Comparison

Striata Reader vs Netstar Companion

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

Head to head
About

Striata Reader

This utility decrypts and displays secure electronic documents with the .emc file extension. It allows users to store, manage, and categorize these documents, with an option to remember security details. Decrypted documents can be emailed or printed.

Highlights
  • Decrypt and view .emc files
  • Store and manage encrypted documents
  • Create custom document categories
  • Remember security details with master password
  • Email stored encrypted documents
  • AirPrint decrypted documents
Features
Read full description

The Striata Reader is a utility used to decrypt and view electronic documents that have been secured using Striata’s proprietary encryption technology (identifiable by the .emc file extension). The Striata reader for iOS extends the functionality of the desktop version by providing the ability to store and manage documents that have been opened using the utility. Features: •Decrypt and view Striata encrypted documents (filename.emc) •Automatically store and categorize Striata encrypted documents •Create and manage custom categories •Optionally remember security details for individual documents using a master password •Email stored encrypted documents using the native email agent •AirPrint decrypted documents on compatible devices

About

Netstar Companion

This app provides on-demand emergency response by dispatching the nearest armed responders or medical services to your location. It offers a nationwide network and features like shake-to-activate panic, location sharing, and emergency recording.

Highlights
  • On-demand emergency dispatch
  • Nationwide armed responder network
  • Shake-to-activate panic button
  • Real-time location sharing
  • Emergency audio/video recording
  • Family membership options
Features
Read full description

Netstar Companion is an on-demand emergency response service that dispatches the nearest Armed Response Officer or Emergency Medical Services to your location – whenever you tap the app on your smartphone.• Feel safe & supported for just R69p/m:With Netstar Companion, you have access to over 1500 armed responders nationwide.• No matter the emergency, we've got you:Whether you need armed response or medical assistance, just tap your app! • Quick & efficient response:The app automatically dispatches the closest responder to your phone's GPS location.• One family, one membership:Add additional family members to your account at a reduced fee.KEY FEATURES & BENEFITS • Mobile Response:Netstar Companion is not limited to a specific place. You can use it from home, at the office – anywhere, any time.• Autonomous Dispatch:Smart technology identifies the closest responder to your location and autonomously dispatches them.• Pinpoint Geo-located Incidents:The closest response vehicle is navigated to your exact GPS location, resulting in greater response accuracy.• Nationwide Response Network:We have partnered with the best response companies, to give you access to over 1500 armed responders, nationwide.• Rapid Response:The Netstar Companion Control Room will quickly call you on receiptof your panic.• Shake-to-Activate Mechanism:The emergency panic feature can also be activated by simply shaking your phone.• Emergency Messages:The app can send SMS messages with a link to your real-time location to 5 specified emergency contacts.• Emergency Recording:A 20-second audio/video recording is triggered on activation of a panic. The app automatically sends the file to the Netstar Companion server for safekeeping. This can be used as evidence in future legal action.HOW DOES IT WORK• Tap Your App for Help:When in an emergency, simply open the Netstar Companion app and tap the ‘activate now’ button.• Closest Responder Activated and User Contacted:The alert is autonomously distributed to the 5 closest response vehicles to your location and the control room attempts to contact you to gather information. If the control room is unable to make contact with you, the responder will still arrive at your location.• GPS Navigation:The accepting response vehicle is navigated via the responder device, directly to the incident location through built in GPS and accurate tracking.• Instant Client Profile:Client identity and other key information are automatically shared with the dispatched response vehicle and the control centre.• Control Room Back-Up:The control centre oversees all activations and can support in dispatching additional resources if required. e.g. SAPS and EMS.HOW TO SIGN UP1. Subscribe to Netstar Companion at www.netstar.co.za/companion2. Download the Netstar Companion app from your app store.3. Complete the registration process in the app, using the same cellphone number as entered during the online subscription process.For more information about this service, please visit www.netstar.co.za/companion, email companion@netstar.co.za or phone 010 822 9288.

Screenshots

Striata Reader4 screens
Netstar Companion4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Netstar Companion at every 3 weeks against Striata Reader's every 2 months. Striata Reader's advantage is review sentiment (24% vs 14%) and iOS requirement (9.0 vs 15.1). 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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Striata Reader ships an update every 2 months, Netstar Companion every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 23, 2026 and October 7, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 5 level
Striata Reader versus Netstar Companion: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterStriata ReaderNetstar Companion
PriceFreeFree
Positive reviews24.0% of reviews — better14.3% of reviews
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS9.0 — better15.1
Further details — not scored
Size3 MB51 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperStriata Communication Solutions PTY LTDNETSTAR (PTY) LTD

Customer experience

Striata Reader

Written reviews25 reviews
Positive24.0%
Neutral8.0%
Negative68.0%

Netstar Companion

Written reviews7 reviews
Positive14.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative85.7%

In-app purchases

None

Striata Reader

No in-app purchases

None

Netstar Companion

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Striata Reader free?
Striata Reader is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Netstar Companion free?
Netstar Companion is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Striata Reader or Netstar Companion have ads?
Neither Striata Reader nor Netstar Companion shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Striata Reader or Netstar Companion?
Striata Reader ships an update every 2 months, and Netstar Companion every 3 weeks. Most recently, Striata Reader was updated on October 23, 2026 and Netstar Companion on October 7, 2026.

Other comparisons