FreeFileSync
Open-source software for syncing and backing up files across Windows, macOS, and Linux by transferring only essential data.
Cost / License
- Freemium (Subscription)
- Open Source
Application types
EUPlatforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Flathub
- PortableApps.com
- Chocolatey
Features
Properties
- Lightweight
- Privacy focused
- Decentralized
Features
- File Sync
- Folder Comparison
- Directory sync
- Side by side version compare
- Folder Sync
- Synchronization
- Support for SFTP
- File Versioning
- Drag and Drop
- Works Offline
- Ad-free
- No registration required
- Portable
- Command line interface
- No Tracking
- Cloud Sync
- Live Preview
- Incremental Backup
- Automatic Backup
- Selective Synchronization
- Schedule Backup
- Multiple languages
Windows Explorer Extension- Encrypted Backup
- Dark Mode
FreeFileSync News & Activities
Recent News
- POX published news article about FreeFileSync
FreeFileSync releases version 12.5 with improved features and bug fixes for file sync and backupFreeFileSync, a folder comparison and synchronization software, has been a consistent player in the...
Recent activities
Maoholguin added FreeFileSync as alternative to Fast-Backup- gatrildav liked FreeFileSync
simonmueck added FreeFileSync as alternative to EiraSync
chrononyte-7460 added FreeFileSync as alternative to Densar BK- madeingo liked FreeFileSync
- bertrand-kaernel liked FreeFileSync
- gianni-bram liked FreeFileSync
- Ghost_Hako added Windows Explorer Extension as a feature to FreeFileSync
- Ghost_Hako liked FreeFileSync
POX added FreeFileSync as alternative to DeltaSync
Featured in Lists
This is the apps for Windows 11 that I would recommend to anyone who just got a PC ! The same list...
Useful apps for Windows Additional...
A list with 49 apps by hercut without a description.
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
FreeFileSync Videos
FreeFileSync information
Developed by
Zenju Licensing
Open Source and Freemium product.Pricing
Subscription that costs $2 per month + free version with limited functionality.Rating
Average rating of 4.2Alternatives
118 alternatives listedSupported Languages
- English
- Chinese
Comments and Reviews
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.
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.
Portable use of the application is possible only after you purchase it.
Rock-solid basic functionality. Must have for anyone with a server, camera, music collection, or any other mass of data to manage and backup. Of the apps I use, this is one of the most pleasant and hassle-free; well worth a donation but very usable without. Areas for improvement: In-app folders for saved configurations, in-app filter definitions, non-Windows documentation, keyboard shortcut for Preview on Mac (or full shortcut customization), UI overhaul (for casual users), and maybe rethinking self-labeling as open-source without community development. Parallel operations could also be explained more intuitively, especially in regards to USB devices.
Good software, confusing license. The software is easy to configure and is ok for daily use.
However, claiming it is open source under the GPLv3 is not compatible with non personnal use being forbidden unless a license fee is paid. If the source is truly provided (what is provided ?), users can recompile it and use it as they please within the terms of the GPLv3. Additional conflicting terms can be removed.
Great program, have used it from a long time. Worth a donation to the dev.
I've been using this for ages! It's a great app.
Somehow i find myself using this daily. At first all i wanted was a backup tool that does plain file backups on a timer, which FFS is good for. But then i started using it for just any large file transfer. You get more options than file manager drag-and-drop: interrupt and resume with no problem, shut down or sleep when done, granular comparison between the folders, and comparison based on file content, which would probably catch and fix data corruption (although i haven't had that happen yet). It worked perfectly with my NAS too. The only thing i don't like is some questionable UI choices: the graphic showing transfer rates is unique but not super useful, and the display of folder comparison can be confusing. Many thanks to the devs!
Ditto! I'm in the process of wrangling the many hard drives, thumb drives, and google accounts I used in school and I could not do it without FFS. I had to use FFS in combination with dupeguru and temporary folders to get some of the comparison tools I wanted (especially for recursive/folder tree agnostic comparison) but this ended up working where I otherwise would have needed $100 proprietary software or much more advanced or dated FOSS tools.