FreeFileSync icon
FreeFileSync icon

FreeFileSync

 590 likes

Open-source software for syncing and backing up files across Windows, macOS, and Linux by transferring only essential data.

Windows

License model

  • FreemiumOpen Source

Application type

Country of Origin

  • DE flagGermany
  • European Union flagEU

Platforms

  • Mac
  • Windows
  • Linux
  • Flathub
  • PortableApps.com
  • Chocolatey
4.3 / 5 Avg rating (51)
590likes
46comments

Features

Suggest and vote on features

Properties

  1.  Lightweight

Features

  1.  File Sync
  2.  Directory sync
  3.  Folder Comparison
  4.  Side by side version compare
  5.  Support for SFTP
  6.  Synchronization
  7.  Folder Sync
  8.  Drag and Drop
  9.  File Versioning
  10.  Portable
  11.  Command line interface
  12.  No registration required
  13.  Cloud Sync
  14.  Works Offline
  15.  Ad-free
  16.  Dark Mode
  17.  Decentralized
  18.  Multiple languages

 Tags

FreeFileSync News & Activities

Highlights All activities

Recent News

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Recent activities

  • Abdurahmon liked FreeFileSync
    8 days ago
  • App icon
    jdakfkj333 added FreeFileSync as alternative to Rclone GUI
    11 days ago
  • App icon
    POX added FreeFileSync as alternative to RsyncUI
    14 days ago
  • Bobby_Reggine liked FreeFileSync
    17 days ago
  • Guest thinks Lightweight is a important feature of FreeFileSync
    20 days ago
  • EuP and rgnos liked FreeFileSync
    27 days ago
  • App icon
    misterflop added FreeFileSync as alternative to Plakar
    about 1 month ago
  • macuser707 reviewed FreeFileSync  
    about 2 months ago

    I have multiple "one-way mirror" BUs set up and FFS does those jobs quickly. I will note that a couple of these jobs require that I launch the app as admin because certain files in the backup sets are unreadable otherwise. I know why this is so and this is not a complaint. Worth the small donation requested.

  • JCarver liked FreeFileSync
    about 2 months ago
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FreeFileSync information

  • Developed by

    DE flagZenju
  • Licensing

    Open Source and Freemium product.
  • Pricing

    Subscription that costs $2 per month + free version with limited functionality.
  • Rating

    Average rating of 4.3 (51 ratings)
  • Alternatives

    107 alternatives listed
  • Supported Languages

    • English
    • Chinese

Our users have written 46 comments and reviews about FreeFileSync, and it has gotten 590 likes

FreeFileSync was added to AlternativeTo by Aerialsky on Aug 19, 2009 and this page was last updated Feb 13, 2025.

Comments and Reviews

   
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Comment summary: FreeFileSync is praised for its robust synchronization features, graphical interface, and versatility in handling various sync tasks. Users appreciate its speed, data management, and ability to handle large file sizes. Challenges include previous issues with malware in past versions and limitations in syncing methods, such as lack of WebDAV support. Concerns about the software's ad-inclusion were noted, but recent updates have addressed this. Portable use requires purchase, contrary to its open-source nature.
Top Positive Comment
Stormtrooper42
Apr 29, 2018
18

Good news: version 10.0, released on April 27 2018, no longer includes ads in the installer. Previous versions used to bundle optional software that was checked by default.

tuva-hayabi
Jul 29, 2023

Yes, and the provider/developer begs for a donation instead. That seems quite fair to me, and in my opinion, if the users find the software useful, they should donate an amount of their choice.

Top Negative Comment
ecsa0014
Jan 29, 2016
12

I really loved this program but the malware introduced in the installer has caused me to abandon it. The last time I installed this program (on my fiancee's laptop) the installer got to the page asking to install some kind of adware. While reading through this page, after only a few seconds, the installer jumped to the next page and started installing Freefilesync (and, as I would eventually find out, the adware program I was trying to read about). My hands were not touching her laptop so I know I didn't accidentally hit a key. Just to be certain I uninstalled the program and ran the installer again. For the second time, I watched as the installer jumped to the next page after only displaying the option to opt-out the adware for a very brief few seconds. I, honestly, was not given enough time to reject the install of this adware (yontoo).

I intended to run a scan using Malwarebytes immediately after this but was in a hurry and had to leave to do something. I forgot about this issue and, within the next day, pop-ups and notifications for various obviously fake issues started displaying on her computer. I immediately ran a scan with Malwarebytes and cleaned up the mess that the adware/malware had made.

It is really sad to have to write off such a great program due to such a poor decision by the developers to support their work with malware.

[Edited by ecsa0014, January 29]

lemondrouge
Mar 12, 2016

I strongly agree. The OpenCandy is a crap. I'll abandon it too.

Oron Joffe
Nov 2, 2016

Fortunately, OpenCandy has now been removed from the installer. There's still an option for installing optional (and needless) software, but that option can be switched off and the program is acceptable for use again.

kpontusa
Mar 20, 2018

It now copies a PMofStX.dll to a temporary folder in AppData\Local\Temp that is flagged by several AV programs as a Trojan in 9.8 and 9.9. And 9.9 my AV Web Reputation service complained of a call to a domain.

tuva-hayabi
Jul 29, 2023

The provider of the software writes on the website (as of July 2023):

FreeFileSync is completely ad-free! Before version 10, FreeFileSync had shown a single advertisement during installation to help fund the project. Beginning with FreeFileSync 10, the project is now fully relying on donations from users to finance its ongoing expenses in software development and support.

BJ
May 1, 2025
0

I have multiple "one-way mirror" BUs set up and FFS does those jobs quickly. I will note that a couple of these jobs require that I launch the app as admin because certain files in the backup sets are unreadable otherwise. I know why this is so and this is not a complaint. Worth the small donation requested.

vertigo
Feb 16, 2025
1

The software itself is pretty good, certainly the best of its kind most of the time, though I sometimes end up resorting to WinMerge for certain tasks due to certain very poor design decisions in FFS that make it a pain to use and even potentially problematic.

What really irritates me, though, is that I can't even make suggestions for improvements regarding these issues, or get help. Despite even having donated, which I now regret, I can't register on the forum (they really should just use GitHub like so many others) and the admin wasn't any help. On top of that, they don't bother to respond to emails. So I'm at the mercy of their poorly thought out design with no way to provide input in the hopes of making it more usable, again, despite having donated (which I did based on the usefulness of the software, not in an attempt to get support, but you would think they would be more helpful either way, though especially for donators).

So as much as I hate to say it, I recommend against donating to this project. I just wish I'd waited a bit longer before doing so myself.

Pika
Apr 5, 2024
0

Powerful and comprehensive, but easy to use! The geek in me loves all the data showing me proof it's working as intended, but the tired 'just want it done' part loves the short explanations & clear UI.

John Doe
Mar 1, 2024
1

This program lets you sync directories with various destinations, such as folders, sftp, or network shares. It shows you what will be copied, what won't be copied, what is the same, and what is different. You can choose to skip some parts of the job for this run without changing the job config.

lozanro
Dec 2, 2023
1

Love it. Using it for regular backups.

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7 of 46 comments

What is FreeFileSync?

FreeFileSync is a folder comparison and synchronization software that creates and manages backup copies of all your important files. Instead of copying every file every time, FreeFileSync determines the differences between a source and a target folder and transfers only the minimum amount of data needed. FreeFileSync is free on Windows, Linux and macOS and has an Open Source version for Linux.

Donation version available with these extra features:

  • Parallel file copy
  • Auto-updater (Windows)
  • Portable version (ZIP)
  • Silent installation

Donation amounts are calculated accordingly, e.g. a €20 donation corresponds to one year of updates, a €100 donation to 5 years of updates, etc. See: https://freefilesync.org/faq.php#donation-edition

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