For decades, the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has been the go-to platform for booking train tickets and checking journey details. However, the recent launch of Rail One, IRCTC’s all-in-one railway services app, has changed the landscape of train travel in India.
Both IRCTC Rail Connect and Rail One serve millions of passengers daily, offering features like live train status, PNR updates, ticket booking, and tourism packages. But which app gives you better train-related information?
We compare them feature-by-feature to help you decide.
Overview of Both Apps
IRCTC Rail Connect App
The IRCTC Rail Connect app is the official ticket booking app launched several years ago. It allows users to book and cancel tickets, check PNR status, and access some train schedules. However, it relies on separate platforms like NTES for live train tracking.
Rail One App
Launched in 2024, Rail One integrates all railway-related services into a single platform — from ticket booking to real-time train tracking, e-catering, tourism, and retiring room bookings. It is designed to replace multiple apps, offering a cleaner interface and more features in one place.
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
| Feature | IRCTC Rail Connect | Rail One App |
|---|---|---|
| Ticket Booking | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Live Train Status | ❌ Needs NTES App | ✅ Built-in |
| PNR Status Updates | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes (Faster Alerts) |
| E-Catering/Food Ordering | ❌ Separate App | ✅ Integrated |
| Tourism Packages | Limited | Extensive |
| Retiring Room/Lounge Booking | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Platform Details | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Language Support | English & Hindi | Multiple Languages |
| User Interface | Outdated | Modern, Mobile-First |
| Speed & Performance | Average | Faster Loading |
1. Live Train Running Status
Rail One takes the lead here. While the IRCTC Rail Connect app doesn’t have native live tracking, Rail One integrates real-time GPS-based updates directly into its interface.
You can view:
- Exact location of the train
- Delay status in minutes
- Expected platform at upcoming stations
- Route map with moving train icons
Verdict: Rail One wins for real-time train location tracking.
2. PNR Status Tracking
Both apps allow PNR status checking. However, Rail One sends push notifications when your ticket status changes from waitlist to confirmed or when charts are prepared — something IRCTC Rail Connect lacks.
Verdict: Rail One wins for proactive updates.
3. Ticket Booking Experience
Both apps are officially integrated with IRCTC’s ticketing system, so booking speed and security are similar. However, Rail One’s simpler navigation and fewer clicks make the process more beginner-friendly.
Verdict: Slight edge to Rail One for UI design.
4. Food Ordering Onboard
Rail One integrates IRCTC’s e-catering service directly, allowing passengers to order food from popular restaurant chains without leaving the app. The IRCTC Rail Connect app requires a separate download for food ordering.
Verdict: Rail One wins for convenience.
5. Tourism & Extra Services
IRCTC Rail Connect offers some tourism booking options but is limited compared to Rail One, which has a dedicated tourism section offering:
Bharat Gaurav train bookings
Religious yatras
Hill station packages
City tours
It also allows booking of retiring rooms and lounges at stations.
Verdict: Rail One offers more comprehensive travel services.
6. Language Support
Rail One supports multiple Indian languages, including Hindi, English, Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Gujarati, and Marathi. IRCTC Rail Connect supports fewer languages.
Verdict: Rail One wins for regional accessibility.
7. Speed & Stability
Rail One is a newer app built on a modern framework, making it faster and more responsive. However, some early users have reported minor glitches during high traffic hours, which IRCTC is actively fixing.
IRCTC Rail Connect is stable but slower and more cluttered in navigation.
Verdict: Rail One wins for overall performance.
User Feedback Summary
Rail One App – Pros:
All-in-one functionality
Integrated live train status and PNR alerts
Built-in e-catering and tourism booking
Multi-language support
Modern design
Rail One App – Cons:
Minor bugs reported in early stages
Slightly larger file size
IRCTC Rail Connect – Pros:
Stable and time-tested
Trusted for ticket booking
Smaller download size
IRCTC Rail Connect – Cons:
Outdated interface
Lacks built-in live tracking and food ordering
Limited extra services
Which App Should You Use?
If you only want to book tickets and prefer a familiar, stable platform, IRCTC Rail Connect will still do the job.
But if you want:
Real-time live train tracking
PNR alerts
Food ordering integration
Tourism packages
A single app for all railway needs
… then Rail One is the clear winner.
The Future of Rail Travel Apps in India
IRCTC officials have hinted that Rail One will eventually replace multiple older apps, including Rail Connect, NTES, and eCatering. This would mean a single app for the entire railway digital ecosystem, reducing confusion and improving user experience.
Upcoming features in Rail One may include:
Voice-based booking commands
AI-powered travel recommendations
Platform change alerts
Metro and last-mile transport integration
Final Verdict
While IRCTC Rail Connect remains a solid choice for basic ticket booking, Rail One is the future — a comprehensive, modern, and user-friendly platform that centralizes all railway services.
For passengers who value convenience, real-time updates, and an integrated travel experience, Rail One is already the better option for train info.