AlternativeTo LogoLoginSign up 
AlternativeTo Logo

rsync Alternatives for Linux

There are many alternatives to rsync for Linux if you are looking for a replacement. The best Linux alternative is Syncthing, which is both free and Open Source. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 100 alternatives to rsync and many of them are available for Linux so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting Linux alternatives to rsync are FreeFileSync, Duplicati, Rclone and Restic.

rsync alternatives are mainly File Sync Tools but may also be Backup Clients or File Copy Utilities. Filter by these if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of rsync.
This page was last updated
rsync iconrsync
  247
  • Linux
  • BSD
  • Cygwin
  • Haiku

rsync is a software application for Unix which synchronizes files and directories from one location to another while...

Learn more about rsync
  1. Syncthing icon

    Syncthing

    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard
    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    • BSD
    • Self-Hosted
    • F-Droid
    • Cloudron
    117 alternatives to Syncthing 

    Syncthing replaces proprietary sync and cloud services with something open, trustworthy and decentralized. Your data is your data alone and you deserve to choose where it is stored.

     Suggest and vote on features
    Features
    1.  DecentralizedSyncthing is based on a decentralized infrastructure with no single entity controlling it.
    2.  End-to-End EncryptionSyncthing has E2E Encryption, for entire or parts of the app.
    3.  LightweightSyncthing consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
    4.  Dark ModeSyncthing supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
    5.  Command line interfaceSyncthing either have CLI support or is a CLI-only app.
    Screenshot
    Syncthing vs rsync opinions
    Almost everyone thinks Syncthing is a great alternative to rsync.
    ikaz

    Cannot sync between 2 local directories.

    Comment• ago
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard   
    If this Comment contains spam or other abuse, notify admins about it.   
    0
  2. FreeFileSync icon

    FreeFileSync

    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard
    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • PortableApps.com
    • Chocolatey
    • Flathub
    93 alternatives to 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...

     Suggest and vote on features
    Features
    1.  File VersioningFreeFileSync has a version system that lets you view and go back to older versions of the project/file/document.
    2.  PortableFreeFileSync can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
    3.  Command line interfaceFreeFileSync either have CLI support or is a CLI-only app.
    4.  Dark ModeFreeFileSync supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
    5.  No registration requiredYou can use most of the features in FreeFileSync without registration.
    6.  DecentralizedFreeFileSync is based on a decentralized infrastructure with no single entity controlling it.
    7.  Works OfflineFreeFileSync can be used without the need to connect to the internet.
    8.  Cloud SyncSync your data (notes, documents, bookmarks, etc.) across your different devices and to the cloud.
    Windows
    macOS
    FreeFileSync vs rsync opinions
    Most users think FreeFileSync is a great alternative to rsync.
  4. Duplicati icon

    Duplicati

    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard
    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    125 alternatives to Duplicati 

    Duplicati is a backup client that securely stores encrypted, incremental, compressed backups on local storage, cloud storage services and remote file servers. The Duplicati project was inspired by Duplicity and had similar functionality until 2008.

     Suggest and vote on features
    Features
    1.  Incremental BackupDuplicati supports incremental backups (only back up the changed or new-added data since the last backup).
    2.  Schedule BackupDuplicati supports scheduling of your backups at specific times or intervals.
    3.  Encrypted BackupDuplicati uses encryption algorithms to keep your files safe as well as prevent unauthorized access.
    4.  Automatic BackupDuplicati will automatically back up your data periodically.
    5.  File VersioningDuplicati has a version system that lets you view and go back to older versions of the project/file/document.
    6.  Cloud SyncSync your data (notes, documents, bookmarks, etc.) across your different devices and to the cloud.
    7.  AES-256 EncryptionDuplicati has AES-256 Encryption, i.e. very strong security.
    Screenshot
    Screenshot
    Screenshot
    Duplicati vs rsync opinions
    pros, cons and recent comments
    wildwestrom

    Duplicati is not discontinued anymore. There is a 2.0 version in beta.

    Positive comment• ago
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard   
    If this Comment contains spam or other abuse, notify admins about it.   
    0
    Guest

    Duplicati does not transfer raw files, it only transfers zips of files

    Negative comment• ago
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard   
    If this Comment contains spam or other abuse, notify admins about it.   
    0
  5. Rclone icon

    Rclone

    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard
    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Solaris
    • FreeBSD
    • NetBSD
    • OpenBSD
    73 alternatives to Rclone 

    Rclone ("rsync for cloud storage") is a command-line program to sync files and directories to and from different cloud storage providers.

     Suggest and vote on features
    Features
    1.  Command line interfaceRclone either have CLI support or is a CLI-only app.
    2.  Cloud SyncSync your data (notes, documents, bookmarks, etc.) across your different devices and to the cloud.
    3.  LightweightRclone consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
    Screenshot
    Rclone vs rsync opinions
    Almost everyone thinks Rclone is a great alternative to rsync.
    Guest

    Supports a wide variety of cloud services, easy to set up with most I've tried.

    Positive comment• ago
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard   
    If this Comment contains spam or other abuse, notify admins about it.   
    0
    varian93

    It works very well on many platforms. The only complaint is that, much like rsync, you have to familiarize yourself with a bunch of "command line" parameters to be able to use it.

    Positive comment• ago
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard   
    If this Comment contains spam or other abuse, notify admins about it.   
    0
  6. Restic icon

    Restic

    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard
    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Arch Linux
    • FreeBSD
    • OpenBSD
    41 alternatives to Restic 

    restic is a program that does backups right. The design goals are: Easy, Fast, Verifiable, Secure, Efficient, Free.

     Suggest and vote on features
    Features
    1.  Encrypted BackupRestic uses encryption algorithms to keep your files safe as well as prevent unauthorized access.
    2.  Incremental BackupRestic supports incremental backups (only back up the changed or new-added data since the last backup).
    3.  Command line interfaceRestic either have CLI support or is a CLI-only app.
    4.  Schedule BackupRestic supports scheduling of your backups at specific times or intervals.
    Screenshot
  8. Déjà Dup icon

    Déjà Dup

    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard
    86 alternatives to Déjà Dup 

    Déjà Dup is a simple backup tool. It hides the complexity of doing backups the Right Way (encrypted, off-site, and regularly) and uses Duplicity as the backend.

     Suggest and vote on features
    Features
    1.  Encrypted BackupDéjà Dup uses encryption algorithms to keep your files safe as well as prevent unauthorized access.
    2.  Schedule BackupDéjà Dup supports scheduling of your backups at specific times or intervals.
    3.  Incremental BackupDéjà Dup supports incremental backups (only back up the changed or new-added data since the last backup).
    Screenshot
    Screenshot
  9. SyncBack icon

    SyncBack

    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard
    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    86 alternatives to SyncBack 

    SyncBack is a tool to backup, synchronize, and restore data files.

     Suggest and vote on features
    Features
    1.  Schedule BackupSyncBack supports scheduling of your backups at specific times or intervals.
    2.  AES-256 EncryptionSyncBack has AES-256 Encryption, i.e. very strong security.
    3.  File VersioningSyncBack has a version system that lets you view and go back to older versions of the project/file/document.
    Main window
    Main window (using Dark Mode)
    Configuring a backup
    SyncBack vs rsync opinions
    pros, cons and recent comments
    Guest

    Only supports insecure remote backups, very irresponsible

    Negative comment• ago
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard   
    If this Comment contains spam or other abuse, notify admins about it.   
    -2
  10. Unison File Synchronizer icon

    Unison File Synchronizer

    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard
    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    51 alternatives to Unison File Synchronizer 

    Unison is a file-synchronization tool for POSIX-compliant systems (e.g. *BSD and GNU/Linux), macOS and Windows, with the caveat that the platform must be supported by OCaml. It allows two replicas of a collection of files and directories to be stored on different hosts (or diffe.

     Suggest and vote on features
    Features
    1.  Command line interfaceUnison File Synchronizer either have CLI support or is a CLI-only app.
    2.  DecentralizedUnison File Synchronizer is based on a decentralized infrastructure with no single entity controlling it.
    3.  Works OfflineUnison File Synchronizer can be used without the need to connect to the internet.
    4.  Selective SynchronizationUnison File Synchronizer allows you to pick which files are synced between the server and your devices.
    Unison running in KDE terminal window
    Screenshot
  11. DirSync Pro icon

    DirSync Pro

    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard
    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    89 alternatives to DirSync Pro 

    DirSync Pro is a small, but powerful utility for file and folder synchronization. DirSync Pro can be used to synchronize the content of one or many folders recursively. Use DirSync Pro to easily synchronize files from your desktop PC to your USB-stick.

     Suggest and vote on features
    Features
    1.  Incremental BackupDirSync Pro supports incremental backups (only back up the changed or new-added data since the last backup).
    2.  Command line interfaceDirSync Pro either have CLI support or is a CLI-only app.
    Discontinued

    No activity/development anymore. Last stable version from 2018-03-07, last development version from 2018-12-28.

    Basic
    Sync Queue
  12. Back In Time icon

    Back In Time

    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard
    • Linux
    49 alternatives to Back In Time 

    Back In Time is a simple backup tool for Linux, inspired by "FlyBack project".

     Suggest and vote on features
    Features
    1.  Incremental BackupBack In Time supports incremental backups (only back up the changed or new-added data since the last backup).
    Screenshot
    Screenshot
Showing 10 of 38 alternatives
AlternativeTo

AlternativeTo is a free service that helps you find better alternatives to the products you love and hate.

The site is made by Ola and Markus in Sweden, with a lot of help from our friends and colleagues in Italy, Finland, USA, Colombia, Philippines, France and contributors from all over the world. That's right, all the lists of alternatives are crowd-sourced, and that's what makes the data powerful and relevant.

Feel free to send us your questions and feedback at hello@alternativeto.net, in our forums or on social media.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Mastodon or Instagram or chat with us on Discord. This is build Docker_20230203.2 .