Choose Train Simulator Classic
Choose Train Simulator Classic if you want the Steam Leaderboards side of the pairing. On Steam, it's currently about 40% cheaper on the Steam Store. 10,602 Steam reviews back the pick.
Train Simulator Classic vs Train Frontier Classic
Train Simulator Classic and Train Frontier Classic both land in Simulation on Steam, which is why they keep getting compared. The comparison below is built from each game's Steam metadata — release year, genres, categories, Steam Deck status, price, and review score — refreshed daily by imho.run's scraper. Headline differences: Both are Simulation games on Steam. Train Simulator Classic (2015) is 2 years older than Train Frontier Classic (2017). Train Frontier Classic scores higher on Steam reviews (89.3% positive) than Train Simulator Classic (73.4% positive). No login or purchase needed — scroll for the full table, the verdict FAQ, and links to ranked similar games for both titles.
Which should you pick?
Choose Train Frontier Classic
Choose Train Frontier Classic if you want an Indie, Casual, and Early Access game with Multi-player, Online PvP, and Online Co-op. On Steam, it carries the stronger Steam consensus at 89.3% positive across 215 reviews.
Both Train Simulator Classic and Train Frontier Classic sit in Simulation on Steam, so either pick lands in the same broad neighborhood. Use the side-by-side table for the feature view, or follow the "Games like" links below to see ranked alternatives for either title.
Side-by-side comparison
 Train Simulator Classic |  Train Frontier Classic | |
|---|---|---|
| Released | 2015 | 2017 |
| Genres | Simulation | Indie, Simulation, Casual, Early Access |
| Platforms | Windows | Windows |
| Steam Deck | Deck Playable | Deck Playable |
| Price | 5.99 USD | 9.99 USD |
| Steam reviews | 73.4% positive (10,602 reviews) | 89.3% positive (215 reviews) |
| Multiplayer | Single-player only | Multi-player, Online Co-op, Co-op |
| Developers | Dovetail Games | Team Train Frontier |
Side by side
- Both are Simulation games on Steam.
- Train Simulator Classic (2015) is 2 years older than Train Frontier Classic (2017).
- Train Frontier Classic scores higher on Steam reviews (89.3% positive) than Train Simulator Classic (73.4% positive).
- Train Simulator Classic is currently ~40% cheaper on Steam than Train Frontier Classic (5.99 USD vs. 9.99 USD).
- Train Frontier Classic has co-op; Train Simulator Classic does not.
- Both are Deck Playable.
Train Simulator Classic vs Train Frontier Classic — FAQ
- Which is better, Train Simulator Classic or Train Frontier Classic?
- On Steam reviews Train Frontier Classic scores higher (89.3% positive) than Train Simulator Classic (73.4% positive). Both have enough reviews to trust the signal, so for players using reviews alone, Train Frontier Classic is the safer pick. Genre fit still matters — check the side-by-side table for the categories each game lands in.
- Should I play Train Simulator Classic or Train Frontier Classic first?
- If you want chronology, Train Simulator Classic (2015) came out before Train Frontier Classic (2017). If neither is a sequel to the other, order doesn't really matter — start with whichever fits your current mood, since both share enough on Steam to make either a reasonable opener.
- Are Train Simulator Classic and Train Frontier Classic similar?
- They overlap on Simulation on Steam, so the catalogue groups them together — but "similar" depends on the specific mechanics. Use the genre + category rows above to decide whether the overlap matches what drew you to the one you've already played.
- Does Train Simulator Classic have multiplayer like Train Frontier Classic?
- No. Train Frontier Classic supports multiplayer on Steam (Multi-player, Online Co-op, Co-op), while Train Simulator Classic is listed as single-player only.