If you typed "Download FreeFileSync" you're likely setting up a backup routine and want something more visual than a scripted robocopy job. FreeFileSync's core feature is its side-by-side comparison view, showing exactly which files differ before anything gets copied or deleted, so you're never syncing blind. It runs on Windows, macOS and Linux, and the batch-job scheduler means once it's configured you can largely forget about it.
Free Core, Optional Donation Edition
FreeFileSync's core application is open source under the GPL and free forever; there's also a separate "Donation Edition" with auto-update and a few conveniences, but functionally the free build covers full sync and backup jobs.
Real-time monitoring and scheduled batch jobs work identically across Windows, macOS and Linux builds, which matters if you're syncing between mixed-OS machines.
Who ends up using FreeFileSync
People setting up personal backup routines or keeping two machines' folders mirrored without scripting tend to reach for FreeFileSync.
- Home users backing up a laptop to an external drive on a schedule
- People keeping a folder mirrored across two machines without cloud storage
- IT hobbyists replacing a manual robocopy script with a visual diff-and-sync tool
Before you install
A couple of things worth knowing about FreeFileSync before you request the link: it covers Windows, macOS and Linux, so pick the right build for the machine you're setting up. And on pricing, FreeFileSync is open source, so the installer is free with no trial timer, feature lock, or upsell screen to click past. It's developed and maintained by FreeFileSync.
System requirements
- WindowsWindows 10 or 11 (64-bit); older 7/8.1 builds usually still run but no longer get official support
- macOSa recent macOS release — check the download page for the current minimum version, since Apple Silicon vs Intel builds sometimes differ
- Linuxmost current 64-bit distributions; look for a native .deb/.rpm/AppImage or a package in your distro's own repository
It's a lightweight tool, so there's no serious CPU/RAM/storage requirement beyond what its OS already needs to run comfortably.
Quick steps
- Download the installer for your operating system.
- Set a left and right folder pair and pick a sync mode.
- Run the compare, review the diff, then execute the sync.
FreeFileSync: the honest trade-offs
- Visual diff view shows exactly what will change before syncing
- Batch jobs can run unattended on a schedule
- Identical sync behavior across Windows, macOS and Linux
- Real-time monitoring and auto-update require the separate Donation Edition
- Initial folder comparison can be slow on very large directory trees
This links to FreeFileSync's official release channel, matching the version published on freefilesync.org.
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Keeping FreeFileSync up to date
Since FreeFileSync is open source, most Linux distributions keep it current through their own package manager. On Windows/macOS, re-running the installer from the official site (or an updater built into the app, if it has one) gets you the latest release. Sticking to the developer's own distribution channel — which is what this page links to — means you're never stuck on an old build with unpatched bugs just because a mirror site stopped updating its copy.
Features, install steps, alternatives and more detail live on the main FreeFileSync page.
Frequently asked questions
Can FreeFileSync sync to a cloud storage folder?
Yes, it can sync to any locally mounted drive, including synced cloud folders like Dropbox or Google Drive.
Does FreeFileSync support scheduled, unattended backups?
Yes, batch jobs can be saved and triggered on a schedule via the OS task scheduler.
