Comparison

Paperparrot vs Synctrain

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

Head to head
About

Paperparrot

Organize your documents effortlessly with this native client for Paperless-ngx. Upload, scan, and secure files in various formats. Enjoy offline access, custom views, and powerful search capabilities.

Highlights
  • Connect to multiple Paperless-ngx instances
  • Add documents in various formats
  • Scan documents via camera or network scanner
  • Secure documents with Face/Touch ID
  • Extensive search and Spotlight support
  • Create custom document views
  • Offline document synchronization
Features
Read full description

Paperparrot is an app designed to make organizing your documents easy and it's completely compatible with Paperless-ngx. Features: - Connect to multiple Paperless-ngx-Instances - Add documents in various formats like PDF, JPEG, PNG, TXT or office documents - Scan documents from right within Paperparrot using your phones camera or an Airscan-capable network scanner - Secure your documents using Face-/Touch-ID - Extensive search capabilities - Support for Spotlight search to find documents from your home screen - Create custom views to easily access sets of documents - Share documents to Paperparrot from other apps - Synchronize documents from your Paperless-ng(x) server to your device for offline access - Built in support for push notifications from your server (additional setup required)* - Dark mode! * The free version of Paperparrot is limited to six documents and some features like custom queries and push notifications are unavailable. These limitation can be removed through an in-app purchase. There is both a one-time purchase or an optional auto-renewing subscription (1 month free trial included). The one-time purchase unlocks all current and future updates. With the subscription, all features are available for the duration of your subscription. Both the subscription and one-time purchase can be shared with your family. Paperparrot is licensed under the Apple standard EULA: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Synctrain

Securely synchronize files and folders between your devices. Stream audio and video directly from other devices. Manage file sharing permissions to control access to your data.

Highlights
  • Secure file synchronization
  • Full folder synchronization
  • Specific file selection
  • Audio and video streaming
  • Cross-device file mirroring
  • Customizable sharing permissions
Features
Read full description

With Synctrain you can securely synchronize files with other devices that have Syncthing installed. You can choose to synchronize full folders, or choose specific files. With Synctrain you can also stream audio and video files from other devices. When you synchronize files, all changes, including deleting files, also happen on your other devices. Do not use Synctrain for back-up purposes, and always keep a back-up of your data. You decide with which devices you share which files. This also means the app makers cannot help you access or recover any lost files. This app is powered by Syncthing. This app is however not associated with or endorsed by Syncthing nor its developers. Please do not expect support from the Syncthing developers. Instead, contact the maker of this app if you have questions.

Screenshots

Paperparrot4 screens
Synctrain4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Synctrain at none against Paperparrot's 6. Synctrain also leads on ratings volume (123 vs 16). On price, rating, review sentiment and update cadence 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. Paperparrot sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per year. Synctrain asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for Paperparrot against 4.9 for Synctrain. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Synctrain has 123 ratings behind it against 16, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 87% of Paperparrot's written reviews are positive against 89% of Synctrain's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Paperparrot ships an update every 5 weeks, Synctrain every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and October 15, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Paperparrot versus Synctrain: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPaperparrotSynctrain
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (16 ratings) — better4.9 (123 ratings)
Positive reviews86.8% of reviews89.5% of reviews — better
Number of ratings16123 — better
Update frequencyEvery 5 weeks — betterEvery 6 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, MaciPhone, iPad, Mac
Requires iOS16.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size46 MB33 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperLeo WehrfritzT-Shaped

Customer experience

Paperparrot

All ratings16 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews53 reviews
Positive86.8%
Neutral9.4%
Negative3.8%

Synctrain

All ratings123 ratings
Positive96.7%
Neutral1.6%
Negative1.6%
Written reviews95 reviews
Positive89.5%
Neutral6.3%
Negative4.2%

Bugs and requests

Paperparrot

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Synctrain

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Occasional app crashes
  • Sync delays on some devices

Requested features

2 requests
  • Direct photo/video sync to remote devices
  • Faster initial connection to server

In-app purchases

6 purchases

Paperparrot

Subscriptions1
  • Subscription (1 Year)1 Month trial$2.991 Year
One-time5
  • Generous Tip$0.99
  • Very Generous Tip$2.99
  • Subscription (1 Year)$2.99
Show 2 more
  • Unlock All Features$4.99
  • Super Generous Tip$9.99
None

Synctrain

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Paperparrot free?
Paperparrot is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Synctrain free?
Synctrain is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Paperparrot or Synctrain?
Paperparrot is rated higher. Paperparrot averages 5.0 out of 5 from 16 ratings, while Synctrain averages 4.9 from 123 ratings.
Do Paperparrot or Synctrain have ads?
Neither Paperparrot nor Synctrain shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Paperparrot or Synctrain?
Paperparrot ships an update every 5 weeks, and Synctrain every 6 weeks. Most recently, Paperparrot was updated on October 14, 2026 and Synctrain on October 15, 2026.

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