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Copy Handler VS RoboCopy

Compare Copy Handler VS RoboCopy and see what are their differences

Copy Handler

the open source, free file copy utility that is: fast, highly customizable

Rating
0 reviews
Alternatives Is it good?
RoboCopy

Robocopy is a free file copy tool that is included with the Microsoft Windows operating system. It allows one to construct complicated instructions to move, or copy files.

Rating
0 reviews
Alternatives Is it good?
Rclone UI
The cross-platform GUI for Rclone. sponsored

Which is more popular?

Based on our record, RoboCopy seems to be more popular. It has been mentioned 50 times since March 2021.

social mentions
0 vs 50
File Management popularity
37% vs 63%
alternatives listed
42 vs 112

Base details

Website, pricing, platforms and company facts side by side.

Copy Handler
RoboCopy
Website copyhandler.com docs.microsoft.com
Pricing
Official pricing
—
Listed in
File Sharing File Management File Sharing And Backup Data Replication +1
File Management Data Replication File Migration File Management Utility +1

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

Copy Handler 6 features
RoboCopy 8 features
  • Open Source
    Copy Handler is an open-source software, which means it is free to use and its source code is available for anyone to inspect, modify, and enhance.
  • Advanced Options
    The software offers a variety of advanced features like filtering files by name, size, date, and attributes, giving users more control over the file transfer process.
  • Speed
    Copy Handler generally improves the speed of file copy operations compared to the built-in Windows file copy system.
  • Error Recovery
    The tool is equipped with error recovery capabilities to resume interrupted transfers, reducing the likelihood of data loss.
  • Queue Management
    Copy Handler allows users to manage multiple file transfer queues, which can be paused, stopped, or resumed as needed.
  • Integration
    It integrates well with Windows Explorer, making it easy to use for users familiar with the Windows interface.

Possible disadvantages

  • User Interface
    The user interface may not be as modern or intuitive as some paid alternatives, potentially making it less accessible for novice users.
  • Platform Compatibility
    Copy Handler is designed primarily for Windows. Users of other operating systems, such as macOS or Linux, will not be able to use this tool natively.
  • Development Activity
    The frequency of updates and new features may be slower compared to commercial software, potentially lagging behind in addressing new user needs and technological advancements.
  • Limited Support
    As free and open-source software, Copy Handler may not offer the same level of customer support and troubleshooting assistance that commercial software provides.
  • High Performance
    RoboCopy is designed for efficient and fast file copy operations, making it suitable for copying large volumes of data quickly.
  • Resumable Transfers
    It can resume file transfers after interruptions, reducing the need to restart the copy operation from scratch.
  • Advanced File Selection
    Supports complex file selection criteria, such as filtering by file size, attributes, and last modified date.
  • Mirroring Capabilities
    Can mirror entire directories, ensuring source and destination directories are kept in sync.
  • Logging and Reporting
    RoboCopy provides detailed logs and reports of copy operations, which is useful for auditing and troubleshooting.
  • Multi-threading
    Supports multi-threaded file copying, allowing parallel transfer of multiple files to improve performance.
  • Robust Error Handling
    Offers robust error handling and retry mechanisms, ensuring higher reliability in copy operations.
  • Access Control Compliance
    Preserves file and folder permissions (ACLs), ownership, and attributes, ensuring compliance with access control policies.

Possible disadvantages

  • Complex Syntax
    The command-line interface can be complex and intimidating for users who are not familiar with command-line operations.
  • No Native GUI
    RoboCopy does not include a graphical user interface (GUI), which may make it less accessible for some users.
  • Overhead for Small Files
    There can be considerable overhead when copying a large number of small files, which may reduce overall performance.
  • Limited Real-Time Monitoring
    Does not offer real-time monitoring or progress indicators in the way that some modern copying tools provide.
  • Potential Data Loss
    Incorrect usage of certain switches (e.g., /MIR) can result in unintended data loss, making it necessary to use caution.
  • Limited Support
    Being a native Windows tool, it primarily supports Windows environments and lacks the cross-platform capabilities of some alternatives.
  • Learning Curve
    It has a steep learning curve for advanced features, requiring users to invest time in understanding its full capabilities.

Analysis

An editorial look at what each product does well and who it suits.

Copy Handler
RoboCopy

Overall verdict

  • Copy Handler is generally regarded as a good utility for users who need more control and efficiency over file transfer tasks on Windows systems. Its user-friendly interface and robust feature set make it a reliable choice.

Why this product is good

  • Copy Handler is often considered a useful tool due to its capabilities to efficiently manage file copying and moving operations on Windows. It provides advanced features like pause and resume, detailed list of pending operations, full control over the process, customizable settings, and an extensive logging system.

Recommended for

  • Users who frequently transfer large files or large quantities of files on Windows.
  • Individuals who need advanced control over file transfer operations, such as pausing and resuming transfers.
  • Anyone seeking increased speed and reliability when performing file copying tasks compared to the default Windows system.
  • Technical users who appreciate the ability to customize and tweak settings to fit specific needs.

Overall verdict

  • RoboCopy is generally considered a good and reliable tool for file copying and backup purposes, especially in professional and enterprise environments where data integrity and efficiency are critical. Its advanced capabilities make it a preferred choice for users who require more control over their file transfer processes.

Why this product is good

  • RoboCopy, which stands for Robust File Copy, is highly regarded due to its robustness and advanced features that extend beyond what the standard Windows copy command offers. It supports file mirroring, can resume failed copies, and recognizes NTFS attributes and properties, making it ideal for large data transfer tasks. Furthermore, RoboCopy can handle network interruptions effectively and offers extensive options for logging operations, making it suitable for administrators and power users who need to perform complex file transfer tasks with precision and reliability.

Recommended for

    RoboCopy is recommended for IT professionals, system administrators, and power users who need to perform complex file copy operations, including backing up data, file archiving, and synchronizing directories across different locations. It is particularly useful in environments where robust performance and detailed control over the copy process are necessary.

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

Copy Handler 3 videos + Add
RoboCopy 3 videos + Add

Copy Handler

More videos

  • - Copy Handler 1.44
  • - How to use TERA COPY as your default copy handler in windows 7.(DOWNLOAD LINK )

Robocopy Backup Tutorial for Windows

More videos

  • - Create A Custom Backup Script With Windows Robocopy by Britec
  • - Robocopy vs GS RichCopy 360 Enterprise Backup Software

Category popularity

How often each product is chosen within a category, 0–100% relative to the other.

Score bands 0–20 21–40 41–50 51–60 61–100
Copy Handler
RoboCopy
37% 37%
File Management
63% 63%
43% 43%
File Sharing
57% 57%
29% 29%
File Sharing And Backup
71% 71%
38% 38%
Data Replication
62% 62%

User comments

Share your experience with using Copy Handler and RoboCopy. For example, how are they different and which one is better?

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Reviews and articles

External articles and on-site reviews we used to compare the two products.

Copy Handler no reviews yet
RoboCopy no reviews yet

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Social recommendations and mentions

Recommendations tracked on public social media and blogs since March 2021.

Copy Handler 0 mentions
RoboCopy 50 mentions

Tracking Copy Handler since Mar 2021.

  • Is ultracopier still the very best in terms of open source alternative file copying/merging tool ?
    I used robocopy on a slow network to transfer many gigabyte of data; properly configured with retries and everything worked great. Don't know about your merge needs, so take a look into it and do some tests before actually running it. Source: about 4 years ago
  • Is copying the best way to transfer large amounts of files?
    If you're copying a ton of files that vary in size, using a command prompt robocopy with the multi-thread parameter can make it so you are copying multiple files simultaneously and max out the bandwidth of whatever connection you're... Source: about 4 years ago
  • Game data to new PC
    This would probably work well. Oblivion mod managers edit load order by modifying dates on the files, and I'm not sure if dragging-and-dropping would keep that info. Source: about 4 years ago

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Alternatives to Copy Handler and RoboCopy

When comparing Copy Handler and RoboCopy, you can also consider the following products.

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