Utilities · head to head
FreeFileSync vs Everything
FreeFileSync
Utilities
Open-source folder comparison and synchronisation
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: FreeFileSync the interface is dense and functional rather than friendly, and the sync direction is easy to misread; Everything searches filenames only, not file contents, which is the deliberate trade for its speed
- They diverge on capability: FreeFileSync covers Comparison before sync, Everything covers Instant results.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which FreeFileSync and Everything actually diverge.
| Attribute | FreeFileSync | Everything |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Free and open source; a paid Donation Edition adds convenience features | Free; donations accepted |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux | Windows |
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 FreeFileSync
- Comparison before sync
- Multiple sync modes
- Versioning
- Batch jobs
Only in Everything
- Instant results
- MFT-based indexing
- Tiny footprint
- Regex and filters
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
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
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
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
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
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
Pricing, plan by plan
FreeFileSync
Free- FreeFree
- Core functionality
- Personal use
Everything
Free- FreeFree
- Core functionality
- Personal use
Which should you pick?
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.
Choose Everything if
- You need instant results.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Windows.
- You also want mft-based indexing.
Questions people ask
- Is FreeFileSync or Everything better?
- Neither clearly leads. FreeFileSync starts at Free and Everything at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, FreeFileSync or Everything?
- FreeFileSync starts at Free and Everything at Free.
- Does FreeFileSync or Everything run on more platforms?
- FreeFileSync runs on Windows, macOS, Linux. Everything runs on Windows.
- Can I use FreeFileSync for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is FreeFileSync best used for?
- FreeFileSync is most often used for mirroring a working drive to external storage on a schedule, comparing two folders to find what actually differs, backup routines where seeing the plan before it runs matters. Of those, mirroring a working drive to external storage on a schedule and comparing two folders to find what actually differs are not what Everything is typically brought in for.
- What can FreeFileSync do that Everything cannot?
- FreeFileSync covers Comparison before sync, Multiple sync modes, Versioning, Batch jobs. Everything covers Instant results, MFT-based indexing, Tiny footprint, Regex and filters.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
FreeFileSync: Is FreeFileSync free?
Yes, open source and free. A paid Donation Edition adds convenience features such as parallel sync and portable installs.
Everything: Is Everything free?
Yes, free to use with donations accepted.
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: 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: Can it sync to cloud storage?
Yes, including Google Drive and SFTP or FTP targets alongside local and network paths.
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.