# Flash Maker vs Merkel Connect

The clearest difference is update cadence: Flash Maker at monthly against Merkel Connect's every 2 months. Flash Maker also leads on iOS requirement (12.0 vs 14.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

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

Flash Maker ships an update monthly, Merkel Connect every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on November 12, 2026 and November 8, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Flash Maker | Merkel Connect |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[2.0 (632 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/flash-maker/id6475712393/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **632** | — |
| Positive reviews | 16.7% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Monthly** | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Size | 109 MB | 46 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 14.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 17+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [浙江闪铸三维科技有限公司](https://appshunter.io/developer/999198567) | [GOGov, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/351223719) |

## What reviewers say

### Flash Maker

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/flash-maker/id6475712393)

Manage your 3D printers remotely with this app. Monitor printer status, view live video feeds, and organize multiple devices into groups for a streamlined printing experience.

**Highlights:** Remote printer status check, Live video monitoring, Group management for multiple printers, Convenient 3D printing control

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Works great
- 🚀 Immediately improved after update
- 👍 Good app

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Barely works
- 🐛 Needs a lot of work
- 🐛 Absolutely terrible
- 🐛 Doesn't work at all
- 🐛 Terrible app

**Reported bugs**

- Can't connect device
- Can't register account
- Printer always shows as offline
- Camera feed doesn't work
- Frequent crashes

**Requested features**

- Add ability to switch between local network and cloud
- More control over printer (advanced hidden menu, more temps, ability to cancel one model if printing multiple)
- Add AI control of failed prints
- Add slicer functionality
- Add iPad support


### Merkel Connect

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/merkel-connect/id6736720055)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Flash Maker free?

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

### Is Merkel Connect free?

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

### Do Flash Maker or Merkel Connect have ads?

Neither Flash Maker nor Merkel Connect shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Flash Maker or Merkel Connect?

Flash Maker ships an update monthly, and Merkel Connect every 2 months. Most recently, Flash Maker was updated on November 12, 2026 and Merkel Connect on November 8, 2026.

---

*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*