# Synod.im vs Swiftgram

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 (639 vs 5) and chart position (#205 vs unranked). On price, update cadence, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

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 639 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 25, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Synod.im | Swiftgram |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (5 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/synodim/id1488171544/reviews)** | [4.2 (639 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/swiftgram-telegram-mod-client/id6471879502/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 5 | **639** |
| Positive reviews | **100.0% of reviews** | 69.4% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Monthly** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | — | **#205** |
| Size | 157 MB | 251 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Christoph Settgast](https://appshunter.io/developer/1488171543) | [Akentech Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/1716113804) |

## 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


### Swiftgram

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/swiftgram-telegram-mod-client/id6471879502)

**Currently charting:** #205 Top Free · Social Networking (US App Store)

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.

**Highlights:** Unlimited accounts, Message filtering, Voice-to-text transcription, Real-time chat translation, Customizable interface, Apple Watch companion, Privacy-focused features

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Siri integration, Apple Wallet, Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Swiftgram Pro | $3.99 | per month |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Fast and accurate translation
- 🔒 Robust security features
- 👍 Extensive customization options
- 🚀 Lightweight and efficient
- 👍 Feature-rich alternative to official Telegram

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional crashes and freezes
- 🔋 High battery consumption
- 🔒 Accounts sometimes get locked or banned
- 🐛 Compatibility issues with newer iOS versions
- 🐛 Unreliable voice message transcription

**Reported bugs**

- 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**

- 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


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Synod.im free?

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

### Is Swiftgram free?

Swiftgram is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

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

Synod.im is rated higher. Synod.im averages 4.8 out of 5 from 5 ratings, while Swiftgram averages 4.2 from 639 ratings.

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

Neither Synod.im nor Swiftgram shows ads.

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

Synod.im ships an update every 2 months, and Swiftgram monthly. Most recently, Synod.im was updated on October 1, 2026 and Swiftgram on October 25, 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.*