Comparison

Synod.im vs Neo

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

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • Matrix-compatible messaging
  • Federated system participation
  • Customizable homeserver
  • Fork of Element iOS
  • Decentralized communication
Features
Read full description

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.

About

Neo

This app is a feature-rich client for the Matrix chat protocol, offering advanced functionalities like local AI chats, RSS feeds, and customizable notifications. It provides a futuristic and efficient way to communicate and manage your conversations.

Highlights
  • Local AI chats and summarization
  • RSS feed reader
  • Room folders for organization
  • Customizable notifications and reactions
  • Online GIF picker
  • Message search functionality
  • Encrypted room support
Features
Read full description

Neo is a futuristic Matrix client built for speed, focus, and modern communication. Move quickly through Matrix rooms, spaces, threads with a modern and clean UI. Sign in with your Matrix account, join rooms, send rich messages, organize conversations with Threads and Matrix Spaces, and navigate everything from a fast sidebar. Neo supports encrypted rooms, image video sharing, reactions, threads, voice and video calls, rich notifications, RSS feeds, and local message translation with a single tap. Core Matrix Features • Sign in with username/password or SSO • Support for regular and encrypted Matrix rooms • Send text, images, videos, files, GIFs, stickers, and reactions • Use threads to keep long conversations on track • Organize rooms with native Matrix Spaces • Rich notifications with avatars and message previews • Voice and video calls Neo Extras • Fast sidebar navigation for rooms and spaces • Online GIF picker powered by Tenor • Message search • One-tap downloads for images, videos, and GIFs • RSS feed subscriptions and in-app reading • News view with RSS integration • Sticker picker, including Memoji stickers • Per-contact notification modes • Custom notification sounds • Custom default reaction emojis • Emoji folders • Local message translation • Foldable Markdown code blocks • Apple Intelligence message summaries on supported devices EULA / Terms of Service: https://raw.githubusercontent.com/mszpro/Privacy-Policy/refs/heads/main/neo-matrix-tos.md Privacy Policy: https://raw.githubusercontent.com/mszpro/Privacy-Policy/refs/heads/main/neo-privacy-policy.md

Screenshots

Synod.im4 screens
Neo4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Synod.im at 100% against Neo's 43%. Synod.im also leads on rating (4.8 vs 3.5) and in-app purchases (none vs 2). Neo's advantage is update cadence (every 10 days vs every 2 months). On price, ratings volume, 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. Neo sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Synod.im asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Synod.im holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 5 and 8 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 100% of Synod.im's written reviews are positive against 43% of Neo's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Synod.im ships an update every 2 months, Neo every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on October 1, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Synod.im versus Neo: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSynod.imNeo
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (5 ratings) — better3.5 (8 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews — better42.9% of reviews
Number of ratings58 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 10 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better18.4
Further details — not scored
Size157 MB255 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperChristoph SettgastAsterKit

Customer experience

Synod.im

All ratings5 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Neo

All ratings7 ratings
Positive57.1%
Neutral0.0%
Negative42.9%
Written reviews7 reviews
Positive42.9%
Neutral0.0%
Negative57.1%

In-app purchases

None

Synod.im

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

Neo

Subscriptions1
  • Nil Pro Monthly Subscription$0.991 Month
One-time1
  • Nil Pro Lifetime$8.99

Questions

Is Synod.im free?
Synod.im is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Neo free?
Neo is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Synod.im or Neo?
Synod.im is rated higher. Synod.im averages 4.8 out of 5 from 5 ratings, while Neo averages 3.5 from 8 ratings.
Do Synod.im or Neo have ads?
Neither Synod.im nor Neo shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Synod.im or Neo?
Synod.im ships an update every 2 months, and Neo every 10 days. Most recently, Synod.im was updated on October 1, 2026 and Neo on October 24, 2026.

Other comparisons