Comparison

IKA PEN 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

IKA PEN

Features
Read full description

IKA PEN App – smarter pipetting with powerful functionality, made simple The IKA PEN App is a free laboratory app for any user who wants to simplify the execution of their daily pipetting protocols as well as monitoring their pipetting processes in real time. Designed as a convenient everyday tool for modern laboratories and any PEN pipette users who want to digitalise their everyday workflows. Pipette inventory - Multiple pipettes can be saved on the app, with one active connection at a time. Users can easily access saved pipettes for a quick reconnection without requiring to pair them again. Intuitive user-friendly interface - The app interface is specially designed for immediate usability with little to no training required. Protocols and parameters can be easily configured and modified, thus reducing setup time, increasing pipetting efficiency and saving valuable time in the laboratory. Remote control and monitoring - With the integrated Wireless function, compatible PENs can be connected quickly and wirelessly. The app allows you to set up parameters and protocols easily and control the PENs remotely. Once parameters have been set on the app, the pipetting process can be initiated either from the PEN or the App. Each pipetting process can be monitored and tracked in real-time on the App as well.

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

IKA PEN4 screens
VaultSync for Obsidian2 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: IKA PEN at none against VaultSync for Obsidian's 4. On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price Ā· Rating Ā· Positive reviews Ā· Number of ratings Ā· Update frequency Ā· Ads Ā· In-app purchases Ā· Monetization Ā· Best chart rank Ā· Devices Ā· Requires iOS

CostPrice Ā· In-app purchases Ā· Ads Ā· Monetization

Both are free to download. VaultSync for Obsidian sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. IKA PEN asks for nothing beyond the download.

Scorecard1 real difference Ā· 7 level
IKA PEN versus VaultSync for Obsidian: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterIKA PENVaultSync for Obsidian
PriceFreeFree
Positive reviews—33.3% of reviews
Update frequency—Weekly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
Monetization—Free with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.0 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size66 MB25 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperIKA-Werke GmbH & Co. KGUmut Erdem

In-app purchases

None

IKA PEN

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 IKA PEN free?
IKA PEN 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 IKA PEN or VaultSync for Obsidian have ads?
Neither IKA PEN nor VaultSync for Obsidian shows ads.

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