[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":243},["ShallowReactive",2],{"en-post-138":3},{"id":4,"title":5,"body":6,"description":12,"extension":236,"meta":237,"navigation":238,"path":239,"seo":240,"stem":241,"__hash__":242},"content/post/138.md","138",{"type":7,"value":8,"toc":224},"minimark",[9,13,18,21,25,59,63,88,91,95,147,150,154,157,161,194,198,201,205,208],[10,11,12],"p",{},"Photos, project files, and code repositories feel risky when stored in only one place. FreeFileSync is a free, open source folder comparison and sync tool that finds the difference between source and target first, then moves only the necessary data, avoiding a full copy every time. This guide explains what it is, how to use it, and why mirror mode demands a clear look at the target, including how to schedule hands-off backups.",[14,15,17],"h2",{"id":16},"what-is-freefilesync","What Is FreeFileSync",[10,19,20],{},"FreeFileSync is a free, open source folder comparison and synchronization tool for Windows, macOS, and Linux, released under GPL. It helps users create and manage backup copies of important files across local disks, external drives, network shares, SFTP, cloud storage, and NAS. Its core idea is to compare source and target folders clearly, then transfer only the minimum necessary data, avoiding a full copy each time. It suits individuals and professionals who back up photos, project files, code repositories, and server data on a schedule. The current stable release is 14.13 (2026-10-16). By showing the exact differences before anything moves, it turns a scary bulk copy into a reviewed, deliberate step. It is the kind of tool you set up once and then trust for years of quiet backups.",[14,22,24],{"id":23},"features","Features",[26,27,28,32,35,38,41,44,47,50,53,56],"ul",{},[29,30,31],"li",{},"Folder comparison. Compare both sides by size, timestamp, or content, showing new, updated, deleted, and conflicting items before sync.",[29,33,34],{},"Multiple sync modes. Two way, Mirror, Update, and custom rules cover backup, migration, and archiving.",[29,36,37],{},"Real-time sync. The companion RealTimeSync watches a folder and triggers a preset sync when files change.",[29,39,40],{},"Many targets. Beyond local disks, it supports SFTP, network shares, and Google Drive.",[29,42,43],{},"Batch and automation. Save configuration as an .ffs_batch file and run it from Task Scheduler for unattended backup.",[29,45,46],{},"Visualization and reports. Differences are shown graphically, and a statistics report is produced after sync to reduce mistakes.",[29,48,49],{},"Conflict handling. When the same file changed on both sides, FreeFileSync flags it instead of silently overwriting, so you decide.",[29,51,52],{},"Command line mode. Run the same comparison and sync from a terminal or script, not just the GUI, for headless servers.",[29,54,55],{},"Launcher and tray. Start a saved job with one click from the tray, skipping the full window.",[29,57,58],{},"Exclusion and filters. Skip temp files, node_modules, or thumbnails with name or size rules so backups stay lean.",[14,60,62],{"id":61},"how-to-use","How to Use",[64,65,66,76,79,82,85],"ol",{},[29,67,68,69,75],{},"Install. Open ",[70,71,72],"a",{"href":72,"rel":73},"https://freefilesync.org/download.php",[74],"nofollow",", download the Windows installer (for example FreeFileSync_14.13_Windows_Setup.exe), and double-click to install. RealTimeSync installs along with it.",[29,77,78],{},"Compare. Enter the source on the left and target on the right, then click Compare to see differences.",[29,80,81],{},"Choose mode. Pick Two way, Mirror, or Update at the top; colors mark the actions.",[29,83,84],{},"Sync. After confirming, click Start to copy only the changed files.",[29,86,87],{},"Save batch. Save as batch job (.ffs_batch) to run later from the command line or Task Scheduler.",[10,89,90],{},"Before the first real run, do a Compare only and read the action list; it is the cheapest way to catch a wrong target folder. For a recurring job, hand the .ffs_batch to Task Scheduler with a daily trigger and let it run while you sleep.",[14,92,94],{"id":93},"supported-platforms","Supported Platforms",[96,97,98,111],"table",{},[99,100,101],"thead",{},[102,103,104,108],"tr",{},[105,106,107],"th",{},"Platform",[105,109,110],{},"Support",[112,113,114,123,131,139],"tbody",{},[102,115,116,120],{},[117,118,119],"td",{},"Windows",[117,121,122],{},"Installer includes RealTimeSync",[102,124,125,128],{},[117,126,127],{},"macOS",[117,129,130],{},"Native installer",[102,132,133,136],{},[117,134,135],{},"Linux",[117,137,138],{},"Installer and source",[102,140,141,144],{},[117,142,143],{},"Targets",[117,145,146],{},"Local disk, SFTP, network share, Google Drive",[10,148,149],{},"FreeFileSync provides a native installer on each desktop OS, and on Windows the RealTimeSync companion is included so real-time mirroring needs no extra download. The same batch file runs unchanged across operating systems, which helps when you back up a Windows workstation and a Mac laptop with one playbook. Cloud and SFTP targets use your existing credentials, so no new account is created by the tool itself.",[14,151,153],{"id":152},"pricing","Pricing",[10,155,156],{},"FreeFileSync is free for personal use under GPL. Businesses that need commercial use must buy the FreeFileSync Business license for deployment and commercial rights. The free edition for personal backup is not deliberately stripped down. Donations and Business sales fund development, and the installer stays free of bundled adware, which is rare for backup tools. A clean installer matters because backup tools often ask for deep system access, so you want to trust the vendor.",[14,158,160],{"id":159},"use-cases","Use Cases",[26,162,163,166,169,172,175,178,191],{},[29,164,165],{},"Regular backup. Sync photos, documents, and code to an external drive or NAS to avoid single-point loss.",[29,167,168],{},"Incremental sync. Transfer only changed files, so even large folders finish fast.",[29,170,171],{},"Real-time guard. Use RealTimeSync to watch a working folder and back up the moment a file changes.",[29,173,174],{},"Cross-machine archive. Keep materials consistent between office and home PCs.",[29,176,177],{},"Versioned history. Mirror into date-stamped folders so a bad edit is recoverable from yesterday's copy.",[29,179,180,181,185,186,190],{},"Cautions. Mirror or Two way can delete extra target files by rule, so confirm target contents before running. Cloud targets need correct proxy and credentials. Batch files hold paths and rules, so mind permissions. For OneDrive sync, also see ",[70,182,184],{"href":183},"/post/63/","How to Use OneDrive",". For a full disk move, also see ",[70,187,189],{"href":188},"/post/56/","Move Your System to a New SSD Without Reinstalling",".",[29,192,193],{},"Offsite copy. Combine two sync jobs, one to a local disk and one to a NAS, for the classic 3-2-1 rule.",[14,195,197],{"id":196},"how-it-works","How It Works",[10,199,200],{},"FreeFileSync is led by German developer Zenju as a long-maintained open source project under GPL, with code available from the official site and GitHub. It scans both folders, computes a difference set by your chosen method, and then applies only the needed copy, update, or delete operations. It grows users through the free edition and monetizes via the Business license, a personal-open-source-plus-license model that keeps the free edition full and gives businesses compliance. The software itself carries no ads, and installation stays clean. A small, focused tool that does one job well tends to survive longer than a sprawling suite, which is why FreeFileSync has stayed relevant for years.",[14,202,204],{"id":203},"conclusion","Conclusion",[10,206,207],{},"If you want a sync tool that backs up by difference and runs unattended on a schedule, FreeFileSync is a solid choice. It compares clearly, offers complete modes, and teams with Task Scheduler for hands-off backup. Save your first batch job tonight and your future self will thank you. A one-click backup that you actually trust is worth more than a fancy dashboard you never open. Download and official resources below.",[10,209,210,211,214,215,219,220],{},"Official download ",[70,212,72],{"href":72,"rel":213},[74],"\nRelease archive ",[70,216,217],{"href":217,"rel":218},"https://freefilesync.org/archive.php",[74],"\nWebsite ",[70,221,222],{"href":222,"rel":223},"https://freefilesync.org",[74],{"title":225,"searchDepth":226,"depth":226,"links":227},"",2,[228,229,230,231,232,233,234,235],{"id":16,"depth":226,"text":17},{"id":23,"depth":226,"text":24},{"id":61,"depth":226,"text":62},{"id":93,"depth":226,"text":94},{"id":152,"depth":226,"text":153},{"id":159,"depth":226,"text":160},{"id":196,"depth":226,"text":197},{"id":203,"depth":226,"text":204},"md",{},true,"/post/138",{"description":12},"post/138","4YN0IqknrhUVTnYPcucUz0GdVa0vWY9v915ZH9cg4AA",1794378304816]