Repos / Syncthing
AlternativesSyncthing
For anyone who wants to keep the same folders on several computers without paying for or depending on a cloud storage service.
What it does.
- continuously sync folders between two or more devices
- protect traffic between devices with TLS and accept only the ones you authorize
- manage everything from a local web interface
- run in Docker or with the community's various graphical interfaces
Systems: Built for the common systems: there are binaries for Windows and macOS (signed), Linux and a Docker image. The community maintains variants for Android and other interfaces.
What you need.
- Two or more devices, each with Syncthing installed; the getting-started guide starts from two machines. source for this requirement (opens in a new tab)
- A browser for the web interface, which listens on http://127.0.0.1:8384. source for this requirement (opens in a new tab)
How to install.
Download the latest version for your system (on Debian/Ubuntu you can use its apt repository), unpack it and run the binary:
syncthingOn first start it generates its configuration and keys, and opens the interface at http://127.0.0.1:8384.
Under "Actions → Show ID" copy the device ID, and on the other machine use "Add Remote Device" with that ID; repeat on both sides and share the folder.
Commands taken from the official documentation. Read them before you run them: it is your machine.
Permissions and data.
- It opens port 22000 (TCP and QUIC) to sync; the interface stays on 127.0.0.1 and is only visible from your machine.
- Global discovery is on by default: every 30 minutes it sends your device ID and ports to public discovery servers.
- Local discovery is also on by default: every 30 seconds it broadcasts a packet with your device ID and ports on your local network.
- Relays are on by default: if there is no direct connection, the (encrypted) traffic goes through a public relay, whose operator sees your IP, your ID and the volume of data.
Limits and warnings.
- Each device only connects to another if both have added each other with their ID.
- Through a relay the speed is much lower than on a direct connection.
- The global discovery servers are hosted by one person on the project (calmh), according to the security documentation.
- The variants for Android, Windows and other graphical interfaces are community projects, not part of the core.
Real cost and cloud.
- Free and with no server of your own: you need no account or subscription.
- If you want to avoid the public relays, you can run and configure your own relay.
- Your files live only on your devices: you need at least one other device turned on for syncing to happen.
License.
MPL-2.0 Open source with copyleft
MPL-2.0: weak, file-level copyleft. You can use it and combine it with other code; changes to MPL files must be shared under the same license.
This is a summary to orient you, not legal advice. For commercial use, read the original LICENSE file.
Where all of this comes from.
Checked against the official documentation on October 29, 2026; this is not a lab test. Nothing was installed or measured to write this guide. If something has changed, the project's documentation is the authority.