Comparison

Synctrain vs VaultSync for Obsidian

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

Head to head
About

Synctrain

Securely synchronize files and folders between your devices. Stream audio and video directly from other devices. Manage file sharing permissions to control access to your data.

Highlights
  • Secure file synchronization
  • Full folder synchronization
  • Specific file selection
  • Audio and video streaming
  • Cross-device file mirroring
  • Customizable sharing permissions
Features
Read full description

With Synctrain you can securely synchronize files with other devices that have Syncthing installed. You can choose to synchronize full folders, or choose specific files. With Synctrain you can also stream audio and video files from other devices. When you synchronize files, all changes, including deleting files, also happen on your other devices. Do not use Synctrain for back-up purposes, and always keep a back-up of your data. You decide with which devices you share which files. This also means the app makers cannot help you access or recover any lost files. This app is powered by Syncthing. This app is however not associated with or endorsed by Syncthing nor its developers. Please do not expect support from the Syncthing developers. Instead, contact the maker of this app if you have questions.

About

VaultSync for Obsidian

Sync your Obsidian notes between your devices and your own server using peer-to-peer technology. This app provides a direct connection without relying on cloud storage, ensuring your data remains private and accessible on your iPhone and iPad.

Highlights
  • Peer-to-peer sync with your own server
  • No managed note cloud or third-party storage
  • Direct sync into Obsidian's iOS sandbox
  • Markdown conflict resolver with side-by-side diffs
  • Sync activity timeline and diagnostics
  • Optional Cloud Relay for faster incoming sync
Features
Read full description

Your Obsidian vault, on your own server, synced to iPhone and iPad — peer-to-peer with Syncthing, no managed note cloud in the middle. VaultSync is the iOS bridge for people who already trust Syncthing with their notes. If your vault lives on a Mac, Windows PC, Linux machine, NAS, or homeserver, VaultSync lets your iPhone and iPad join that setup — without moving anything into iCloud, Dropbox, or someone else's note-sync service. It syncs straight into Obsidian's folder on your device, so you open Obsidian and your vault is just there. WHY VAULTSYNC • Direct peer-to-peer sync between your devices and your own server. • Your Markdown never passes through our servers. We can't read, index, store, or proxy your notes — they never reach us. • No account. No sign-up. No analytics SDK. No tracking. SET UP IN MINUTES • Pair with your computer or server by scanning its Syncthing QR code (Device ID). • Pick the vaults you want on this device. • Open Obsidian — your notes are already in place. BUILT FOR REAL VAULTS • Resolve Markdown conflicts in a side-by-side comparison: keep this version, the other one, or both. • "Sync Filters" keep big folders or attachments off your iPhone and iPad. • Faster, more reliable syncing when your devices are on the same Wi-Fi. • A "Sync Activity" timeline and a "Sync Issues" panel with clear next steps instead of cryptic errors. • Home Screen and Lock Screen widgets show your last sync at a glance. • Quiet conflict notifications that update in place instead of piling up. HONEST ABOUT iOS SYNC iOS does not let third-party apps run a sync service permanently in the background, and we won't pretend otherwise: • Server to iPhone/iPad: near-realtime incoming sync when the optional Cloud Relay delivers a silent push. • iPhone/iPad to server: most reliable while VaultSync is open. Background refresh helps opportunistically, but iOS decides when it runs. • If syncing stops on its own, VaultSync tells you instead of showing "Ready". CLOUD RELAY (OPTIONAL) A small subscription (monthly or yearly) that sends a silent wake-up push the moment your server has changes, so incoming sync feels instant without opening the app. The relay only ever sees a wake-up signal — your Device ID, an APNs token, and a transaction ID. It never sees your note content, Markdown, filenames, folder names, vault structure, or any metadata. It needs a free Docker sidecar ("vaultsync-notify") on your server. VaultSync works fully without Cloud Relay — the relay only makes incoming sync faster. SUPPORT VAULTSYNC (OPTIONAL) Two one-time contributions — Small and Big — for people who want to support the project. They are a tip jar: they unlock nothing, and the app stays fully functional without them. REQUIREMENTS • iPhone or iPad with iOS/iPadOS 18 or later. • Syncthing running on a Mac, Windows PC, Linux machine, NAS, or homeserver. • Obsidian installed on your device. PRIVACY & OPEN SOURCE VaultSync is peer-to-peer by design: no managed note cloud, no telemetry, nothing to sign into. The app is open source under the MPL-2.0 license — read the code, build it yourself, or contribute. VaultSync is an independent project and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Obsidian or Syncthing. "Obsidian" and "Syncthing" are trademarks of their respective owners.

Screenshots

Synctrain4 screens
VaultSync for Obsidian2 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Synctrain at 89% against VaultSync for Obsidian's 33%. Synctrain also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 4). VaultSync for Obsidian's advantage is update cadence (weekly vs every 6 weeks). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement 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. VaultSync for Obsidian sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Synctrain asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Synctrain ships an update every 6 weeks, VaultSync for Obsidian weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and October 6, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Synctrain versus VaultSync for Obsidian: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSynctrainVaultSync for Obsidian
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.9 (123 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews89.5% of reviews — better33.3% of reviews
Number of ratings123 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeksWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Mac — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.0 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size33 MB25 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperT-ShapedUmut Erdem

Customer experience

Synctrain

All ratings123 ratings
Positive96.7%
Neutral1.6%
Negative1.6%
Written reviews95 reviews
Positive89.5%
Neutral6.3%
Negative4.2%

VaultSync for Obsidian

Written reviews3 reviews
Positive33.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative66.7%

Bugs and requests

Synctrain

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Occasional app crashes
  • Sync delays on some devices

Requested features

2 requests
  • Direct photo/video sync to remote devices
  • Faster initial connection to server

VaultSync for Obsidian

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Synctrain

No in-app purchases

4 purchases

VaultSync for Obsidian

Subscriptions2
  • Cloud Relay$1.991 Month
  • Cloud Relay$14.991 Year
One-time2
  • Small Contribution$2.99
  • Big Contribution$9.99

Questions

Is Synctrain free?
Synctrain is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is VaultSync for Obsidian free?
VaultSync for Obsidian is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Synctrain or VaultSync for Obsidian have ads?
Neither Synctrain nor VaultSync for Obsidian shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Synctrain or VaultSync for Obsidian?
Synctrain ships an update every 6 weeks, and VaultSync for Obsidian weekly. Most recently, Synctrain was updated on October 15, 2026 and VaultSync for Obsidian on October 6, 2026.

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