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rsync

Open source utility for fast incremental file transfer

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rsync is an open source file transfer program for Unix systems that uses the rsync algorithm to bring remote files into sync quickly by sending only the differences across the link, without requiring both sets of files to exist at one end beforehand. It is freely available under the GNU General Public License and is maintained by Andrew Tridgell.

The tool can update whole directory trees and filesystems, optionally preserving symbolic links, hard links, file ownership, permissions, devices, and times. It requires no special privileges to install, uses internal pipelining to reduce latency for multiple files, and supports rsh, ssh, or direct sockets as the transport, along with anonymous rsync for mirroring. It is distributed as a command-line tool with manpages for rsync, rsync-ssl, rsyncd.conf, and rrsync, and source tarballs are published for each release.

rsync is intended for Unix users and administrators who need to synchronize files between local and remote systems. It is released under the GNU General Public License, with no paid editions or usage-based plans described.

12 alternatives to rsync

Ranked by how well each tool replaces rsync: shared features, audience, price and popularity.

  1. Rclone

    Rclone syncs your files to cloud storage.

    Covers 0 of 12 key features.

    Open source
    58 out of 100 match—

  2. Syncthing

    A continuous file synchronization program that synchronizes files between two or more.

    Covers 0 of 12 key features.

    Free planOpen source
    57 out of 100 matchFree

  3. Sync-in

    Open-source platform for file storage, sharing, and collaboration.

    Covers 0 of 12 key features.

    Open source
    52 out of 100 match—

  4. rsnapshot

    Reliable rsync-based backup utility.

    Covers 0 of 12 key features.

    Free planOpen source
    52 out of 100 matchFree

  5. Duplicity

    Encrypted, bandwidth-efficient directory backup tool using the rsync algorithm

    Covers 0 of 12 key features.

    Free planOpen source
    50 out of 100 matchFree

  6. FreeFileSync

    Folder comparison and synchronization software that creates and manages backup copies of a

    Covers 0 of 12 key features.

    Free planOpen source
    49 out of 100 matchContact sales

  7. Syncovery

    File sync, backup, copy and migration software for local drives, network shares and cloud

    Covers 0 of 12 key features.

    Free plan
    48 out of 100 matchContact sales

  8. 2BrightSparks (SyncBack)

    SyncBack V12 offers reliable backup and synchronization.

    Covers 0 of 12 key features.

    Free plan
    48 out of 100 matchContact sales

  9. rdiff-backup

    Reverse differential backup tool, over a network or locally

    Covers 0 of 12 key features.

    Free planOpen source
    45 out of 100 matchFree

  10. Beyond Compare

    Change is inevitable, so manage it with the best tools

    Covers 0 of 12 key features.

    45 out of 100 match—

  11. SyncFolders

    SyncFolders is an easy tool to synchronize or backup your files and folders.

    Covers 0 of 12 key features.

    Free plan
    43 out of 100 matchFree

  12. Synchredible

    The simple solution to synchronise files, folders and entire drives.

    Covers 0 of 12 key features.

    42 out of 100 match—