Syncthing at a glance
Checked 16 Oct 2026Syncthing (89k stars, v2.1.6 Oct 2026) keeps folders in sync directly between two or more of your devices over an encrypted, documented protocol; nothing is uploaded to a cloud, so devices must be online at the same time. Per folder file versioning keeps old copies. MPL-2.0, single binary for Windows, macOS, Linux, FreeBSD and more. It is not a Dropbox replacement for sharing: there are no public share links or web file manager. The official Android app was archived in Dec 2024 and there is no official iOS app.
RepoQuarry. “Syncthing.” Checked 16 Oct 2026. https://repoquarry.dev/projects/syncthingHow much of Dropbox does it replace?
2 of 5 jobs. Device-to-device sync with versioning only; no share links, web access or cloud copy.
For share links and shared folders, browse and manage files in a web app, mobile camera upload and backup, see other Dropbox alternatives. You may also need to build an interface, an API server and hosting yourself.
Facts, with sources
Every answer links to where we found it. We read the documentation; we did not install it.
Syncthing does not upload your data to the cloud but exchanges your data across your machines as soon as they are online at the same time.docs.syncthing.net · faq.html ↗ today
All code is licensed under the MPLv2 License.github.com · syncthing#license ↗ today
All code is licensed under the MPLv2 License.github.com · syncthing#license ↗ today
Syncthing does not upload your data to the cloud but exchanges your data across your machines as soon as they are online at the same time.docs.syncthing.net · faq.html ↗ today
Syncthing Windows Setup: a lightweight yet full-featured Windows installersyncthing.net · downloads ↗ today
There will be a binary called syncthingdocs.syncthing.net · getting-started.html ↗ today