Synod.im vs Swiftgram
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Synod.im
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.
- Matrix-compatible messaging
- Federated system participation
- Customizable homeserver
- Fork of Element iOS
- Decentralized communication
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Synod.im ist ein Matrix-kompatibler Messenger des LUKi e.V., mit dem du am föderierten Matrix-System teilnehmen kannst. Standardmäßig ist der Matrix-Server auf synod.im eingestellt, andere Homeserver sind möglich. Dies ist ein friendly fork von Element iOS.
Swiftgram
A modified Telegram client offering enhanced privacy, unlimited accounts, and advanced messaging features. Enjoy ad-free communication with tools like message filtering, real-time translation, and voice-to-text transcription.
- Unlimited accounts
- Message filtering
- Voice-to-text transcription
- Real-time chat translation
- Customizable interface
- Apple Watch companion
- Privacy-focused features
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Swiftgram is a modded client for Telegram with Lots of features, focus on Privacy, No Limits, No Ads. Completelly Open Source and includes all latest updates from Telegram plus UNLIMITED ACCOUNTS: Add as many numbers as you want for FREE. ACCOUNTS BACKUP: Log-in to your accounts without SMS-code. Restore all Sessions that are still Active on Telegram servers. MESSAGE FILTER: Reduce visibility of SPAM, promotions and annoying messages. FORMATTING PANEL: Bold, Italic, Links? Formatting with just a single tap. VOICE-TO-TEXT: Transcribe audio messages to text for FREE. TRANSLATOR: Real-time translations for an entire chat. Translate messages you send with a single tap. STORIES: Hide stories or disable swipe for recording. APPLE WATCH COMPANION: Send and Receive Text and Voice messages on your Watch, only in Swiftgram! CHAT MANAGEMENT: Control Tabs, Hide "All Chats", move Folders to bottom and remember the last opened Folder to quickly jump into the discussion. HIDE NOTIFICATIONS: No more Pinned Messages or @mentions when you need some piece of mind. 50+ CUSTOMIZATIONS: Tabs, Chat List and Folders, Profiles, Stories, Translator, Better Photos, Stickers, Context Menu and much, MUCH MORE! SIMPLICITY: Swiftgram remains easy to use with no interface clutter. PRIVACY-FOCUSED: Instant Passcode Lock, Completelly Open Source, No Ads, No Trackers. Your messages and chats remain secure. ACCESSIBILITY: Improved VoiceOver support for Messages Sharing, cause A11y matters! Follow the news: @swiftgram Discuss: @swiftgramchat Swiftgram is an unofficial fork based on Telegram API. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Synod.im at 4.8 against Swiftgram's 4.2. Synod.im also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 1) and review sentiment (100% vs 69%). Swiftgram's advantage is ratings volume (634 vs 5) and chart position (#189 vs unranked). On price, update cadence, 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
Both are free to download. Swiftgram sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $3.99 per month. Synod.im asks for nothing beyond the download.
Synod.im holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Swiftgram has 634 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 69% of Swiftgram's.
Synod.im ships an update every 2 months, Swiftgram monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 1, 2026 and October 22, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Synod.im | Swiftgram |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.8 (5 ratings) — better | 4.2 (634 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better | 69.4% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 5 | 634 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Monthly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | — | #189 — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch — better |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 15.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 157 MB | 251 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | Christoph Settgast | Akentech Ltd |
Customer experience
Synod.im
Swiftgram
Bugs and requests
Synod.im
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
Swiftgram
Reported bugs
5 issues- Search bar crashes the app
- Forwarded messages disappear
- Notification issues and unknown caller spam
- Slow message loading and account switching
- Crashes when accessing storage usage section
Requested features
5 requests- Add Thai language support
- Integrate with iOS call features
- Implement 'show restricted content' for entire chats
- Add 'add to cloud' option for direct message saving
- Allow custom app icon selection
In-app purchases
Synod.im
No in-app purchases
Swiftgram
- Swiftgram Pro$3.991 Month
