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FreeFileSync provides powerful folder comparison and synchronization features in an open-source package. It’s engineered for the highest performance and superior usability, featuring a streamlined interface that is neither restricted nor overloaded. This makes it an ideal high-performance file synchronization software.
FreeFileSync excels at synchronizing files between two folders or drives. You can either mirror two folders, creating an exact copy of the source folder, or perform two-way synchronization, which intelligently copies new or updated files in both directions, making it highly versatile and high-performance file synchronization software.
FreeFileSync offers robust support for Unicode and Networks, ensuring seamless operation across various environments. Its integrated synchronization database intelligently propagates deleted files and reliably detects conflicts. This high-performance file synchronization software supports multiple folder pairs, each with its own configuration, giving users maximum control and flexibility.
FreeFileSync provides full compatibility with advanced Windows file system structures, including Symbolic Links and Junction Points. Additionally, the program includes a specialized Update mode that efficiently copies only new or modified files, further enhancing its capabilities as a leading high-performance file synchronization software.
FreeFileSync Key Features:
- Detection of moved and renamed files
- Copy locked files using Windows Volume Shadow Copy Service. (Windows only)
- Support for multiple folder pairs with distinct configurations
- Compare files (byte-wise or by date) and synchronize them.
- Create Batch Jobs for automated synchronization with or without a GUI.
- Optimized performance with fully C++-based code.
- Transactional file copy
- Synchronization database for the propagation of deleted files and conflict detection
- Full support for Windows/Linux Symbolic Links and Windows Junction Points.
- Cross-Platform
- Full Unicode support.
- Native 32- and 64-bit builds
- Full network support.
- Offers native support for very long filenames that exceed the MAX_PATH limit of 260 characters.
- Copy NTFS alternate data streams, compressed, and encrypted file attributes.
- A streamlined, user-friendly interface that delivers only essential functionality without any feature bloat.
- Support for file sizes larger than 4 GB.
- The software lets you move files to the Recycle Bin instead of permanently deleting or overwriting them.
- Ignore directories “RECYCLER” and “System Volume Information” with the default filter.
- Delete before copying to avoid disk space shortages during large sync jobs.
- Filter functionality to include/exclude files from synchronization.
- Automatically handle daylight saving time changes on FAT/FAT32 volumes.
- The Portable is available (selectable during installation).
- Opt in for automatic online updates.
- Localized versions are available in many languages.
- Create recurring backups with macros %time%, %date% within directory names
- Copy file creation/modification times when synchronizing.
- An advanced locking strategy is designed to manage multiple synchronization processes among writers sharing the same network resource.
- Case-sensitive synchronization of file, directory, and symlink names
FreeFileSync – Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✓ Supports mirror, two-way, and update synchronization modes for flexible file backup and synchronization workflows. | ✗ The wide range of synchronization modes, filters, and filesystem options can require careful configuration for complex backup jobs. |
| ✓ It compares files by content or date and detects moved or renamed files, helping reduce unnecessary data transfers. | ✗ Two-way synchronization relies on its synchronization database for conflict detection and deleted-file propagation, adding another component to the workflow. |
| ✓ Provides advanced network and filesystem support, including Unicode, long filenames, symbolic links, junction points, and files larger than 4 GB. | ✗ Some advanced functionality is platform-specific, such as copying locked files through Windows Volume Shadow Copy Service. |
| ✓ Supports automated synchronization through batch jobs, recurring backups, filters, and multiple folder-pair configurations. | ✗ Users performing large synchronization jobs may need to configure filters and deletion behavior carefully to avoid transferring or removing unintended files. |
| ✓ Runs across Windows, macOS, and Linux, with native 32-bit and 64-bit builds and a portable option. | ✗ The software focuses specifically on file synchronization and backup rather than providing broader disk imaging or complete system recovery features. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is FreeFileSync free to use?
Yes. FreeFileSync is available as open-source software for file synchronization and backup tasks. It supports features such as folder comparison, mirror synchronization, two-way synchronization, and automated batch jobs.
What is the difference between FreeFileSync and SyncToy?
FreeFileSync is designed for folder comparison, synchronization, and backup across Windows, macOS, and Linux. SyncToy was a Windows-only synchronization utility, so FreeFileSync offers broader platform support and more advanced synchronization options.
Can FreeFileSync sync files between two computers?
Yes. It supports network locations and can synchronize folders between computers or other network-accessible storage. Its network support also works with multiple folder pairs and separate synchronization configurations.
Can FreeFileSync run automatically?
Yes. It supports batch jobs for automated synchronization and recurring backups. Batch jobs can run with or without the graphical interface, making them suitable for scheduled synchronization tasks.
What’s New in FreeFileSync 14.11:
Release Date 2026-08-10
- Fixed “TLS session resumption required” FTP error
- Log file time errors as “info” after comparing by file content
- Fixed tooltip not being updated during mouse scrolling (macOS, Linux)
- Fixed sluggy mouse scrolling during mouse movement (Linux)
- Skip ADS when failing to copy to ReFS (Windows)
- Updated translation files
Official Homepage – https://freefilesync.org
Supported Operating Systems:
- Microsoft Windows: Windows 11, 10, 8.1, 8, 7, Vista, XP
- Apple macOS: macOS 12, macOS 11, macOS 10.15, macOS 10.14, macOS 10.13, macOS 10.12, OS X 10.11, OS X 10.10
- Linux: Arch Linux, CentOS, Debian, Fedora, Manjaro, Mint, OpenSUSE, Ubuntu
