rsync vs Robocopy : Which is Better?

rsync icon

rsync

rsync is a utility for efficiently transferring and synchronizing files across computer systems, by checking the timestamp and size of files. Developed by Wayne Davison

License: Open Source

Apps available for Linux BSD Haiku

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Robocopy icon

Robocopy

Robocopy is a command-line directory and/or file replication tool. Developed by Microsoft

License: Free

Apps available for Windows

rsync VS Robocopy

Rsync is a versatile, cross-platform tool ideal for incremental backups and file syncing, while Robocopy is a Windows-native application that excels in robust file transfer with error recovery and multithreading. The choice between them largely depends on the operating system and specific use case requirements.

rsync

Pros:

  • Cross-platform compatibility (Linux, macOS, Windows)
  • Supports incremental backups
  • Efficient delta transfer algorithm
  • Can resume interrupted transfers
  • Flexible file selection and exclusion options

Cons:

  • Requires command line knowledge
  • No native GUI (third-party tools exist)
  • Linux/Unix-based systems may have compatibility issues with Windows

Robocopy

Pros:

  • Native to Windows, easy to use
  • Robust error recovery
  • Multithreading support for faster transfers
  • Supports copying of NTFS permissions and attributes
  • Can mirror entire directories easily

Cons:

  • Windows-only application
  • Limited to Windows file systems (NTFS)
  • Less flexibility in file selection compared to rsync

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