Comparison of file synchronization software

This is a list of file synchronization software. File synchronization is a process of ensuring that files in two or more locations are updated via certain rules.

Definitions

The following definitions clarify the purpose of columns used in the tables that follow.

Name
It may contain a product name, or product name plus edition name, depending on what is discussed.
Operating system
Platform
Operating system (OS) is a computer program that makes a computer usable, hence all computers must have it. The operating system column lists the name of the operating systems on which the corresponding synchronization software runs. Platform is a broader term; it is used as the column name because some of the software in the table were OS-independent but required a certain software platform like Java SE or .NET Framework.
Programming language
Programming language was used to write the software, if known. For closed-source software this information may not be known.
License
Indicates the licensing model under which the software is published. For open source systems this may be the specific license (i.e. GPL, LGPL, MIT, etc.), for closed source/proprietary/commercial software this may be the model (subscription per user, perpetual per device, etc.)
Portable
If yes, the program is designed to run without needing to modify the configuration of the computer it is run on. The name 'portable' comes from the fact that these applications are intended to be able to be carried with the user on a portable drive and run on any computer it was designed to run on, even if the user does not have administrative privileges on the computer. See Portable Applications.
Detect conflict
Indicates whether the software will detect if the requested operation may result in data loss. See File Synchronization
Renames/moves
When a file/directory in given side of the synchronization is renamed/moved, the program repeats renaming/moving the file/directory to the other side of the synchronization. This feature saves bandwidth when operating on remote systems but increases the analysis duration. Programs that support this feature commonly do so by calculating and storing hash values of each file so they can detect if two files with different names, modification dates, etc., are identical in terms of their content. Programs which do not support this feature, will behave as if the originally-named file/directory has been deleted and the newly named file/directory is brand new and transmit the "new" file over to the other side again.
Prior file versions, revision control
Indicates whether the software allows one to revert to an earlier version of a particular file/directory.
Scheduling or service
Indicates whether the software will run automatically either via a scheduler, or by running as a system service. If no, a user must invoke the software manually each time a synchronization is needed.
Online storage
Is there an online file storage option? If so, what type?
Other Information
Notes that help clarify features already covered in other columns, or additional information that differentiates this software from the competition.
NAS share mobilisation
Indicates whether the software allows mobile devices pass-through access to NAS shares.

Open source

This is a comparison of the free and open-source file synchronization software.

Name Programming language Platform License Stable version Portable Detect conflict Renames or moves Revision control Scheduling or service Other information
Conduit Python Linux, FreeBSD GPL 0.3.17 No Yes Synchronizes files, website, network apps
DirSync Pro Java Java SE GPLv3 1.51 (2015-09-27) Yes Yes No Yes (creates backup files) Yes (native + via OS) sym-links, filter, metadata, contents, auto-sync
FreeFileSync C++ Windows, OS X, Linux GPL 8.6 (2016-10-25) Yes (installer option) Yes Yes Yes (versioning + recycler) Yes Bundled with OpenCandy unless downloaded via donation page.[1]
iFolder C#, Mono Windows, OS X, Linux, Solaris GPL 3.8.0.3 (2010-7-19) No Yes (centralized database)Yes (files, not folders)
luckyBackup C++ Windows, OS X, Linux, FreeBSD GPLv3 0.4.8 (2014-03-16) Yes Yes Uses rsync backend
OneSync C# Windows GPL 4.0 (2012-02-20) No Yes Yes No
ownCloud C++, Java, PHP[2] Server: Linux, FreeBSD
Clients: Windows, OS X, Linux, FreeBSD, Android, iOS
AGPLv3 9.1.1 (20 September 2016 (2016-09-20)) [±][3] Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes iOS, Android, Blackberry, Win, Mac, Linux Client; external storage support; encryption app; app framework
Pydio PHP, Python C++ JS C# Swift (Desktop), Java (Android), Swift (iOS) Windows, OS X, Linux, Android, iOS GPL v3 1.2.7 (2016-07-27) Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
rsync C in a Unix-Linux shell Windows, OS X,[4] Linux,[5][6] BSD GPL v3 3.1.2 (2015-12-21) Yes No No No Yes (via OS) client & server operation. Multiple comparison criteria (date, check-sum).
Seafile community edition C99, Python[7] Server: Linux, Raspbian, Windows
Clients: Linux, OS X, Windows[8]
GPLv3 6.0.5 (17 October 2016 (2016-10-17)) [±][9] No Yes Yes Yes Yes (via Seafile Client) Android and iOS mobile clients
SparkleShare C# Windows, OS X, Linux, Android, iOS GPL v3 and LGPL 1.5.0 (2015-12-22) Yes Yes No Yes Uses Git
SymmetricDS Java Java SE GPL 3.7.19 (31 May 2015) Yes Yes Yes No Yes plug-in APIs for customization
Synchronizer (krusader) Windows, OS X, Linux GPL v2 2.0.0 (2009-04-26) No Yes No No No Synchronizer no longer in active development
Syncthing Go Windows, OS X, Linux, Android, BSD, Solaris MPL v2 0.14.9 (2016-10-18) Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Distributed peer-to-peer sync
Synkron C++ Windows, OS X, Linux GPL v2 1.6.2 (2011-01-25) Yes Yes No Yes Yes no longer in active development
Unison OCaml Windows, OS X,[10] Linux, FreeBSD, Android[11][12] GPL 2.48.3 (2015-8-4) Yes[13] Yes (centralized database) Yes (remote xferbycopying) No Yes (since 2.48.3) best network efficiency, mature and stable; development reached active maintenance[14]
Name Programming language Platform License Stable version Portable Detect conflict Renames or moves Revision control Scheduling or service Other information

Freeware

This is a comparison of the freeware (proprietary software release free of charge) file synchronization software.

Name Operating system Vendor Online storage Remote desktop Prior file versions, revision control Comments Portable Detect rename Detect move Scheduling Full duplex transfer
Microsoft ActiveSync Windows Microsoft No No ? Syncs mobile devices
Resilio Sync Windows, OS X, Linux, FreeBSD, Android, iOS Resilio, Inc. No No Yes (previous versions moved to archive folder) Distributed peer-to-peer sync No Yes Yes Pro only[15] Yes
Briefcase (part of Windows) Windows Microsoft No No ?
Cobian Backup Windows CobianSoft No No Yes, trash folder Backup software with folder synchronization feature; remote management; Shadow Copy No No No Yes
Windows Mobile Device Center Windows Microsoft No No ? Syncs mobile devices; successor to Microsoft ActiveSync
Microsoft Sync Framework Windows Microsoft ? No ? Syncs files, data, services; a framework, not a tool Yes Yes -
Microsoft SyncToy Windows Microsoft No No No, recycle bin only Sync local folders No Yes Yes via OS No
Windows Live Mesh (discontinued 13 February 2013) Windows (Vista and greater), Windows Mobile, OSX Microsoft Yes Yes No, recycle bin only Sync folders, online storage No Yes ? No, syncs whenever it's online Yes
OmniGroup OmniPresence OSX, OmniGroup software for iOS, open source framework available OmniGroup No No No, via local Time Machine backup only Sync local folders via OmniSync or WebDAV server but not to the server itself No ? ? No, syncs whenever it's online and not paused Yes
Windows Live Sync (discontinued 31 March 2011) Windows, OSX Microsoft No, browsing only No No, recycle bin only Sync folders, browse devices from website, remote access; was Microsoft FolderShare, 20,000 file limit No Yes Yes No, syncs whenever it's online ?

Commercial

This is a comparison of commercial software in field of file synchronization. These programs only provide full functionality with a payment. As indicated, some are trialware and provide functionality during a trial period; some are freemium, meaning that they have freeware editions.

Name Operating system Freeware version Portable Encrypts files Detect conflict File lock Open file support Revision control Detect rename Detect move Full duplex transfer Propagate deletes Case sensitive Delta copying (block level transfer) LAN Sync
@MAX SyncUp Windows Limited No Yes Yes Yes No No Yes Yes Yes
Allway Sync Windows Limited Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No No Yes Yes Yes
AIMstor Windows Limited Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes through VSSYes Yes Yes Yes Case
preserving
only
Argentum Backup Windows No Yes No Yes Yes
BackupAssist Windows No No Yes
Backup4all Windows Yes Yes No Yes Yes Yes
BatchSync Windows No No Yes No No YesYes Yes
BitTorrent Sync Windows, OS X, Linux, Android, iOS, Windows Phone, Amazon Kindle Fire, FreeBSD LimitedNo Yes, optional No No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Box Sync Windows,[16] OS X,[16] Android, BlackBerry, iOS[16] Limited Yes ? ? Yes ? ? ? Yes ? No
ChronoSync OS X No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Cloudike Windows, OS X, iPhone, Android Yes No Yes NoYes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
CloudMe Windows, OS X, Linux, iPhone, Android, Google TV, Samsung TV Yes No Yes ? ? No Yes No ? ? Yes ? No
Cubby - Free

(discontinued)

Windows, OS X No No Renames older and keeps both No Yes Yes Yes ? Yes No No
Cubby - Pro

(discontinued)

Windows, OS X No No Renames older and keeps both No Yes Yes Yes ? Yes LAN Sync only Yes
Distributed Storage Windows, Linux No Yes Yes Yes
Dmailer Sync (discontinued) Windows Yes
Dropbox Windows, OS X, Linux, Android, iPhone, BlackBerry Yes No Yes ? ? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Easy2Sync for Files Windows Yes Yes Yes Yes, for folders
Egnyte Windows, OS X, Linux, Android, iPad, iPhone No No No, handled by versioning Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Case
preserving
only
YesYes
Gladinet Windows, OS X, Android, iPad, iPhone, Windows RT, Blackberry Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
GoDrive Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, Android, iOS Limited Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes ? Yes Yes ? Yes
GoodSync Windows, OS X, Android, iPad, iPhone, USB flash drive Yes Yes Yes, beta Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Handy Backup Windows, Linux Yes No
IBM Connections Windows, OS X, Android, iOS No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No
MediaFire Windows, OS X, Android, iOS Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Mega Windows, OS X, Linux, Android, iPhone, BlackBerry Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
RepliWeb Windows, Linux No Partial Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Robocopy Windows Yes No No
SecureSafe Windows, OS X, Android, iOS Yes Yes No No No No No Yes Yes No No
SpiderOak Windows, OS X, Debian, Fedora, Slackware, Android, iOS No No Yes[17] No No Yes[18] Yes
ShareFile Windows, OS X, Android, iPhone Yes Yes Yes[19] Yes Yes Yes Yes
SugarSync Windows, OS X, Android, BlackBerry, iPhone, Windows Mobile No No Yes Yes[20] Yes Yes Yes
SyncBack Windows Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Syncdocs Windows, web app Beta
versions
only
Yes Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes Microsoft Word only[21] Yes
Synchronize It! Windows No No
Syncplicity Windows, OS X, Android, iPhone, Windows Mobile Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No[22] No
TeamDrive Windows, OS X, Linux, Android, iOS Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No No
Tonido Windows, OS X, Linux, Android, BlackBerry, iPhone, Windows Phone Yes Yes Yes No Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes
Ubuntu One (discontinued 2 April 2014) Windows, OS X, Ubuntu, iOS, Android[23] Yes
Wuala (discontinued) Windows, OS X, Debian, Ubuntu, Android, iOS Yes Yes
ZumoDrive (discontinued) Windows, OS X, Linux, Android, iPhone, Palm webOS Yes Yes Yes
Zetta.net Windows, OS X, Linux No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes, Preserve file name case & file metadataYes Yes
Name Operating system Freeware version Portable Encrypts files Detect conflict File lock Open file support Revision control Detect rename Detect move Full duplex transfer Propagate deletes Case sensitive Delta copying (block level transfer) LAN Sync

See also

References

  1. Zenju. "FreeFileSync".
  2. "ownCloud". GitHub. Retrieved 2015-07-13.
  3. Jobke, Morris (30 June 2016). "Maintenance and Release Schedule". Retrieved 2016-07-05.
  4. "rsync Backups on a Mac". Retrieved 24 January 2016.
  5. "Arch Linux packages". archlinux. Retrieved 16 September 2015.
  6. "Software packages in "vivid"". ubuntu. Retrieved 16 September 2015.
  7. "haiwen/seafile". GitHub. Retrieved 2015-07-13.
  8. "Seafile clients". Seafile. Retrieved 2016-11-09.
  9. "SeafilePub – Seacloud". Retrieved 21 Oct 2016.
  10. No way to edit jobs via GUI, CLI version just starts GUI
  11. "Unison File Synchronizer". Cis.upenn.edu. Retrieved 2013-06-14.
  12. "OCaml cross-compiler for Android [patch] - keigo's attic".
  13. "The Portable Freeware Collection - Portable Unison". Portablefreeware.com. Retrieved 2013-06-14.
  14. "Unison File Synchronizer". Cis.upenn.edu. Retrieved 2013-06-14.
  15. "Sync 2.x change log".
  16. 1 2 3 "What Is the Box Policy for Browser and OS Support? – Box Help". Box. Retrieved 2014-08-28.
  17. Susie Ochs (2009-06-11). "Online Storage Battle: Which Cloud Back-Up Service Reigns Supreme?". MacLife. Retrieved 2009-11-04.
  18. "Does SpiderOak backup the whole file every time it changes?". SpiderOak. Retrieved 24 February 2013.
  19. Citrix ShareFile. "File Versioning". Citrix ShareFile.
  20. "See How SugarSync Stacks up to the Competition". SugarSync (formerly called SharpCast). Retrieved 2010-01-13.
  21. "Syncdocs feature list". Syncdocs Web. Retrieved 14 April 2011.
  22. "Why Delta Sync Doesn't Matter". 2009-07-20. Retrieved 2014-05-21.
  23. "Ubuntu One:Downloads". Ubuntu One. Retrieved 14 April 2013.
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