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Utilities · head to head

CrystalDiskInfo vs FreeFileSync

CrystalDiskInfo logo

CrystalDiskInfo

Utilities

Free Windows tool that reads S.M.A.R.T. data from drives and warns before they fail

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
FreeFileSync logo

FreeFileSync

Utilities

Open-source folder comparison and synchronisation

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: CrystalDiskInfo many USB enclosures do not pass S.M.A.R.T. commands through, so external drives often report nothing at all and users read that as a healthy result.; FreeFileSync the interface is dense and functional rather than friendly, and the sync direction is easy to misread
  • They diverge on capability: CrystalDiskInfo covers S.M.A.R.T. reporting, FreeFileSync covers Comparison before sync.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 31 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which CrystalDiskInfo and FreeFileSync actually diverge.

Attributes where CrystalDiskInfo and FreeFileSync differ
AttributeCrystalDiskInfoFreeFileSync
Pricing modelOpen source, no licence feeFree and open source; a paid Donation Edition adds convenience features
PlatformsWindowsWindows, macOS, Linux

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), 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 CrystalDiskInfo

  • S.M.A.R.T. reporting
  • NVMe support
  • Threshold alerts
  • Temperature monitoring
  • Standard and Shizuku editions
  • MIT licensed

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.

CrystalDiskInfo

  • Checking the true condition of a second-hand drive before trusting data to itnot FreeFileSync
  • Watching SSD endurance on write-heavy machines such as build servers and video workstationsnot FreeFileSync
  • Getting early warning of mechanical failure while a backup can still be takennot FreeFileSync
  • Auditing power-on hours and wear across a small fleet of machines one at a timenot FreeFileSync

FreeFileSync

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

Where each one falls short

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

CrystalDiskInfo

  • Many USB enclosures do not pass S.M.A.R.T. commands through, so external drives often report nothing at all and users read that as a healthy result.
  • It is Windows only, and there is no central console, so checking a fleet means visiting each machine or scripting an alternative.
  • A good status is not a prediction: drives fail suddenly with clean attributes, and treating the summary as an assurance leads people to skip backups.
  • The Shizuku edition ships anime artwork and voice packs, which is unsuitable on company machines and is often downloaded by mistake because it is the more visible option.
  • Vendors define raw attribute values inconsistently, so the same number means different things on different drives and the detailed view needs interpretation to be useful.

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

CrystalDiskInfo

Free
  • CrystalDiskInfoFree
    • MIT licensed
    • Commercial use permitted
    • All features in the free download

FreeFileSync

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Core functionality
    • Personal use

Which should you pick?

Choose CrystalDiskInfo if

  • You need s.m.a.r.t. reporting.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows.
  • You also want nvme support.
CrystalDiskInfo 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 CrystalDiskInfo or FreeFileSync better?
Neither clearly leads. CrystalDiskInfo starts at Free and FreeFileSync at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, CrystalDiskInfo or FreeFileSync?
CrystalDiskInfo starts at Free and FreeFileSync at Free.
Does CrystalDiskInfo or FreeFileSync run on more platforms?
CrystalDiskInfo runs on Windows. FreeFileSync runs on Windows, macOS, Linux.
Can I use CrystalDiskInfo for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is CrystalDiskInfo best used for?
CrystalDiskInfo is most often used for checking the true condition of a second-hand drive before trusting data to it, watching ssd endurance on write-heavy machines such as build servers and video workstations, getting early warning of mechanical failure while a backup can still be taken, auditing power-on hours and wear across a small fleet of machines one at a time. Of those, checking the true condition of a second-hand drive before trusting data to it and watching ssd endurance on write-heavy machines such as build servers and video workstations are not what FreeFileSync is typically brought in for.
What can CrystalDiskInfo do that FreeFileSync cannot?
CrystalDiskInfo covers S.M.A.R.T. reporting, NVMe support, Threshold alerts, Temperature monitoring. FreeFileSync covers Comparison before sync, Multiple sync modes, Versioning, Batch jobs.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

CrystalDiskInfo: Can I use it in a business?

Yes. It is MIT licensed with no personal-use restriction, which distinguishes it from several other free Windows utilities.

FreeFileSync: Is FreeFileSync free?

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

CrystalDiskInfo: Why does my external drive show no data?

Most USB bridge chips do not pass S.M.A.R.T. commands through. Connecting the drive directly by SATA or NVMe usually reveals the attributes.

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.

CrystalDiskInfo: Does a caution status mean I should replace the drive immediately?

It means an attribute has crossed a vendor threshold, most often reallocated sectors. Back up now, then decide. It is a warning, not a countdown.

FreeFileSync: Can it sync to cloud storage?

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

CrystalDiskInfo: What is the difference between the editions?

Function is identical. The Shizuku edition adds themed artwork and voice packs; the standard edition is the plain one you want on a work machine.

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