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Utilities · head to head

BetterTouchTool vs FreeFileSync

BetterTouchTool logo

BetterTouchTool

Utilities

Mac gesture, shortcut and automation customisation tool sold as a one-time licence with a lifetime tier

From
$12/one-time
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
FreeFileSync logo

FreeFileSync

Utilities

Open-source folder comparison and synchronisation

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only FreeFileSync has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: BetterTouchTool the preferences interface has hundreds of settings across many tabs, so getting one custom gesture working can take longer than with a dedicated single-purpose app.; FreeFileSync the interface is dense and functional rather than friendly, and the sync direction is easy to misread
  • They diverge on capability: BetterTouchTool covers Gesture customisation, FreeFileSync covers Comparison before sync.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which BetterTouchTool and FreeFileSync actually diverge.

Attributes where BetterTouchTool and FreeFileSync differ
AttributeBetterTouchToolFreeFileSync
Starting price$12/one-timeFree
Pricing modelOne-time purchaseFree and open source; a paid Donation Edition adds convenience features
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsMacWindows, macOS, Linux

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Utilities).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in BetterTouchTool

  • Gesture customisation
  • Keyboard shortcut remapping
  • Window snapping
  • Touch Bar customisation
  • Scripted actions
  • Floating menus and widgets

Only in FreeFileSync

  • Comparison before sync
  • Multiple sync modes
  • Versioning
  • Batch jobs

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

BetterTouchTool

  • A power user who wants every trackpad gesture and shortcut on the machine remapped to a specific actionnot FreeFileSync
  • Someone with accessibility needs who benefits from remapping input devices away from default behaviournot FreeFileSync
  • A user who wants window snapping bundled with much broader system customisation rather than a single-purpose appnot FreeFileSync
  • Someone already on a Setapp subscription who wants BetterTouchTool included rather than purchased separatelynot FreeFileSync

FreeFileSync

  • Mirroring a working drive to external storage on a schedulenot BetterTouchTool
  • Comparing two folders to find what actually differsnot BetterTouchTool
  • Backup routines where seeing the plan before it runs mattersnot BetterTouchTool

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

BetterTouchTool

  • The preferences interface has hundreds of settings across many tabs, so getting one custom gesture working can take longer than with a dedicated single-purpose app.
  • The Standard Licence stops receiving updates after two years unless renewed or upgraded to Lifetime, which is easy to miss and can leave a user on an outdated build.
  • It is Mac only, offering nothing for a Windows machine in a mixed household.
  • Because it can intercept almost any input, misconfiguration can make gestures or shortcuts behave unpredictably across different apps, which takes time to debug.
  • It overlaps in function with several single-purpose tools such as Rectangle for windows or Karabiner-Elements for key remapping, so a new user has to decide whether they want one broad tool or several focused ones.

FreeFileSync

  • The interface is dense and functional rather than friendly, and the sync direction is easy to misread
  • Some convenience features are held behind the paid Donation Edition
  • The installer has historically bundled optional offers, which is worth reading carefully during setup
  • Not a versioned cloud backup: it synchronises what you point it at and nothing more

Pricing, plan by plan

BetterTouchTool

$12/one-time
  • Standard Licence$12/one-time
    • Free updates for two years
    • App keeps working on the last version after that
    • Single user licence
  • Lifetime Licence$24/one-time
    • Free updates for as long as the app exists
    • Single user licence
    • Also available bundled through Setapp

FreeFileSync

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Core functionality
    • Personal use

Which should you pick?

Choose BetterTouchTool if

  • You need gesture customisation.
  • You work on Mac.
  • You also want keyboard shortcut remapping.
BetterTouchTool review

Choose FreeFileSync if

  • You need comparison before sync.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, macOS, Linux.
  • You also want multiple sync modes.
FreeFileSync review

Questions people ask

Is BetterTouchTool or FreeFileSync better?
Neither clearly leads. BetterTouchTool starts at $12/one-time and FreeFileSync at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, BetterTouchTool or FreeFileSync?
FreeFileSync has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $12/one-time for BetterTouchTool and Free for FreeFileSync.
Does BetterTouchTool or FreeFileSync run on more platforms?
BetterTouchTool runs on Mac. FreeFileSync runs on Windows, macOS, Linux.
Can I use FreeFileSync for free?
Yes. FreeFileSync has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. BetterTouchTool starts at $12/one-time.
What is BetterTouchTool best used for?
BetterTouchTool is most often used for a power user who wants every trackpad gesture and shortcut on the machine remapped to a specific action, someone with accessibility needs who benefits from remapping input devices away from default behaviour, a user who wants window snapping bundled with much broader system customisation rather than a single-purpose app, someone already on a setapp subscription who wants bettertouchtool included rather than purchased separately. Of those, a power user who wants every trackpad gesture and shortcut on the machine remapped to a specific action and someone with accessibility needs who benefits from remapping input devices away from default behaviour are not what FreeFileSync is typically brought in for.
What can BetterTouchTool do that FreeFileSync cannot?
BetterTouchTool covers Gesture customisation, Keyboard shortcut remapping, Window snapping, Touch Bar customisation. FreeFileSync covers Comparison before sync, Multiple sync modes, Versioning, Batch jobs.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

BetterTouchTool: Is BetterTouchTool a subscription?

No. It is a one-time purchase, either a Standard Licence with two years of updates or a Lifetime Licence with updates indefinitely.

FreeFileSync: Is FreeFileSync free?

Yes, open source and free. A paid Donation Edition adds convenience features such as parallel sync and portable installs.

BetterTouchTool: Can I get it without buying it directly?

Yes, it is included in the Setapp subscription bundle alongside other Mac utilities.

FreeFileSync: Is it a backup tool?

It synchronises folders and supports versioning, which covers many backup needs, but it is not a managed cloud backup service.

BetterTouchTool: Does it replace Rectangle or Karabiner-Elements?

It can cover much of what both do, since it includes window snapping and key remapping, but each of those apps is more focused on its single job.

FreeFileSync: Can it sync to cloud storage?

Yes, including Google Drive and SFTP or FTP targets alongside local and network paths.

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