Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

SyncBack VS FreeFileSync

Compare SyncBack VS FreeFileSync and see what are their differences

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.

FreeFileSync logo FreeFileSync

FreeFileSync is a free open source data backup software that helps you synchronize files and folders on Windows, Linux and macOS.
  • SyncBack Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-07-03
  • FreeFileSync Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-24

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to SyncBack and FreeFileSync)
File Sharing And Backup
18 18%
82% 82
File Sharing
28 28%
72% 72
Backup And Disaster Recovery
Cloud Storage
10 10%
90% 90

User comments

Share your experience with using SyncBack and FreeFileSync. 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 SyncBack and FreeFileSync

SyncBack Reviews

15 Best Rclone Alternatives 2022
There are three versions of the SyncBack software including SyncBackFree, SyncBackSE, and SyncBackPro. As you’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.

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

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, FreeFileSync seems to be more popular. 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.

SyncBack mentions (0)

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

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 / 12 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

What are some alternatives?

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

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

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

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.

Duplicati - Free backup software to store backups online with strong encryption. Works with FTP, SSH, WebDAV, OneDrive, Amazon S3, Google Drive and many others.

Syncovery - Syncovery will copy your files the way you need it. 30-day trial. Back up your data and synchronize PCs, Macs, servers, notebooks and online storage space. Download for WindowsSyncovery backup software for windows.

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.