# Synod.im vs TeleGuard

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Synod.im at 100% against TeleGuard's 47%. Synod.im also leads on price (Free vs $3.99) and rating (4.8 vs 3.1). TeleGuard's advantage is ratings volume (239 vs 5) and chart position (#3 vs unranked). On update cadence, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Synod.im is free to download; TeleGuard costs $3.99 up front. TeleGuard sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. Synod.im asks for nothing beyond the download.

Synod.im holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: TeleGuard has 239 ratings behind it against 5, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 100% of Synod.im's written reviews are positive against 47% of TeleGuard's.

Synod.im ships an update every 2 months, TeleGuard every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 1, 2026 and October 18, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Synod.im | TeleGuard |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **Free** | $3.99 |
| Rating | **[4.8 (5 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/synodim/id1488171544/reviews)** | [3.1 (239 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/teleguard/id1505636751/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 5 | **239** |
| Positive reviews | **100.0% of reviews** | 46.8% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 5 weeks** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | — | **#3** |
| Size | 157 MB | 103 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **12.1** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Christoph Settgast](https://appshunter.io/developer/1488171543) | [Swisscows AG](https://appshunter.io/developer/1013972705) |

## What reviewers say

### Synod.im

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/synodim/id1488171544)

This app allows participation in a federated messaging system, offering a Matrix-compatible messenger. It connects to a default server but supports others, serving as a fork of a popular iOS client.

**Highlights:** Matrix-compatible messaging, Federated system participation, Customizable homeserver, Fork of Element iOS, Decentralized communication

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### TeleGuard

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/teleguard/id1505636751)

**Currently charting:** #3 Top Paid · Social Networking, #39 Top Paid (US App Store)

This app offers a secure and anonymous messaging experience with no registration or data collection. It uses strong encryption for all communications and stores no user data on its servers. Connect with friends using unique IDs and QR codes for verified contact.

**Highlights:** Anonymous messaging, End-to-end encryption, Text and voice messages, Video and voice calls, File sharing, Group chats, QR code contact verification

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Small coffee | $0.99 | one-time |
| Advanced calls promo | $2.49 | one-time |
| Medium coffee | $2.99 | one-time |
| TeleGuard ID | $2.99 | one-time |
| Advanced calls | $3.49 | one-time |
| Big coffee | $4.99 | one-time |
| 5$ | $4.99 | one-time |
| Channel | $7.00 | one-time |
| 20$ | $19.99 | one-time |
| 100$ | $99.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🔒 No phone number or email required for registration
- 🔒 Strong privacy and encryption features
- 👍 User-friendly interface
- 📞 Good call quality when working
- 🌍 Swiss-based company with trusted reputation

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💸 Unexpected charges and overpricing
- 🐢 Extremely slow media upload/download speeds
- 🐛 Frequent server connection failures
- ⚠️ App crashes and poor stability
- 📱 No native iPad support

**Reported bugs**

- No connection to server error (widespread and persistent)
- App crashes when purchasing unique ID
- App crashes when adding phone credit
- Videos fail to load or play
- Video volume not working

**Requested features**

- Native iPad application
- Emoji reactions to messages
- Poll creation in group chats
- Bluetooth headphone/speaker switching
- Dark mode and customization options


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Synod.im free?

Synod.im is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is TeleGuard free?

TeleGuard costs $3.99, and also offers in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Synod.im or TeleGuard?

Synod.im is rated higher. Synod.im averages 4.8 out of 5 from 5 ratings, while TeleGuard averages 3.1 from 239 ratings.

### Do Synod.im or TeleGuard have ads?

Neither Synod.im nor TeleGuard shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Synod.im or TeleGuard?

Synod.im ships an update every 2 months, and TeleGuard every 5 weeks. Most recently, Synod.im was updated on October 1, 2026 and TeleGuard on October 18, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*