Utilities · head to head
Everything vs FreeFileSync
FreeFileSync
Utilities
Open-source folder comparison and synchronisation
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Everything searches filenames only, not file contents, which is the deliberate trade for its speed; FreeFileSync the interface is dense and functional rather than friendly, and the sync direction is easy to misread
- They diverge on capability: Everything covers Instant results, FreeFileSync covers Comparison before sync.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Everything and FreeFileSync actually diverge.
| Attribute | Everything | FreeFileSync |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Free; donations accepted | Free and open source; a paid Donation Edition adds convenience features |
| Platforms | Windows | Windows, 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 Everything
- Instant results
- MFT-based indexing
- Tiny footprint
- Regex and filters
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.
Everything
- Finding a file by name instantly instead of waiting on Windows Searchnot FreeFileSync
- Locating duplicates and stray files across large drivesnot FreeFileSync
- Navigating a machine with hundreds of thousands of filesnot FreeFileSync
FreeFileSync
- Mirroring a working drive to external storage on a schedulenot Everything
- Comparing two folders to find what actually differsnot Everything
- Backup routines where seeing the plan before it runs mattersnot Everything
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Everything
- Searches filenames only, not file contents, which is the deliberate trade for its speed
- Windows and NTFS only: no macOS or Linux build, and non-NTFS volumes fall back to slower indexing
- Requires administrator rights to read the Master File Table
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
Everything
Free- FreeFree
- Core functionality
- Personal use
FreeFileSync
Free- FreeFree
- Core functionality
- Personal use
Which should you pick?
Choose Everything if
- You need instant results.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Windows.
- You also want mft-based indexing.
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.
Questions people ask
- Is Everything or FreeFileSync better?
- Neither clearly leads. Everything 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, Everything or FreeFileSync?
- Everything starts at Free and FreeFileSync at Free.
- Does Everything or FreeFileSync run on more platforms?
- Everything runs on Windows. FreeFileSync runs on Windows, macOS, Linux.
- Can I use Everything for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is Everything best used for?
- Everything is most often used for finding a file by name instantly instead of waiting on windows search, locating duplicates and stray files across large drives, navigating a machine with hundreds of thousands of files. Of those, finding a file by name instantly instead of waiting on windows search and locating duplicates and stray files across large drives are not what FreeFileSync is typically brought in for.
- What can Everything do that FreeFileSync cannot?
- Everything covers Instant results, MFT-based indexing, Tiny footprint, Regex and filters. FreeFileSync covers Comparison before sync, Multiple sync modes, Versioning, Batch jobs.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Everything: Is Everything free?
Yes, free to use with donations accepted.
FreeFileSync: Is FreeFileSync free?
Yes, open source and free. A paid Donation Edition adds convenience features such as parallel sync and portable installs.
Everything: Why is it so much faster than Windows Search?
It reads the NTFS Master File Table directly instead of crawling the filesystem, so indexing a whole volume takes seconds.
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.
Everything: Can it search inside files?
Only in a limited way. It is built for filename search, and full content search is not what it is for.
FreeFileSync: Can it sync to cloud storage?
Yes, including Google Drive and SFTP or FTP targets alongside local and network paths.