Get the best FreeFileSync alternative freeware in this article and how to use it to sync files (only changes) automatically in simple steps.
In fact, there are many alternatives to FreeFileSync and you can sync files more flexibly. Conversely, the FreeFileSync does not provide you with the schedule sync options unless you create a schedule sync task with the help of Task Scheduler.
FreeFileSync is a free open source file synchronization software for Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7, Vista, XP (32-bit and 64-bit), MacOS, Linux. It is capable of comparing one or multiple folders according to content, modification time and file size, and subsequently synchronizing the content according to user-defined settings.
Actually, there are two versions of FreeFileSync: FreeFileSync Free, and its Donation Edition (at least 5 Euro for 1 month). With the help of FreeFileSync Donation Edition, you could get the above features mentioned plus:
Parallel file copy.
Auto updater for Windows.
Silent installation.
By the way, after installing FreeFileSync software, you will get the RealTimeSync software installed.
To show you sync files easily with the FreeFileSync in Windows 7/8/10, follow the below steps:
1. Execute the FreeFileSync software, and click + button to add folder pair or click Browse to add a folder on your local computer on the left side (we choose a folder).
2. Select other folders on the right side.
3. Click Compare, If there are some differences between the two folders, find the file and click Copy new item to right icon (or click Copy new item to left icon), to perform one-way file sync.
4. Or click Synchronize at the top right corner to perform two-way sync.
5. Click Start if prompt sync. Then it will sync successfully immediately.
Although FreeFileSync is available for you to sync files or folders, the limitation of the freeware you have to be aware of:
The adware bundled with this tool while installing, and is really annoying.
The interface is complicated so as to don’t know what to do.
The schedule sync option is not provided.
And you may get other FreeFileSync not responding or not enough space error while syncing. To avoid these limitations completely, try the best FreeFileSync alternative. And I'll introduce you to one such software.
AOMEI Backupper Standard (totally ad-free) is one of the best alternative to FreeFileSync freeware in Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, etc and it covers most of the features, parallel file copy, email notification, one-way file sync, and provides you with more:
Scheduled sync: It allows you to sync files and folders with different frequencies, such as dailym weekly, or monthly.
Multiple sync devices: It is able to sync files from or to exernal drive, USB, network drive or NAS, etc, which is the core factor of the 3-2-1 backup strategy and helps improve data security.
Free and easy-to-use: It has an intuitive interface, so all users can understand it easily.
Please download it to have a try! If you use an operating system like server 2003, 2008, 2012, 2016, 2019, 2022, etc, try AOMEI Backupper Server!
Now, we will show you sync files and folders automatically with simple steps using the free file sync software - AOMEI Backupper Standard.
Step 1. Perform FreeFileSync alternative - AOMEI Backupper, select Basic Sync at Sync tab.
Step 2. Click + Add Folder to choose folders and files that you want to sync. Change Task Name if need be.
Step 3. Select another location as the destination path to save the synced folders and files. You have 3 options in the following.
Step 4. Click Schedule Sync and enable it, then select Daily, Weekly, Monthly. And you can also comment on the sync task to differ from others, enable email notification to get prompted after the sync task finished successfully, or meet some errors, etc. with the Options.
Step 5. Press Start Sync >> button and choose Add the schedule and start Sync now or Only add the schedule according to your needs. It will sync all files at the first time and then only changes.
★Tips: ✍ Except for sync files in daily, weekly, monthly, you still can use both Event triggers and USB plug in (copy files to USB drive automatically when connected) feature on the professional version. ✍ You still can use other sync methods in this software to sync file automatically, such as Real-time Sync, Mirror Sync and Two-Way Sync. ✍ If you want to sync files to cloud drive but don't want to download software, try Cloud Backup feature. And it still offers you 1TB free storage in 15 days after you registry an AOMEI account.
If you get in trouble while using FreeFileSync Windows software or get confused with the complicated interface, you could try the best FreeFileSync alternative - AOMEI Backupper Professional. It simplifies the interface and the steps to sync files and folders and offers you the schedule sync feature to sync files automatically.
Besides, in advanced editon, you can enjoy more features, like real time file sync, two way sync, mirror sync, file filter etc. And it's still a free backup software, so you can use it to backup files to external hard drive, backup Windows 10 operating system, backup hard disk, and more.