What is your favorite file backup app? [Solved]

[KBD]

What's all the fuss about backing up (syncing) to "the cloud"? What's wrong with using USB storage devices?

That's fine if you are also backing up off site. But if a flood, fire, tornado or other natural disaster (God forbid) strikes your home your back ups are useless.

[Stuart_M]

How FreeFileSync transfer data works? Does:

• 1 - data moves through their servers
  2 - or data never leaves your environment?

If answer is '2' I'm assuming sync only happens, when both computers are turned on at the same time, correct?

If '2':

• A - do you need to have proper network set up for this to work
  B - or is local IP address of involved computers enough?

I have a VERY simple computer setup so I synchronize manually (every day or so). I have only about 2.5 GB of data that I backup (synchronize) with several USB flash drives. They are only connected to the computer when performing the backup. Otherwise they are stored in another location. Edit: The reason I backup to several USB flash drives it for redundancy - if one flash drive fails or is otherwise destroyed/lost/etc., I'll have another. Three is the minimum backup quantity for me. (end Edit)

Synchronization can certainly be done automatically, on a single computer, on a network, to the cloud, etc., but I prefer doing it manually on a single computer.

1: FreeFileSync is a stand-alone application - it doesn't matter if you're on or offline.

2: This was basically answered in #1 above. Yes, synchronization will only occur when both the source and target locations are powered on and running. If synchronizing two USB flash drives on the same computer, that one computer must be powered on and running. If the source and target devices (e.g. USB drives, SSD's, etc.) are on two different computers, then yes, both computers must be powered on and connected together by whatever means (switch, router, etc.) so they communicate with each other and the devices mounted, etc.

2A: Yes and no. "Yes" if your data source and target locations are on different computers, a network of some sort will be needed to connect them together. "No" if the source and target locations are on the same computer. For example I synchronize my internal SSD to mirror the USB flash drives (creating a backup) that I connect to this computer. I connect Flash drive #1 > manually compare source with target locations (FreeFileSync does this with one click) > synchronize > remove, then repeat for each additional Flash drive. The entire process takes ~20 seconds (including inserting/removing the drive) per flash drive for the little data I synchronize. Again, synchronization can be automatic or manual - it's your choice.

2B: I have not tried synchronizing across a network, but from their website here https://freefilesync.org/manual.php?topic=ftp-setup it says it supports synchronization with SFTP and FTP, so yes, it would work with a local network using the revelant IP address. The link shows the window to enter the IP address.

As an aside, I especially like the two windows this application has so I can easily see the files in source and target locations, and what operation will happen to those files when synchronization takes place.

Their website has a lot of information with a lot of screen shots. It's geared for the Windows environment, but the Linux version looks and feels identical for my simple use. Hope I answered your questions.

Edit: Added info to first paragraph.

[Buck Fankers]

1: FreeFileSync is a stand-alone application - it doesn't matter if you're on or offline.

2: This was basically answered in #1 above. Yes, synchronization will only occur when both the source and target locations are powered on and running...

Thank you for your detailed explanation I really appreciate it!

Few years ago, I tried it once, and I did sync across two computers, I didn't have set proper network, yet I did sync them (per memory) using IP number I think or some path that I got from sync app, both computers being on the same router/switch. Now that you reminded me of this software, I was wondering if data was then traveling/routing through FreeFileSync server or it was done everything locally, since I can't remember, when playing with it, if I had two computers online at the same time.

Thanks to your explanation, I will install it and check it out. Thanks again!

[LU344928]

PCloud is a good option. Automatic sync across multiple devices, monthly/annual plans and right now they offer lifetime plans for a greatly reduced rate, 500gb or 2Tb:

https://www.pcloud.com/

[KBD]

PCloud is a good option. Automatic sync across multiple devices, monthly/annual plans and right now they offer lifetime plans for a greatly reduced rate, 500gb or 2Tb:

https://www.pcloud.com/

I've not had a single issue with Pcloud on either Linux or Windows. Really impressed with them.