shouldiuse.io

VERDICT

Should I use FreeFileSync.org?

FreeFileSync is a free open source data backup software to compare and synchronize files and folders on Windows, macOS, and Linux. - freefilesync.org

Depends. Buy it for free personal, cross-platform folder sync and local backups — enthusiasts widely recommend it. Businesses should skip it: commercial use now requires the paid Donation Edition, and support is forum-only.

Confidence

Medium. Based on 20+ public sources; many review snippets were truncated.

Ratings

  • Value for money
  • Ease of use
  • Feature depth
  • Support quality
  • Security posture

Pricing

Free (donation)

Basic

ModelNot disclosed
Monthly feesNot disclosed
HardwareNot disclosed
Free tierYes
Donation EditionDonation required

Best for

  • Personal file mirroring
  • Cross-platform disk sync
  • Local backups to external drives
  • Open-source preference users

Not for

  • Businesses — commercial use now requires paid Donation Edition
  • Teams needing vendor support or SLAs
  • Compliance-driven orgs wanting security documentation
  • Set-and-forget cloud backup seekers

Gotchas - check before you buy

high

Commercial use now requires the paid Donation Edition; personal use remains free.

high

Malware was once distributed alongside FreeFileSync downloads; verify you are on the official site.

medium

Antivirus tools like Defender have flagged the app, annoying users.

medium

No password protection or ransomware resistance; users have requested these features.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Free and open source under GPL v3
  • Runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux
  • Supports real-time sync
  • Syncs with Google Drive
  • Recommended by MSP and DataHoarder communities

Cons

  • No longer free for business use
  • Donation Edition called 'much too expensive' by users
  • Zero G2 reviews; thin independent validation
  • No dedicated security page found
  • Support is community forum only

Sources & method

Analyzed 9/21/2026 - 10 sources - No known CVEs found; a 2018 malware-via-download incident and recurring antivirus false-positive reports; no dedicated security page.

official x3review x5security x2
  • Malware distributed via downloads (2018), Community threads report malware shipped alongside installers; users advised re-verifying official downloads.
  • Microsoft Defender flags, Forum reports of Defender suddenly disliking FreeFileSync; reads as false-positive detections.
  • Sandbox flag, A public sandbox report labels activity tied to a URL as malicious.

Key stats

  • Value for money: 5/5

    Rating

  • Free (donation)

    Starting price

  • 10

    Sources

  • Analyzed

  • Value for money: 5/5. Free core under GPL v3
  • Ease of use: 4/5. Guess: folder-pair GUI plus tutorials
  • Feature depth: 4/5. Real-time sync, Google Drive support
  • Support quality: 2/5. Forum-only, donation-funded project
  • Security posture: 2/5. Past malware incident; no security page
  • 0.0/5 G2 rating 0 reviews
  • $0 Starting price Open source, GPL v3
  • Yes Free tier Donation-funded project
  • 3 Platforms Windows, macOS, Linux

Pricing

Basic

Free (donation)

  • Full sync and backup features
  • GPL v3 open source

Donation Edition

Donation required

  • Required for commercial use
  • Supports the donation-funded project

Security

No known CVEs found; a 2018 malware-via-download incident and recurring antivirus false-positive reports; no dedicated security page.

  • Malware distributed via downloads (2018)Community threads report malware shipped alongside installers; users advised re-verifying official downloads.⁷
  • Microsoft Defender flagsForum reports of Defender suddenly disliking FreeFileSync; reads as false-positive detections.10
  • Sandbox flagA public sandbox report labels activity tied to a URL as malicious.

What users say

Reddit enthusiasts consistently recommend it for disk sync while repeatedly asking about download safety and the new business-use fee.

“FreeFileSync is no longer free for business use”
Reddit, r/Backup
“freefilesync.org - is it safe to use again?”
Reddit, r/DataHoarder
“Anyone else love FreeFileSync?”
Reddit, r/msp
Full analysis

Based on 20+ public sources; many review snippets were truncated.

Great free folder sync for personal use; businesses now pay for the Donation Edition, and support is forum-only.

Methodology

Based on 20+ public sources; many review snippets were truncated.

Sources

  1. FreeFileSync official sitefreefilesync.org
    official
  2. FreeFileSync download pagefreefilesync.org
    official
  3. FreeFileSync 13.1 review — PCWorldpcworld.com
    review
  4. FreeFileSync on G2 (0 reviews)g2.com
    review
  5. Trustpilot reviewstrustpilot.com
    review
  6. No longer free for business use — r/Backupreddit.com
    review
  7. Safe to use again? — r/DataHoarderreddit.com
    review
  8. Donation Edition too expensive — forumfreefilesync.org
    official
  9. Defender flags FreeFileSync — forumfreefilesync.org
    security
  10. Ransomware protection request — forumfreefilesync.org
    security

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