Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

FreeFileSync VS FileZilla

Compare FreeFileSync VS FileZilla and see what are their differences

Note: These products don't have any matching categories. If you think this is a mistake, please edit the details of one of the products and suggest appropriate categories.

FreeFileSync logo FreeFileSync

FreeFileSync is a free open source data backup software that helps you synchronize files and folders on Windows, Linux and macOS.

FileZilla logo FileZilla

FileZilla is an FTP, or file transfer protocol, client. It lets individuals transfer single files or batches to a web server. For many years, FTP was the standard for website design. Read more about FileZilla.
  • FreeFileSync Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-24
  • FileZilla Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-12-13

FreeFileSync features and specs

  • Free and Open Source
    FreeFileSync is freely available without any cost and its source code can be inspected, modified, and enhanced by anyone.
  • Cross-Platform
    The software is available for multiple operating systems including Windows, macOS, and Linux, making it versatile for users across different platforms.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    The application features an intuitive, easy-to-use graphical interface that simplifies the process of setting up and running backups and syncs.
  • Advanced Sync Options
    FreeFileSync offers advanced options like real-time sync, versioning, and mirror sync, giving users flexibility in how they manage their files.
  • High Performance
    The software is optimized for speed and efficiency, enabling quick synchronization and backup processes even for large directories.
  • Robust Error Handling
    FreeFileSync has robust error handling and recovery features, ensuring data integrity and reliability during file operations.

Possible disadvantages of FreeFileSync

  • Limited Cloud Integration
    FreeFileSync offers limited integration with cloud storage services, which may not be sufficient for users heavily reliant on cloud platforms.
  • Potentially Complex for Novices
    While the interface is user-friendly, some of the advanced options and settings may be overwhelming for new or inexperienced users.
  • Donation Requests
    The software occasionally prompts users to donate, which some may find intrusive or annoying despite being free to use.
  • No Automated Scheduling in Free Version
    Automated scheduling is not available in the free version, requiring users to manually trigger synchronization or purchase the donation edition for this feature.
  • Community Support
    Being open-source, the primary support channel is community forums, which may not offer the same level of assistance as dedicated customer service.

FileZilla features and specs

  • Cross-Platform
    FileZilla is available on multiple operating systems including Windows, macOS, and Linux, which makes it accessible and versatile for users across different platforms.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    FileZilla has an intuitive and clean interface that allows both beginners and advanced users to navigate and use its features efficiently.
  • Supports Multiple Protocols
    It supports FTP, FTPS, and SFTP, allowing users to choose the most appropriate protocol for their needs.
  • Large File Support
    FileZilla is capable of transferring files larger than 4GB, which is beneficial for users dealing with large data sets.
  • Drag and Drop
    Users can easily drag and drop files between the local and remote servers, making it easier to manage file transfers.
  • Bookmarking
    FileZilla allows the setting of bookmarks for easy and repeat access to frequently visited directories.
  • Resume and Transfer Queue
    It supports resuming interrupted transfers and has a comprehensive transfer queue that enables batch processing.
  • Directory Comparison
    The tool provides a directory comparison feature which helps in identifying differences between local and remote directories.

Possible disadvantages of FileZilla

  • Security Concerns
    FileZilla downloads can sometimes bundle additional adware or unwanted software during installation if not downloaded from the official website.
  • No Built-in Encryption
    FileZilla does not offer built-in encryption for storing site credentials, posing a potential security risk.
  • Limited Advanced Features
    While it is feature-rich, some more advanced functionalities available in enterprise-level FTP clients are not present in FileZilla.
  • Interface Dated
    While functional, some users feel the design of FileZilla’s interface is somewhat outdated compared to modern application standards.
  • Complex for New Users
    Despite its user-friendly interface, setting up FTP connections and configuring settings can be complex for users with little technical knowledge.
  • Community Support
    Being an open-source project, user support is primarily community-driven which might not be as prompt or comprehensive as professional support in commercial software.

Analysis of FreeFileSync

Overall verdict

  • Overall, FreeFileSync is a highly regarded file synchronization and backup solution. Its combination of powerful features, user-friendly interface, and low cost (free) makes it a popular choice for individuals and small businesses looking to manage their file synchronization needs.

Why this product is good

  • FreeFileSync is considered good by many users because of its robust feature set, ease of use, and the fact that it is open source. It offers features such as real-time synchronization, support for multiple platforms, and the ability to handle large files and numerous files efficiently, which makes it a versatile tool for personal and professional use.

Recommended for

    FreeFileSync is recommended for users who need a reliable and efficient way to sync files across devices or create consistent backups. It is ideal for both casual users who need a straightforward backup solution and more technical users who require advanced features and customization.

FreeFileSync videos

Simple, Fast, Automated File Backup [FREE] | 2020 [FreeFileSync]

More videos:

  • Review - FreeFileSync: Tips and Tricks
  • Review - FreeFileSync: RealTimeSync
  • Review - FreeFileSync: Folder Comparison and Synchronization

FileZilla videos

How to Use FileZilla (FTP Tutorial)

More videos:

  • Review - FileZilla Review: The Best FTP Client Available [HD]
  • Review - Filezilla FTP Client Review

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to FreeFileSync and FileZilla)
File Sharing And Backup
100 100%
0% 0
File Transfer
0 0%
100% 100
Backup And Disaster Recovery
FTP Client
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

Share your experience with using FreeFileSync and FileZilla. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare FreeFileSync and FileZilla

FreeFileSync Reviews

15 Best Rclone Alternatives 2022
As a result, FreeFileSync helps speed up backup procedures by comparing source and target folders and just copying what is needed rather than copying everything. Additional synchronization options are available via the command line just like with rclone.
The 5 Best File Syncing Apps
FreeFileSync is useful for individuals and businesses for comparing multiple folders and synchronizing folders. It provides a robust backup solution. Choose to sync folders in real time, sync on a schedule, or run the sync program at startup.
Review of the File Synchronization Tools
FreeFileSync is a folder comparison and synchronization software, which can create and manage backup copies of all important files. FreeFileSync does not need to copy every file every time but determines the difference between the source folder and the destination folder and transfers only the minimum amount of data required. FreeFileSync is open source software, which can...
8 best Windows 10 file sync software
User feedback: “After wasting $40+ dollars on a competitor’s product, I tried out Freefilesync. FreefileSync was able to compare hundreds of thousands of files […] in 10 minutes, which was taking the competitor’s product over 3 hours.”
12 Free File and Folder Synchronization Tools for windows
Enhanced for maximum performance, FreeFileSync is an open source tool that assists you to sync files and folders for different operating systems like, Windows, Mac OS X and Linux. It comes with a simplified interface and offers an optimized usability. Using this tool you can compare data by date, size or content. You simply need to drag and drop the folders you want to...
Source: thegeekpage.com

FileZilla Reviews

  1. Review

    Ugh, website updates used to be such a hassle! Maybe FileZilla doesn't have every fancy feature out there, but for someone like me who just needs to update their website photos and stuff, FileZilla is a total rockstar.

    👍 Pros:    Fast
    👎 Cons:    Nothing, so far

10 Best FTP Clients for WordPress Users (Mac and Windows)
One of the most popular names in the FTP game is Filezilla. Not only is FileZilla free and easy to download, but it doesn’t take long to understand the inner workings of the entire system. Although FileZilla has a bit of an outdated interface, all users are able to link to their site files and place them next to what’s being stored on a computer.
Source: kinsta.com
7 Best FileZilla Alternatives to Use in 2022
FileZilla is free software and an FTP application which consists of FileZilla Client and FileZilla Server. While using an FTP client, the user can upload, delete, rename, move, copy, and download files via a remote server.
Source: techdator.net
6 FileZilla Alternatives for Safe File Transfers
This free, open-source, and popular FTP client for Windowsuses FTP, FTPS, SFTP, SCP, S3, and WebDAV file transfer protocols to copy files between local and remote computers (beyond the options FileZilla offers). Featuring file encryption, a command-line interface, connection tunneling, an integrated text editor that enables you to edit local and remote text files, and...
7 FileZilla Alternatives: What Type of FTP Client Are You Looking for?
FileZilla, one of the most mature FTP clients, is a free, open-source program for transferring files. It is easy to connect to your FTP site with FileZilla. FileZilla works with any operating system, has a simple interface and all of the basic features you would expect from a top FTP client including support for FTPS and SFTP transfers.
6 FileZilla Alternatives for Secure File Transfer
FileZilla comes up early in searches for FTP and SFTP clients, but viable free and proprietary Filezilla alternatives do exist — some of them with more intuitive interfaces, better features, or connections to more tools.

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, FreeFileSync should be more popular than FileZilla. It has been mentiond 204 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

FreeFileSync mentions (204)

  • Ask HN: What project do you donate to?
    Not regularly, but I have donated to: FreeFileSync, an excellent file sync utility within a network. https://freefilesync.org/ StemRoller, separate stems (e.g., voice) from songs. https://www.stemroller.com/ John's Background Switcher, shuffle wallpapers from various sources https://johnsad.ventures/software/backgroundswitcher/ Wikipedia Foundation Etc. - Source: Hacker News / 13 days ago
  • Ask HN: What Underrated Open Source Project Deserves More Recognition?
    FreeFileSync https://freefilesync.org/ I have been a happy user for years and have made a donation too. - Source: Hacker News / about 1 year ago
  • Which synchronization tool are you using together with the pCloud Crypto Folder?
    FreeFileSync messed up my pCloud database a couple times at first (causing disappearing files in the Crypto Folder, mirroring of the same files over and over again). Pcloud support provided an easy way to fix the database. To fix the root cause, one needs to exclude FreeFileSync's temporary files from the backup: pCloud Drive > Settings > Backup/Sync Exclusions, exclude sync.ffs_lock and *.ffs_tmp. Source: over 1 year ago
  • Why are file backups so slow on Windows 11?
    As per Apprehensive_Arm_754 answer below, https://freefilesync.org is the solution to my particular problem, since it allows all kind of simple rules and logic to apply, so I can make sure that the copy only happens in one direction, and only ever by file date etc. Much appreciated. Source: over 1 year ago
  • Why are file backups so slow on Windows 11?
    I use this one: https://freefilesync.org. Source: over 1 year ago
View more

FileZilla mentions (82)

  • SFTP Client using .NET
    Once can create an SFTP server by following the instructions for their operating system. For instance, here is how to do it on Ubuntu/Debian. Also, one can use a readily available sftp server such as FileZilla's. - Source: dev.to / 5 months ago
  • Ask HN: What are your favorite tiny, single purpose tools?
    Just about everything you want to know about sun and moon data for any location. Also a world clock, time zones, timers, calculators, even weather. https://filezilla-project.org/. - Source: Hacker News / about 1 year ago
  • Beginner IoT project: LED Web trigger
    References: Felipe Flop’s website https://www.filipeflop.com/blog/controle-monitoramento-iot-nodemcu-e-mqtt/ accessed on 01/27/2018. Eclipse server for MQTT Broker https://iot.eclipse.org/ accessed on 01/27/2018. Mosquitto https://mosquitto.org/ accessed on 01/27/2018. Cloud MQTT https://www.cloudmqtt.com/ accessed on 01/27/2018. DuckDNS https://www.duckdns.org/ accessed on 01/27/2018. Proftpd... - Source: dev.to / over 1 year ago
  • How to Setup a Minecraft Server on Ubuntu: A Step-by-Step Guide
    You may choose to download the files locally and then upload them to your server using another client like WinSCP or FileZilla, but the simplest way would be to use wget with the download link as below:. - Source: dev.to / over 1 year ago
  • What You Need to Know About Domain and Hosting
    ===> Click here to buy Fetch! ===> Click here to download Filezilla. - Source: dev.to / over 1 year ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing FreeFileSync and FileZilla, you can also consider the following products

Syncthing - Syncthing replaces proprietary sync and cloud services with something open, trustworthy and...

WinSCP - WinSCP is an open source free SFTP client and FTP client for Windows.

rsync - rsync is a file transfer program for Unix systems. rsync uses the "rsync algorithm" which provides a very fast method for bringing remote files into sync.

Cyberduck - A libre FTP, SFTP, WebDAV, S3, Backblaze B2, Azure & OpenStack Swift browser.

GoodSync - GoodSync provides highly reliable file backup and synchronization for both individuals and businesses.

Forklift - The most advanced dual pane file manager and file transfer client for macOS.