AkastroidComparison
Akastroid vs SyQon Studio
SyQon Studio is a new, free astrophotography workspace from SyQon, in public beta. It covers calibration, stacking, mosaics, plate solving, colour calibration and editing with layers and masks, with paid neural models as optional extras. Akastroid takes a different approach: one run from the raw folder to a finished picture. Here is how they differ, from SyQon's own page.
The short answer
Use SyQon Studio if you want a free, deep workspace for deep sky with layers, masks and many tools to work through by hand, and you do not mind an account and a large install.
Use Akastroid if you want a finished picture from the raw folder in one run, with the settings measured from your frames, and if you also shoot planets, the Moon or the Sun.
Where SyQon Studio is better
The workspace is free, and it is broad: calibration, stacking with subframe analysis, drizzle, mosaics, local plate solving, Gaia colour calibration, layers, masks, a timeline and scripting.
It gives you masks and layered editing, which Akastroid does not have.
Where Akastroid is different
One run instead of a workspace. Drop in the raw folder, with calibration frames if you have them, and Akastroid grades, aligns, stacks, removes the gradient, sets the colour, reduces noise and sharpens, choosing every setting from measurements of your frames.
Planets, the Moon and the Sun. SyQon's page does not mention planetary video. Akastroid stacks SER, AVI and MP4 videos with lucky imaging.
No account. SyQon Studio asks for a free SyQon account and an internet connection to sign in and validate. Akastroid needs no account, and your frames are processed on your computer.
Small and light. SyQon lists 8 GB of memory as the minimum, 16 GB recommended, and 12 GB of free disk space. Akastroid's download is under 40 MB on a Mac.
Noise reduction and sharpening are included in the licence. SyQon's neural models for star separation, restoration and deconvolution are sold separately.
Side by side
| SyQon Studio | Akastroid | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free workspace; neural models 187 euros, optional | Free to try with every feature, then a one-time licence |
| Way of working | A workspace you drive | One run from the raw folder |
| Planets, Moon and Sun video | Not mentioned | Yes: SER, AVI and MP4 |
| Account | Free SyQon account, internet to sign in | None |
| Layers and masks | Yes | No |
| Calibration, stacking, mosaics | Yes | Yes |
| Plate solving and colour from star catalogues | Yes | Yes |
| Install size | 12 GB of free disk; 8 GB of memory minimum | Download under 40 MB on a Mac |
| Status | Public beta 1.1 | Released, updates itself |
What Akastroid does not do
Akastroid has no layers or masks and no selective editing, and no scripting. If you want to build a picture by hand with masks, SyQon Studio offers that and Akastroid does not.
Questions
Is SyQon Studio free?
The program is free to download, with a free SyQon account. Its professional neural models (Axiom V3 for star separation, DeepPrism V2 for restoration and Parallax for deconvolution) are optional and paid: 187 euros for the three, after a 3 day trial, according to its page.
Does SyQon Studio process planets?
Its page does not mention planetary or lunar video. Akastroid stacks planet, Moon and Sun videos (SER, AVI and MP4) with lucky imaging, as well as deep sky.
Which is easier for a beginner?
SyQon Studio is a workspace with layers, masks, a timeline and many studios, which suits people who want to edit by hand. Akastroid is built to go from the raw folder to a finished picture in one run, with every setting measured from your frames, and adjustments only if you want them.
What this page says about SyQon Studio comes from its own pages, read on 25 October 2026: SyQon Studio. If something here is out of date, write to hello@akastroid.com and I will correct it.
Try it on your own data
Free, every feature, five free processing runs and two exports to try it on. No account, and nothing leaves your computer.