Utilities · head to head
FreeFileSync vs Syncthing
FreeFileSync
Utilities
Open-source folder comparison and synchronisation
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
Syncthing
Utilities
Continuous file synchronisation between your own devices
- 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; Syncthing synchronisation, not backup: a deletion propagates to every device, and versioning must be configured deliberately
- They diverge on capability: FreeFileSync covers Comparison before sync, Syncthing covers Peer-to-peer sync.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which FreeFileSync and Syncthing actually diverge.
| Attribute | FreeFileSync | Syncthing |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Free and open source; a paid Donation Edition adds convenience features | Open source, no licence fee |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, Docker |
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 Syncthing
- Peer-to-peer sync
- Encrypted transport
- File versioning
- Selective sync
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 Syncthing
- Comparing two folders to find what actually differsnot Syncthing
- Backup routines where seeing the plan before it runs mattersnot Syncthing
Syncthing
- Keeping files in step across personal machines without a cloud accountnot FreeFileSync
- Syncing data that must not sit on a third-party server for policy reasonsnot FreeFileSync
- Replacing a paid cloud storage subscription for sync-only needsnot 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
Syncthing
- Synchronisation, not backup: a deletion propagates to every device, and versioning must be configured deliberately
- Devices must be online simultaneously to sync, so an always-on machine is effectively required
- Initial setup involves exchanging device IDs and is less approachable than signing into a cloud service
- No web access to files, since there is no server holding them
Pricing, plan by plan
FreeFileSync
Free- FreeFree
- Core functionality
- Personal use
Syncthing
Free- SyncthingFree
- Full functionality
- No usage limits
- Community support
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 Syncthing if
- You need peer-to-peer sync.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, Docker.
- You also want encrypted transport.
Questions people ask
- Is FreeFileSync or Syncthing better?
- Neither clearly leads. FreeFileSync starts at Free and Syncthing at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, FreeFileSync or Syncthing?
- FreeFileSync starts at Free and Syncthing at Free.
- Does FreeFileSync or Syncthing run on more platforms?
- FreeFileSync runs on Windows, macOS, Linux. Syncthing runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, Docker.
- 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 Syncthing is typically brought in for.
- What can FreeFileSync do that Syncthing cannot?
- FreeFileSync covers Comparison before sync, Multiple sync modes, Versioning, Batch jobs. Syncthing covers Peer-to-peer sync, Encrypted transport, File versioning, Selective sync.
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.
Syncthing: Is Syncthing free?
Yes, open source with no licence fee and no storage costs, because there is no server.
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.
Syncthing: Is Syncthing a backup tool?
No. It synchronises, so deletions propagate. Use it alongside a real backup, not instead of one.
FreeFileSync: Can it sync to cloud storage?
Yes, including Google Drive and SFTP or FTP targets alongside local and network paths.
Syncthing: Do my files pass through anyone else’s servers?
No. Transfers are peer to peer and encrypted. Discovery and relay servers can help devices find each other, and relayed traffic remains encrypted end to end.