or seek help for app-related issues. This advanced feature enhances user experience.
Note: If you are planning for location tracking app development, then read this guide in detail and get all the information which you really need to know before developing location tracking apps.
Reasons to Invest in the Railway Tracking App
There are many reasons to invest money in railway tracking app development. If you really want to invest your money in this project, you have to know the reasons for investing in it.
Before making up your mind, it is necessary to know the importance of this app, right? So here are the reasons that can provide you with a complete and confident decision to create railway tracking app.
1. Real-Time Train Tracking
Real-time train tracking is one of the most favorable reasons for these kinds of applications because it provides live updates on train locations and schedules, improves travel planning, and provides many more to users directly.
2. Enhanced User Convenience
Another reason is enhanced user convenience, as these sorts of applications offer features like ticket booking, platform info, and delay alerts in one place. This is the reason for developing or investing in such apps.
3. High Demand
High demand is the core reason to invest money in these types of apps because it caters to a large audience of daily commuters and long-distance travelers. That’s the reason why investing in railway tracking mobile app development is the best idea.
4. Revenue Potential
The revenue potential is also a reason to invest in railway tracking apps because they generate income by applying revenue models like ads, premium features, or ticket commissions.
5. Improved Railway Operations
Improved railway operations is also a reason to invest money in this app because it helps authorities streamline train management with data insights.
6. Better Customer Experience
Another powerful reason is better customer experience. You have to invest money in this project because you can build trust and satisfaction by reducing travel uncertainties.
Top 5 Popular Railway Tracking Apps in 2025
Many railway tracking apps are available on the market, but not every app is very popular. For your understanding and better consideration, we cover the top five railway tracker apps. So here’s a table of the top five applications summarizing information about railway tracking apps.
With the help of this information, you will compare the features and app compatibility. Then, according to the demand and market trends, you can develop railway tracking app with the help of your hired mobile app development company.
| App Name | Launch Year | App Store Rating | Play Store Rating | iOS App Size | Android App Size | Downloads | Primary Country |
| Where Is My Train | 2015 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | ~20 MB | ~13 MB | 100M+ | India |
| MBTA Rail | 2015 | 4.0/5 | N/A | ~30 MB | N/A | 50K+ | USA |
| Amtrak | 2013 | 4.8/5 | 4.2/5 | ~100 MB | ~50 MB | 5M+ | USA |
| SNCF | 2012 | 4.5/5 | 4.0/5 | ~150 MB | ~100 MB | 10M+ | France |
| Live Train Location | 2023 | 4.4/5 | 4.2/5 | ~25 MB | ~10 MB | 10K+ | India |
Note: Well if you want a list of best location tracking apps, then we have another blog where you can explore top location tracking apps with all detailed information and comparison.
Core Technologies Behind the Railway Tracking App development
Whenever you decide to build railway tracker app, you really need to choose the best tech stack to develop it. You have to connect with one of the best mobile app development companies for your development needs.
Here, we make a table that can provide you with all the tech stack needed in railway tracker app development. So, look at these technologies and choose the ideal ones for your project.
| Category | Technologies |
| Frontend Development | React Native, Flutter, or Swift (iOS), Kotlin (Android) |
| Backend Development | Node.js, Django, or Ruby on Rails |
| Database | PostgreSQL, MySQL, or MongoDB |
| Real-time Tracking | GPS, Geolocation APIs (Google Maps API, Mapbox, OpenStreetMap) |
| API Integration | RESTful APIs, GraphQL, or SOAP for train data and schedule integration |
| Cloud Services | AWS (Amazon Web Services), Google Cloud, or Microsoft Azure for scalability |
| Push Notifications | Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM) or OneSignal |
| Authentication | OAuth 2.0, Firebase Authentication, or JWT (JSON Web Token) |
| Testing Tools | Selenium, Appium, Postman (for APIs), or JUnit |
| DevOps | Docker, Jenkins, or Kubernetes for CI/CD and app deployment |
The Development Process of the Railway Tracking App
Well, this is the most important point of this blog. You can follow these steps and develop railway tracking app successfully. So, look at these steps and follow them exactly when you are going for railway tracking app development.
1. Requirement Gathering
First, you have to understand the app’s goals, features, and target audience. Then, you have to hire mobile app developers, so they will create a roadmap to start development.
2. UI/UX Design
After requirements gathering, your designers will design user-friendly interfaces with simple navigation and attractive visuals for a smooth user experience.
3. Backend and Frontend Development
After successfully designing the UI/UX, it’s time to develop the app’s core functionality, including live tracking, schedule updates, and notifications. Your hired developers will build railway tracking app according to your requirements.
4. Integration and Testing
After railway tracking mobile app development, it’s time to integrate APIs for real-time train data and test the app to ensure it is bug-free and performs well.
5. Launch and Maintenance
After completing integration and testing, the app is ready to launch on app stores and provides regular updates and support to improve its functionality over time.
Note: With the help of this development process, you can also develop container tracking app without facing any issues.
Revenue Models of the Railway Tracking App
Here are the top revenue models that can help you make money from your railway tracking app. Whenever you decide to create railway tracking app, you also have to choose the revenue models that will allow your app to earn money. We provide the best options; you can select from them and apply them to generate revenue.
1. Subscription Plans
Subscription plans are one of the most favorable revenue models for railway tracking apps because they offer premium features like an ad-free experience, real-time notifications, and detailed analytics for a monthly or yearly fee. This model is quite effective and highly recommended.
2. In-App Advertisements
In-app advertisements are also a preferable revenue model because, in this model, you can display ads from third-party advertisers, such as travel agencies, hotels, or local businesses, to earn revenue. You can earn money by approaching others to display their advertisements.
3. Ticket Booking Commission
The ticket booking commission revenue model is the best because it allows you to partner with rail operators or agencies and earn a percentage on each ticket booked through the app. This strategy is best for railway tracking applications.
4. Freight and Cargo Tracking
Freight and cargo tracking is also a considerable revenue model because it provides tracking services for cargo and earns from logistics companies for using premium features. This monetizing strategy can help you earn a good amount of revenue.
5. API Monetization
API monetization revenue model is a good revenue model because you charge third-party businesses for using your app’s API to integrate railway tracking data into their systems.
6. Sponsorship Deals
Sponsorship deals are the most effective revenue model because, with this revenue model, you can collaborate with brands or organizations for sponsorships to showcase their services to your app users.
6. Freemium Model
The freemium model is the best one because it allows basic app access for free and charge for advanced features like detailed maps, offline usage, or priority customer support. This is also the best choice as a monetizing strategy for your railway tracking apps.
Cost to Develop Railway Tracking App
The mobile app development cost depends on multiple factors like the app’s complexity, features, design, tech stack, developers’ location & experiences and many more things. Every factor plays a role in increasing or decreasing the cost.
So here is a table which categorizes railway tracking app development costs as per the basic, advanced, and complex apps, detailing the roles involved in the development process.
| Role | Basic App | Advanced App | Complex App |
| UI/UX Designer | $2,000 – $4,000 | $4,000 – $8,000 | $8,000 – $12,000 |
| Frontend Developer | $4,000 – $8,000 | $8,000 – $15,000 | $15,000 – $25,000 |
| Backend Developer | $6,000 – $12,000 | $12,000 – $20,000 | $20,000 – $35,000 |
| Mobile Developer | $5,000 – $10,000 | $10,000 – $18,000 | $18,000 – $30,000 |
| QA Tester | $2,000 – $5,000 | $5,000 – $8,000 | $8,000 – $12,000 |
| Project Manager | $3,000 – $6,000 | $6,000 – $10,000 | $10,000 – $15,000 |
| API Integrations | $3,000 – $5,000 | $5,000 – $10,000 | $10,000 – $20,000 |
| Third-party Tools | $1,000 – $3,000 | $3,000 – $6,000 | $6,000 – $10,000 |
| Total Cost | $26,000 – $53,000 | $53,000 – $95,000 | $95,000 – $159,000 |
Nutshell
Alright, we are at the last point, and now we are going to discuss the conclusion of this blog. First of all, hopefully, you are satisfied with this guide. As per our initial discussion, we cover everything about this topic that is essential for railway tracking mobile app development.
If you decide to build railway tracking app, you should hire one of the best IT companies that can provide all types of mobile app development services at budgetary prices.
Octal IT Solution is one of the best choices for your railway tracker app development requirements because here, you get the best developers or professionals who have years of experience in this industry and develop a top-notch application as per the client’s requirements and demands.
Latest Stories
Get in Touch
