These days, we generally have a large number of files, both for professional and personal use, which we’d like to be able to access from different devices. For example, if we have work documents on the computer, we probably want to be able to access them from other devices such as the desktop computer, laptop, etc. This is made possible by programs whose function is to synchronize folders, and today we’re going to see what the best options are.
If you only use your computer’s hard disk to save files, these types of programs may not attract your attention. On the other hand, if we’re a user who goes with our hard disk or flash drive from place to place with our files, it’s likely that we may be interested in a folder synchronization program, not only to organize ourselves better, but to always have our files available.
It’s important to bear in mind that, in most cases, this is a feature that will be extremely useful in professional environments. At home, it will also help us avoid data redundancy and keep our backups saved and taking up as little space as possible.
Free programs
Performing this type of task synchronization manually can be extremely time-consuming, depending on the number of files available for the folders in question. But the truth is, we’re working with more and more information on our computers, so these tasks can become endless. This is precisely where the programs we’re going to talk about below come in, and will be a great help. What’s more, in addition to all the features they offer, we should also add that they won’t cost us a single euro, which will also be appreciated by the majority.
When choosing a program with which to synchronize folders, we can use free proposals that will help us get the job done efficiently.
Crux
Well, you name it, we make it. We made Crux primarily as a P2P file sharing software, but the base model of the Peer to Peer sharing system allows it to act as a Sync Software as well. That’s due to the fact that all of the peers are able to upload and download the same set of files at the same time, so why not Sync the files between each of them?
Don’t get this wrong, that could be possible with any P2P software, but we made Crux and we’re confident enough to list it at the top of the list. We make sure to include all of the features that most of the users require, making it your one to go P2P software.
FreeFileSync
This is a free, open-source program used for file synchronization. It’s multi-platform, making it available on Windows, Linux and OS X. With FreeFileSync, we’ll be able to create and manage backup copies of our most important files. The application is responsible for eliminating the differences between source and destination folders, transferring only the amount of data required. Once we’ve compared the differences between the files, we can decide whether we want the synchronization to be performed completely in both folders.
This is a very simple program to use, as all we have to do is indicate the routes of the two folders we wish to compare. Later, we choose between the two available methods, either by date and size or by file content. Finally, once we’ve compared the differences between the files, we can easily decide whether we want to synchronize them so that the content is the same in both folders. As a negative point, it’s worth noting that the software seems to “get confused” a little when synchronizing folders over a network on different servers, and the existing manuals on your website can be difficult to understand.
Outstanding and worth improving
The solution we propose here works across multiple platforms and operating systems to synchronize folders. We have two methods at our disposal for the task at hand. The user interface we found at first can be a little confusing for all the content presented, so it’s not ideal for novice users.
Synchronization
This is an application that will enable us to synchronize files point by point between devices on a local network between remote devices connected to the Internet. With Syncthing, we’ll be able to synchronize files between two or more computers in real time and securely using TLS, so no one can access our data. File synchronization takes place via LAN and the Internet, so we won’t need IP addresses or advanced settings for your use.
We’re talking about a program that’s easy to use and powerful, because it synchronizes as many files as you need with different people or between different devices. Since you don’t need IP addresses or advanced settings, as it works via LAN and Internet, each machine is identified by an ID. We simply need to give the ID to our friends, to share a folder. Despite this, there are users who have had trouble configuring it on multiple machines, with problems getting it to work on iOS.
We’ll be able to configure and monitor Syncthing via its interface, which we can access via our browser. The open source application, being compatible with Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, Solaris, Darwin and BSD download for free from their site.
Advantages and disadvantages
The program offers us a fairly clean and comprehensible interface for synchronizing folders even if we have no experience. Catalogs effectively the different teams we’ll be working with in the application and shows us information about the team’s workload. It’s very simple, so some users who need more advanced settings may miss them here.
SyncToy
This is an application created by Microsoft that will allow us to synchronize two folders in Windows 10 and Windows 11 quickly and comfortably, even if they’re on different computers, sharing its use in real time.
It’s considered one of Microsoft’s “PowerToys”, those little free utilities that are responsible for improving and streamlining the work of Windows in a variety of ways. This particular application is responsible for making directory synchronization work much faster and more convenient. It has several synchronization options that cover all possibilities. This tool has several synchronization options, allowing you to copy, move, overwrite or move files with each other.
SyncToy add folders
As a main drawback, it should be noted that many application customization options are lacking. SyncToy is a free program that can be downloaded from the official Microsoft website.
Advantages and disadvantages
In this case, we find a program developed by Microsoft itself, so it works perfectly under Windows. It works fairly quickly and efficiently when it comes to synchronizing content, being ideal for users who don’t want to complicate their lives when synchronizing files between different units or computers. It lacks advanced configuration settings for this type of task, so more advanced users will need to be able to control it more precisely.
Rclone
Rclone is one of the most widely used programs for synchronizing files in cloud storage. This program is known to many as the “rsync for cloud storage”, a command-line tool with which we can make our files, and folders, always synchronized with each other.
This tool has a number of features with which we can make the most of it. The first is that it constantly checks file integrity using hashes, ensuring that synchronization is always successful. You also have plenty of options for choosing how we want to synchronize the data, data compression, encryption, etc.
It supports a large number of storage platforms, from the most popular, such as 1File, Mega, Dropbox or Google Drive, to the most comprehensive professional clouds, such as Alibaba Cloud, Amazon or Nextcloud.
Advantages and disadvantages
As a powerful tool, this is one of the pluses. It has a large number of functions, checksums, synchronization modes and is compatible with almost every cloud we can find. So it’s a tool that will come in handy for everything.
Of course, to use it, we’ll need to know a system symbol, as it doesn’t have an interface like the other tools, but we have to configure it and use it with commands. Quite a handicap for those who don’t want to get complicated.
Bart
We are faced with a free and portable software that will allow us to synchronize files and folders on Windows computers, so that we can access them from other locations without the need duplicate files, in turn make a backup of them. It also lets us add exclusions for files or folders we don’t want to include in the synchronization, such as hidden or system files.
This program is responsible for transferring changes from various source directories to destination directories. At runtime, it will copy all files that have changed since the last run, efficiently updating the source destination and copying only the necessary files. Bart is able to read from a list of source directories, so you can not only keep a backup copy of our Documents folder, but also any other data stored on our disk in other locations.
Bart is a free application that will help us synchronize and backup our files and folders. You can download it from your web page.
Advantages and disadvantages
Automatically backs up our data in case we make a serious mistake. It’s a portable program we can use on any PC from a USB key. In short, it shows us which files have been synchronized, which have not been copied when they have not been modified and which new files have been added, in addition to those deleted. The user interface we initially found is not as intuitive as those offered by some of the competition’s proposals, however, it is very useful if we devote enough time to getting our hands on it.
PureSync
This is a powerful, easy-to-use tool with which we can synchronize files and folders. It also has functions for backing up and copying photos from a camera. The application supports filters by extensions, as well as file deletion and modification detection. It has a wizard to guide us step by step so we don’t have any problems running it. It also has full integration with Windows File Explorer and keyboard shortcuts for each of its functions.
PureSync is a free program for personal use that we can download from its official website. It also has a commercial version priced at 24.95 euros.
Advantages and disadvantages
The application offers us a very intuitive and easy-to-use user interface. We have at our disposal a series of keyboard shortcuts that will enable us to use the synchronization program more quickly. In order to take advantage of all the functions this software solution has to offer, we’ll need to use the commercial version of the payment, although they aren’t necessary if we just want to synchronize files without performing any additional verification processes or previous tasks.
SyncFolders
SyncFolders is another comprehensive program we can use, completely free of charge, to synchronize two or more directories as a backup. This software supports both individual files and folders and sub-folders, and supports local copies and external devices and, of course, over the network.
Despite being fairly unknown, and having a somewhat basic interface, it has a large number of options and settings to be able to customize every last aspect of data synchronization. It supports bi-directional synchronization and is capable of detecting any possible file conflicts so that, under no circumstances, we lose our data.
Advantages and disadvantages
It offers broad compatibility with all types of drives and storage devices. It features a number of customizable parameters to control the data synchronization process as much as possible. Due to its somewhat outdated interface and the number of functions, this program is a little more complicated than other similar proposals. The application runs in a small window, which prevents us from seeing the full access routes to the directories we want to synchronize.
Synchronize Resilio
Here we find a software solution that we can download free of charge thanks to the version offered by its developers, but with functional limitations. It’s an application that focuses on the technology we usually find on P2P networks, and will be extremely useful for us when synchronizing large folders. It offers us a good number of functions geared towards these tasks, such as adding folders to any synchronized devices immediately.
We’ll also be able to manage each user’s permissions individually to protect certain content added for synchronization. In addition, the program gives us the option of setting a certain bandwidth so as not to saturate the network when it comes to mass synchronization of content via the Internet. At the same time, it’s important to know that we’re talking about a software solution that can be used on all types of platforms and operating systems, both desktop and mobile.
Advantages and disadvantages
The most advanced users of this type of synchronization task will find here all the functions they need to satisfy their requirements. This is a folder synchronization program specially designed for professional rather than personal use, and the free edition is very limited in terms of functions.
Allway synchronization
This is an application with which we can synchronize and back up our files, enabling us to synchronize them both on them and on different units, on different media or via a remote FTP, SFTP and WebDAV server. What’s more, it lets you synchronize your computer with Windows and a Mac, being compatible with all file systems, and can be installed on a USB stick.
Allway Sync is free software for personal use, with certain limitations, which you can download from its official website. It contains no spyware, adware or malware, and allows synchronization with all the computers we need. For commercial use, you’ll need to purchase your license for $25.95.
Highlighting and enhancing
From here, we can use local and network drives. The application offers us broad compatibility with the most widely used and popular file systems. The graphical interface is highly intuitive and straightforward, enabling us to quickly make the most of the functions it offers. In order to use all the functions this software solution has to offer, we will have to pay. However, if our needs are basic, we can use the application free of charge to synchronize all data between external equipment or units.
Beyond Compare
This tool has been developed to compare directories and files between two remote computers. In this way, it is possible to detect differences in content between one computer and another, enabling synchronization between the two. This is something we can do using FTP, which we can configure to make specific comparisons between files. Includes built-in data comparison viewers for a wide variety of data. It also has a text editor, which can be useful for users who need to edit programming files.
We can download Beyond Compare for free, which also has a Pro version which is priced at $60.
The best and what should be improved
We’ll have different visualization methods for our data comparison exposure. We have a good number of shortcuts to the functions we see in the program’s main interface. The free version is limited in terms of the functions available. What’s more, the user interface doesn’t invite you to use the application, especially among novice users. The application is in English, which is an additional barrier to use for some users.
Creating Synchronicity
We’re talking about a backup and synchronization tool that can help us both protect our files and keep our data up to date. We can use it to copy documents, images, music and videos to our pendrive, make backup copies and even schedule a server backup.
Synchronization and backup are fully customizable and include a precise selection of folders for backup. Folders can be selected for synchronization and even synchronize your content without synchronizing subfolders. Allows you to include and exclude files based on their name or extension. It also features three synchronization methods: mirroring, one-way incremental and two-way incremental.
Taking into account and improving
We find a large number of customizable parameters to control the synchronization method. We can use different synchronization methods depending on the needs of each case. The program offers a somewhat confusing user interface for novice users of these leaders, although somewhat simpler than other similar applications.
Paid Programs
If the free programs don’t meet our needs, we can get our hands on other payment tools, more complete and full of additional features.
GoodSync2Go
It is a lightweight and portable application that will allow us to synchronize files, as well as backup copies of them, being suitable for all types of users. We can save it to any pendrive or portable hard drive and run it from any computer without installation. This program allows us to create include or exclude lists, add global filters and configure proxy settings. The program is multi-platform and runs on computers with Windows, Mac OS and Linux.
GoodSync2Go has a 30-day Free Trial Version with which we can enjoy all its features without any limitations. After the trial period, we can continue to use the application for free if we have completed 3 jobs or less, with less than 100 files in the completed job. If not, we’ll have to pay the GoodSync license fee of 29.95 euros.
Advantages and disadvantages
The main user interface presented by this program offers numerous facilities for this specific type of work with folders. The various units and locations are distributed correctly so that we can access them directly. In order to use all the features available here, we will have to pay for this software solution. The free app works, but it has a lot of limitations.
Synchromat
It’s a file and folder synchronization software for Windows. With this application, we will be able to synchronize our most important data in time with other devices such as laptops or USB storage drives. It supports any file system and offers a one-way synchronization mode, allowing you to backup and restore original files and folders. This tool also has the ability to automatically synchronize when’it is detected changes made to the file or by connecting a removable device.
We can download a free 30-day trial version of Synchromat from its website. If we want to use the program permanently, we will need to purchase your license which has a cost of $49.99. This license is for life on one computer and includes lifetime updates, patches and premium technical support.
Advantages and disadvantages
Its main use is simple and affordable enough for most users who want to compare folders on their PC. The program introduces us to a useful content synchronization function that automates these tasks. The user interface offered by the software requires a major update and improvement. We can use a free but time-limited version.
GoodSync
This software has been designed to synchronize files automatically between different devices such as desktops, laptops and external hard drives. In addition, this will allow us to back up all files. With GoodSync, we will be able to create a network where all devices have access to a series of files we select previously, so it doesn’t matter where the original file is, since we can access it without problems. It won’t help us stay organized and rest assured that our most important files are synchronized and backed up.
GoodSync is cross-platform and can therefore be used on Windows, Mac OS and Linux computers, as well as Android and iOS mobile devices. We can download a free trial version on its official website. To take full advantage of it, we need to purchase your license, which for individual use costs 29.95 euros.
Advantages and disadvantages
Here, we’ll be able to create our own network allowing selected devices to work with folders. Thanks to the functions offered by this application, we will be able to organize the contents of our albums much better. Until we get used to the proposed user interface, it can be somewhat confusing due to the design it presents to us by default after installation.
Synchredible (Pro)
Synchredible a program designed to be able to synchronize, copy and remount individual folders and complete drives, and all with a simple click. For this, we will have the help of a wizard that will help us define tasks with time control, in case of real-time changes or when connecting an external unit. So we can synchronize the data automatically.
Synchredible also handles double-sided synchronization, as it is able to automatically detect any changes that occur and synchronize the last edited file safely and quickly. The application can be used both for local synchronization, as well as for folder synchronization on networks, as well as on USB devices.
Synchredible has a free version for personal use and experimental purposes, which we can download from the developer’s website. It supports all versions of Windows, up to Windows 11. If we want to buy your professional edition, it has a cost of 39.90 euros.
Virtues and defects
Thanks to those most responsible for this proposal, we will be able to use it in the most modern versions of the system, including Windows 11. its user interface has been specially designed to be as easy to understand as possible. It has fewer configurable options than other similar applications in the competition, which will not convince users most accustomed to performing these tasks.
Which is the best?
As we can see, the list of options we can choose from is quite long. This way, each user can choose the tool that best suits their needs. If we had to choose for ourselves, in the free options, we would keep two. The first of these is FreeFileSync, a free and open source program that brings us everything we can find in software to synchronize folders, files and directories. Very easy to use, light and reliable to perform this task the old-fashioned way. But, if we want something more modern, that uses the latest technologies, we should give Syncthing a chance. This program will allow us to do the same, but from the point of view of P2P exchange networks. Ideal for synchronizing directories on computers and different units, but more difficult to configure.
Finally, in the payment alternatives, GoodSync seems to be the best option. A simple program, with an intuitive interface, that has the minimum we should look for in this type of program and, above all, that allows us to synchronize directories saved in the main clouds, a function that is not available in any of the options we have mentioned in this article and that assumes an important function to highlight especially if we want to back up all the data we store in the cloud.
What you should be looking for in these programs
The first thing we need to be clear about is the difference between backup, or backup, and folder synchronization. The first of these is in charge of packing the files we want to save to restore them, and the second (what these programs do) is to copy the data from one directory to another to have them replicated on both sites and to be able to use the ones we want.
An important aspect we should look for in this type of program is that it is compatible with all kinds of units and directories. We won’t always have to synchronize data between two folders located on internal hard drives, but we may also have to do so with external drives USB sticks and even network drives (for example, a NAS).
Another important factor we can take into account are the types of timing it offers. We won’t always have to copy the data as is, from one directory to another, but we might be more interested in bidirectional synchronization (i.e., between the two directories at the same time) so that changes in both are replicated in the others.
It is also necessary to evaluate the possibility of seeing a list with all the changes that will be made in each of the directories before making them, to check that everything is correct. An explorer, filters and an easy interface should also help us opt for one program or another to do the job.
Additional functions of these Programs
In addition, we must keep in mind that many of these applications we have told you about already present some very interesting additional functions and tools. Of course, everyone focused on working with files and folders that we stored on our internal and external hard drives. We’re talking about features that many of you use regularly, such as backup copies.
Also some of these applications offer us functions to share files and folders with other users through some of the specific protocols. Of course, all of this is complementary to file synchronization, which is what we’re really interested in on these very lines. However, we will constantly be working with a huge amount of unit content, so this is an aspect we should also take into account.
From there, we should also look at the different tools and synchronization modes supported. It is important to know that this can save us an enormous amount of time if we have the ability to set filters in said synchronization or configure the process as such to the maximum. As you can imagine, this becomes particularly obvious in the case where we will be using these applications all the time, which is increasingly common in professional environments.
