Comparison

SyncUp vs PL NetTools

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

PL NetTools

Features
Read full description

PL NetTools is a native network toolkit for iPhone, iPad and Mac. Five essential diagnostic tools, fast and no-nonsense, built on native networking (no system shell, no third-party plugins). IP & GEOLOCATION • Your public IP address with city, region, country, coordinates • Network, ASN, organization, time zone, currency • Two selectable providers (ipapi.co / ipinfo.io) with automatic fallback • Optional API tokens to raise limits (stored in the device Keychain) PING • Native ICMP ping with real-time RTT • Continuous output, instant start/stop DNS • 12 record types looked up in parallel (A, AAAA, MX, NS, TXT, CAA, SOA…) • DNS-over-HTTPS (Cloudflare with Google fallback), decoded CAA records • TTL for every record WHOIS • Direct WHOIS server queries (port 43) • Structured summary (registrar, creation/expiry dates, name servers, status) • Full WHOIS text, with or without line wrapping TRACEROUTE • Native ICMP traceroute, hop by hop with RTT • Optional host name resolution (reverse DNS) FEATURES • Native SwiftUI app for iPhone, iPad and Mac • Recent-lookups history per tool • Adaptive light/dark interface • Fully localized in Italian and English • No account, no ads, no tracking PL NetTools does not collect personal data. The only network traffic is the lookups you start, sent directly to public geolocation/DNS/WHOIS services.

Screenshots

SyncUp4 screens
PL NetTools4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: PL NetTools at every 5 days against SyncUp's monthly. SyncUp's advantage is iOS requirement (16.0 vs 18.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support 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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SyncUp ships an update monthly, PL NetTools every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 7 level
SyncUp versus PL NetTools: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSyncUpPL NetTools
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.7 (3 ratings) — better—
Number of ratings3 — better—
Update frequencyMonthlyEvery 5 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, Mac — better
Requires iOS16.0 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size42 MB3 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSiddarth Ruchir KumarLuigi Caltarossa

In-app purchases

None

SyncUp

No in-app purchases

None

PL NetTools

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is SyncUp free?
SyncUp is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is PL NetTools free?
PL NetTools is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do SyncUp or PL NetTools have ads?
Neither SyncUp nor PL NetTools shows ads.
Which is updated more often, SyncUp or PL NetTools?
SyncUp ships an update monthly, and PL NetTools every 5 days. Most recently, SyncUp was updated on September 23, 2026 and PL NetTools on September 21, 2026.

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