# DS finder vs ChipStation

The clearest difference is rating: DS finder at 2.5 against ChipStation's 1.0. DS finder also leads on ratings volume (123 vs 2). ChipStation's advantage is update cadence (every 5 weeks vs every 4 months). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

DS finder holds the better App Store score, 2.5 against 1.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: DS finder has 123 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two.

DS finder ships an update every 4 months, ChipStation every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 20, 2026 and October 6, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | DS finder | ChipStation |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[2.5 (123 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ds-finder/id429865523/reviews)** | [1.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chipstation/id6471457714/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **123** | 2 |
| Positive reviews | 25.5% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | **Every 5 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 69 MB | 75 MB |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 | 13.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Synology Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/321493109) | [Hangzhou Chipjet Technology Co., Ltd.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1715399741) |

## What reviewers say

### DS finder

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ds-finder/id429865523)

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:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- ✅ 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

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 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

**Reported bugs**

- 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

**Requested features**

- Dark mode support
- Two-factor authentication (2FA) support
- Landscape mode for iPad
- Siri Shortcuts integration
- Wake-on-LAN over internet


### ChipStation

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chipstation/id6471457714)

This utility app connects to a home device to resolve printer cartridge issues caused by firmware updates. It offers a small, smart, and simple solution for home and office use, updating chips quickly via Bluetooth.

**Highlights:** Resolves cartridge trouble from firmware updates, Connects to ChipStation Home Device, Bluetooth connectivity, Automatic model reading, Built-in operating instructions, Fast chip updates (approx. 5 seconds)

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is DS finder free?

DS finder is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is ChipStation free?

ChipStation is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, DS finder or ChipStation?

DS finder is rated higher. DS finder averages 2.5 out of 5 from 123 ratings, while ChipStation averages 1.0 from 2 ratings.

### Do DS finder or ChipStation have ads?

Neither DS finder nor ChipStation shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, DS finder or ChipStation?

DS finder ships an update every 4 months, and ChipStation every 5 weeks. Most recently, DS finder was updated on October 20, 2026 and ChipStation on October 6, 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.*