Comparison

SYNA vs SMART GC2

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

SYNA

Control your Maxspect integrated controller wirelessly. Manage multiple Maxspect devices, including the Ethereal LED Lighting System, directly from your mobile device.

Highlights
  • Wireless control
  • Integrated controller management
  • Maxspect device synchronization
  • Ethereal LED Lighting System control
Features
Read full description

This is the app to control the Maxspect ICV6 integrated controller. It provide wireless control of multiple Maxspect devices such as the Maxspect Ethereal LED Lighting System.

About

SMART GC2

Features
Read full description

Here, you will be able to communicate with other members, stay up to date with training events, requests assistance from a union representative, and many more features yet to come. Our goal is to make sure our members are connected to all the information and resources that are available to our members. This app is dedicated solely to the Mechanical Railroad membership of SMART General Committee II.

Screenshots

SYNA4 screens
SMART GC23 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: SMART GC2 at fortnightly against SYNA's every 6 weeks. SYNA's advantage is iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.1). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SYNA ships an update every 6 weeks, SMART GC2 fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
SYNA versus SMART GC2: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSYNASMART GC2
PriceFreeFree
Rating1.5 (13 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews16.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings13 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeksFortnightly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS12.0 — better15.1
Further details — not scored
Size27 MB448 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMaxspectJason Busolt

Bugs and requests

SYNA

Reported bugs

56 issues
  • App constantly freezing
  • Unable to access controller
  • App won't connect to app/router
  • Controller disconnects from WiFi
  • App keeps crashing
Show 51 more
  • Connection issues with controller
  • App is clunky
  • Not optimized for newer iPhones
  • Buttons outside of screen
  • App locks up
  • Control screen buttons missing on iPad
  • App doesn't respond after value change
  • App is unusable after update
  • New version is partially unusable
  • Hours and percentages not visible
  • App broken by update
  • Confusing, slow, and buggy
  • Feed button off the page
  • Percentage for lights disappeared
  • Timers for setting lights don't work
  • App doesn't respond well after update
  • Device garbage, app garbage
  • Controls are limited
  • App abandoned
  • Cannot use app
  • App needs improvement
  • Firmware update required via SD card
  • Unpolished, needs more control options
  • Binary on/off controls
  • App is painful to use
  • Tutorial video has errors
  • Update wiped out settings
  • App not optimized for iPhone X/Xs
  • Cannot click buttons
  • Firmware updates needed
  • No cloud functionality for remote access
  • Bad update, older version better
  • App doesn't work on iPad
  • Cannot adjust pump settings on iPad
  • Preset and advanced buttons hidden
  • Poorly tested updates
  • Buttons outside of screen
  • Cannot manually change flow types
  • No transmit button
  • Only automatic settings
  • Disaster compared to previous version
  • Cannot adjust schedule times
  • Pop-up empty for time setting
  • Cannot use app with router
  • Network name incorrect, cannot change
  • Connection fails most of the time
  • Documentation non-existent
  • App not easy to use
  • No answers from support
  • Photoperiod doesn't work on iPhone 6
  • Wifi-Setup crashes after entering password

Requested features

14 requests
  • Add pulse mode for low percentages
  • Option to select OGC preset mode
  • Allow firmware updates over the app
  • Add a feed button on the main app page
  • Allow selection of pumps for feed mode
Show 9 more
  • Enable remote activation of feed mode
  • Add scheduling capabilities
  • Improve control options
  • Add help/documentation for the app
  • Improve app to be easier to use
  • Add Spanish language option
  • Mimic moonlight with lower than 1% light
  • Allow grouping of lamps for separate adjustment
  • Improve Wi-Fi settings to avoid constant switching

SMART GC2

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

SYNA

No in-app purchases

None

SMART GC2

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is SYNA free?
SYNA is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is SMART GC2 free?
SMART GC2 is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do SYNA or SMART GC2 have ads?
Neither SYNA nor SMART GC2 shows ads.
Which is updated more often, SYNA or SMART GC2?
SYNA ships an update every 6 weeks, and SMART GC2 fortnightly. Most recently, SYNA was updated on November 2, 2026 and SMART GC2 on November 3, 2026.

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