Comparison

CrowdMag vs SynScan Pro

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

Head to head
About

CrowdMag

This app allows users to measure and contribute to scientific research on Earth's magnetic field using their smartphone. It offers features for recording magnetic data during various activities, including flights, and provides tools for data visualization and analysis.

Highlights
  • Measure magnetic field data
  • Contribute to scientific research
  • Record data during flights
  • Visualize data on maps and graphs
  • Magnetic calculator with WMM2020
  • Live magnetic compass
  • Export data via email/Google Drive
Features
Read full description

Introducing CrowdMag's newest feature: Flight Mode, which lets you contribute to scientific research by measuring the magnetic field as you fly around the world. To get started, simply provide your itinerary on the CrowdMag app, and you'll be able to turn your flight into a scientific expedition. Check out this step-by-step tutorial for measuring data while flying: https://geomag.colorado.edu/crowdmag-flight-mode-tutorial . CrowdMag is an app that lets you measure the local magnetic field using your smartphone. You can view the data as a graph or a map in nanotesla units. CrowdMag measures the Z (downward component), H (horizontal intensity), and F (total intensity) magnetic field components. You can use CrowdMag for measuring magnetic data during outdoor activities, while flying, or to conduct your own experiments. You can also share it with NOAA to help scientists better understand Earth's magnetic field. If you're going for a walk, run, or other outdoor activities, you can use CrowdMag to measure the magnetic data along your path and save it as a "magtivity." And, if you get a new phone, don't worry! You can export a backup of your CrowdMag data and save it on your computer. This way, if you have to reset your phone or switch to a new one, you can import your backup and continue using CrowdMag without losing your data or progress. CrowdMag also has a magnetic calculator that provides magvar (declination), the magnetic field's dip angle, total magnetic field, and other magnetic field components based on the latest World Magnetic Model (WMM2020). Some of the other features of CrowdMag include creating your own magtivities, customizing recording frequency and location accuracy, exporting your data via email or Google Drive, and seeing generalized crowdsourced magnetic data from other users. And, before we forget, CrowdMag also features a compass that distinctly shows both true and magnetic north. As an added feature, the compass also has a 3D display with an optional audio output - check it out! CrowdMag features: * Create your own magnetic activity (called a "magtivity") * Measure data while flying * Customize recording frequency and location accuracy to your preferences * View your magnetic data on an interactive Google Map * Graph your data as a time series line chart * Check the quality of your data by comparing it with the World Magnetic Model (WMM) * Export your data as a CSV file * Clear stored data on your phone when you want to start fresh * Choose to share your data with NOAA (optional) * See generalized crowdsourced magnetic data from other users * Use the live magnetic compass for 2D and 3D rendering * View information about the current solar magnetic disturbance * Use the most up-to-date magnetic field model (WMM2020) * Export your data via email, Google Drive, or other options * Export a CrowdMag backup to save your contributions' status and data * Import your CrowdMag backup (works across different phone platforms) Visit https://geomag.colorado.edu/crowdmag to see crowdsourced magnetic data .

About

SynScan Pro

Control motorized telescope mounts for celestial observation and astrophotography. Features include precise slewing, alignment, GOTO, and tracking of stars, planets, and deep-sky objects. Supports advanced functions like polar alignment and camera triggering.

Highlights
  • Control telescope mount (slew, align, GOTO, track)
  • Point and Track celestial objects
  • Gamepad navigation support
  • Catalog of celestial objects
  • Third-party app integration (ASCOM, SkySafari)
  • Polar alignment (with or without polar scope)
  • Camera shutter release control
Features
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Use the SynScan app to control Sky-Watcher telescope mounts via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth LE. Mounts without built-in Wi-Fi can be supported via a SynScan Wi-Fi adapter. This is the Pro version of the SynScan app and contains features suited for expert users using equatorial mounts. Features - Control telescope mount to slew, align, GOTO and track. - Point And Track: track celestial objects (including the Sun and planets) without aligning. - Support gamepad navigation. - Browse a catalog of stars, comets, and deep sky objects. Or, save your own objects. - Provide access to mount for use by third-party apps, including ASCOM clients, SkySafari, Luminos, Stellarium Mobile Plus, Stellarium Desktop or customer-developed apps. Also set up mount alignment for Luminos, Skysafari. - Support access to the mount and the SynScan app from any platform that supports TCP/UDP connections. - Provide emulator mount for testing and practicing. - Track fast-moving earth satellites by working with the PreviSat app on Windows PC or the Lumios app on iOS devices. - Perform polar alignment with or without a polar scope. - Control shutter release (SNAP) port to trigger an attached camera. (Requires mount with SNAP port and adapter cable that matches camera.) - Use ASCOM to perform autoguiding on mounts that do not have autoguider (ST-4) port. - Other mount controls: auto home, PPEC, park.

Screenshots

CrowdMag4 screens
SynScan Pro4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: CrowdMag at 4.3 against SynScan Pro's 2.6. CrowdMag also leads on monetization model (free vs paid) and review sentiment (53% vs 22%). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and ads 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

CrowdMag holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 2.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 24 and 51 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 53% of CrowdMag's written reviews are positive against 22% of SynScan Pro's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 22, 2026 and July 4, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
CrowdMag versus SynScan Pro: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCrowdMagSynScan Pro
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.3 (24 ratings) — better2.6 (51 ratings)
Positive reviews52.9% of reviews — better21.5% of reviews
Number of ratings2451 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree — betterPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.014.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size18 MB46 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperUniversity of Colorado BoulderAstropower Technology Co. Ltd.

Customer experience

CrowdMag

All ratings24 ratings
Positive79.2%
Neutral8.3%
Negative12.5%
Written reviews17 reviews
Positive52.9%
Neutral17.6%
Negative29.4%

SynScan Pro

All ratings51 ratings
Positive33.3%
Neutral13.7%
Negative52.9%
Written reviews93 reviews
Positive21.5%
Neutral20.4%
Negative58.1%

In-app purchases

None

CrowdMag

No in-app purchases

None

SynScan Pro

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is CrowdMag free?
CrowdMag is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is SynScan Pro free?
SynScan Pro is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, CrowdMag or SynScan Pro?
CrowdMag is rated higher. CrowdMag averages 4.3 out of 5 from 24 ratings, while SynScan Pro averages 2.6 from 51 ratings.
Do CrowdMag or SynScan Pro have ads?
Neither CrowdMag nor SynScan Pro shows ads.
Which is updated more often, CrowdMag or SynScan Pro?
CrowdMag ships an update every 2 months, and SynScan Pro every 2 months. Most recently, CrowdMag was updated on September 22, 2026 and SynScan Pro on July 4, 2026.

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