Comparison

SYNA vs SunnyReef

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

SunnyReef

Features
Read full description

SunnyReef is a marine aquarium journal for iPhone, iPad and Mac. Log water tests, watch trends on charts, import ICP lab reports, plan your dosing and ask an AI assistant about your reef — all in one place, synced through iCloud. TESTS & PARAMETERS • 12 parameters: KH, calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), nitrate (NO₃), phosphate (PO₄), pH, salinity, temperature, plus trace elements: potassium (K), strontium (Sr), iodine and iron (Fe) • A clear status for every parameter against its target range — with custom ranges for your own tank • Historical charts and statistics: parameter trends over time ICP REPORTS • Import lab results from: Aquaforest Lab, ATI ICP, Triton, Fauna Marin, Oceamo • Values are read from the report automatically by an AI agent and compared with your previous tests (requires an AI key — see below) BRING YOUR HISTORY • CSV import from Excel, Numbers or Google Sheets — carry your existing measurement history with you DOSING • A new Dosing tab: set each supplement schedule once — a periodic table of elements shows every item at a glance • Bottle supply warnings 7 and 3 days ahead • Estimated level on the Dashboard, History chart and Dosing table — measured values and their statuses never change • A dose advisor computes real consumption from your tests and ICP and suggests a safe dose — always a suggestion, never auto-dosing • Label converter (ml/drops, L/gal, mg/µg per litre, dKH) and a salt batch profile LIVESTOCK & FEEDING • Track your fish, corals and invertebrates — species, purchase batches with prices and dates • Loss history with cause and note — undo an accidental loss and the animal returns to your living stock • Group feeding: one food, frequency and notes for a whole category; any species can have its own plan • The AI assistant knows your livestock — ask about stocking compatibility or have it set the feeding plan GALLERY, CALENDAR, REMINDERS • Reef photos with water parameters from the nearest test saved in the background • Calendar with daily notes • Reminders with notifications — water changes, tests, top-offs MULTIPLE AQUARIUMS • Separate tank profiles, including saved lighting settings SYNC & BACKUPS • iCloud sync between iPhone, iPad and Mac • Automatic backup to a folder of your choice (e.g. iCloud Drive), plus manual export and restore of a .sunnyreef file AI ASSISTANT — WITH YOUR OWN KEY SunnyReef connects to AI models using your own API key: • Claude (Anthropic) — paid key, highest quality analysis, understands photos • Gemini (Google) — free key, fully functional agent with photo analysis The assistant knows your results, answers questions about your parameters, analyzes coral photos and saves notes on your request. AI answers are informational and do not replace the knowledge and judgment of an experienced reef keeper. SUNNYREEF PREMIUM SUBSCRIPTION SunnyReef requires an active SunnyReef Premium subscription — one plan unlocks the full app: tests, charts, ICP imports, CSV import, dosing, livestock and feeding, gallery, calendar, reminders, multiple aquariums, iCloud sync, backups and the AI assistant interface. • 14-day free trial, then $3.99 per month or $24.99 per year (prices may vary by region) • The subscription renews automatically; billed through your Apple ID account; cancel anytime in your subscription settings • You can export a backup of your data at any time — even without an active subscription • AI API keys are independent from the subscription — you pay your AI provider for your own usage (Gemini offers a free tier) • Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ PRIVACY • Your data stays with you — on your device and in your private iCloud • The developer collects no data (App Privacy: "Data Not Collected") • API keys are stored securely in the system keychain • AI requests go directly to the provider you choose (Anthropic or Google) — details in the privacy policy Available in English, French, German, Japanese and Polish.

Screenshots

SYNA4 screens
SunnyReef4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: SYNA at none against SunnyReef's 2. SYNA also leads on iOS requirement (12.0 vs 26.5). SunnyReef's advantage is update cadence (every 3 days vs every 6 weeks). On price, ads 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. SunnyReef sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. SYNA asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SYNA ships an update every 6 weeks, SunnyReef every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
SYNA versus SunnyReef: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSYNASunnyReef
PriceFreeFree
Rating1.5 (13 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews16.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings13 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeksEvery 3 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, Mac
Requires iOS12.0 — better26.5
Further details — not scored
Size27 MB15 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMaxspectLukasz Litwin

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

SunnyReef

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

SYNA

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

SunnyReef

Subscriptions2
  • SunnyReef Premium Monthly14 Days trial$3.991 Month
  • SunnyReef Premium Annual14 Days trial$24.991 Year

Questions

Is SYNA free?
SYNA is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is SunnyReef free?
SunnyReef is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do SYNA or SunnyReef have ads?
Neither SYNA nor SunnyReef shows ads.
Which is updated more often, SYNA or SunnyReef?
SYNA ships an update every 6 weeks, and SunnyReef every 3 days. Most recently, SYNA was updated on November 2, 2026 and SunnyReef on October 31, 2026.

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