Our verdict: SyncBackFree is a dependable way to copy important folders to an external drive or NAS on a schedule. Each job is a profile you can tune in detail, and the free edition has no nag screens. Cloud storage, SFTP and backup of open files are reserved for the paid SE and Pro editions.
About SyncBackFree
SyncBack is made by 2BrightSparks, a company that has published backup software since 2004. SyncBackFree is the free edition: you create profiles that back up, mirror or synchronize a source folder with a destination on another drive, a network share or an FTP server, and run them by hand or on a schedule.
The free edition can restore files, email log reports, detect possible ransomware damage before a backup overwrites good copies, and handles unlimited filename lengths. 2BrightSparks says it may be used for personal, educational, charity, government and commercial purposes, with no ads, nags or registration. SyncBackSE adds copying of locked or open files, Fast Backup, FTPS and stronger encryption; SyncBackPro adds cloud storage, SFTP and scripting.
What it does well
- Backup, mirror and sync. One-way backup, exact mirror or two-way synchronization per profile.
- Scheduler. Runs profiles automatically at set times, with programs before and after a run.
- Ransomware detection. Warns before a backup copies files that look encrypted by ransomware.
- Plain-file backups. Stores files in a normal folder structure, so they can be restored without SyncBack.
- Email logs. Sends a report of each run by email.
Who it is for
Good fit
Home and small-office users who back up folders to an external drive, a second disk or a NAS.
Look elsewhere
Users who need cloud backup, versioning of open files or one-click system images.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Free for home and commercial use
- No ads, nags or registration
- Detailed per-profile settings
- Ransomware detection before backups
Cons
- Cannot copy locked or open files in the free edition
- No cloud storage or SFTP without paying for Pro
- Interface with many options can confuse beginners
How to install SyncBackFree
The official download page offers two installers: SyncBack_Setup.exe for administrators and SyncBack_Setup_NE.exe, which standard users can install too. You can also run winget install syncbackfree. The Profile Wizard guides you through the first job; choose carefully between Backup, Synchronize and Mirror, and review the proposed changes before the first run so a mirror job does not delete files you still need. Windows Server is not supported by the free edition.
Questions about SyncBackFree
Is SyncBackFree free?
Yes. 2BrightSparks allows it to be used for free indefinitely for personal, educational, charity, government and commercial use. The paid SyncBackSE and SyncBackPro editions add more features.
Can SyncBackFree back up to OneDrive or Google Drive?
Not directly. Cloud storage support is a SyncBackPro feature. You can back up to the local sync folder of a cloud client instead.
What is the difference between backup, mirror and synchronize?
Backup copies new and changed files to the destination. Mirror makes the destination an exact copy, deleting extra files there. Synchronize copies changes in both directions.
