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FreeFileSync Source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FreeFileSync

Initial releaseAugust 2008; 16 years ago (2008-08)
Stable release
14.3 / 27 March 2025; 2 months ago (27 March 2025)
Operating systemWindows, Linux, macOS
PlatformIA-32, x86-64
TypeFile synchronization utility
LicenseGNU General Public License v3
Websitewww.freefilesync.org

FreeFileSync is a program used for file synchronization. It is available on Windows, Linux and macOS. The project is backed by donations. Donors get access to a Donation Edition that contains a few additional features such as an auto-updater, parallel sync, portable version, and silent installation.[1] FreeFileSync has received positive reviews.[2][3] FreeFileSync is available free of charge for personal use; the official Windows installer requires the users to accept the terms of use, which state that for business use they are required to purchase a business edition version of the application.

FreeFileSync works by comparing one or multiple folders on their content, date or file size and subsequently synchronizing the content according to user-defined settings. In addition to supporting local file systems and network shares, FreeFileSync is able to sync to Google Drive, FTP, FTPS, SFTP and MTP devices.

Adware/malware

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Earlier versions were packaged with OpenCandy,[4][5] an adware module which many antivirus software vendors classify as malware.[6][7][8][9]

Since the release of version 10.0 in April 2018, the software is ad-free.[10] In November 2018 Norton wrongly considered FreeFileSync installer as a malware and blocked its installation.[11]

Supported operating systems

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FreeFileSync is available for 32bit and 64bit operating systems. As of July 2024 the then current version 13.7 of FreeFileSync supported the following operating systems and versions:[12]

  • Windows 11 down to Windows 7.
  • macOS 14.0 "Sonoma" down to Mac OS X 10.10 "Yosemite".
  • On Linux, many well-known distributions are supported. The website cites Arch Linux, CentOS, Debian, Fedora, Manjaro, Mint, openSUSE and Ubuntu.

Older operating systems

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Support for Windows Vista and XP ended with FreeFileSync_v10.11. The latest release compatible with Mac OS X 10.7.5 is FreeFileSync_8.4_Mac_OS_X. Older versions are still available on the project website.[13]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "FAQ: Donation Edition". freefilesync.org.
  2. ^ O'Neill, Mark (29 August 2012). "Compare and synchronize PC files easily with FreeFileSync". pcworld.com. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
  3. ^ "FreeFileSync: App Reviews, Features, Pricing & Download". alternativeto.net. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
  4. ^ Akerlund, Geoff (10 March 2014), FreeFileSync comes bundled with the OpenCandy malware, and there's no option to not install it., Backup Review, retrieved 2 February 2018
  5. ^ Richards, Gizmo (16 April 2017), Controversial Advertising Program Now Being Embedded in More Software, Tech Support Alert, retrieved 2 February 2018
  6. ^ PUP.Optional.OpenCandy, Malwarebytes, retrieved 3 February 2018
  7. ^ OpenCandy, Sophos, retrieved 3 February 2018
  8. ^ ADW_OPENCANDY, Trend Micro, retrieved 3 February 2018
  9. ^ Virustotal analyses of OpenCandy, Virus Total, retrieved 3 February 2018
  10. ^ Brinkmann, Martin (3 May 2018). "FreeFileSync 10.0 updates removes ads from installer". ghacks.net. Retrieved 30 May 2018.
  11. ^ "My virus scanner/firewall shows a scary warning. Is there a virus, malware, or trojan?". freefilesync.org.
  12. ^ List of supported operating systems https://freefilesync.org/faq.php#operating-systems
  13. ^ Archive of old versions of the software https://freefilesync.org/archive.php
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