Software Alternatives & Startups

rsync VS Insync

Compare rsync VS Insync and see what are their differences

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.

Rating
0 reviews
Pricing
Open source
Insync

Meet the Insync team that made it possible for users to do more with Google Drive storage on your devices.

Rating
1.0 · 1 review
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.

Which is more popular?

Based on our record, rsync seems to be more popular. It has been mentioned 17 times since March 2021.

social mentions
17 vs 0
File Sharing And Backup popularity
100% vs 0%
alternatives listed
240+ vs 143

Base details

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

rsync
Insync
Website rsync.samba.org insynchq.com
Pricing
Open source
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

rsync 8 features
Insync 5 features
  • Efficient Data Transfer
    Rsync uses a delta-transfer algorithm which allows it to update files by only sending the differences between the source and destination, greatly reducing the amount of data transferred.
  • Bandwidth Throttling
    Rsync provides an option to limit the bandwidth used during the transfer, helping to manage network resources and avoid congestion.
  • Compression
    Rsync supports compression of data during transfer, which can further reduce the amount of data sent over the network.
  • Secure Transfer
    Rsync can utilize SSH for secure data transfer, adding a layer of encryption to protect data as it moves between systems.
  • Versatile
    Rsync can be used for a variety of tasks such as backups, mirroring, and synchronization, making it a versatile tool for different data management needs.
  • Preserves File Attributes
    Rsync preserves file permissions, timestamps, ownerships, and symbolic links during the transfer, ensuring that all file attributes remain intact.
  • Widely Supported
    Rsync is available on most Unix-like operating systems and there are ports available for Windows, making it accessible across different platforms.
  • Open Source
    Rsync is free and open-source software, allowing anyone to use, modify, and distribute it without licensing fees.

Possible disadvantages

  • Complex Syntax
    The rsync command line options can be complex and difficult to master, especially for users who are not familiar with command-line interfaces.
  • Initial Setup
    Setting up rsync for the first time can be cumbersome, particularly when dealing with SSH keys, excluding files, and setting up cron jobs for automation.
  • Resource Intensive
    During large data transfers, rsync can be resource-intensive, consuming a considerable amount of CPU and RAM, which might affect system performance.
  • Limited Incremental Backup Support
    Rsync's incremental backup feature is somewhat limited and less sophisticated compared to dedicated backup solutions, requiring additional scripting for effective implementation.
  • Remote File System Compatibility
    Rsync may encounter issues with certain remote file systems that have different characteristics or limitations, such as differing maximum file path lengths or unsupported special characters.
  • No Native GUI
    Rsync does not have a native graphical user interface (GUI), which may make it less accessible to users who prefer or require a visual interaction.
  • No Built-in Scheduling
    Rsync lacks built-in scheduling capabilities, necessitating the use of external tools like cron (Linux/Unix) or Task Scheduler (Windows) to automate scheduled tasks.
  • Multi-account support
    Insync allows users to sync files across multiple Google Drive and OneDrive accounts, which is useful for people managing personal and professional accounts separately.
  • Cross-platform compatibility
    The software is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux, ensuring that users can access their synced files regardless of the operating system they use.
  • Selective Sync
    Insync offers selective sync options, allowing users to choose specific files or folders to sync, saving bandwidth and storage space.
  • User-friendly interface
    The application features an easy-to-navigate interface, making setup and file management straightforward for users of varying technical skills.
  • Additional cloud storage integrations
    Besides Google Drive and OneDrive, Insync supports other cloud storage services, providing more flexibility and consolidation for file management.

Possible disadvantages

  • Cost
    Unlike native Google Drive and OneDrive clients, Insync is not free and requires a one-time purchase per account or a subscription, which might be a drawback for budget-conscious users.
  • Occasional sync issues
    Some users have reported intermittent issues with file synchronization, such as delays or conflicts, though these seem to be relatively uncommon.
  • Limited customer support
    Customer support is not available 24/7, and response times can be slow, which could be frustrating for users needing urgent assistance.
  • Resource usage
    The application can be resource-intensive, particularly for users running older hardware or dealing with large volumes of files.

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

rsync 3 videos + Add
Insync 3 videos + Add

Rsync Backup on Linux

More videos

  • - How to Properly Use Cloud Storage | Rsync Encrypt Tutorial
  • - Setup OpenMediaVault 5.0 beta NAS on Raspberry Pi 4: RPi4 NAS + Configure RSync with x2 shares OMV5

Selectively Sync Google Drive Files on Linux using Insync

More videos

  • - InSync - Year in Review 2018 | Highlights of the Year | APPSeCONNECT
  • - InSync: Best of 2015 - The Year in Review

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
rsync
Insync
100% 100%
0% 0%
80% 80%
20% 20%
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%

User comments

Share your experience with using rsync and Insync. 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.

rsync no reviews yet
Insync 1.0 · 1 review

View more

  • It will duplicate all your backups
    SaaSHub review
    · Nov 2023

    I have a PC which I have reformatted twice. In both occasions I backed up all my files which I then proceeded to restore. Upon re-installing and re-configuring Insync, I made the mistake of believing it would actually...

  • 15 Best Rclone Alternatives 2022
    rigorousthemes.com · Apr 2022

    Insync is a platform said to have syncing superpowers. The tool supports cloud selective sync, local selective sync, one-way sync, and more. With all these, you can create the perfect syncing workflow.

Social recommendations and mentions

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

rsync 17 mentions
Insync 0 mentions
  • Openrsync: A BSD-licensed implementation of rsync, by the OpenBSD team
    Ubuntu's rsync is samba rsync. It's not part of the samba project per se, but it is made by the same guy and the official url is https://rsync.samba.org/ so it's entirely fair to call it samba rsync in my opinion. - Source: Hacker News / 4 months ago
  • CDC File Transfer
    Please bear in mind that there are [now] two distinct rsync codebases. The original is the GPL variant [today displaying "Upgrade required"]: https://rsync.samba.org/ The second is the BSD clone: https://www.openrsync.org/ The BSD... - Source: Hacker News / 12 months ago
  • Down the Rabbit Hole of creating a Home Lab
    Rsync - Fast file copying and syncing. - Source: dev.to / over 1 year ago

View more

Tracking Insync since Mar 2021.

Alternatives to rsync and Insync

When comparing rsync and Insync, you can also consider the following products.