Syncthing vs rsync : Which is Better?

Syncthing icon

Syncthing

Syncthing replaces proprietary sync and cloud services with something open, trustworthy and decentralized. Developed by Jakob Borg

License: Open Source

Apps available for Mac OS X Windows Linux Android Android Tablet

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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

Syncthing VS rsync

Rsync is primarily a command-line tool designed for one-time or scheduled file synchronization, focusing on efficiency and configuration flexibility, while Syncthing provides real-time, peer-to-peer synchronization with a user-friendly interface, making it more suitable for continuous file syncing across multiple devices.

Syncthing

Pros:

  • Real-time synchronization
  • User-friendly interface
  • Peer-to-peer architecture
  • Automatic versioning of files
  • Cross-platform support

Cons:

  • Higher resource usage due to constant syncing
  • May require more network bandwidth
  • Setup can be complex for large networks
  • Dependency on a central server for larger networks
  • Limited backup capabilities compared to rsync

rsync

Pros:

  • Efficient file transfer with delta transfer algorithm
  • Supports incremental backups
  • Highly configurable via command line
  • Can work over SSH for secure transfers
  • Cross-platform support

Cons:

  • No real-time sync capabilities
  • Requires command line knowledge
  • Less user-friendly for beginners
  • Not designed for continuous sync
  • Higher configuration complexity

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