FAQ · BEFORE YOU BUY
Questions before $49.
The ones we hear most. If yours isn't here, write us at hi@synaptix.bio.
Privacy
Does SynaptiX upload my raw DNA file anywhere?
No. The raw genome file you point at SynaptiX is parsed entirely on your own machine. Network access for the analyzer is disabled by default — we ship with a hard block, not a "we promise" note.
The only thing that ever crosses your network is the optional Dr. Prime narration (and only if you turn it on) — and even then, only the small structured findings travel, never the raw file.
Is there telemetry?
Off by default. There is an opt-in diagnostics channel you can enable if you want to help us debug, but the default install reports nothing, period.
Can I delete everything?
Yes — and it's trivial because there's no server-side anything to delete. Your reports live in ~/SynaptiX/reports/ (Mac/Linux) or %APPDATA%\SynaptiX\reports\ (Windows). Remove the folder and you're done.
Why no account?
Because identity isn't needed to read your DNA. You bought the app; the app runs. Accounts exist mostly so software can know who you are across devices — but the safest design for genomic software is one that doesn't know.
Pricing & the purchase
Is this a subscription?
No. One-time purchase. $49 for Individual, $99 for Family (up to 5 local profiles + side-by-side comparisons). Your license unlocks unlimited analyses on the machines you own.
Can I install it on more than one of my computers?
Yes. Your license activates on the machines you own. The Family tier explicitly supports a household; even the Individual tier lets you move between your own laptop and desktop without a fight.
Do updates cost extra?
No. The engine is updated twice yearly as new pharmacogenomic guidelines from CPIC and PharmGKB mature. Updates ship at no additional cost for the life of the license.
What if it doesn't run on my machine?
If SynaptiX won't run on your hardware within 14 days of purchase, email support@synaptix.bio with the platform name and we'll refund you. We're a small operation — we'd rather have a happy non-customer than someone holding a $49 paperweight.
Files, platforms, what runs where
Which DNA file formats does SynaptiX read?
The big three consumer providers — 23andMe, AncestryDNA, MyHeritage — in their native raw download format (.txt or .zip). We also accept standard VCF, which is what most other genomic services export to.
If your provider isn't on that list, exporting to VCF usually works. We're happy to confirm a specific format before you buy.
What operating systems does it run on?
macOS 12 (Monterey) or newer, Windows 10 / 11, and Linux x86_64. Apple Silicon is supported natively; no Rosetta required.
How long does an analysis take?
Typically under three minutes on a modern laptop. The slowest step is the initial variant pass against the reference panel; everything downstream is cached in your local report.
Does it need an internet connection to analyze my file?
No — analysis itself is fully offline. The internet is only used to (a) activate your license once after purchase, and (b) call Dr. Prime narration if you've enabled it. You can run the analyzer on a machine that has never seen a network.
What if my reference build is GRCh37 instead of GRCh38?
We handle both internally. The engine standardizes to GRCh38, lifting over GRCh37 input files automatically. You don't need to know what your file uses — but if you're curious, your report includes the detected reference build.
Medical use, doctors, the boundary
Is SynaptiX a medical device?
No. SynaptiX is informational software designed to help you have better-informed conversations with a licensed clinician. It does not diagnose, treat, or prescribe.
The Medication Safety Card exists so you can hand a prescriber concrete, gene-relevant context before they prescribe — not so you can self-medicate.
Should I change a medication based on what I read?
Never on your own. The card is a conversation starter. Discuss any potential change with the prescribing doctor; they have your full clinical context, which the card doesn't.
What if my doctor disagrees with something the card says?
Trust your doctor. Their judgment incorporates everything from current labs to your full history. The card is one piece of evidence, not a prescription override.
That said — if a finding is on the card, it came from CPIC Level A or equivalent evidence, and a conversation about it is fair to ask for.
How is this different from Promethease or 23andMe Health?
Promethease shows you the entire research wall — every variant with a SNPedia entry — which is comprehensive but overwhelming. 23andMe Health reports a curated, FDA-cleared subset. SynaptiX sits in a different place: tightly focused on actionable medication safety + plain-English body-system summaries, with a printable wallet card as the artifact.
Different tool, different goal. Some of our customers use all three.
Can I share the wallet card with my doctor?
Yes — that's the whole point. Print it from the app on standard cardstock and it fits in a wallet alongside an insurance card. Or hand the PDF to your prescriber directly. We also generate a QR code that links back to a local copy of the full report (which never leaves your machine).
DIDN'T FIND IT
We answer email.
If your question isn't covered above, write us. We'd rather answer one email well than ship a hundred templated docs.