FreeFileSync vs GoodSync (2026): which should you pick?
As of Nov 13, 2026, FreeFileSync grades higher than GoodSync: 3.0 against 2.0 out of 4.0.
Checked Nov 13, 2026 · graded Nov 13, 2026 by ToolGPA
FreeFileSync grades higher on value for money, the free plan, features and ease of use. They get the same grade on platforms.
Price, platforms and features side by side. The table says where each price was read and when.
FreeFileSync
Open-source folder comparison and sync for desktops
Free plan · from €20/yr
GoodSync
File backup and two-way sync software for desktops and servers
Free plan
Which one is for you
Pick FreeFileSync if
- Fits if you are a private user syncing folders between drives or a NAS
- Works for people who want to schedule folder syncs with Windows Task Scheduler
Look elsewhere if
- Skip it if you are a business, as the free and donation versions are personal use only
- Watch out: the Business Edition is €20 per device and covers updates for one year
- Tight if you want email notifications or parallel copying without donating
- Not for you if you need a phone app, since only desktops are listed
- Watch out: licences are generally non-refundable once the link is sent
Pick GoodSync if
- Fits if you want scheduled backup or two-way sync between folders and servers
- Works for people who run Windows or Linux servers and want an unattended service
Look elsewhere if
- Skip it if you need a price before you start, as none is recorded
- Watch out: advanced features are free only for the first 15 days
- Not for you if you need a phone app, since only desktops and NAS are listed
- Watch out: the free-versus-paid limits were not read
- Tight if you use a specific NAS, as which brands are supported was not read
How we grade them
| 3.0GPAFreeFileSyncVery good | 2.0GPAGoodSyncFair | |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | AFree for personal use with no limit on files, and €20 a device for the Business Edition with a year of updates. Anyone can download and run it. | CNo price is recorded, so it sits in the middle by default. |
| Free plan and trial | BThe Standard edition is free, but only for private individuals. Any business or organisation needs the Business Edition. | CAdvanced features are free for the first 15 days with no card, and a free download is offered. The limits of the free version were not read. |
| Features | BCompare then sync, moved-file detection, version history, many targets and batch jobs. Email alerts and parallel copy are limited to Donation and Business editions. | CBackup, two-way sync, real-time and scheduled jobs, a server edition and a control centre. What the free and paid editions each include was not read. |
| Ease of use | BNo rating on record. You install it and pair two folders, with nothing else to set up. | CNo rating on record. You set up jobs, sources and destinations. |
| Platforms and integrations | CDesktop downloads for Windows, macOS and Linux only. No phone or web version, and few cloud links beyond Google Drive. | CA program for computers and servers: Windows, Mac, Linux and NAS. No phone app is listed. |
| Best for | comparing and syncing folders on a desktop | backup and two-way sync on desktops and servers |
The GPA is the average of the five grades: an A is 4 points, an F is none. The full reasons are on each tool's page: FreeFileSync and GoodSync. How we grade
Where they differ
- FreeFileSync is open source, according to its own site.
In commonWindowsmacOSLinuxFile syncFile management
At a glance
| FreeFileSync | GoodSync | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free plan | Free plan |
| Starts at | €20 per device (Business Edition, includes one year of updates) | Not published |
| Free plan | Standard version is free for personal use by private individuals only, with no limit on the number of files. | None |
| Free trial | None listed | Advanced features free for the first 15 days |
| macOS | ||
| Windows | ||
| Linux | ||
| Made by | Zenju | GoodSync |
| Price read from | freefilesync.org | Not confirmed |
| Checked | Nov 13, 2026 | Nov 13, 2026 |
Worth knowing
FreeFileSync
- The free and donation versions are for personal use by private individuals only; any business, organization or agency needs the Business Edition.
- The Business Edition price is listed in euros and covers updates for one year.
- Licenses are generally non-refundable once the download link is provided.
- There are desktop downloads for Windows, macOS and Linux only; no mobile app is listed.
GoodSync
- Prices could not be read: the vendor's site returned a connection restriction page, so no plan prices are recorded here.
- The vendor lists a free download alongside paid editions, but the free-versus-paid limits were not read.
- Advanced features are free only for the first 15 days.
- NAS platforms are mentioned for download; which NAS brands are supported was not read.
Key features
FreeFileSync
- Compare then sync
- Compares two folders and transfers only the differences, with moved and renamed files detected.
- Many storage targets
- Syncs local drives, network shares, FTP and FTPS, SFTP, Google Drive and MTP devices such as Android phones.
- Version history
- Keeps a history of deleted and updated files.
- Email notifications
- Sync results can be emailed; the FAQ lists this in the Donation and Business editions.
- Parallel copying
- Compares and syncs multiple files in parallel; parallel file copy is a Donation and Business feature.
- Batch jobs
- Sync settings can be saved and run from the Windows Task Scheduler; the FAQ covers network shares used that way.
GoodSync
- Backup or two-way sync
- Each job is set up as a one-way backup or a two-way synchronization between a source and a destination folder.
- Automation options
- Jobs can run in real time, periodically or on a schedule.
- Many destinations
- The vendor says it supports all major protocols and cloud services.
- Server edition
- GoodSync for Server OS is described as an unattended service for Windows and Linux servers, with a free trial.
- GoodSync Connect and Explorer
- Separate Connect and Explorer products are listed in the site's feature menu.
- Backup Control Center
- A business offering for managing backups is listed in the site's business menu.
Plans
FreeFileSync
Standard$0
Open-source, personal use only; donations are optional.
Donation Edition$0
free download for anyone who donates
Personal use only; adds auto-updater, parallel file copy and email notifications as a thank-you for donating.
Business Edition€20
per device, includes updates for one year
Required for businesses, organizations, agencies and commercial use; adds silent installation and a tax invoice.
GoodSync
Pricing could not be confirmed. See goodsync.com.
Common questions
Which is cheaper, FreeFileSync or GoodSync?
As of Nov 13, 2026, FreeFileSync starts at €20 per device (Business Edition, includes one year of updates), and GoodSync has no price we could confirm.
Which has a free plan, FreeFileSync or GoodSync?
As of Nov 13, 2026, only FreeFileSync has a free plan. GoodSync does not, though it has a free trial.
More comparisons
How this page was made
- The verdict at the top follows a fixed rule. When both tools are in the same category and either is in our top three for it, the verdict follows that ranking: the higher-placed tool is our pick. The top three weigh who each tool suits as well as its grades, so a pick can go against the GPA. Otherwise the page does not pick one and says which grades higher: the higher GPA first; on a tie, the one with a free plan, then the one that starts cheaper in dollars a month, counted the same way for both; if they are still level, what the choice depends on.
- The grades are our own, from each tool’s review or report card. The GPA is their average.
- Prices, plans and platforms come from each tool’s listing. The table above says where each price was read and when.
- The differences and the answers to the questions are worked out from those listings.