Comparison

Side Out vs MatchSynq

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

Head to head
About

Side Out

Effortlessly track pickleball scores directly from your Apple Watch with intuitive swipe gestures. This app manages serving order, player positions, and game statistics, allowing you to focus on playing. An optional companion scoreboard can be used on your iPhone or iPad for spectators.

Highlights
  • Hands-free Apple Watch scoring
  • Automatic serving order tracking
  • Companion iPhone/iPad scoreboard
  • Multiple game and scoring formats
  • Player profiles and performance tracking
  • Match history and stats
  • HealthKit integration
Features
Read full description

Track Pickleball scores hands-free on your Apple Watch. Simple swipes keep score while you play—no phone fumbling. See scores, serving order, and player positions at a glance. PERFECT FOR APPLE WATCH • Swipe up/down to score points—keep your phone in your bag • Automatic serving order tracking (no mental math!) • Green indicator shows current server and service box (1 or 2) • Undo/redo with simple swipes—fix mistakes instantly • Works independently on Watch—no iPhone needed during play SMART SCORING FEATURES • Doubles & Singles support • Multiple games per match tracking • Customizable winning score (with win-by-2 rule) • Auto-save & crash recovery—never lose your game • Player profiles to track performance over time • Side-out, Rally, and Simple scoring formats COMPANION SCOREBOARD • Use your iPhone/iPad as a live scoreboard for spectators • Voice announcements in proper Pickleball format (4-2-1) • Perfect for tournaments and casual play • Share scores with nearby players via Bluetooth MATCH HISTORY & STATS • Review past games and performance • Track wins/losses against opponents • iCloud sync across all your devices • HealthKit integration logs workouts automatically Whether you're playing casual rec games or competitive tournaments, Side Out makes scorekeeping effortless so you can focus on your game.

About

MatchSynq

Effortlessly manage pickleball game rotations for groups of 4-24 players. Ensures fair playtime, skill-balanced courts, and partner variety with an advanced scheduling engine. Plan events, track RSVPs, and log scores seamlessly.

Highlights
  • Fair playtime rotations
  • Skill-balanced courts
  • Partner variety
  • Event RSVP tracking
  • Live scoring
  • Session recaps
Features
Read full description

MatchSynq runs your pickleball night so you don't have to. Enter who showed up, pick a format, and MatchSynq builds fair rotations in seconds — no spreadsheets, no whiteboard, no one sitting out twice in a row. Score from your phone or your Apple Watch, and everyone sees the results live. FAIR MATCHUPS, AUTOMATICALLY • Social Mixer: new partners every round, with fair rest for everyone • Rotating Ladder: winners move up, everyone keeps moving • Fixed Teams: bring your partner and play the field • Skill ratings keep games competitive — or switch on Party Mode to meet more people • Late arrivals and early exits? The schedule adjusts on the spot LIVE FOR EVERYONE • Share a link or QR code — players check in from their own phones • Live scores and standings on every player's phone • Co-organizers and scorekeepers can run courts with you • Hand off the whole session if you have to leave early WORKS WHERE YOU PLAY • No signal at the courts? Run the session offline — it syncs when you're back • Score games right from your Apple Watch YOUR GROUP, YOUR RECORD • Groups for your regular crew, with weekly, monthly and all-time rankings • Session history, head-to-heads and a shareable Scout card • Fix a wrong score after the fact • "Just for fun" nights that don't touch anyone's record FREE TO START Run sessions with up to 12 players on 2 courts, free. MATCHSYNQ PRO • Up to 24 players and 6 courts • Rotating Ladder mode • Unlimited groups • Co-organizers and session hand-off Pro is an optional auto-renewing subscription, billed through your Apple ID. It renews automatically unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period; manage or cancel any time in your App Store account settings. Terms: https://matchsynq.com/terms Privacy: https://matchsynq.com/privacy

Screenshots

Side Out4 screens
MatchSynq4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Side Out at none against MatchSynq's 2. Side Out also leads on update cadence (fortnightly vs every 4 months) and ratings volume (88 vs 5). MatchSynq's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 4.5) and review sentiment (100% vs 90%). On price, 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. MatchSynq sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Side Out asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

MatchSynq holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Side Out has 88 ratings behind it against 5, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 90% of Side Out's written reviews are positive against 100% of MatchSynq's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Side Out ships an update fortnightly, MatchSynq every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 21, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Side Out versus MatchSynq: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSide OutMatchSynq
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (88 ratings)5.0 (5 ratings) — better
Positive reviews90.2% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings88 — better5
Update frequencyFortnightly — betterEvery 4 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple WatchiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch — better
Requires iOS17.015.1 — better
Further details — not scored
Size15 MB78 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developer205L StudioLuke Mathisen

Customer experience

Side Out

All ratings82 ratings
Positive87.8%
Neutral7.3%
Negative4.9%
Written reviews61 reviews
Positive90.2%
Neutral3.3%
Negative6.6%

MatchSynq

All ratings5 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

Side Out

Reported bugs

13 issues
  • App on watch randomly closes and deletes match
  • Server switching courts not working
  • Undo is sometimes buggy
  • Display hangs occasionally
  • Not properly syncing app data from iPhone to watch
Show 8 more
  • Unable to begin a game on iPhone app
  • Unable to edit player data on iPhone app
  • Paid app froze and won't reinstall
  • Purchased app not on phone
  • App freezes during use
  • Accidentally awarding final point goes to 'Finish' screen
  • SE watch doesn't wake right away
  • Creating multiple Apple workouts when changing teams

Requested features

38 requests
  • Tennis app or section
  • Set up on phone, control on watch
  • In-game timer
  • Disable Watch crown rotation
  • Microphone control for player names
Show 33 more
  • Long press to replace names
  • Default setup option
  • Win/loss summary for all players
  • Change background color (black/white)
  • Use app with workout app for display priority
  • Save matches by sessions
  • Flip player view
  • Rally score option with 2 services
  • Archive feature
  • Stats against added players
  • Landscape mode for players
  • Add 'Myself' to either team
  • Exit and save option
  • Share scoreboard to another iPad
  • Games won under each player
  • Heart rate on Apple Watch version
  • Donation option
  • Play again with same team members
  • Disable crown for scoring
  • Error override feature
  • Delete players
  • Sync code for other players' watches
  • Quick start with option to add myself
  • Add players after QuickStart
  • Coin toss option
  • Time out option with timer
  • Save data to cloud and export
  • Track player errors
  • Track skinny/regular singles games
  • Program team side switching frequency
  • Summarize games played or export data
  • Confirmation or undo at end of game
  • Consolidate multiple Apple workouts

MatchSynq

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Side Out

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

MatchSynq

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly Premium7 Days trial$2.991 Month
  • Yearly Premium7 Days trial$29.991 Year

Questions

Is Side Out free?
Side Out is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is MatchSynq free?
MatchSynq is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Side Out or MatchSynq?
MatchSynq is rated higher. Side Out averages 4.5 out of 5 from 88 ratings, while MatchSynq averages 5.0 from 5 ratings.
Do Side Out or MatchSynq have ads?
Neither Side Out nor MatchSynq shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Side Out or MatchSynq?
Side Out ships an update fortnightly, and MatchSynq every 4 months. Most recently, Side Out was updated on October 24, 2026 and MatchSynq on October 21, 2026.

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