Utilities · head to head
Syncthing vs FreeFileSync
Syncthing
Utilities
Continuous file synchronisation between your own devices
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
FreeFileSync
Utilities
Open-source folder comparison and synchronisation
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Syncthing synchronisation, not backup: a deletion propagates to every device, and versioning must be configured deliberately; FreeFileSync the interface is dense and functional rather than friendly, and the sync direction is easy to misread
- They diverge on capability: Syncthing covers Peer-to-peer sync, FreeFileSync covers Comparison before sync.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Syncthing and FreeFileSync actually diverge.
| Attribute | Syncthing | FreeFileSync |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Open source, no licence fee | Free and open source; a paid Donation Edition adds convenience features |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, Docker | 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 Syncthing
- Peer-to-peer sync
- Encrypted transport
- File versioning
- Selective sync
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.
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
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
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
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
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
Syncthing
Free- SyncthingFree
- Full functionality
- No usage limits
- Community support
FreeFileSync
Free- FreeFree
- Core functionality
- Personal use
Which should you pick?
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.
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 Syncthing or FreeFileSync better?
- Neither clearly leads. Syncthing 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, Syncthing or FreeFileSync?
- Syncthing starts at Free and FreeFileSync at Free.
- Does Syncthing or FreeFileSync run on more platforms?
- Syncthing runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, Docker. FreeFileSync runs on Windows, macOS, Linux.
- Can I use Syncthing for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is Syncthing best used for?
- Syncthing is most often used for keeping files in step across personal machines without a cloud account, syncing data that must not sit on a third-party server for policy reasons, replacing a paid cloud storage subscription for sync-only needs. Of those, keeping files in step across personal machines without a cloud account and syncing data that must not sit on a third-party server for policy reasons are not what FreeFileSync is typically brought in for.
- What can Syncthing do that FreeFileSync cannot?
- Syncthing covers Peer-to-peer sync, Encrypted transport, File versioning, Selective sync. FreeFileSync covers Comparison before sync, Multiple sync modes, Versioning, Batch jobs.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Syncthing: Is Syncthing free?
Yes, open source with no licence fee and no storage costs, because there is no server.
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 a backup tool?
No. It synchronises, so deletions propagate. Use it alongside a real backup, not instead of one.
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: 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.
FreeFileSync: Can it sync to cloud storage?
Yes, including Google Drive and SFTP or FTP targets alongside local and network paths.