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Best Mac File Sync Program?

Huntn

Huntn

macrumors Penryn
Original poster
May 5, 2008
24,298
27,409
The Misty Mountains
I was using Sync Mate from 2009-2015 until it stopped working reliably.

Then I used Good Synch from 2015 until present until they went to a subscription service. Now, I'm back to using Sync Mate which works, but is on the slow side, and when it syncs it has to check all of the files on both sides, where as I could have sworn at one point in time Good Synch kept a record and when you made a change on 1 side, it was very quick to update the other side. Except I'm using the older version (not the subscription version) and it no longer automatically syncs, I have to now tell it to synch and it checks all the files on both sides before synchonizing them.

I use folder to folder synching. So I thought I'd ask, what fie synch program do you use?
  • Is it fast?
  • With a small change does it update automatically?
  • Does it update fast or have to scan the entire folder?
  • Any other features I overlooked?
Thanks!
 
I use Freefilesync but I run syncs manually and has an option to track changes to speed up syncs. I use it since it is fast, reliable and free.

It does come with Realtimesync. Which should work as you want. I haven't messed with it much. As I only plug in a backup drive occasionally. The files I want synced between computers go on Onedrive.
 
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I'm a long time user of ChronoSync and have been entirely satisfied with it, but I don't use it particularly often and haven't compared to other apps. I'm pretty sure it's got a free demo.
 
velocityg4 said:
I use Freefilesync but I run syncs manually and has an option to track changes to speed up syncs. I use it since it is fast, reliable and free.

It does come with Realtimesync. Which should work as you want. I haven't messed with it much. As I only plug in a backup drive occasionally. The files I want synced between computers go on Onedrive.
Click to expand...
AppleSmack said:
Have a look at Chronosync, it's fast enough for me, and can monitor for file system changes.
Click to expand...
chrfr said:
I'm a long time user of ChronoSync and have been entirely satisfied with it, but I don't use it particularly often and haven't compared to other apps. I'm pretty sure it's got a free demo.
Click to expand...

Thanks guys I'll check these two programs out. One requirement I forgot to mention, no renting the software, ie subscription.
 
Could this be any help?
RsyncOSX - GitHub link

I've been keeping an eye on this, but Time Machine works ok for me at the moment. Edit.. and I haven't used CCC in a while now - I have version 4 and now I can certainly see that paying for CCC 5 is not on my schedule despite the generous disounted upgrade price.

Anyone with experience in using rsync and RsyncOSX ?

RsyncGUI on MacAppStore
 
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Stay far away from Sync Mate by Eltima Software.

Note that I said I used Sync Mate before. This was when there were actually people in the US (10 years ago) I could talk to on a Customer Support line. I had used the program before and so I purchased it on Saturday because there was no trial. I guess that should have been a warning and I ended up messaging with a guy with a Russian name. Now I don't want to appear prejudice, I'm sure not all Russians are bad or good, whatever. Anyway, it appears that the company or product has changed hands since I last owned it.

Anyway I installed it and ran a synch on a 82GB folder with a folder on an external drive. First it was slow, and then it bogged down, and I got a spinning wheel. After 15 minutes I forced quit the program and then I discovered that my synch folders were all messed up. I ended up erasing one of them, and then transferring the 82 GB back over to it. I have two such folders and it took about an hour to fix.

Then I immediately put in a ticket for a refund (no phone number), and instead of a "we stand by our product happiness guarantee" I've been getting excuses that what I described does not qualify for a refund and they want me to jump through their tech hoops to prove that the issue was with their software. I flagged the purchase on Discover and filed a dispute. There is a order/brokerage house in Georgia called 2COCOM who took the payment, has a phone, but no one answers. Fingers crossed Discover Card will them them to jump off a cliff. $35 won't kill me, just a lessoned learned.

I also discovered a program on the Mac App Store called Sync Folders which is free, and there is also a pro version for
$9.00 that has more capabilities, but the basic free program seems to work just fine and it includes real time synch. I'm getting the nerve up to try it with the big folder. ;)

I'll also look at Chronosync, thanks @rhett7660. :)

allan.nyholm said:
Could this be any help?
RsyncOSX - GitHub link

I've been keeping an eye on this, but Time Machine works ok for me at the moment. Edit.. and I haven't used CCC in a while now - I have version 4 and now I can certainly see that paying for CCC 5 is not on my schedule despite the generous disounted upgrade price.

Anyone with experience in using rsync and RsyncOSX ?

RsyncGUI on MacAppStore
Click to expand...
I think that's more complicated than I want;.
 
GoodSync v10 should still work just fine on Catalina. I, too, am disgusted by the fact that they went subscription only with v11 and am going to have to replace my three active licenses sooner or later. But at the time being the non-subscription version is still fully supported and still works just like it did before, including automatic and triggered sync. I have a bunch of jobs synchronizing folders across networks, drives, etc. and it all works beautifully in the background without me having to intervene.

FYI, in mid May I got in touch with the developers and received the following statement:

We will do maintenance releases of GoodSync v10 for about 6 months. Then it will be completely switched to ver 11. We will continue support of the latest version of GoodSync v10 for some time (probably for a few years).

Which means you have about until the end of this year, although I would not count on them releasing an update for v10 should that one not work with macOS 10.16 any longer. There will also be no way to purchase a perpetual GoodSync v11 license through back channels, and while you can convert your v10 licenses to v11 licenses for free the software will stop working entirely after a year unless you decide to bite the bullet and pay the subscription fee of $30 per year.
 
I've been using what use to be BitTorrent Sync which now Resillo Sync for years and have been quite happy with it. I never upgraded mine and I just saw (via website), that it's now a monthly plan, which I don't use.
 
Just an update. I've was looking through Freefilesync. Apparently you can setup batch jobs and even automate them via Automator. I've just been running manual syncs. As that's my preferred method. This could better fit @Huntn requirements. It gives powerful folder sync options and allows automation.
 
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mj_ said:
GoodSync v10 should still work just fine on Catalina. I, too, am disgusted by the fact that they went subscription only with v11 and am going to have to replace my three active licenses sooner or later. But at the time being the non-subscription version is still fully supported and still works just like it did before, including automatic and triggered sync. I have a bunch of jobs synchronizing folders across networks, drives, etc. and it all works beautifully in the background without me having to intervene.

FYI, in mid May I got in touch with the developers and received the following statement:

We will do maintenance releases of GoodSync v10 for about 6 months. Then it will be completely switched to ver 11. We will continue support of the latest version of GoodSync v10 for some time (probably for a few years).

Which means you have about until the end of this year, although I would not count on them releasing an update for v10 should that one not work with macOS 10.16 any longer. There will also be no way to purchase a perpetual GoodSync v11 license through back channels, and while you can convert your v10 licenses to v11 licenses for free the software will stop working entirely after a year unless you decide to bite the bullet and pay the subscription fee of $30 per year.
Click to expand...
I need to check which version of Good Sync that I have, I think v10, and although auto backup is selected, it no longer does that. I have to do a manual synch which still works.

What I really like about Good Symch is that it displays a file list and what is being updated.

I have the free version of Synch Folders (from the App Store) that I’m evaluating.
 
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Synch Folders (App)- Available in the App Store, failed my evaluation. The free version only allows you to create one task. The pro-version allows multiple tasks. It claims to have both "real time synch" and "auto synch" although I'm not sure exactly what the difference is between these two modes. I set the program up with first "real time synch" but no auto action happened (with a file change) and then turned on "auto synch", but it will not initiate an auto synch based on changes in the synch folder.

I sent an email to customer support, the guy might be Russian, and I noticed the support form used "google translator" so there could be language issues. Anyway it's been two days and no response from the dev. I've asked for a refund through Apple. Cheap solutions thought the Apple App Store are appealing, but only if they actually work. ;)
Morgenland said:
AppStore: OneWaySync (straight-forward for external Backups)
Click to expand...
I'll look at this... Thanks
 
I have discovered ProSync in the App Store. It costs $12, stand alone no subscription, is simple to use and so far works well for large folders (90GB) and includes auto sync upon a file change in target folder.

apps.apple.com

‎ProSync

‎ProSync is a powerful file synchronizer with the ability to monitor file changes on your system for highly efficient updates. Yet it remains very simple to use: choose a pair of folders and click a button to start copying. Its orderly file operations queue also make it a perfect tool for...
apps.apple.com
 
After using ProSync for 2 week, purchased at the Mac App Store, no subscription. I'm pleased with it. I have it set so whenever I change a document, it auto synchs, a message pops up at the start and another message when it's finished synching the folders. It seems peppy. I have 3 different folder pairs I keep synchronized. :D
 
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How well does it work synchronizing network shares over slow (aka one Atlantic ocean in-between) connections, any idea? Or are you limiting yourself to synchronizing just local folders?
 
I just want to note that while ChronoSync is one of the most expensive options, it does a lot more than just sync data. . .

It is also a powerful backup tool that can create not only versioned backups but also bootable duplicates (including versioned bootable duplicates). It can also store backups on Amazon S3 or Google Cloud servers.

The cost of ChronoSync looks a lot better when you consider that it can replace other backup programs with fewer features but that are similar in cost.
 
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That's great if you're actually looking for a one size fits all software suite that does folder sychronization, versioned backups, bootable duplicates, breakfast toast, automatic tire inflation, manual HVAC maintenance, and even offers rudimentary babysitting features should the need arise spontaneously. If, however, you happen to be looking for a simple file and folder synchronization software it may be a bit overkill, don't you think?

I am surprised that GoodSync v10 (latest version released in May of 2020, v10.11.7.7) still seems to be working fine on Big Sur. No major issues yet, and I haven't been forced to abandon the software just yet. I may have to very soon with Monterey but as we speak it is still running great. Mostly, that it is. It does lose its license on my M1 Air every time I reboot, which means that I have to login online, disable the license, and then reassign it anew. That's a minor complaint though.
 
Have you guys tested any more on this topic and found a good working software?

syncmate need more control over your google account than i am comfortable with.
cyberduck totaly sucks
goodsync sucks
odrive very very very expensive
FreeFileSync best of the worst I get about 2-40Mbit on a 500Mbit connection.

Help me, i am getting so crazy about this.
 
Nah i am done, I tested to much software and all sucked. Obvisly Google wants us to use there software, all the rest was to slow.

I know it is alot of folders and files, but I got 500Mbit connection. Need to go much faster. Not 1Mbit.

Now i am testing icloud instead, lets see if its faster.

(I have el capitan and cant upgrade, that is the real problem.)

This make me so angry!
 
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