# Synod.im vs Neo

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.

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.

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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | Synod.im | Neo |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (5 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/synodim/id1488171544/reviews)** | [3.5 (8 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/neo-matrix-chat-messenger/id6499088265/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 5 | **8** |
| Positive reviews | **100.0% of reviews** | 42.9% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 10 days** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Freemium |
| Size | 157 MB | 255 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 18.4 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Christoph Settgast](https://appshunter.io/developer/1488171543) | [AsterKit](https://appshunter.io/developer/1849077253) |

## 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


### Neo

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/neo-matrix-chat-messenger/id6499088265)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing, Siri integration, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Nil Pro Monthly Subscription | $0.99 | per month |
| Nil Pro Lifetime | $8.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked 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.

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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.*