FreeFileSync V3.8    Suggested by bassiliin - Updated by webfork on 27 Jul 2010 7MB (uncompressed) - Popularity score (5641) Website - Screenshot - Download - Comments (42) - Post comment - Permalink

Posted comments:

 Shodan: I have tried a lot of file sync utilities and this is one of the very best. Give it a try! [2009-02-19 08:33]

 Gmacri: I downloaded and tried but I think this program now need more work. May be will be a good Sync program in a next future.
Not now. [2009-02-21 15:18]

 Aiadi: Solid as a rock. Previously only DSynchronise was close in terms of reliability (having tried a whole load of free and paid-for software). Super easy to use and runs flawlessly. The one thing I would wish for is the ability to automate running various configuration profiles or batch files. I,ve done so by creating a .bat file to run all the batches and can't really complain. Thanks to the author for this little gem. [2009-02-22 08:56]

 brett: Good Software!! I couldn't find a way to handle deleted files. Any time a file was deleted, it was recreated when the sync process was enabled. [2009-03-03 14:24]

 Winson Cheung: FreeFileSync is truly a fantastic program and it is portable too. I install it on an USB stick.
I had been using Syncback for over 5 years. I found that FreeFileSync is the only open source freeware that can match the paid version of Syncback software in terms of speed in handling folders with huge number of files (up to 30Gb). It runs perfectly in Windows XP sp2. I shall try it out on Vista soon. Its web site says FreeFileSync can run in Linux as well. Many thanks to the author Mr. ZenJu. I am sure this software will in time become an extremely popular download. [2009-03-28 11:47]

 Heebeejeebee: The sync utility is awesome and totally FREE. I used many proprietary sync programs before but now that FFS is here I'm sticking with it. The author is very friendly, just like what Roger says. [2009-06-16 10:31]

 sirfelix: I have been using ViceVersa forever. Can anyone out there compare this app to VV? I'm happy with VV so far. [2009-06-24 17:07]

 Aiadi: Yep. That is more like it now. the DST change fix in v1.19 and the other changes to the GUI puts FreeFileSync at the top of the sync software pile once again. Many thanks to the author for the great work. [2009-06-28 12:55]

 Steve: Simply the best file synch software I have ever used and I've tried them all. [2009-07-10 20:20]

 Aiadi: In addition to my first wish that running different profiles is to be automated and after thoroughly testing the new release, I would also wish that an action could be added (without making this nice program another bloated and complicated process -one of its greatest attractions is the ease of use-) to be able to decide on what to do when the newly added "conflict" status arise. Still agree with others that this is the best file sync software out there. [2009-07-12 09:56]

 sarlacc: This free sync program is the best! No need for commercial products anymore after discovering this. Been using for few months now. Never gonna look back! With each new release speed has increased with new features. [2009-07-15 18:37]

 Ola S: If only a mirror is needed. I recommend "ICE Mirror" for it's simplicity and Speed.
http://www.ice-graphics.com/ICEMirror/IndexE.html [2009-10-17 14:06]

 George ALEFantes: That can I, Sir Felix. I have worked with Vice Versa and Free File Sync. There is no comparison. Free File Sync is one of finest and most important applications ever written. It works perfectly and handles a critically important computer function that too few people do. Vice Versa had at least one fatal flaw that was insurmountable. If folders had to be created on the destination side, they were created in all lower case, regardless of the case of the source side. Consequently, the subsequent compare always failed. Their tech support was supposedly unaware of the problem, could not resolve it, and eventually avoided further contact. Free File Sync is as good as it gets. [2009-10-21 09:32]

 Roberto: At a first sight it seemed a very good sync software, but under a more relevant test, over a large directory of image files, it failed: it showed the directories as synchronized but some files were not overwritten.

Other improvement needed: the "ignore errors" feature does not really ignore the error and continue the synchronization, but just ignore the files, not synchronizing them!!! You have to manually change the flag for each single file. You can drag and drop for multiple selection, but this is limited to the window height, you cannot change the status of all errors with a single click.
So, for me, at the current status, it is unuseful and I have deleted it. Hope I will be able to test a better version. [2009-10-24 12:59]

 RegularPortableFreewareUser: The batch script function on this program is very handy too. It's totally great for bidirectional syncs even across multiple disks and partitions. Thanks to the creator of this useful tool for saving time backing up data. Also the multiple display modes are quite useful for figuring out what exactly what needs to stay or go. [2009-10-24 16:03]

 Aiadi: @ Roberto. I've been using it since the early versions to synchronise more than a terabyte of data on my 3 external HDs and it never failed me once. You must be doing something wrong. [2009-10-24 18:53]

 Gmacri: Version 3.1 now! [2009-10-27 12:57]

 Mad-Max: @Roberto
>it showed the directories as synchronized but some files were not overwritten.
> ignore errors" feature does not really ignore the error and continue the synchronization,

Well, that's the very DEFINITION of ignoring errors: Let's say target drive (USB-stick) is write-protected. Do you expect the tool to ignore the error and still overwrite the files? Nonsense.

> but this is limited to the window height
No, you can drag and drop all the way down, if you hold the mouse. Alternatively simply use right-click context menu.

> you cannot change the status of all errors with a single click.
Right, you need two clicks. That's unmanageable...

The only thing that's to blame is that not all features are 100% documented. But that's mostly covered by it's simplicity. [2009-10-27 13:26]

 Ricardo: Hi. In version 3 I noticed that volume shadow copy was activated and it worked very well for Vista, but now I have windows 7 and it doesn't work anymore. Do you know where can I find a version of shadow.dll that works with windows 7? Apart from that the prgram is superb. [2009-11-04 18:50]

 mrblister: kicked it, as I noticed online activity [2009-12-14 09:05]

 Mr X.: @mrblister: Better read the popup at start! It asks whether it shall check for automatic updates... difficult without online access [2009-12-14 11:44]

 Aiadi: This little gem keeps getting better and better with every release. I love the fact that different actions can be assigned to various folder pairs now. All I would ask for is the ability to easily re-arrange the folders pairs in a way to change their sync priority (i.e move that pair up or down the list of priority without having to delete and reconfigure the whole folders tree). [2009-12-14 14:01]

 jxf011: Great program! 3.2 now copies locked files on Win7 x64; dev is very responsive. [2009-12-14 15:55]

 Sync: If you change a folders or a files capitalisation this program doesn’t notice it. So renaming .mp3 titles would be missed.

Eg.

New Folder to new folder is seen as same.

Song Title and song title would also be seen as same. [2009-12-15 01:02]

 CodesAway: @Sync, file names on Windows computers are case-insensitive, so "New Folder" is identical to "new folder".

As a test, create a file named "a.txt". Then, try to create a file named "a.TXT" or "A.txt" - you can't, since a file with the same name already exists.

What is it that you are trying to do, but can't? There might be a way to change the sync options to perform the requested operation. [2009-12-16 19:17]

 w3Rm: I would like to see the excluded items shown in the list (like in GoodSync) and with filter buttons, instead of using the check boxes in the filter box.
Would be very nice to Expand and Colapse folders. It's very anoying to scroll through my 27563 files eveytime, just to remove a folder from the sync.
Also, even if multiple folders is allowed to be compared, the filters for each folder as to be written by hand. It would be nice to have some way of assigning a filter to a pair particular pair of comparing folders.
However, this is the best free sync software I found, and I tested a LOT of them. The Portable version is a true GEM. Better than this one is just GoodSync, but you have to pay to get the full version. [2010-01-01 02:14]

 Bizz: It is a great Software yet there is one nagging problem That I cannot figure out
Error:\
Please fill all empty directory fields.
(You can ignore the error to consider not existing directories as empty.)
What is this wanting me to do? [2010-01-05 22:50]

 Aiadi: @Bizz: it looks like it means you have either left the source or destination folders' fields empty and unfilled in which case you should choose one. It could also mean that the source or destination folders do not exist in which case you should ignore the error and FFS will create them according to your sync configuration. [2010-01-07 20:42]

 Don: @Bizz

I had the same problem as you and I think I know what you're doing to cause the error, because I was doing the same thing too. The program saves any folder pairs you setup the moment you drag the pair. You don't need to hit the + in the green circle to save it. If you click that button you're telling the program you want to add an additional folder pair. Just leave the very last folder pair you create in the top entry box and it will stay there when you close the program.

It's a rather un-intuitive since it's the user's natural inclination to want to "save" the folder pair as it looks like in the application that the folder pair won't save when it is in the top entry box. It certainly is a hastle to have a saved folder pair that can be erased by a stray file-drag. :( [2010-01-14 00:44]

 wolssiloa: I love this program. It's the best file syncher out there and the fact it is open source makes it better. Now with a x64 version it is superior to anything else out there. [2010-02-04 03:01]

 noaven: hey is this one better than toucan??? [2010-02-10 11:02]

 noaven: oh well just finished 2 big Sync's and find out my self ;p!!!
Looks way better and faster than toucan !!
also in this 1 the directory/file exclusion really works!! [2010-02-10 16:01]

 Henk: Great software! Works like dream - love it! [2010-02-14 18:16]

 Banshee: If you want simplicity I recommend pathsync, each time a 'new' alternative comes out I always try it, and I always go back to pathsync.... [2010-03-04 09:35]

 Nick: Quick question/point of interest. When the sync tool is running (ie the green processing icon loads in the systray) my app loses focus for the duration. Example, I am typing an email in my mail client and whilst typing the auto sync fires. In this moment my mail app loses focus and every key I press just makes a system error beep. As soon as the sync is finished (ie just the red icon is left in the tray) my mail app gets the focus back.

Very annoying, how to stop it? [2010-03-04 10:58]

 abelau: noaven...

FreeFileSync seems to have better functionality than Toucan, at least for the purpose I'm using it with...

Toucan basically can't propagate deletion from any one side to another because it does not index the file. e.g. if you delete some files on the source directory, and delete some other files on the destination directory, you will find a very hard time to get everything in sync again in Toucan! [2010-03-09 04:23]

 50-1-50.com: FreeFileSync Rox!!! The easiest Copy/Mirror/Auto-Update FREE program I have ever used. What else can I say... [2010-03-10 04:36]

 Fabien Fetter: Stupid question, but can't I run it in service mode so it periodically compares and sync ? I don't want to have to run the tool every time I've changed something on one side or the other.
Note : I'm in a mode where I want to insure data from my laptop and my NAS are synchronized...
Thks [2010-03-23 07:06]

 Eddie: Newest version 3.5 has fixed the Automatic mode where true sync is seemly working perfectly now. No more 'delete' files coming up in the list. FFS is truly the best sync and becoming better with each new upgrade. Yes, I've tried about 20 sync programs and FFS beats them all. [2010-03-28 04:07]

 Brent: I would really like to see an email notification capability built into FreeFileSync with options to send an email if errors are found or even if successful. It is too awkward to try and do it in a batch file. (WinXP) [2010-05-19 22:28]

 Zandy: Keeps 7 laptops (diff keyboards US, UK and It), each backed up twice, all synced 100%: used with Q-dir portable http://www.softwareok.com/?Download=Q-Dir&goto=../Download/Q-Dir_Portable.zip to save many hours + much sanity. [2010-06-20 22:11]

 Midas: I reckon this really is a fine app, but I just can't get used to that interface. if the developer reads this, could something be done about this -- smaller buttons, a little more conventional visual cues, and so on? TiA [2010-06-21 10:46]

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