Comparison

SyncUp vs AlterSend

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

Head to head
About

SyncUp

This open-source client enables peer-to-peer file synchronization between your iOS device and other Syncthing nodes. It allows direct, end-to-end encrypted transfers between your own devices without relying on third-party servers.

Highlights
  • QR code device pairing
  • Folder sharing controls
  • Live status updates
  • Per-folder pause/resume
  • End-to-end encryption
  • Open-source
Features
Read full description

SyncUp is an open-source client for the Syncthing protocol. A peer-to-peer file synchronization protocol that has been around since 2014. If you already run a Syncthing node on your computer, NAS, or home server, SyncUp lets your iPhone join the same network of devices and keep selected folders in sync. All transfers happen directly between devices you own, end-to-end encrypted with TLS 1.3. This app does not host or store your files on any third-party server. It connects only to peers you have explicitly authorized. FEATURES • QR code device pairing -> scan a peer's code or display your own. The 56-character device ID never has to be typed by hand. • Folder sharing controls -> accept, ignore, or auto-accept folder offers from peers you trust. • Live status -> folder progress, peer connection state, and incoming offers update in near real time. • Per-folder pause and resume from Settings. HOW SYNC WORKS ON IOS iOS reserves continuous background execution for a small set of app categories that SyncUp does not belong to. Sync runs in the foreground whenever the app is open, and SyncUp also registers two background tasks that the system schedules opportunistically, typically a short window or two per day, with the exact timing controlled by iOS. For an always-online node, run a Syncthing instance on a computer or home server that stays powered on. Your iPhone reconciles against it whenever it next runs. OPEN SOURCE SyncUp is licensed under MPL-2.0. The Syncthing daemon is embedded in-process and the full source code is available on GitHub. REQUIREMENTS You will need at least one other device running Syncthing (on macOS, Windows, Linux, Android, or another iOS device with this app) for SyncUp to be useful. Visit syncthing.net to learn more about the protocol.

About

AlterSend

Easily send files directly between your devices without using cloud storage. This app offers private, encrypted peer-to-peer transfers with no size limits, making it simple to move photos, videos, and documents.

Highlights
  • Direct peer-to-peer file transfer
  • End-to-end encryption
  • No cloud storage
  • Unlimited file size
  • Cross-platform compatibility
  • No sign-up required
  • Simple QR code or code pairing
Features
Read full description

Send files directly between your devices - private, encrypted, no cloud storage and no size limits. AlterSend connects your phone and computer peer-to-peer and streams files straight across. Most file-sharing apps upload your files to a server first. AlterSend doesn't. Your data goes directly from one device to the other, so it never sits on someone else's cloud. Open the app, share a code or scan a QR, and start sending. WHY ALTERSEND • Private by design — direct, peer-to-peer, end-to-end encrypted. Your files are never stored in the cloud. • Fast & direct — send large files, folders, and long videos without waiting on slow uploads. • No size limits — share big videos and documents without compression or caps. • Cross-platform — move files between your devices: mobile and desktop. • No sign-up — no account, no email, no ads. • Simple pairing — connect with a short code or a QR scan. HOW IT WORKS 1. Open AlterSend on both devices. 2. Share the join code or scan the QR code to connect. 3. Pick your files and send — they arrive on the other device in seconds. GREAT FOR • Moving photos and videos between phone and computer • Sending large videos that are too big to email • Transferring documents, PDFs, and entire folders • Sharing files without cloud storage or an account • Backing up media from your phone to your Mac or PC PRIVATE BY DEFAULT AlterSend is built for people who care about privacy. There's no account to create and nothing to sign in to. Files transfer over an encrypted peer-to-peer connection and are nnever stored on our servers. When a direct connection isn't possible, an encrypted relay passes the data through without ever being able to read it. Download AlterSend and start sending files privately - no cloud storage, no limits. AlterSend Pro is an auto-renewable subscription. • Monthly — $6.99 per month • Yearly — $69.99 per year Payment is charged to your Apple Account at confirmation of purchase. The subscription renews automatically unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Manage or cancel it any time in your Apple Account settings. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://altersend.com/privacy

Screenshots

SyncUp4 screens
AlterSend4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: SyncUp at 4.3 against AlterSend's 3.7. SyncUp also leads on monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases). AlterSend's advantage is update cadence (every 9 days vs monthly). On price, ratings volume, 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

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

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

SyncUp holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 3.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 6 and 3 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SyncUp ships an update monthly, AlterSend every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on October 10, 2026 and September 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
SyncUp versus AlterSend: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSyncUpAlterSend
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.3 (6 ratings) — better3.7 (3 ratings)
Positive reviews—50.0% of reviews
Number of ratings6 — better3
Update frequencyMonthlyEvery 9 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPhone
Requires iOS16.416.4
Further details — not scored
Size52 MB232 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSiddarth Ruchir KumarDevaprime LLC

Customer experience

SyncUp

All ratings6 ratings
Positive83.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative16.7%

AlterSend

All ratings3 ratings
Positive66.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative33.3%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%

In-app purchases

None

SyncUp

No in-app purchases

None

AlterSend

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is SyncUp free?
SyncUp is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is AlterSend free?
AlterSend is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, SyncUp or AlterSend?
SyncUp is rated higher. SyncUp averages 4.3 out of 5 from 6 ratings, while AlterSend averages 3.7 from 3 ratings.
Do SyncUp or AlterSend have ads?
Neither SyncUp nor AlterSend shows ads.
Which is updated more often, SyncUp or AlterSend?
SyncUp ships an update monthly, and AlterSend every 9 days. Most recently, SyncUp was updated on October 10, 2026 and AlterSend on September 30, 2026.

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