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Helix Core vs IBM Rational Synergy comparison

 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

Executive Summary

Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:
 

Categories and Ranking

Helix Core
Ranking in Software Configuration Management
7th
Average Rating
8.2
Reviews Sentiment
7.9
Number of Reviews
6
Ranking in other categories
Version Control (8th)
IBM Rational Synergy
Ranking in Software Configuration Management
10th
Average Rating
3.0
Number of Reviews
1
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
 

Mindshare comparison

As of May 2025, in the Software Configuration Management category, the mindshare of Helix Core is 0.8%, down from 2.3% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of IBM Rational Synergy is 2.2%, up from 2.0% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Software Configuration Management
 

Featured Reviews

DK
Configuration management features improve workflow but require a steep learning curve
I need to work more with Helix Core to identify specific areas for improvement. However, it has an extensive feature set that leads to a steep learning curve, where users need to learn quite a bit of features to work with it effectively. While its customization is not an issue, the GUI might not appeal to everyone.
OA
Users must go through a lot of steps to properly manipulate this solution, which can interrupt workflows and cause unnecessary downtime
We are required to use this tool by DO-178 guidance. We have to use a configuration management tool and this is the one we have been using. People see this tool more like a constraint than a benefit. Users really have to know how to use this tool and how to set the baseline functionalities for their case. The user must go through a lot of steps to properly manipulate this solution, which can interrupt workflows and cause unnecessary downtime. Synergy requires user training and development. It's not user-friendly. You have to perform a lot of manipulations; it's a bit archaic. Some people are reluctant to use this tool because they are familiar with and proficient in using Windows Explorer to navigate through directories and use WinZip to archive data. It is not a very good tool for document management. I would rate this solution a three out of ten because it's an old tool. It was a good tool 15 years ago. To get a ten out of ten I would need to see a more integrated user-friendly tool and it should be competitively priced as it is it's too expensive. I don't recommend using it because it's obsolete.

Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:
 

Pros

"I find the configuration management features of Helix Core particularly valuable."
"The customer service and support are excellent."
"Managing source code, tracking modifications, and being able to analyze evolutions of source code are the most valuable features."
 

Cons

"It has an extensive feature set that leads to a steep learning curve, where users need to learn quite a bit of features to work with it effectively."
"However, it has an extensive feature set that leads to a steep learning curve, where users need to learn quite a bit of features to work with it effectively."
"I'd like to see more integration with respect to requirement management, though this is not possible with this Synergy solution. I know that PTC enables this feature as well as Polarion. We need to have full trustworthiness and accountability in knowing that the tool will track every modification from specification through to the source code, with Synergy this isn't possible. The solution requires additional tools like rectify, desktop system solutions, to enable trustability between requirements, from one specification to another."
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Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
No data available
 

Questions from the Community

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Helix Core?
Pricing is relatively moderate at three to four out of ten. I find this cost justified for the capabilities provided by the product.
What needs improvement with Helix Core?
I need to work more with Helix Core to identify specific areas for improvement. However, it has an extensive feature set that leads to a steep learning curve, where users need to learn quite a bit ...
What is your primary use case for Helix Core?
We use Helix Core in our software development processes as a configuration management solution. Our typical use cases include system-level configuration management, versioning software, and managin...
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Comparisons

No data available
 

Also Known As

Perforce
IBM Synergy, Rational Synergy
 

Overview

 

Sample Customers

Intuit, Disney, Nvidia, Ubisoft, Samsung, Vmware, Adidas, Pixar, salesforce.com, EA
Information Not Available
Find out what your peers are saying about Broadcom, BMC, Microsoft and others in Software Configuration Management. Updated: April 2025.
851,042 professionals have used our research since 2012.