The Best Rsync Alternative for Windows in 2024

What is Rsync?

Rsync is a utility tool that is predominantly used in Linux/Unix operating systems to backup and synchronize data both locally and remotely. It enables users to sync files and directories across directories, disks, or networked computers. Similarly, in Windows, there may be a need to copy or sync files from one local directory to another, or between a local machine and a network server, and Rsync could be a useful tool to accomplish this.

However, since Linux commands cannot be directly executed on Windows, some complex and time-consuming preparations are required to use Rsync in Windows 10. So, users can explore the best Rsync Windows alternative for their needs.

Why you need Rsync Windows alternative?

While Rsync is a powerful and widely-used tool for file synchronization and transfer, there may be situations where you might want to consider using an alternative. Some of the reasons why you might want to find an Rsync alternative in Windows 10 include:

☁ User Interface: Rsync is a command-line tool, which means that it may not be very user-friendly for people who are not comfortable with using the command line. In such cases, a graphical user interface (GUI) tool might be a better alternative.
☁ Platform Compatibility: While Rsync is available on most Unix-based systems, it may not be available on all platforms. If you need to transfer files between systems that do not support Rsync, you may need to find an alternative tool that is compatible with those systems.
☁ Specific Feature Set: While Rsync is a versatile tool, it may not have all the features that you need for your particular use case. In such cases, you may need to find an alternative tool that offers the specific features that you require.
☁ Performance: While Rsync is designed to be efficient, it may not always be the fastest tool for transferring files. If you need to transfer very large files or large numbers of files, you may need to find an alternative tool that is optimized for performance.

In the following content, we are going to recommend you one of the best Windows 10 Rsync alternatives.

The best Rsync alternative for Windows

There are various reasons why one may need to consider the best Rsync Windows alternative, as mentioned earlier. If you are open to exploring other substitute options, perhaps a Windows-based program could be a more convenient choice for you. A handy tool such as AOMEI Backupper Standard could be a good option as an Rsync alternative.

• This freeware supports Windows 11/10/8/7/XP/Vista, and its operation is simple within an intuitive GUI.
• It offers both Backup and Sync features to cater to different data protection and transferring needs.
• You can select internal/external hard drive, network/NAS, cloud drive, or USB as the source or target path, enabling you to easily sync local folder with network/cloud drives, sync NAS with clouds, sync NAS to NAS, and more.
• You can set up a schedule to run sync tasks on a regular basis, and perform incremental or differential backup to copy only changed files. (differential backup is available in paid version).

To try it out, you can download and install the completely free Standard edition, and there's also a specialized Server edition that provides all the features for Windows Server users. Below, we will show you how to sync Windows files using this software:

Step 1. Navigate to the Sync tab and select Basic Sync. 

Note: you can also use these 3 advanced sync modes in Pro Version:
Real-Time Sync: This mode allows you to sync changed files from the source directory to the target directory in real-time, as soon as changes are made.
Mirror Sync: With this mode, the files in the source directory are always kept exactly the same as those in the target directory, ensuring that both locations are identical.
Two-Way Sync: This mode enables bidirectional syncing, so that any changes made to either the source or target directory will be synchronized to the other side.

Step 2. Edit the Task Name to reflect your specific needs. Then, click on Add Folder to select the folder that you wish to sync. You can repeat this process to add multiple folders as needed.

Step 3. Choose a destination path for your synced folders. You can specify a local/external disk, network share, NAS device, or a cloud service as your destination by clicking the small triangle beside the selection box. From there, you can choose an option depending on your needs.

Step 4. (Optional) You may choose to click on Schedule Sync if you want to automate the task to run daily, weekly, monthly, event triggers or USB plug in depending on your preferences.

Step 5. Simply click on the Start Sync button to initiate the file synchronization process.

FAQs about Rsync alternatives in Windows:

☂ What are some benefits of using an Rsync alternative in Windows?

Some benefits of using an Rsync alternative include increased ease of use, platform compatibility with Windows, specific feature sets, better performance, and cost-effectiveness.

☂ What are some examples of Rsync alternatives?

Some examples of Windows Rsync equivalents include AOMEI Backupper Standard, FreeFileSync, SyncBack, GoodSync, and Robocopy.

☂ Can Rsync alternative tools synchronize files across different platforms?

Yes, many Rsync alternative tools are capable of synchronizing files across different platforms, including Linux, Unix, and macOS.

☂ Are Rsync alternative tools free?

Some Rsync alternative tools are free, while others may require payment for additional features or support. It depends on the specific tool and its licensing terms.

Summary

While Rsync is a useful command in Linux, it can be complex and time-consuming to use in Windows. Therefore, to simplify the process of backing up and syncing files, you can consider using AOMEI Backupper as an Rsync Windows alternative. Additionally, this tool can serve as a good Transwiz alternative to transfer user profiles between Windows computers.

In addition to the features mentioned earlier, AOMEI Backupper also includes a Clone module that allows you to clone a disk. This feature enables you to migrate your HDD to SSD, move your OS to another hard drive without needing to reinstall it, and even clone a larger drive to a smaller one. Why not try it now?