Comparison

Side Search vs SharkZip

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

Head to head
About

Side Search

Launch your preferred AI assistant or search engine using the Side Button or Action Button. Customize assistants with custom URLs or integrate with Apple Foundation Models, Claude API, or Google Gemini API.

Highlights
  • Launch AI assistants via Side/Action Button
  • Custom URL-based assistants
  • Apple Foundation Models integration
  • Claude API support
  • Google Gemini API support
  • Side Bridge for custom endpoints
Features
Read full description

Quickly launch your preferred AI assistant or search engine as a voice assistant from the Side Button or Action Button. ### Launch from Side Button ### On iPhone in Japan, you can assign Side Search to the Side Button. You can start your favorite assistant by pressing and holding the Side Button. ### Assistants ### --- URL Based Assistant You can turn various AI assistants and search engines into assistants by setting a custom URL. --- Apple Foundation Models You can converse with privacy-focused models on devices that support Apple Intelligence. --- Claude API You can ask Claude to perform web searches or ask questions using your own API key. --- Google Gemini API You can converse with Gemini and ask it to perform web searches using your own API Key. --- Side Bridge For advanced users, you can use any assistant by creating an endpoint called Side Bridge.

About

SharkZip

Features
Read full description

Protect your files with password-encrypted ZIP compression. SharkZip makes it easy to secure your important files and folders with password protection. Create encrypted ZIP archives in seconds, right from your iPhone or iPad. KEY FEATURES Password Protection โ€“ Protect ZIP files with a password Zip Folders & Files โ€“ Compress entire folders or individual files Manage Your Archives โ€“ View, share, and organize all your zipped files Quick Preview โ€“ Preview zip files instantly Share Anywhere โ€“ Send protected files via email, Messages, AirDrop, or cloud services Fast Compression โ€“ Create zips quickly with real-time progress tracking Privacy First โ€“ All files stay on your device, no cloud uploads HOW IT WORKS 1. Select a file or folder from your device 2. Set a password to protect your archive 3. Create your encrypted ZIP file 4. Share or store your protected archive PERFECT FOR - Protecting sensitive documents - Sharing confidential files securely - Compressing large folders for storage - Sending password-protected files to colleagues - Organizing files for archival SECURITY & PRIVACY All compression happens locally on your device. Your files never leave your phone unless you choose to share them.

Screenshots

Side Search3 screens
SharkZip4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Side Search at Free against SharkZip's $1.99. SharkZip's advantage is iOS requirement (18.6 vs 27.0). On update cadence, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

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

CostPrice ยท In-app purchases ยท Ads ยท Monetization

Side Search is free to download; SharkZip costs $1.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Side Search ships an update every 6 days, SharkZip every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on September 16, 2026 and September 12, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences ยท 6 level
Side Search versus SharkZip: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSide SearchSharkZip
PriceFree โ€” better$1.99
Positive reviews0.0% of reviewsโ€”
Update frequencyEvery 6 daysEvery 5 days โ€” better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeโ€”
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS27.018.6 โ€” better
Further details โ€” not scored
Size36 MB1 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperCizzuk ShihuDinesh Gurung

In-app purchases

None

Side Search

No in-app purchases

None

SharkZip

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Side Search free?
Side Search is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is SharkZip free?
SharkZip costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do Side Search or SharkZip have ads?
Neither Side Search nor SharkZip shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Side Search or SharkZip?
Side Search ships an update every 6 days, and SharkZip every 5 days. Most recently, Side Search was updated on September 16, 2026 and SharkZip on September 12, 2026.

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