Open Source Syncthing Alternatives

The best open source alternative to Syncthing is FreeFileSync. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 100 alternatives to Syncthing and loads of them is open source so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting open source alternatives to Syncthing are rsync, Rclone, SyncTrayzor and OnionShare.

Syncthing alternatives are mainly File Sync Tools but may also be Cloud Storage Services or Online Backup Tools. Filter by these if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of Syncthing.

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Syncthing

639

Free • Open Source
File Sync Tool

Mac
Windows
Linux
Android
Android Tablet
BSD
Self-Hosted
F-Droid
Cloudron

Syncthing replaces proprietary sync and cloud services with something open, trustworthy and decentralized. Your data is...

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FreeFileSync
Is this a good alternative?
Yes
No
Freemium • Open Source
File Sync Tool
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
FreeFileSync 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.
Directory sync
Side by side version compare
Support for SFTP
Drag and Drop
Folder Sync
Synchronization
Multiple languages
FreeFileSync vs Syncthing
pros, cons and recent comments
Guest
UI is not as nice; some features seem to be available only after donating (so “Freemium”, not free)
Negative comment• ago

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rsync
Is this a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
File Sync Tool
Linux
BSD
Cygwin
Haiku
122 alternatives to rsync
rsync is a software application for Unix which synchronizes files and directories from one location to another while minimizing data transfer using delta encoding when appropriate. An important feature of rsync not found in most similar programs/protocols is that the mirroring...
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rsync Features
1. Schedule Backuprsync supports scheduling of your backups at specific times or intervals.
2. Command line interfacersync either have CLI support or is a CLI-only app.
3. Cloud SyncSync your data (notes, documents, bookmarks, etc.) across your different devices and to the cloud.
4. Encrypted Backuprsync uses encryption algorithms to keep your files safe as well as prevent unauthorized access.
File by file encryption
Folder Sync
Delta Backup
rsync vs Syncthing
Some users think rsync is a great alternative to Syncthing, some don't.
Guest
rsync is a pure command line client, requiring explicitly the command to be typed, with accurate data on the destination whereas Syncthing seems to run in background. This would require to use rsync plus something else (e.g. a scheduler, cron, acron, pick one)
Negative comment• ago

17

Spout
they have some overlapping features but are pretty different tools. rsync is much more powerful in the diversity of things it can do and is purely command line. syncthing has a web interface (in addition to cli for those who are so inclined) and device apps and is simpler to set up. rsync will easily let you hose your files if you use it wrong whereas syncthing is more set up to avoid that.
Negative comment• ago

0
Rclone
Is this a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
File Sync Tool
Backup Client
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.
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Rclone 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.
4. End-to-End EncryptionRclone has E2E Encryption, for entire or parts of the app.
Nextcloud integration
Google Drive integration
Mega.nz integration
Openstack swift integration
Backup to Cloud Storage
Synchronization
Support for SFTP
Azure integration
Support for Multiple threads
Target connection profiles
Rclone vs Syncthing
pros, cons and recent comments
Spout
syncthing runs on devices you control (your computer, your phone) or have access to. rclone interacts with servers other people run.
Positive comment• ago

0
SyncTrayzor
Is this a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
File Sync Tool
Windows
Syncthing
41 alternatives to SyncTrayzor
SyncTrayzor is a wrapper for Syncthing which allows Syncthing's window to be hidden in the tray area. SyncTrayzor has a built-in web browser to manage Syncthing without opening your browser. SyncTrayzor can be configured to automatically start at PC startup.
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SyncTrayzor Features
1. PortableSyncTrayzor can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
2. Selective SynchronizationSyncTrayzor allows you to pick which files are synced between the server and your devices.
Syncthing frontend
Peer-To-Peer
Synchronization
Folder Sync
Real-time sync
Mesh network
SyncTrayzor vs Syncthing
Some users think SyncTrayzor is a great alternative to Syncthing, some don't.
JohnFastman
Ordinarily, SyncThing - which is great - runs in a web browser tab. Some people don't like that. Fair enough. So they made SyncTrayzor which gives you an alternative way of accessing SynThing functionality via the taskbar. It's not an alternative, though. It's an add-on. I don't see that much of an advantage, but others might.
Negative comment• ago

19

Guest
This is an addon to Syncthing which enables to run Syncthing in the task bar.
Negative comment• ago

17

Guest
It's an alternative way to use the front-end of syncthing (so it's not a full alternative to syncthing -- it is an add-on), and a great one. I recommend it to ease the usability curve for most users.
Positive comment• ago

8

Guest
It is a shell/front-end for SyncThing. Not an alternative.
Negative comment• ago

0
OnionShare
Is this a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Large File Transfer Service
Mac
Windows
Linux
Tor Browser Private Web
Android
39 alternatives to OnionShare
OnionShare is an open source tool that lets you securely and anonymously share files, host websites, and chat with friends using the Tor network.
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OnionShare Features
1. Privacy focusedOnionShare is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
2. No Coding RequiredOnionShare can be used without an coding or programming skills.
3. LightweightOnionShare consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
4. Ad-freeOnionShare doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
Tor
Anonymous Secure Filesharing
Privacy
Receive files
ShareDrop
Is this a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Large File Transfer Service
Online
Self-Hosted
WebRTC
79 alternatives to ShareDrop
ShareDrop is an HTML5 clone of the Apple AirDrop service. It allows you to transfer files directly between devices, without having to upload them to any server first. It uses WebRTC for secure peer-to-peer file transfer and Firebase for presence management and WebRTC signaling.
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ShareDrop Features
1. Ad-freeShareDrop doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
2. No registration requiredYou can use most of the features in ShareDrop without registration.
Peer-To-Peer
WebRTC
MIT License
Seafile
Is this a good alternative?
Yes
No
Freemium • Open Source
Cloud Storage Service
File Sync Tool
Online Backup Tool
Mac
Windows
Linux
Online
Android
iPhone
Android Tablet
iPad
Self-Hosted
125 alternatives to Seafile
Seafile is a professional open source cloud storage platform for organizations. It has complete file syncing and sharing features, reliable file storage and advanced privacy protection feature.
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Seafile Features
1. File VersioningSeafile has a version system that lets you view and go back to older versions of the project/file/document.
Isolated file libraries
Multi Platform
Development API
Encrypted sync
Virtual hard drive
Install Syslinux
Sync Network Drive
Support for Amazon S3
Seafile vs Syncthing
Some users think Seafile is a great alternative to Syncthing, some don't.
Guest
Syncthing is a sync program for private files between devices. Seafile is a private cloud platform. Seafile need to be installed on a always on machine
Negative comment• ago

0
Proton Drive
Is this a good alternative?
Yes
No
Freemium • Open Source
Cloud Storage Service
File Sync Tool
Online
Android
Android Tablet
Tor
iPhone
iPad
34 alternatives to Proton Drive
Proton Drive is an end-to-end encrypted Swiss vault for your files, ensuring that nobody except those authorized by you can access your data.
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Proton Drive Features
1. End-to-End EncryptionProton Drive has E2E Encryption, for entire or parts of the app.
2. Dark ModeProton Drive supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
3. Privacy focusedProton Drive is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
4. No TrackingProton Drive will not track you or use your personal data.
5. Two-factor AuthenticationProton Drive supports two-factor authentication (2FA).
6. Encrypted BackupProton Drive uses encryption algorithms to keep your files safe as well as prevent unauthorized access.
File Hosting
Croc
Is this a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Large File Transfer Service
Mac
Windows
Linux
BSD
Termux
61 alternatives to Croc
croc is a tool I built to easily and securely transfer stuff from one computer to another.

The only tool that is easily installed and used on any platform, and has secure peer-to-peer transferring, and has the capability to resume broken transfers.
Suggest and vote on features
Croc Features
1. Privacy focusedCroc is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
2. Command line interfaceCroc either have CLI support or is a CLI-only app.
Secure File Sharing
Data transfer
File Sending
Peer-To-Peer
Multi Platform
Password protection
Security focused
Local network sharing
Unison File Synchronizer
Is this a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
File Sync Tool
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.
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Unison File Synchronizer 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.
Bidirectional sync
Synchronization
2 way sync
Folder Sync
Gtk
Well documented