They share the same name, but the K-jihacheol mobile app and Steam version are different products. If you're wondering whether to start with the free mobile app or go straight for the paid Steam version, here's a side-by-side comparison.
Content Scale
The mobile app, free on the App Store and Google Play, covers lines in 11 cities across 4 countries — Korea, Japan, the U.S., and Taiwan. The paid Steam version adds Hong Kong, Singapore, Canada, 11 European cities, and Sydney in Oceania, bringing the total to 19 countries, 26 cities, 94 lines, and 2,361 stations.
Modes: 2 vs. 3
The mobile app offers two modes: typing mode and memory mode. The Steam version carries these two over as Drive and Memory, and adds a brand-new Race mode where you compete in real time against a computer engineer. Race mode has 3 difficulty levels, adding extra replay value.
Price and Ads
The mobile app is free to install, but it shows Google AdMob ads and uses Firebase Analytics. The Steam version is a paid game at ₩3,300 (₩2,970 at the discounted price through August 29), but it has no ads at all, and the ad and analytics SDKs are never initialized.
Input Method and Screen
On mobile, you type station names on a touch keyboard, while the Steam version uses a physical keyboard. The larger screen also makes it easier to see the map and the input field at the same time.
Which Version Should You Choose?
If you just want to casually enjoy domestic routes for short sessions, the free mobile app is enough. But if you want to explore routes across Europe and Asia more broadly, or you're interested in racing against AI in Race mode, buying the Steam version — currently 10% off — will get you more out of it.