Comparison

HCSi vs DSPhoto Backup

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

Head to head
About

HCSi

This app acts as a universal remote for your home entertainment system, replacing multiple physical remotes with a single, secure interface. It supports a wide range of technologies and allows for personalized control through a user-friendly graphic interface.

Highlights
  • Universal remote control
  • User-friendly interface
  • Personalizable graphics
  • Supports multiple technologies
  • Secure control
  • Home cinema and HiFi system operation
Features
Read full description

HCSi is an extention of the application named HC-SKIPPER (for PC only) which has to be setup prior to using HCSi. Once HC-SKIPPER has been setup, HCSi becomes an autonomous application. HCSi is designed to replace your remote controls with a single, user-friendly and secure interface. Irrespective of what pieces of equipment you have in your Home-Cinema or HiFi system, HCSi will operate them. You can personalise HCSi using a surprisingly simple graphic interface ! HCSi handles numerous technologies such as - Global Caché (wifi or ethernet) Infrared Transceiver or Contact Closure - IRTrans (wifi or ethernet), - HTTP, - RS232 over Ethernet, - UDP calls, - Open Web Net, - Jeedom etc. To configure HCSi, you need to download the PC version from the official web site of HC-SKIPPER. HCSi is optimized for iPad. Its interface is fully english translated.

About

DSPhoto Backup

Securely back up your photos and videos to your Synology NAS with end-to-end encryption. Manage your NAS files, free up local storage by identifying large or duplicate media, and enjoy automatic background syncing. This app offers a private and efficient solution for your digital memories.

Highlights
  • Automatic photo and video backup
  • End-to-end encryption
  • Local storage cleaner
  • Browse and manage NAS files
  • Smart background sync
  • Duplicate detection
  • EXIF and GPS data preservation
Features
Read full description

Automatically back up all your photos and videos to your Synology NAS. DSPhoto Backup is the complete solution to secure your memories on your DiskStation while managing and freeing up local storage. SECURE & PRIVATE BACKUP • End-to-end encryption for your credentials • Your data never leaves your device • No tracking, no ads, complete privacy guaranteed • Works on local network & remotely via QuickConnect • SSL/TLS encryption & 2FA authentication support AUTOMATIC PHOTO & VIDEO BACKUP • Smart background backup without user action • Compatible with DSM 6.0 & DSM 7.0+ • All formats supported: HEIC, RAW, JPEG, MP4, MOV • Preserves EXIF metadata & GPS location data • Keeps original file names and capture dates • Intelligent duplicate detection • Advanced filtering by date, size, and album • Detailed backup history with task tracking BROWSE & MANAGE NAS FILES • Navigate through your Synology DiskStation files • Preview photos, videos, and documents directly • Download files from your NAS to iPhone • Upload any files from your device • Multi-selection and batch operations • Search and organize your NAS content ON-DEVICE CLEANER • Identify large photos and videos consuming space • Detect and remove similar and duplicate photos • Find screenshots and optimize library • Clean contacts, events, and reminders • Battery optimization tips and guides • Free up iPhone storage after backup • "Already backed up" section to free up space safely EASY TO USE • Quick setup in minutes — no technical knowledge required • Monitor backups with iOS widgets & Live Activities • Dark mode support for comfortable viewing • Background notifications for status updates • Intuitive interface for all features FLEXIBLE CONNECTIVITY • QuickConnect: connect from anywhere • Direct IP/Host connection • Custom DDNS support • Automatic reconnection after network issues Perfect alternative to Google Photos or iCloud if you own a Synology NAS or DiskStation. Keep full control of your photo library and manage your device storage efficiently. Works seamlessly with DS File, DS Photo, and other Synology mobile apps. Made by the Synology community for Synology users. Need help? Any suggestion or feature request for the app? Email me at contact@dsphotobackup.app! --- Some features require DSPhoto Backup Pro: monthly or yearly subscription, or lifetime purchase. Free trial available. Family Sharing included. DSPhoto Backup is not affiliated with Synology Inc. Terms: https://dsphotobackup.app/resources/terms.html

Screenshots

DSPhoto Backup4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: DSPhoto Backup at Free against HCSi's $0.99. DSPhoto Backup also leads on ratings volume (385 vs 1) and update cadence (every 2 weeks vs monthly). HCSi's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 5) and rating (5.0 vs 4.7). On 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

DSPhoto Backup is free to download; HCSi costs $0.99 up front. DSPhoto Backup sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. HCSi asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

HCSi holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: DSPhoto Backup has 385 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

HCSi ships an update monthly, DSPhoto Backup every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
HCSi versus DSPhoto Backup: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHCSiDSPhoto Backup
Price$0.99Free — better
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better4.7 (385 ratings)
Positive reviews—57.5% of reviews
Number of ratings1385 — better
Update frequencyMonthlyEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPadiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS12.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size12 MB73 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperlagommetteThomas Le gravier

Customer experience

HCSi

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

DSPhoto Backup

All ratings382 ratings
Positive91.9%
Neutral3.4%
Negative4.7%
Written reviews73 reviews
Positive57.5%
Neutral4.1%
Negative38.4%

In-app purchases

None

HCSi

No in-app purchases

5 purchases

DSPhoto Backup

Subscriptions4
  • Pro version - Month$2.991 Month
  • Pro version - Month$3.991 Month
  • Pro version - Year7 Days trial$12.991 Year
Show 1 more
  • Pro version - Year7 Days trial$17.991 Year
One-time1
  • Pro version - Lifetime$34.99

Questions

Is HCSi free?
HCSi costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is DSPhoto Backup free?
DSPhoto Backup is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, HCSi or DSPhoto Backup?
HCSi is rated higher. HCSi averages 5.0 out of 5 from 1 ratings, while DSPhoto Backup averages 4.7 from 385 ratings.
Do HCSi or DSPhoto Backup have ads?
Neither HCSi nor DSPhoto Backup shows ads.
Which is updated more often, HCSi or DSPhoto Backup?
HCSi ships an update monthly, and DSPhoto Backup every 2 weeks. Most recently, HCSi was updated on November 1, 2026 and DSPhoto Backup on November 3, 2026.

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