What is Syncthing used for?

Syncthing is an open-source continuous file synchronization that keeps folders in step between two or more computers, with a focus on safety, security and ease of use. It is a good fit for syncing folders across personal devices, replacing hosted file-sync services and keeping folder copies on a home server.

Is Syncthing open source?

Yes. Syncthing is open source under the MPL-2.0 licence. Its source code is on GitHub at syncthing/syncthing and is written mainly in Go.

Yes. Syncthing is open source, so the software itself is free to use.

Can I self-host Syncthing?

Yes. Syncthing can be self-hosted on your own server or infrastructure; there is no official hosted version.

What is Syncthing an alternative to?

Syncthing is an open-source alternative to Dropbox, Resilio Sync, iCloud and pCloud. Other open-source alternatives to Dropbox include Nextcloud All-in-One, ownCloud and Sync-in.

Is Syncthing actively maintained?

Yes. The most recent commit to Syncthing was on 30 September 2026, and the latest release is v2.1.5, published on 8 September 2026. The project has 89k stars on GitHub.

Syncthing: open-source alternative to Dropbox, Resilio Sync

About Syncthing

Syncthing is a continuous file synchronization program that keeps files in sync between two or more computers. It is written in Go and released under the MPL-2.0 license, and its peer-to-peer design means your devices exchange files with each other directly rather than through a central storage service.

The project ranks its goals in order of importance: protect users from data loss, stay secure against eavesdropping and tampering, be easy to use, work automatically with minimal interaction, run on every common computer, and focus on empowering individuals. Several graphical front ends exist for Windows, Mac and Linux, and the repository includes sample files for running it as a background service.

Syncthing can also be run in Docker, and a getting-started guide covers setup. It suits individuals and small groups who want to sync folders between laptops, desktops and servers they control instead of relying on a hosted file-sharing service, and who value open, auditable software.

Key features

Continuous file synchronization between computers
Peer-to-peer device connections
Safety and security as top-ranked goals
Graphical interfaces for Windows, Mac and Linux
Docker deployment support
Automatic operation with minimal user interaction

Good fit for

→Syncing folders across personal devices
→Replacing hosted file-sync services
→Keeping folder copies on a home server

Built with: Go
Tags: file-sync; synchronization; peer-to-peer; p2p; golang; self-hosted; backup; privacy

Syncthing: questions and answers

What is Syncthing used for?: Syncthing is an open-source continuous file synchronization that keeps folders in step between two or more computers, with a focus on safety, security and ease of use. It is a good fit for syncing folders across personal devices, replacing hosted file-sync services and keeping folder copies on a home server.
Is Syncthing open source?: Yes. Syncthing is open source under the MPL-2.0 licence. Its source code is on GitHub at syncthing/syncthing and is written mainly in Go.
Is Syncthing free?: Yes. Syncthing is open source, so the software itself is free to use.
Can I self-host Syncthing?: Yes. Syncthing can be self-hosted on your own server or infrastructure; there is no official hosted version.
What is Syncthing an alternative to?: Syncthing is an open-source alternative to Dropbox, Resilio Sync, iCloud and pCloud. Other open-source alternatives to Dropbox include Nextcloud All-in-One, ownCloud and Sync-in.
Is Syncthing actively maintained?: Yes. The most recent commit to Syncthing was on 30 September 2026, and the latest release is v2.1.5, published on 8 September 2026. The project has 89k stars on GitHub.