Razer Synapse 4 finally becomes the app we always dreamed of, after the end of its long beta period

What you need to know

After the beta period, the latest version of Razer Synapse is now ready and available.
Razer Synapse 4 is a significant improvement over previous versions, including a UI overhaul, performance improvements and reduced system resource usage.
Synapse 4 is backwards compatible with a wide range of Razer hardware, which reduces the likelihood of having to use older versions.
Razer Chroma is a standalone app that looks and feels very similar to Synapse 4, but now includes “immersive” settings, including Sensa HD touch.

The RazerCon 2024 edition delivered exciting new hardware, but the software aspect was not left behind. After a decent period in beta, Razer Synapse 4 is now generally available alongside the latest Razer Chroma app.

On the front, Synapse has a fresh new user interface, including a sleek tabbed interface, performance improvements, and backward compatibility with a long list of older Razer products as well as the latest and greatest. If you dig deeper, you’ll find some thoughtful new additions that will make your experience a little better.

In addition to Synapse 4, the latest Razer Chroma app is available. Oh no, I hear crying. ANOTHER APPLICATION?! But before you grab your pitchforks, there’s a good reason to have both. Razer Synapse 4 is responsible for hardware and performance, while Chroma provides the immersive aspects of the Razer ecosystem. In addition to Chroma RGB life control, this is where the new Sensa HD touch settings reside if you happen to purchase the new Kraken V4 Pro or the Freyja haptic cushion.

Razer Synapse 4 has a visually more subdued design, without the light green stripe and a sleek tabbed interface. (Image source: Windows Central)

Razer claims that Synapse 4 has improved performance by 30% over its predecessor, and while that’s hard to measure, I have no reason not to believe it. It’s certainly a useful app.

“Synapse 4 also introduces a modernized user interface designed for simpler navigation and streamlined customization, including floating suggestions and centralized settings management. It is backwards compatible with Synapse 3 devices and retains popular Synapse 3 features such as Razer Hypershift, which allows one-touch switching to temporarily unlock an additional set of functions on top of existing button bindings, Rapid Trigger for easy, quick key presses, and Advanced Macros for executing complex one-click button presses.

I really like the new interface. I like the tabs and I like the fact that there is no longer the intense green stripe that burns my retinas every time I open Synapse.

Razer Synapse 4

Synapse 4 remains familiar to use, with hardware controls remaining largely unchanged from the previous version. (Image source: Windows Central)

I also like that Razer has now divided each piece of hardware into segments, so updates to one shouldn’t cause any conflict with another. This hasn’t happened to me very often, but it has happened, so I’m glad this issue is being addressed.

For more serious gamers, Razer has added a few features Really detailed in settings and made it easy to transfer settings from one mouse to a completely different mouse.

“Synapse 4 also includes features such as 1-step DPI adjustments for achieving perfect pixel sensitivity in single DPI steps, Sensitivity Matcher calibration for accurately transferring DPI settings to Razer mice, and improved asymmetric cutoff that allows gamers to adjust both mice’s launch distances and land with greater accuracy by customizing your setup to your precise gaming preferences.

Sensa HD in the Razer Chroma app

The Razer Chroma app is where you’ll make delicious touch adjustments along with sweet RGB lighting. (Image source: Windows Central)

Razer Chroma is a place where you can do more than just basic RGB lighting adjustments on your hardware. If you just want to use presets and assign them quickly, you can do that in Synapse 4. However, if you want to dig into the details and design the perfect setup, this is where you’ll be.

When RazerCon launches on this app, you’ll be able to customize Sensa HD on the Kraken V4 Pro and Freyja touchpad. I haven’t had a chance to play with it at the time of writing, but from the press demo it seems as easy as setting up any other Razer device. Needless to say, I’ll be diving in soon and setting my sights on derrière haptics.

However, if you don’t have a Sensa HD device and aren’t interested in custom Chroma setups, you don’t need to use the Razer Chroma app. There’s a ton of functionality here, and I appreciate that Synapse 4 is slimmer by hiding this side of things in its own app.

You can download Razer Synapse 4 and Razer Chroma now from the Razer website.