FreeFileSync: Open-Source File Synchronization and Backup

#1

Post by rcoilliot » Thu, Dec 23, 2021, 1:19 PM UTC

FreeFileSync: Open-Source File Synchronization and Backup
freefilesync.org

Re: FreeFileSync: Open-Source File Synchronization and Backup

#2

Post by rcoilliot » Thu, Dec 23, 2021, 1:21 PM UTC

How come this awesome software not more discussed here ? Anyone here use it ? It literraly been a life changer for me in my backup strategy and I can't recommend it enough to everyone.

Re: FreeFileSync: Open-Source File Synchronization and Backup

#3

Post by brnt » Thu, Dec 23, 2021, 2:32 PM UTC

This tool is in my essentials toolbox. I use it for everything, backups, comparing snapshots, comparing git branches, external drives, you name it.

Inspecting file tree differences is key to all of those actions, as far as I am concerned, and FreeFileSync does it best, and is multiplatform to boot.

Re: FreeFileSync: Open-Source File Synchronization and Backup

#4

Post by sandreas » Thu, Dec 23, 2021, 2:36 PM UTC

rcoilliot wrote: post #2

How come this awesome software not more discussed here ? Anyone here use it ? It literraly been a life changer for me in my backup strategy and I can't recommend it enough to everyone.

I think because there are even more awesome (opinionated) tools out there... mostly command line.

Like - rsync

- rclone

- restic

- rdedup

- etc.

Re: FreeFileSync: Open-Source File Synchronization and Backup

#5

Post by rcoilliot » Thu, Dec 23, 2021, 2:36 PM UTC

brnt wrote: post #3

This tool is in my essentials toolbox. I use it for everything, backups, comparing snapshots, comparing git branches, external drives, you name it. Inspecting file tree differences is key to all of those actions, as far as I am concerned, and FreeFileSync does it best, and is multiplatform to boot.

It's incredible how it turns all those nightmarish actions into zen and pure satisfaction !

Re: FreeFileSync: Open-Source File Synchronization and Backup

#6

Post by rspoerri » Thu, Dec 23, 2021, 2:40 PM UTC

i wonder why does this tool needs access to the internet?

Re: FreeFileSync: Open-Source File Synchronization and Backup

#7

Post by eps » Thu, Dec 23, 2021, 2:52 PM UTC

There is apparently also a "Donation Edition" -

    Everyone who donates is eligible to download a special 
    version of FreeFileSync without any advertisements,
    including a few of bonus features.

It is built from a different source, so it's neither free or open source. Not that anything wrong with it, but it should probably not be distributed under the same name - https://freefilesync.org/faq.php#donation-edition

Re: FreeFileSync: Open-Source File Synchronization and Backup

#8

Post by theandrewbailey » Thu, Dec 23, 2021, 3:00 PM UTC

I used a tool similar to this for many years. Then WSL happened, and I started using rsync in there instead to backup and restore stuff on Windows, just like I do on Linux.

Re: FreeFileSync: Open-Source File Synchronization and Backup

#9

Post by nisa » Thu, Dec 23, 2021, 3:00 PM UTC

Re: FreeFileSync: Open-Source File Synchronization and Backup

#10

Post by howdydoo » Thu, Dec 23, 2021, 3:11 PM UTC

brnt wrote: post #3

This tool is in my essentials toolbox. I use it for everything, backups, comparing snapshots, comparing git branches, external drives, you name it. Inspecting file tree differences is key to all of those actions, as far as I am concerned, and FreeFileSync does it best, and is multiplatform to boot.

I've always used Beyond Compare to compare file trees (best $60 I ever spent!) Is there anything FreeFileSync does that Beyond Compare is missing?