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Quick Overview
Syncthing is an open-source, continuous file synchronization program. It securely synchronizes files between two or more computers in real-time, ensuring that the same files are available on all devices. Syncthing is designed to be decentralized, private, and secure.
Pros
- Decentralized architecture, eliminating the need for a central server
- Strong focus on privacy and security with end-to-end encryption
- Cross-platform support (Windows, macOS, Linux, Android)
- Highly customizable with various configuration options
Cons
- Initial setup can be complex for non-technical users
- Synchronization conflicts can occur if files are modified simultaneously on multiple devices
- Resource usage can be high, especially on low-powered devices
- Limited built-in version control features compared to some alternatives
Getting Started
- Download Syncthing for your operating system from the official website: https://syncthing.net/downloads/
- Install and run Syncthing on your devices
- Open the web GUI (usually at http://127.0.0.1:8384/)
- Add folders to sync and connect devices using their device IDs
- Configure sync settings and permissions as needed
For detailed instructions, refer to the official documentation: https://docs.syncthing.net/intro/getting-started.html
Competitor Comparisons
Zero-details, privacy-focused in-app file system.
Pros of zbox
- Focuses on encrypted file storage, providing stronger data security
- Supports both local and cloud storage backends
- Offers a Rust-based library for easy integration into other applications
Cons of zbox
- Limited to file storage and encryption, lacking file synchronization features
- Smaller community and less frequent updates compared to Syncthing
- May require more technical knowledge to implement and use effectively
Code Comparison
zbox (Rust):
let mut repo = zbox::RepoOpener::new()
.create(true)
.open("file://path/to/repo", "password")?;
let mut file = repo.create_file("/foo.txt")?;
file.write_once(b"Hello, World!")?;
Syncthing (Go):
cfg := config.New(defaultConfig)
cfg.Folders = append(cfg.Folders, config.FolderConfiguration{
ID: "default",
Path: "/path/to/sync",
})
m := model.NewModel(cfg, myID, "syncthing", "1.0")
Summary
While Syncthing focuses on continuous file synchronization across devices, zbox prioritizes secure file storage with encryption. Syncthing offers a more user-friendly solution for file syncing, while zbox provides a library for developers to integrate encrypted storage into their applications. The choice between the two depends on whether the primary need is synchronization or secure storage.
Peer-to-peer hypermedia protocol
Pros of IPFS
- Decentralized content-addressable storage system, enabling global data distribution
- Built-in versioning and deduplication of files
- Supports a wide range of use cases beyond file synchronization
Cons of IPFS
- Higher complexity and steeper learning curve
- Requires more resources and may have slower performance for simple file syncing
- Less focused on personal file synchronization compared to Syncthing
Code Comparison
Syncthing (Go):
func (m *Model) Index(folder string, fs fs.Filesystem, sub string) error {
// Implementation for indexing files in Syncthing
}
IPFS (Go):
func (api *UnixfsAPI) Add(ctx context.Context, files files.Node) (path.Resolved, error) {
// Implementation for adding files to IPFS
}
While both projects are written in Go, their APIs and implementations differ significantly due to their distinct purposes. Syncthing focuses on efficient file synchronization between devices, while IPFS provides a more comprehensive content-addressable storage system with additional features for distributed data management.
☁️ Nextcloud server, a safe home for all your data
Pros of Nextcloud
- Offers a comprehensive suite of collaboration tools (calendars, contacts, office apps)
- Provides a user-friendly web interface for easy access and management
- Supports user management and fine-grained access controls
Cons of Nextcloud
- Requires a centralized server setup, which can be more complex to maintain
- Generally consumes more resources due to its feature-rich nature
- May have a steeper learning curve for initial setup and configuration
Code Comparison
Nextcloud (PHP):
public function createShare(Share $share) {
$this->validateShare($share);
$this->canShare($share);
$this->generalCreateChecks($share);
$this->pathCreateChecks($share);
return $this->userCreateChecks($share);
}
Syncthing (Go):
func (m *Model) Index(deviceID protocol.DeviceID, folder string, files []protocol.FileInfo) {
m.fmut.Lock()
defer m.fmut.Unlock()
m.folderFiles[folder] = append(m.folderFiles[folder], files...)
m.folderDevices[folder] = append(m.folderDevices[folder], deviceID)
}
The code snippets showcase different approaches: Nextcloud focuses on sharing functionality with various checks, while Syncthing emphasizes file indexing and device management for synchronization.
:cloud: ownCloud web server core (Files, DAV, etc.)
Pros of ownCloud
- Offers a more comprehensive file management system with web interface
- Includes user management and access control features
- Provides additional functionality like calendars and contacts
Cons of ownCloud
- Requires more server resources and setup compared to Syncthing
- Less focus on decentralized, peer-to-peer file synchronization
- More complex architecture, potentially leading to more security vulnerabilities
Code Comparison
ownCloud (PHP):
public function getFolder($path) {
$folder = $this->root->get($path);
if (!($folder instanceof Folder)) {
throw new NotFoundException($path . ' is not a directory');
}
return $folder;
}
Syncthing (Go):
func (m *Model) GlobalDirectoryTree(folder, prefix string, levels int, dirsonly bool) map[string]interface{} {
m.fmut.RLock()
defer m.fmut.RUnlock()
files := m.folderFiles[folder]
return files.GlobalDirectoryTree(prefix, levels, dirsonly)
}
The code snippets demonstrate different approaches to folder management. ownCloud uses a more object-oriented style with PHP, while Syncthing employs Go's concurrency features and a more functional approach.
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Goals
Syncthing is a continuous file synchronization program. It synchronizes files between two or more computers. We strive to fulfill the goals below. The goals are listed in order of importance, the most important ones first. This is the summary version of the goal list - for more commentary, see the full Goals document.
Syncthing should be:
-
Safe From Data Loss
Protecting the user's data is paramount. We take every reasonable precaution to avoid corrupting the user's files.
-
Secure Against Attackers
Again, protecting the user's data is paramount. Regardless of our other goals, we must never allow the user's data to be susceptible to eavesdropping or modification by unauthorized parties.
-
Easy to Use
Syncthing should be approachable, understandable, and inclusive.
-
Automatic
User interaction should be required only when absolutely necessary.
-
Universally Available
Syncthing should run on every common computer. We are mindful that the latest technology is not always available to every individual.
-
For Individuals
Syncthing is primarily about empowering the individual user with safe, secure, and easy to use file synchronization.
-
Everything Else
There are many things we care about that don't make it on to the list. It is fine to optimize for these values, as long as they are not in conflict with the stated goals above.
Getting Started
Take a look at the getting started guide.
There are a few examples for keeping Syncthing running in the background on your system in the etc directory. There are also several GUI implementations for Windows, Mac, and Linux.
Docker
To run Syncthing in Docker, see the Docker README.
Getting in Touch
The first and best point of contact is the Forum. If you've found something that is clearly a bug, feel free to report it in the GitHub issue tracker.
If you believe that youâve found a Syncthing-related security vulnerability, please report it by emailing security@syncthing.net. Do not report it in the Forum or issue tracker.
Building
Building Syncthing from source is easy. After extracting the source bundle from
a release or checking out git, you just need to run go run build.go
and the
binaries are created in ./bin
. There's a guide with more details on the
build process.
Signed Releases
Release binaries are GPG signed with the key available from https://syncthing.net/security/. There is also a built-in automatic upgrade mechanism (disabled in some distribution channels) which uses a compiled in ECDSA signature. macOS and Windows binaries are also code-signed.
Documentation
Please see the Syncthing documentation site [source].
All code is licensed under the MPLv2 License.
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