With the development of network technology, our demand for file synchronization and backup is also becoming stronger. While various web disk services provide us with convenience, they also bring a lot of restrictions and risks in terms of speed, security and privacy. There are many cloud synchronization solutions, such as Seafile and Nextcloud, which are feature-rich but bulky and difficult to deploy cloud disk programs. But if we only need to synchronize files, then a better choice is Syncthing. In comparison, it is lighter, easier to deploy and use, more secure, and especially has faster file transfer.

Syncthing is a free, open-source and P2P-based file synchronization tool (server + client) for all modern operating systems, originally created by Jakob Borg in 2013, using Go. It can sync files between devices on a local network, or between remote devices over the Internet, using its unique equally free Block Exchange Protocol. It’s designed with data security and privacy safety in mind.

Syncthing’s synchronization process is decentralized. It does not go through a central server, so it is not subject to the limitations (bandwidth, speed, security, etc.) imposed by a central server. And similar to the torrent protocol, the more devices involved in the synchronization, the faster the synchronization. For privacy issues, Syncthing only stores data on personally trusted devices, not on any third-party servers. In terms of security, it uses TLS to communicate between devices, uses full forward secrecy to further secure data, and supports file synchronization between devices on different LANs.

There are many applications for self-built web drives and cloud storage services, such as Seafile, Nextcloud, ownCloud, Resilio Sync (BitTorrent Sync), etc. Syncthing has its own very special advantages (the best feature is that it uses P2P distributed technology similar to Resilio Sync), so it is touted as one of the best free and open-source alternatives to services like Resilio Sync and Dropbox.

// Key Features //

Feature	Description
Private	None of your data is ever stored anywhere else other than on your computers. There is no central server that might be compromised, legally or illegally.
Encrypted	All communication is secured using TLS. The encryption used includes perfect forward secrecy to prevent any eavesdropper from ever gaining access to your data.
Authenticated	Every device is identified by a strong cryptographic certificate. Only devices you have explicitly allowed can connect to your other devices.
Open Protocol	The protocol is a documented specification — no hidden magic.
Open Source	All source code is available on GitHub — what you see is what you get, there is no hidden funny business.
Open Development	Any bugs found are immediately visible for anyone to browse — no hidden flaws.
Open Discourse	Development and usage is always open for discussion.
Powerful	Synchronize as many folders as you need with different people or just between your own devices.
Portable	Configure and monitor Syncthing via a responsive and powerful interface accessible via your browser. Works on Mac OS X, Windows, Linux, FreeBSD, Solaris, OpenBSD, and many others. Run it on your desktop computers and synchronize them with your server for backup.
Simple	Syncthing doesn’t need IP addresses or advanced configuration: it just works, over LAN and over the Internet. Every machine is identified by an ID. Give your ID to your friends, share a folder and watch: UPnP will do if you don’t want to port forward or you don’t know how.

// Related Links //

• Syncthing Started Guide
• Syncthing F.A.Q.

// Download URLs //

License	Version	Download	Size
Freeware	Latest	(mir)	n/a

(Homepage | GitHub)