Decentralized Syncing with Syncthing: How It Stacks Up Against Cloud Solutions

 

An image depicting syncing across multiple devices. Generated using Copilot.

One of the great advantages of cloud-based solutions is their seamless continuity across devices. Whether you're listening to an audiobook, editing a document, or updating your to-do and grocery lists, you can typically pick up right where you left off, regardless of which device happens to be in your hands. However, as I discussed at length in the previous post, it's unwise to rely too heavily on these services. At the very least, you should have a solid backup routine and contingency measures in place in case the service becomes unavailable.

Among the indispensable tools in my growing collection of alternative apps is Syncthing. I first discovered it while searching for a free solution to sync my Obsidian vault across multiple devices: my primary laptop, my Chromebook, my Android phone, and a copy stored on my NAS. With Syncthing, I can pick up any of these devices and instantly access the latest version of my vault (you access the server via a web interface). Since then, its role has expanded to include syncing my working folder for GNUCash, shared between my laptop and Linux-enabled Chromebook, and keeping the latest version of my PasswordSafe vault in sync across all devices.

What Is Syncthing?

Syncthing is a free, open-source, peer-to-peer file synchronization tool. It does something very specific and it does it well: it syncs the contents of a folder on one machine to a folder on another machine. Unlike traditional cloud services, Syncthing operates without a central server, using encrypted, direct connections between devices. It’s designed with privacy, decentralization, and user control in mind.

Primary Use Case

Syncthing is ideal for anyone who wants to keep their files in sync across multiple devices without relying on third-party cloud providers. It’s especially useful for:

• Secure, Decentralized File Syncing: Your data stays on your devices, and transfers are encrypted end-to-end.
• Photo Backup: Automatically sync a copy of your photos to your home server.
• Self-Hosting Enthusiasts: Perfect for home lab setups or privacy-conscious users.
• Collaborative Workflows: Teams or individuals can sync folders across devices without uploading to the cloud. It even supports file versioning, so you can roll back if necessary.

It’s relatively easy to set up and can be used in a variety of useful ways. While it doesn’t replicate every feature of Dropbox (like cloud-based storage freeing up local space), it does mirror the core functionality of synced folders, without the privacy trade-offs.

Device Compatibility

Syncthing is impressively versatile and runs on a wide range of platforms:

• Desktop OS: Windows, macOS, Linux, FreeBSD
• Mobile: Android (via official or third-party apps) - unfortunately, there's no official iOS client
• Embedded Systems: Raspberry Pi and other low-power devices
• Web Interface: Accessible via browser for remote management
• NAS Devices: Easily installable on many network-attached storage systems

Whether you're syncing between a desktop, laptop, tablet, phone, or NAS, Syncthing adapts to your setup.

Is Syncthing a Direct Replacement for Dropbox?

Not exactly but it can be, depending on your needs.

 Syncthing vs. Dropbox: Feature Comparison

Feature	Syncthing	Dropbox
Cloud Storage	❌ No central cloud; peer-to-peer	✅ Centralized cloud storage
Privacy	✅ Full control; encrypted sync	⚠️ Data stored on third-party servers
Ease of Use	✅ Easy to set up, but manual	✅ Plug-and-play simplicity
Selective Sync	✅ Supported	✅ Supported
Versioning	✅ Supported	✅ Supported
Offline Syncing	✅ Works locally without internet	⚠️ Requires internet/cloud access
Cost	✅ Free; use your own hardware	⚠️ Paid plans for more storage

Syncthing is a powerful alternative for those who value privacy, control, and self-hosting. It’s not a full Dropbox replacement in terms of cloud storage and device space management, but for syncing folders across devices, it’s a robust and flexible solution.