Best Free Folder Synchronization Utility

SyncroNaut from http://www.syncronaut.de is the very Best :)

I can't believe no one has mentioned File Synchronizer yet!

I have a large collection of music and video files on my PC, not to mention downloaded apps that I want to keep for later use. Due in part to the extremely lengthy process of ripping audio files to my PC, tagging them and naming them in the format that I prefer, and organizing my directory structure how I like it, I choose to keep a copy or two of the whole collection on one or two other hard drives for redundancy to minimize the chance of losing anything without having to use a RAID array. RAID certainly has its benefits, but for my purposes of keeping a copy of my files on an external hard drive it's not the best choice so until now I have chosen to try to keep the files between drives synchronized manually.

I wanted a utility that would make that process more efficient whenever I add more files to the collection. I've been searching for a good (and preferably free) application that would make this task as painless as possible, and as of this moment File Synchronizer works best for my purposes. I tried most of the ones mentioned here, and wasn't completely satisfied with any of them. Like a previous poster, I don't like programs that add extra files, so that ruled out SyncToy and Allway Sync (not to mention Allway's limitations under the free version). I liked ViceVersa FREE except for the fact that I couldn't manage to get it to sync files in subfolders -- only files in the root folder were analyzed. SyncBack normally does a great job, but I noticed it seemed to have problems when directory paths go too deep, causing the overall file name to be considered too long (other programs may have this problem too; I'm not sure).

So after all of these other programs either left database files behind or considered the directory structures to be equal when they weren't (a BAD thing in my case), I tried File Synchronizer and it worked like a charm the first time. It was able to successfully scan subfiles and subfolders and accurately alert me to any discrepancies. The GUI is clean and easy to understand, so I would have no hesitation recommending it to a novice. It might not have some features that power users might require, such as the ability to copy open system files (I haven't attempted that so I don't know...) but it seems to do a great job for what I want it to do. I'm not saying it's the best, but it's another option that I didn't see mentioned and it definitely deserves to be among the list of contenders here. Hopefully someone else will find it to be useful. I plan to use it along with SyncBack, which also does a great job for the most part, and see which one I prefer in the end.

You can get File Synchronizer here:
http://www.latshawsystems.com/ProductDetails_FileSynchronizer.aspx

I have tried all three suggested programs and found them all lacking in one way or another. Now I use Sync Expert and it works perfectly and far better than those recommended here.

This may not fit into the strict definition of syncing, but I use Karen Kenworthy's Replicator to keep the directories and files I want backed up 'in synch'. Replicator has a lot of control that you need to look at to appreciate, including scheduling, exclusions, recycle/delete, and other features. Good product, and free! http://www.karenware.com/powertools/powertools.asp

If you are using Unicode [non English] filenames and want to synchronize to FTP server supporting Unicode than SyncBack is the solution. Both GoodSync
and Allway Sync failed my test.

Interesting that no-one's mentioned Toucan. (Part of the portableapps range -- free and portable.)

It's not the most intuitive, perhaps -- it took me a little while to get used to the way the inclusion/exclusion rules are set -- but it's probably well worth a look if you haven't already found a solution that you're happy with.

(My favourite file synch tool ever was the one bundled with VCom's PowerDesk. One day, I'll find a standalone, free and preferably portable synch tool that works the same way...)

Toucan can be found here:
http://portableapps.com/apps/utilities/toucan

Allway sync, is great and working for me, im using it through FTP and for localback with Network share, both work just fine, for the people who couldnt use Allway sync, please check your settings again, it has a very good job detials section in which you can setthe options, there are some default options set may be thats why your first or second try wont work, just check the default job properties and use it accordingly, it should work.

I used to be a SyncBack user. Everytime I do a backup I got tons of error messages, most of them occur when I try to sync the C: drive, esp the Windows folder. Is it true that for an average user, it's better just to synchronize those files in D: and avoid to touch those sensitive systems files in C: ?

Thanks in advance.

I have the Pro version of Allway sync (v.8.1.0), I got it for it's automatic sync features (sync per day, sync on file change, sync when PC idle, etc). Just to let folks know, the automatic features don't work for me. I have to use MS scheduler to kick off the syncs. I've brought this problem to the attention of the developers several times (first time over a year ago) without resolution.

Also - I think GoodSync and Allway sync are the same product.

I don't like programs that litter my hard disk with database files. Synctoy and allwaysync do this.

I have been using syncback free for a while and it works reasonably well. However, one drawback is that if I do a 2-way sync set to 'prompt for missing source files'; then if the source has had folders deleted then syncback will recreate that those folders as empty, even if I tell it to delete the missing folders from the destination when prompted. In the FAQ/Help this is a known issue (won't be fixed).

The other bugbear is that if I move some folders and then resync, then syncback isn't clever enough to see that the "missing" folders have really been moved, even though all the relevant files/folders show up in the lists for the new source location and the old destination location.

SG

http://getdropbox.com/ , currently in Beta, but an awesome contender. You can sync files between not only multiple computers but multiple users (if you so choose), you can sync up to 2 gigs of data. All the process involves is a simple install and online setup. It is currently Invite only, and I have a few to share if anybody is interested...

Has anyone tried Comodo BackUp? What's the veredict?

http://backup.comodo.com/#

"SyncToy is limited to running only one folder pair at once."

This is false. Here's how to run all folder pairs:

- From the Start menu, select All Programs - Accessories - System Tools - Task Scheduler.
- Select Create Basic Task in the Actions pane on the right.
- Add a Name and Description and select Next.
- Choose when you want the task to start and select Next.
- Choose date/times (if applicable) to run task and select Next.
- Choose Start a Program option and select Next.
- Select Browse and locate the SyncToy.exe.
- Type "-R" in the Add Arguments textbox. –R all by itself will run all folder pairs that are active for run all.

You have to try AutoVer. To quote the developer's site linked below, it's "a configurable automatic or real time backup and personal versioning system. It can be used as a simple real time backup or as a more complex, but transparent version control system (like a realtime incremental backup). The beauty of this system is that once you set it up (which is extremely simple) it does everything."

http://beanland.net.au/AutoVer/

I use it and recommend it to all my clients.

GeneH @ http://genehuller.com

I'm once again looking at the synchonization options. I need:

*LOTS of files synchonized
*the ability to set up a job with several folders sets at once
*exclusions at the file and folder level.
- Just simple HDD to USB drive . . .

The problem with Allway was it crashed when merely logging the folders to do the exclusions - too many folders I guess. I I really only need to log a couple of levels of files. It is among the best so far in terms of interface, setup. The website says "Free for personal use synchronization software." http://allwaysync.com/features.html but they don't mean that, and you have to read the fine print. They should say something like "Free for limited personal use synchronization software"

I have also tried InSync (a commercial product), and would have bought it but for the lack of a beep when finished, and poor progress notification is poor. It has a great interface for making choices. (Interesting how little thngs are significant??)

Unison I think only does one pair of folders. And it is a little more complex to install if you are not a geek. ??

SyncBack (Free) is good. No progress bar either, just a small text indication, and NO beep on completion. But it has this function where you can set up folder pairs and then group them - cool!!. But no file exclusion.

I am prepared to buy when I find what I want.

Hi Ritho - take a look at Microsoft's RoboCopy. I was quite impressed when somebody pointed me at it. It's command line driven, so ideal in batch files, not a GUI at all. It's very good, fast, and there is a free GUI (RoboGUI?) available to create batch files to call it. I don't think it can backup/synch to another computer, I think it only syncs between folders / disks visible to a given computer, but it does that very well from my internal disk to an external USB disk, and allows automatically deleting files from the destination that no longer exist on the source.

Lately I've been using GoodSync http://www.goodsync.com/ because it can sync with an FTP folder directly. GoodSync seems to be closely related to Allway Sync because it picks up any Allway Sync jobs if it is already installed on the computer. Have not tested it fully yet but it is a much smaller download than Allway Sync and it seems to be easier on resources.

Like any synchronization program make sure you know exactly how the synchronization direction works or else you risk loosing all your files. At any rate, a synchronization program should not be relied upon soley for backup of important files - I learned that the hard way!

Unison...

http://www.cis.upenn.edu/~bcpierce/unison/

What about Tree Comp?

http://www.xs4all.nl/~lploeger/TreeComp3.htm

Excellent interface, works across network. Extremely easy to use.

I'm fine with DSynchronize v2.30.1 by Dimio http://dimio.altervista.org/eng/ It(s certainly not the best web designer. But his soft is very nice & easy