FreeFileSync
Focus: backup and folders. Shares file sync and open source with Syncthing. Adds Offline. Same 4.6 rating.
Desktop AppFreeWindows, macOS
4.6Visit
Desktop App
Syncthing
Free, open-source file sync straight between your own devices, with no cloud.
Rating
4.6 / 5
Pricing
Free
Difficulty
Intermediate
Works on
Windows, macOS, Linux
Built with love by Shushant Lakhyani. Building bestproductivityresources.com
What is Syncthing?
Syncthing continuously syncs folders between two or more of your own computers in real time, so your files never sit on a third-party server. Connections are encrypted with TLS and only devices you approve can connect. It is free and open source under the MPL-2.0 licence and runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, FreeBSD and more.
Pros: what Syncthing does well
- Free and open source (MPL-2.0)
- No storage limit: you sync your own disks
- Files never stored on someone else's server
Cons: where it falls short
- At least one device must be online to sync
- No web sharing links like Dropbox
Who Syncthing is for
People who want their files in sync across their own computers without a cloud.
Who can skip it
Anyone who mainly shares files with other people by link.
Compare Syncthing
See how Syncthing stacks up, side by side, plus the lists it made.
Syncthing alternatives
Not sold on Syncthing? These do a similar job, and each card says what it has in common.
Google Drive
Focus: cloud storage and file sharing. Shares file sync and dropbox alternative with Syncthing. A web app, not a desktop app. Freemium (Syncthing: Free). Adds Web, Android and iOS. Same 4.6 rating.
Web AppFree planWeb, Windows
4.6Visit
Filen
Focus: cloud storage and encrypted. Shares open source and dropbox alternative with Syncthing. A web app, not a desktop app. Freemium (Syncthing: Free). Adds Web, iOS and Android. Rated 4.3 (Syncthing: 4.6).
Web AppFree planWeb, Windows
4.3Visit
OneDrive
Focus: cloud storage and backup. Shares file sync and dropbox alternative with Syncthing. A web app, not a desktop app. Freemium (Syncthing: Free). Adds Web, Android and iOS. Rated 4.3 (Syncthing: 4.6).
Web AppFree planWeb, Windows
4.3Visit
calibre
Focus: ebooks, ebook converter and library. Shares open source with Syncthing. Adds Offline. Rated 4.7 (Syncthing: 4.6).
Desktop AppFreeWindows, macOS
4.7Visit
fd
Focus: file search, command line and developer tool. Shares open source with Syncthing. Adds Offline. Rated 4.7 (Syncthing: 4.6).
Desktop AppFreemacOS, Windows
4.7Visit
Free alternatives to Syncthing
Want to spend nothing? These free picks cover similar ground.
restic
Focus: backup, encryption and snapshots. Shares open source with Syncthing. Rated 4.7 (Syncthing: 4.6).
Desktop AppFreemacOS, Windows
4.7Visit
Yazi
Focus: file manager, terminal ui and developer tool. Shares open source with Syncthing. Adds Offline. Rated 4.7 (Syncthing: 4.6).
Desktop AppFreemacOS, Windows
4.7Visit
BorgBackup
Focus: backup, encryption and deduplication. Shares open source with Syncthing. Same 4.6 rating.
Desktop AppFreemacOS, Windows
4.6Visit
Czkawka
Focus: duplicate finder, disk cleanup and similar images. Shares open source with Syncthing. Adds Offline. Same 4.6 rating.
Desktop AppFreemacOS, Windows
4.6Visit
dua-cli
Focus: disk usage, storage cleanup and terminal. Shares open source with Syncthing. Same 4.6 rating.
Desktop AppFreemacOS, Windows
4.6Visit
Etcher
Focus: usb, sd card and disk image. Shares open source with Syncthing. Same 4.6 rating.
Desktop AppFreemacOS, Windows
4.6Visit
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