Comparison

DS finder vs glinet

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

Head to head
About

DS finder

Easily set up and manage your Synology NAS directly from your phone. Receive important NAS notifications and access the Synology app ecosystem. Simplifies NAS management and setup, eliminating the need for complex computer-based configurations.

Highlights
  • NAS setup and management
  • NAS-related notifications
  • Access Synology apps
  • Simplified mobile interface
  • DSM installation support
Features
Read full description

*You must own a Synology NAS to run this app, and be running the latest DSM 6.0 or above version to get the complete set of features.* DS finder allows you to set up and manage your Synology NAS, sends you NAS-related notifications, and opens your door to the world of Synology apps. And yes, all these features can be accessed directly from your phone, so wave goodbye to complicated setup and management with DS finder! .DS finder only supports installing DSM on most models (rack mount models, desktop models of FS and XS series, and EDS14 excluded).

About

glinet

Manage your GL.iNet router remotely, from basic setup and password changes to configuring mesh networks and VPN connections. Monitor real-time traffic, block unwanted users, and check device performance. Easily update firmware, control LED lights, and pause WiFi.

Highlights
  • Basic router setup and password management
  • Mesh network configuration
  • OpenVPN and WireGuard VPN setup
  • Real-time traffic monitoring
  • Block unwanted WiFi users
  • Live router status and performance checklist
  • Firmware updates and LED light control
Read full description

Setup GL.iNet routers with version 3.201 and above. The GL.iNet Mobile app gives you convenient access to your router’s features anywhere and anytime: Basic Setup: Setup and change the password of your devices. Discover the real-time traffic in both mesh & guest network. Block unwanted users that share your WiFi network. Mesh Network: Build up your home mesh network. Step-by-step guidelines for setting up sub-nodes within your house. VPN Setup: Easily configure selected OpenVPN and WireGuard VPN for your private home network. Live Router Status: Real-time performance checklist of your devices, including memory storage and CPU load data. Easily pause WiFi, update firmware, turn off LED lights on the router, and more! Compatible GL.iNet Devices (Model No.): GL-B2200 / Velica GL-AR750S / Slate GL-MT1300 / Beryl GL-MT300N-V2 / Mango GL-AR150 / White GL-AR300M / Shadow GL-AR750 / Creta GL-E750 / Mudi GL-MiFi GL-USB150 / Microuter GL-X300B / Collie GL-X750 / Spitz GL-XE300 / Puli GL-MV1000W / Brume-W microuter-N300 GL-AX1800/Flint GL-SF1200 GL-SFT1200/Opal GL-AXT1800/Slate AX GL-A1300/Slate Plus GL-MT3000/Beryl AX GL-MT2500/Brume 2 GL-X3000/Spitz AX GL-XE3000/Puli AX GL-MT6000/Flint 2 GL-B3000/Marble GL-BE3600/Slate 7 GL-BE9300/Flint 3 GL-BE6500/Flint 3e GL-MT3600BE/Beryl 7 GL-MT5000/Brume 3 GL-E5800/Mudi 7 GL-BE10000/Slate 7 Pro GL-BE14000/Flint 4 GL-MG1300/Mango 2

Screenshots

DS finder4 screens
glinet4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: glinet at 3.5 against DS finder's 2.5. glinet also leads on update cadence (every 5 weeks vs every 4 months) and review sentiment (38% vs 26%). DS finder's advantage is ratings volume (123 vs 23) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

glinet holds the better App Store score, 3.5 against 2.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: DS finder has 123 ratings behind it against 23, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 26% of DS finder's written reviews are positive against 38% of glinet's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

DS finder ships an update every 4 months, glinet every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 6, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
DS finder versus glinet: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDS finderglinet
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.5 (123 ratings)3.5 (23 ratings) — better
Positive reviews25.5% of reviews37.6% of reviews — better
Number of ratings123 — better23
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsEvery 5 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS13.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size69 MB118 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSynology Inc.GL Technologies (HK) Limited

Customer experience

DS finder

All ratings123 ratings
Positive30.1%
Neutral13.8%
Negative56.1%
Written reviews337 reviews
Positive25.5%
Neutral18.4%
Negative56.1%

glinet

All ratings23 ratings
Positive60.9%
Neutral4.3%
Negative34.8%
Written reviews101 reviews
Positive37.6%
Neutral10.9%
Negative51.5%

User reviews

DS finder

From 123 App Store ratings

What we love

  • ✅ Quick access to basic NAS status and monitoring
  • 🔍 Easy device discovery on local network
  • 📊 Useful storage usage visualization with pie charts
  • ⚡ Fast connection when properly configured
  • 🎯 Simple and straightforward interface for basic tasks

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Frequent connection failures and timeouts
  • ❌ Two-factor authentication (2FA) not supported
  • 🌐 DDNS and Quick Connect unreliable
  • 📵 Wake-on-LAN (WOL) broken or non-functional
  • 🔐 Password and login issues persist across updates

glinet

From 23 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Remote router management
  • 👍 Dark mode available
  • 👍 Controls multiple routers
  • 👍 Works well for basic setup
  • 👍 Easy initial setup

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Frequent 429 errors
  • 🐛 Buggy GUI
  • 🐛 Confusing settings
  • 🐛 Cannot sign back in
  • 🐛 App behaves like first-time setup after sign-out

Bugs and requests

DS finder

Reported bugs

20 issues
  • Server unreachable error with DDNS connections
  • 400 Bad Request HTTP/HTTPS port mismatch
  • App fails to detect devices on network
  • 2FA causes cryptic login errors
  • Wake-on-LAN crashes the app
Show 15 more
  • App crashes on iPhone launch
  • Desktop mode zoom gets stuck after text field input
  • Desktop mode windows cannot be resized or moved
  • Package Center window scaling issues
  • Notifications crash the app when accessed
  • Face ID authentication causes connection failures after 24-48 hours
  • Invalid password errors despite correct credentials
  • Push notifications not received
  • App forgets configured devices after updates
  • DSM Mobile displays 'connection is not private' error
  • Quick Connect verification requests fail or hang indefinitely
  • Setup wizard incompatible with Safari browser
  • Setup windows don't scale properly
  • Password manager integration issues during registration
  • Slow login with no error indication

Requested features

17 requests
  • Dark mode support
  • Two-factor authentication (2FA) support
  • Landscape mode for iPad
  • Siri Shortcuts integration
  • Wake-on-LAN over internet
Show 12 more
  • CPU and RAM usage monitoring
  • Network activity and connected users display
  • System logs viewing capability
  • Remote package installation and management
  • Ability to mount encrypted shared folders
  • Mobile-friendly views for File Station, Video Station, Audio Station, Package Center
  • Improved notification management and clearing
  • VPN toggle functionality
  • Ability to add multiple devices with same IP on different ports
  • Better zoom and pan controls in desktop mode
  • IPv6 support with port specification
  • Landscape mode support on iPhone

glinet

Reported bugs

52 issues
  • 429 errors during VPN setup
  • GUI is buggy
  • Cannot sign back in after sign out
  • App behaves as if setting up for the first time after sign out
  • No instructions provided
Show 47 more
  • App won't find router
  • Router dropping WiFi connection
  • App thinks initial config is still needed after web UI setup
  • Difficult to find DHCP settings
  • App never worked
  • VPN menu does not appear when app is set to Chinese
  • App collects user data and reports to China
  • Poor error codes, doesn't indicate why it fails
  • App says not connected to network while connected
  • Router keeps disconnecting from home network
  • No way to reset router and reach admin page
  • Cannot see router
  • App eventually stopped working
  • White screen when opening app
  • Limited administrative access, no main dashboard
  • Couldn't set up router
  • App won't go past 'Power up the router' page in Sub Router Mode
  • App doesn't ask for manual IP or allow entry
  • Cannot figure out how to access 'network storage'
  • App is very limited
  • No option to go back to main dashboard
  • Couldn't set up AXT 1800 router
  • App missing important travel feature (captive portals)
  • App is missing most of the Admin console features
  • Cellular settings show a white screen on Mudi devices
  • Last update made app useless for iOS
  • Cannot log in with PIA VPN
  • Connection error when logging in with PIA VPN
  • HTTPS error when trying to surfshark
  • Unknown error during firmware upgrade
  • 44 key error when uploading Wireguard configuration
  • Cannot sign into North VPN due to character limit
  • Settings link in AdGuard plug-ins doesn't work on iPhone
  • Toggle switches don't obey 'On/Off Labels' preference
  • Old app allowed local device management, new one doesn't
  • New app useless for traveling router
  • App can never connect to or find devices
  • App doesn't show tethering activity
  • App demands location access
  • Cannot add preconfigured router, must blank it
  • Forced upgrade bricks router
  • Router refuses encrypted connections after forced upgrade
  • App has trust issues with password syncing
  • Not designed for iPad, no landscape orientation
  • App doesn't find router within seconds, needs manual IP option
  • App doesn't list VPN servers
  • App doesn't work with older firmware

Requested features

14 requests
  • Add USB print server function
  • More versatile functionalities (repeater, astrowarp)
  • Automate captive portal workflow for travel
  • Import MAC address for captive portals
  • Include all web admin console features in the app
Show 9 more
  • Make network storage feature more obvious
  • iPad app support
  • Manual IP definition for connection
  • Widget for home screen showing network/VPN status
  • Red dot indicator for firmware updates
  • Web link to LuCI interface
  • More screenshots in App Store
  • Support for landscape orientation on iPad
  • Option to store manually defined IPs

In-app purchases

None

DS finder

No in-app purchases

None

glinet

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is DS finder free?
DS finder is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is glinet free?
glinet is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, DS finder or glinet?
glinet is rated higher. DS finder averages 2.5 out of 5 from 123 ratings, while glinet averages 3.5 from 23 ratings.
Do DS finder or glinet have ads?
Neither DS finder nor glinet shows ads.
Which is updated more often, DS finder or glinet?
DS finder ships an update every 4 months, and glinet every 5 weeks. Most recently, DS finder was updated on November 6, 2026 and glinet on November 3, 2026.

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