Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

RoboCopy VS SyncBack

Compare RoboCopy VS SyncBack and see what are their differences

RoboCopy logo 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.

SyncBack logo SyncBack

Backup software for the PC: powerful, easy to use solution for backing up and synchronising files on a local/network drive, the cloud, FTP server and more.
  • RoboCopy Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-22
  • SyncBack Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-07-03

RoboCopy features and specs

  • 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 of RoboCopy

  • 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.

SyncBack features and specs

  • Comprehensive Backup Options
    SyncBack offers extensive backup options including full, incremental, and differential backups, catering to a wide range of user needs.
  • Versatile Platform Support
    SyncBack supports multiple platforms such as Windows, FTP, FTPS, SFTP, and cloud services, making it adaptable to various operating environments.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    The software features an intuitive and easy-to-navigate interface which simplifies the backup process for both novice and advanced users.
  • Powerful Scheduling Features
    SyncBack allows for detailed scheduling of backup tasks, enabling users to automate and customize their backup routines effectively.
  • Advanced Customization
    It provides an array of advanced settings and scripting options for users needing detailed control over backup operations.
  • Real-Time Synchronization
    SyncBack includes real-time synchronization capabilities to ensure that changes are immediately captured and backed up.
  • Robust Security
    The tool supports encryption and secure FTP to protect data during transmission and storage, ensuring high levels of security.
  • Good Support and Documentation
    2BrightSparks provides extensive support and thorough documentation, including user guides and FAQs, to assist users in troubleshooting and optimizing their backup processes.

Possible disadvantages of SyncBack

  • Complexity for Beginners
    Despite its user-friendly interface, the extensive features and options can be overwhelming for new users who may need time to learn the system.
  • Cost
    While there is a free version available, advanced features are only available in the paid versions, which may be expensive for some individual users or small businesses.
  • Limited Mac Support
    SyncBack is primarily designed for Windows, and its Mac support is limited, potentially excluding a significant user base.
  • Occasional Performance Issues
    Some users have reported occasional performance issues, such as slower than expected backup speeds, particularly with very large datasets.
  • Infrequent Updates
    Users have noted that updates and new feature releases are less frequent compared to competitors, which could impact the software's ability to stay current with new technology and needs.
  • Initial Setup Complexity
    The initial setup and configuration of backup profiles can be complex and time-consuming, requiring careful attention to detail.
  • Resource Intensive
    SyncBack may consume significant system resources during backup operations, potentially affecting system performance during these periods.

Analysis of RoboCopy

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.

Analysis of SyncBack

Overall verdict

  • Overall, SyncBack is regarded as a solid choice for both personal and professional use, offering a comprehensive set of features that cater to various backup needs. It has a strong reputation within the backup software community and is recognized for its performance and user-friendly interface.

Why this product is good

  • SyncBack is considered a good backup software due to its reliability, extensive features, and ease of use. It offers robust file backup and synchronization options, supports multiple backup destinations including cloud services, and provides advanced scheduling and automation features. Users appreciate its flexibility in configuration and the ability to handle both simple and complex backup tasks.

Recommended for

    SyncBack is recommended for individuals and businesses seeking a versatile and customizable backup solution. It is particularly suited for those who need detailed control over their backup processes, such as IT professionals, small to medium-sized businesses, and power users. It's also a good option for users who need to manage backups across multiple platforms and storage destinations.

RoboCopy videos

Robocopy Backup Tutorial for Windows

More videos:

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

SyncBack videos

SyncBack - Backup Software For Windows

More videos:

  • Review - Best way to backup your data using SyncBack
  • Review - Use SyncBackFree by 2Brightsparks to Mirror Files and Folder

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to RoboCopy and SyncBack)
File Management
100 100%
0% 0
File Sharing
45 45%
55% 55
File Sharing And Backup
45 45%
55% 55
Backup And Disaster Recovery

User comments

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Reviews

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

RoboCopy Reviews

Top File Copiers 2022 for Windows 11
RoboCopy, an abbreviation of Robust File Copy, is a command-line based tool. It provides tons of advanced features for complex file copying operations. One of such features is repetitive copy jobs. The tool is also especially helpful for network administrators to copy large files over-the-network. You can use filters to copy only specific file types, rather than all files....
28 Best File Copy Software for Windows
WinRoboCopy is a free graphical user interface for the RoboCopy command. It possesses the following characteristics:
Source: techcult.com
Top 10 best file copy software 2021 [updated]
Unlike the ones above, this is not actually a software app you can download and install on your PC. RoboCopy is the short way to write โ€œRobust File Copy,โ€ it is a command-line utility for copying files from one directory to another in Windows OS. This file copy utility functionally replaces Xcopy with more options to offer. To run this utility, the command is robocopy. It is...
Best File Copy Software for Windows and Mac
Robust File Copy, commonly written as RoboCopy, is a command-line utility that allows Windows PC users to quickly transfer or copy files from one directory to another, and from one Windows PC to another. It is a built-in Windows 10 OS and activated with the command โ€œRobocopy /?โ€ (without quotes) via the CMD terminal.
14 Best File Copy Utility Software for Windows 10, 8, 7 in 2021
RoboCopy is not a particular tool or software for copying files. It is just a command that one can use to copy and move files on Windows. RoboCopy stands for Robust File Copy and is available in almost all versions of Windows after Windows NT 4. It is one of the oldest methods to copy files, and here are the features that RoboCopy command offers.

SyncBack Reviews

15 Best Rclone Alternatives 2022
There are three versions of the SyncBack software including SyncBackFree, SyncBackSE, and SyncBackPro. As youโ€™d guess, the first is free to use while the other two require payment. Here are the pricing plans:
The 5 Best File Syncing Apps
All versions of SyncBack let you sync select files and folders, back up to FTP, compress files, and set other basic options. However, SyncBack Lite also supports copying locked files; SyncBackSE works for business use and includes a USB app, incremental backups, and file versioning; and SyncBackPro with SyncBack Touch is a multi-platform solution for Windows, Mac, Linux, and...
8 best Windows 10 file sync software
SyncBack is the best Windows backup and synchronization program on the planet, according to its developers. This tool is reliable, flexible and robust, and its performance has been constantly improved thanks to all the upgrades it received since its launch in 2003.

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, RoboCopy seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 50 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.

RoboCopy mentions (50)

  • 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: almost 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 using (usb, SATA, ethernet, etc). Source: almost 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: almost 4 years ago
  • Migrating file servers - Robocopy syntax question
    Yes, /mir also deletes files and directories that have been deleted from the source. Here's a list of the switches. Source: almost 4 years ago
  • Robocopy Hell - Copy data without NTFS permissions
    My friend you helped me big time. I was able to test more and the U flag on /COPY was the culprit here. Which isn't a huge deal for me so using /COPY:DAT worked great. Turns out this is the default switching for /COPY anyway according to https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/administration/windows-commands/robocopy. Source: almost 4 years ago
View more

SyncBack mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of SyncBack yet. Tracking of SyncBack recommendations started around Mar 2021.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing RoboCopy and SyncBack, you can also consider the following products

TeraCopy - TeraCopy is a compact program designed to copy and move files at the maximum possible speed, providing the user with a lot of features.

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

Ultracopier - SuperCopier replaces Windows explorer file copy and adds many features: Transfer resuming, transfer...

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

FastCopy - FastCopy is the fastest copy, delete, & sync software on 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.