SyncTasks vs Chess Shield
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
SyncTasks
This app offers a streamlined task management experience, syncing with Notion and Apple Reminders. It features a minimalist widget for distraction-free focus and a folder system for organization. It can also be used as a standalone to-do list.
- Two-way Notion sync
- Apple Reminders integration
- Minimalist home screen widgets
- Folder-based task organization
- Standalone to-do list mode
- No ads or tracking
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As a daily Notion user, I found the Notion mobile app to be too cluttered and overly complicated for simple tasks management. It is also severely lacking in widget integration which is a crucial part of the iOS experience. I have tried Todoist and TickTick with Zapier, but they lacked support for all the features I needed, AND THERE IS A SUBSCRIPTION?! I wanted a simpler, more integrated solution. That's why I built SyncTasks. Due to popular demand, I've added the option to use SyncTasks as a standalone to-do app without syncing with Notion. This can be especially useful for quickly tracking tasks like grocery lists and other on-the-go needs. Key Features of SyncTasks: Notion Integration: Two-way sync with your Notion databases. This feature also allows you to sync databases from multiple Notion Workspaces. Apple Reminders Integration: Two-way sync with your Apple Reminders. Minimal Task List Widget: My favorite feature! Inspired by dumb phones, this minimalist widget blends seamlessly with your wallpaper to create a distraction-free interface reminiscent of a dumb phone. Your home screen will display only your tasks, with no other distractions, so you can stay focused and get as much done as possible. Stay Organized: I've decided to go back to basics and stick with the trusty folder system to help you group your tasks and stay organized. You can also quickly filter and search through your tasks to find exactly what you need. Exclusive Membership Card: I absolutely love the feeling of getting something unique for myself. So, I've added this totally unnecessary but fun feature! When you first get your card after upgrading to premium (it's a one-time purchase, by the way—because I absolutely hate subscriptions), you can drag and shake it to unlock a series of randomized colors with different gradients on the card. This means your card will be unique to you and you alone. I know it's not essential, but it's kind of exciting, right? No ads. No tracking. Transparent update: Nobody likes being tracked, and I'm no exception. I've also included a Release Notes section in the app where I'll share all the new features, major bug fixes, and improvements with you. This keeps the update process as informative and transparent as possible. I'm doing this because I genuinely want to build and grow alongside my users. If you've encountered a similar issue with the Notion mobile app and are looking for a solution, want a way to stay focused and get things done, or just simply want to hang out, install SyncTasks and join me on this journey. I'll see you on the other side! Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Chess Shield
This app helps chess players improve by blocking distracting apps and replacing them with chess puzzles. Solve puzzles to advance your ELO and identify tactical weaknesses. It offers a free tier with basic features and a Pro version for advanced tactics and unlimited app blocking.
- Blocks distracting apps
- Replaces app opens with chess puzzles
- Puzzles matched to ELO
- Tracks ELO in real-time
- Tactical insights
- Unlimited puzzles (Free)
- Block multiple apps (Pro)
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For chess players who want to actually get better. Endless scrolling steals the hours you'd rather spend improving. Chess Shield blocks the apps that eat your chess time. Try to open one, and a puzzle takes over the screen. Solve it to get past. Every solve moves your ELO. HOW IT WORKS Pick the apps you reach for when you meant to study. Instagram, TikTok, X, whatever's eating you. When you try to open them, a puzzle takes over. Solve it to unlock the app for a few minutes. The puzzles match your level. Type your chess.com or Lichess ELO and we'll start there. Or skip the input and we'll test you with three puzzles. From then on, every puzzle is challenging enough to make you think, solvable enough that you'll get there. Insights show you which tactics keep tripping you up. Your ELO moves in real time on every solve. FREE INCLUDES – Unlimited puzzles, matched to your ELO – 6 starter tactics: Fork, Pin, Skewer, Mate-in-1, Mate-in-2, Back-rank – 1 shielded app – Full ELO tracking – Insights into what you solve and what you miss PRO UNLOCKS – All 52 advanced tactics. Mate-in-3, Discovered Attack, Zwischenzug, endgames. The full library, not just the starters. – See every blind spot. Insights unlocks every theme. Your full weakness map, no locked tiles. – Block every app you want, not just one. Plenty to start on Free. Pro is where you stop guessing what to study. 7-day free trial on the yearly plan. $4.99/month or $39.99/year. WHY IT'S DIFFERENT Most focus apps are guilt machines. Most chess apps want your scroll. Chess Shield does both jobs at once. Every minute in here is measurable progress, not just dopamine. If you've ever wished the time you waste scrolling could be real chess time, this is it. PRIVACY We don't collect anything. No accounts, no analytics, no backend. The apps you block are opaque tokens iOS hands us. We literally can't see them. Everything stays on your device. ——— Subscription details Chess Shield Pro is offered as a monthly ($4.99/month) or yearly ($39.99/year) auto-renewing subscription. The yearly plan includes a 7-day free trial for new subscribers. Payment is charged to your Apple ID at confirmation. The subscription auto-renews unless turned off at least 24 hours before the period ends. Manage or cancel anytime in iPhone Settings → Apple ID → Subscriptions. Privacy Policy: https://chessshield.com/privacy Terms of Use: https://chessshield.com/terms
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: SyncTasks at 4.6 against Chess Shield's 3.7. SyncTasks also leads on ratings volume (355 vs 3) and review sentiment (69% vs 50%). Chess Shield's advantage is iOS requirement (15.1 vs 17.0). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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
Both are free to download. SyncTasks sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month and Chess Shield sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
SyncTasks holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: SyncTasks has 355 ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 69% of SyncTasks's written reviews are positive against 50% of Chess Shield's.
SyncTasks ships an update every 10 days, Chess Shield weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 11, 2026 and October 7, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | SyncTasks | Chess Shield |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.6 (355 ratings) — better | 3.7 (3 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 69.2% of reviews — better | 50.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 355 — better | 3 |
| Update frequency | Every 10 days | Weekly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Freemium |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | 15.1 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 79 MB | 53 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Toh Kar Le | Alejandro Trevino Saldana |
Customer experience
SyncTasks
Chess Shield
Bugs and requests
SyncTasks
Reported bugs
4 issues- Tasks not syncing properly
- Widget not displaying tasks correctly
- App crashing after updates
- Notification issues with repeat tasks
Requested features
4 requests- Add support for Notion calendar sync
- Improve widget customization options
- Introduce more view and filter options
- Develop a desktop or web app version
Chess Shield
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
SyncTasks
- SyncTasks Pro (Monthly)$3.991 Month
- SyncTasks Pro (Annually)$12.991 Year
- 7-day Free TrialFree
- SyncTasks Pro$9.99
- SyncTasks Pro (Lifetime)$34.99
Chess Shield
- Chess Shield Pro7 Days trial$4.991 Month
- Chess Shield Pro$39.991 Year
Questions
Is SyncTasks free?
Is Chess Shield free?
Which has better reviews, SyncTasks or Chess Shield?
Do SyncTasks or Chess Shield have ads?
Which is updated more often, SyncTasks or Chess Shield?
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