File Synchronization
File Synchronization
Synchronize multiple pairs of folders or files.
$7.99
One-Time Purchase
File Synchronization overview
File Synchronization is a utility that has the ability to synchronize multiple pairs of folders or files. It has been designed to be easy to use and quick to do the job.
It was based originally on the File Synchronization tool provided by Apple with the old Mac OS, but has a few improvements and features to help get the job done quickly and efficiently.
File Synchronization synchronizes multiple pairs of folders or files. It has been designed to be easy to use: choose 2 folders to synchronize then click the Synchronize button and you're done! However, there are multiple options when your needs get a little more complicated. The interface is easy to use and the application is quick to do any synchronization that you might need.
3 different synchronization modes to use depending on what you want to achieve:
- Automatic mode: whenever the content of one of the folder you synchronize changes, the synchronization is performed so you can be sure that the 2 folders are always synchronized. You set it once and then forget about it.
- Repeat mode: the synchronization is performed at a regular interval that you set in the preferences. Good when you're constantly making changes and don't want the folders to be continuously synchronized.
- Manual mode: whenever you want to perform the synchronization, you select the pair in the list and click Synchronize. Ideal if you synchronize a folder that is on a remote volume that might not always be available.
2 different synchronization directions:
- Bidirectional: changes in both folders that are synchronized are duplicated in both folders. Best when changes can occur in each folder that you synchronize.
- Unidirectional: changes that occur in one of the folder you synchronize are duplicated in the other folder. If you want to have an exact backup of a folder, that's the synchronization mode to use. You can choose to backup the folder on the left or on the right.
Preview window:
- See how many items are going to be copied and deleted and what the sizes of those items to copy and delete are.
- Check what is going to happen if the synchronization is performed.
- Decide which item is going to replace the other
- Remove some items from the list from being synchronized.
- Delete items you don't want to be synchronized.
Synchronization options for each pair:
- Select the synchronization mode.
- Choose the synchronization direction of that pair.
- Set filters to ignore certain items.
- Decide what happens with orphaned files and recently modified files.
- Ignore warnings when both copies of the same file have been modified since the last synchronization.
- Include or not invisible items.
- See the status of the last synchronization session and when it was last synchronized.
Multiple sources for the synchronization:
- Local disks.
- Remote volumes shared by another Mac on your network or by a Windows computer.
- iDisk.
- USB flash drive.
- Store login information for remote volumes so that they can be automatically mounted the next time they are needed.
- Any volume you can access in the Finder can be used.
Additional information:
- Can generate a log each time a synchronization is performed.
- Error reporting gives you a description of an error so you can fix it.
- Hierarchical views show you exactly where an item is in any list. Double-click an item and it will be selected in the Finder.
What’s new in version 1.6.5
Updated on Jan 07 2013
- Fixes an issue that would cause some files to be synchronized over and over again.
- Supports Dark Mode in Catalina.
Information
License
Shareware
Size
7.2 MB
Developer’s website
https://www.nemesys-soft.com/MacOS/FileSynchronization/FileSynchronization_EN.htmlDownloads
43558
App requirements
- Intel 64
- OS X 10.9 or later
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User Ratings
Oct 18 2023
Version: 1.6.5
small and focussed tool - it just does what I expected :-)
Jul 3 2016
Version: 1.6.4
"File Synchronisation has been tested and is fully compatible with Mac OS X 10.11 (El Capitan)."
as per http://www.nemesys-soft.com/MacOS/FileSynchronization/FileSynchronization_EN.html
Sep 22 2015
Version: 1.6.4
Developer has not "dropped off the face of the earth," the website still works and they still respond to emails, so let's lose the drama.
However, they don't give a damn about keeping it updated and have a history of failing to fix bugs - see my previous post below and also the post from polocanada on Feb 21, 2014 in which the dev. says "Unfortunately, the issue hasn’t been fixed. We’re working on it. Stay tuned."
That was 19 months ago!
I've been using v1.6.4 for quite some time and didn't realize it hadn't been updated in nearly THREE YEARS. I was surprised when I saw that on MU and thought maybe they'd just forgotten to add a newer version.
But I checked the dev's website and they too show 1.6.4 as the current version.
I ran into a bug a few days ago in which FS fails to check if enough free space is available before beginning to copy files. I returned to find FS hung and I had to force-quit.
I figured out what was causing the problem and notified the developer, even though I really didn't think they'd care since the app appeared to be abandoned.
I received this ludicrous reply from them just an hour and a half after I sent my message:
"I’m not sure why you think it’s abandonware. It’s not. The problem you reporting is a known issue that we are tracking and hope to fix in an update. The big problem is that the App Store rules are constantly changing and getting stricter, so it’s harder to maintain older software. And, as you might be able to imagine, rewriting an application like this from scratch takes time. We’re not the size of Apple or Adobe.
So, the only workaround I can suggest for now is that you check in advance that there is enough space on your destination for the entire content of the source."
They were surprised that someone would think that their app, which hadn't been updated in over 2.5 years, was abandoned? LMAO!
The last time it was updated, Mountain Lion was the current OS.
If it looks like abandonware and smells like abandonware, it's probably abandonware.
And they said they were aware of the bug and are "hoping" to fix it in an update, but it's been difficult because they're a small company.
In my many years of experience, "hoping" has never accomplished a single thing. Looks like they've been hoping for years that this app would update itself.
Even individual developers manage to provide regular updates for their apps on the MAS, yet in almost three years this company hasn't managed to fix a critical bug that they admit to knowing about.
Don't give this developer any money because they'll just squander it on who-knows-what. It sure won't go toward updating their software!
It would be EXTREMELY foolish to buy this app knowing it contains at least two bugs and hasn't been updated in years.
Backups are vital, and you want up-to-date, bug-free software from a diligent, reputable company.
That is definitely NOT what you get with File Synchronization!
However, they don't give a damn about keeping it updated and have a history of failing to fix bugs - see my previous post below and also the post from polocanada on Feb 21, 2014 in which the dev. says "Unfortunately, the issue hasn’t been fixed. We’re working on it. Stay tuned."
That was 19 months ago!
I've been using v1.6.4 for quite some time and didn't realize it hadn't been updated in nearly THREE YEARS. I was surprised when I saw that on MU and thought maybe they'd just forgotten to add a newer version.
But I checked the dev's website and they too show 1.6.4 as the current version.
I ran into a bug a few days ago in which FS fails to check if enough free space is available before beginning to copy files. I returned to find FS hung and I had to force-quit.
I figured out what was causing the problem and notified the developer, even though I really didn't think they'd care since the app appeared to be abandoned.
I received this ludicrous reply from them just an hour and a half after I sent my message:
"I’m not sure why you think it’s abandonware. It’s not. The problem you reporting is a known issue that we are tracking and hope to fix in an update. The big problem is that the App Store rules are constantly changing and getting stricter, so it’s harder to maintain older software. And, as you might be able to imagine, rewriting an application like this from scratch takes time. We’re not the size of Apple or Adobe.
So, the only workaround I can suggest for now is that you check in advance that there is enough space on your destination for the entire content of the source."
They were surprised that someone would think that their app, which hadn't been updated in over 2.5 years, was abandoned? LMAO!
The last time it was updated, Mountain Lion was the current OS.
If it looks like abandonware and smells like abandonware, it's probably abandonware.
And they said they were aware of the bug and are "hoping" to fix it in an update, but it's been difficult because they're a small company.
In my many years of experience, "hoping" has never accomplished a single thing. Looks like they've been hoping for years that this app would update itself.
Even individual developers manage to provide regular updates for their apps on the MAS, yet in almost three years this company hasn't managed to fix a critical bug that they admit to knowing about.
Don't give this developer any money because they'll just squander it on who-knows-what. It sure won't go toward updating their software!
It would be EXTREMELY foolish to buy this app knowing it contains at least two bugs and hasn't been updated in years.
Backups are vital, and you want up-to-date, bug-free software from a diligent, reputable company.
That is definitely NOT what you get with File Synchronization!
Jun 25 2015
Version: 1.6.4
Developer dropped off the face of the earth and the registration process has to keep happening - some weirder serial validation unlike anything else I've seen. Code won't work anymore and can't get response.
Feb 21 2014
Version: 1.6.4
Response from the developer regarding the issue I outlined below..
Since it's not fixed, if you are doing sync, be very very careful everybody because if you use USB drives and if that drive becomes not available, disconnected or whatever, you could potentially risk loss of files because they become deleted both on source and destination and go to trash bin without you knowing it (unless you have LOGING option turned on)
Here is response from Laurent. I think the issue is critical, it's unfortunate it's still not resolved after about 1 year being known. That was about the time when the problem happened and still not resolved.
RESPONSE:
---------
Hello.
Unfortunately, the issue hasn’t been fixed. We’re working on it. Stay tuned.
-Laurent.
------------
Feb 18 2014
Version: 1.6.4
Hmm, hope I don't double post, not sure why my post doesn't appear here.
Has the issue with the disconnected volumes been resolved?
In version 1.6.2 I had often the issue when one of the attached USB volumes became disconnected and as a result File Sync didn't see it so it has deleted files on the other paired volume.
Here is what happened:
1) Volume 1 < --> Volume 2
2) Volume 2 becomes disconnected (e.g. USB switch failure)
3) File Sync can't find the Volume 2 and displays question mark, however it continues doing it's job (There is an option to stop at error - but I didn't notice it first).
4) When the sync finishes, I look into trash bin and there are thousands of files deleted from Volume 1. Looking at the Log, I see thousands of entries saying files on Volume 1 will be deleted because file on Volume 2 no found.
This is unfortunately poorly done or what is it, I lost thousands of files by these destructive sync, till one day I discovered trash bin full of these files and log full of this mess.
If the volume is missing then why does the sync operation continue to run..
I am just wondering if this has been fixed.
Feb 18 2014
Version: 1.6.4
Has the issue with the disconnected volumes been resolved?
In version 1.6.2 I had often the issue when one of the attached USB volumes became disconnected and as a result File Sync didn't see it so it has deleted files on the other paired volume.
Here is what happened:
1) Volume 1 < --> Volume 2
2) Volume 2 becomes disconnected (e.g. USB switch failure)
3) File Sync can't find the Volume 2 and displays question mark, however it continues doing it's job (There is an option to stop at error - but I didn't notice it first).
4) When the sync finishes, I look into trash bin and there are thousands of files deleted from Volume 1. Looking at the Log, I see thousands of entries saying files on Volume 1 will be deleted because file on Volume 2 no found.
This is unfortunately poorly done or what is it, I lost thousands of files by these destructive sync, till one day I discovered trash bin full of these files and log full of this mess.
If the volume is missing then why does the sync operation continue to run..
I am just wondering if this has been fixed.
I emailed the developer to see if they respond.
Dec 7 2013
Version: 1.6.4
Version 1.6.4 has 2 bugs, one being very serious.
Serious Bug: This only occurs when synchronizing my iTunes Library folder. Synchronization takes place, but then the dialog box changes to "Fixing Modification Dates..." and the program hangs. I've waited up to 15 minutes and this never changes. CPU usage is at a minimum. In order to get out of it I have to "Force Quit" the program. I saw something similar in version 1.6.3, but the dialog was "Fixing Permissions...". Same thing. Had to Force Quit the program. This is under OS 10.6.8 and only happens with the iTunes library folder.
Bug 2: Version 1.6.4 What's New: "Fixes a problem where if you were to perform a synchronization and nothing would need to be replaced, the last synchronization date would not be updated." This was not fixed.
Dec 13 2012
Version: 1.6.3
WARNING - version 1.6.3 has a serious bug:
When syncing files, the window displays the wrong information - it has the "copy from" and "copy to" items reversed, making it appear as though you're copying in the wrong direction. The copy process is actually done correctly, but it can sure scare the hell out of you when you don't know!
I notified the developer, but their lack of concern and failure to promptly correct this is alarming.
Their response was "This is a known issue that we have already fixed. If you have purchased from the App Store, you'll have to wait a bit because there is another minor fix we want to do before submitting this update."
So rather that than release an immediate update for this critical bug, they've delayed the release so they can include a "minor fix."
Data integrity is paramount, and giving a false impression that data loss is occurring calls for IMMEDIATE action!
Sep 14 2012
Version: 1.6.3
The more I use File Sync the more I like it. It handles all my back up needs. Sometimes I leave it to run overnight and when I get up all the hard work is done. I've never missed anything, it works like a dream (well more like while I dream ;)
Jul 4 2012
Version: 1.6.3
For 6 years this has, together with 1 Password, been the most important utility on my Mac. Here is why:
1. You can synch to anything you can connect to. Be it across platforms f.e. beween a Windows machine and a Mac, be it via LAN, Firewire or any other connection you can make.
2. You need to run File Synchronization only on one computer. No need to install it on the other.
3. You can preview anything you do. You can see where Files are located, manually erase them if you do not want to keep it, or manually exclude one or more files from synching.
4. You can automatically exclude files you do not want, such as .db files with thumbnails of files which may be needed in Windows, but not on a Mac.
5. You can delete orphaned files automatically while excluding recently changed files so that you do not recopy files you just deleted from the other computer, but also do not delete files just generated on one.
6. You can even synch containers such as key chains. Of course you cannot synch actual database content (that would be asking a bit too much!)
7. The support is simply grand. On the few occasions when I needed him, Laurent, the author of the App, always figured out a solution for me - and always did so quickly.
There are very few Apps I could recommend with equally little reserve! One feature might be nice for the future: If Quick Look could be enabled in the preview, there would be no wish open!
May 27 2012
Version: 1.6.2
PS: I wish the publisher makes a better job in describing how the application works. Basically all information about it is summarized on the FAQ page, when in fact it should be using guided help in the application Window.
Here is how the application works, summarized and squeezed into one paragraph:
http://nemesys.dyndns.org/FileSynchronization/FAQ.html
May 27 2012
Version: 1.6.2
I am impressed by this software for 2 reasons:
1. it has a very simple, clean and easy to use interface
2. it does exactly what it's supposed to do
I went through a number of applications and spent over 12 hours trying and testing different things. What I needed is a tool to synchronize (and backup) my multiple USB drives into a single big USB drive and keep them in sync, as I add more stuff into it.
Since the USB drives are older I can't format them using HSF/HSF+ to get them working with Super Duper. So I had to find an alternative.
My single most important criteria was simplicity of use and I wanted the tool to have an interface where it lists pairs of folders (or drives) to be backed up.
I went through following apps:
Get Backup Pro, Super Flexible Synchronizer, Backup List, Super Duper, Carbon Copy Cloner, Synkron, Goodsync, Folders Synchronizer, SynkTwoFolders, Synk Pro, Synchronize Pro, Chronosync, iBackup, JaBack , Simple Backup, Deja Vu .... and several others.
From this list 3 were top candidates. Deja Vu (failed because of miserable interface), Synkron (failed because when it was supposed to do things it froze) and File Syncrhonization (no issues but one, see below).
This software is not replacement for Super Duper or CCC. It doesn't something different and it does it well.
My only complain about this software is that it has no scheduler. Yes, you can use the iCal calendar application to create an event. That's not the point because I can create an event for any application using iCal and/or Automator. I don't like to put computer related things into my calendar, but one way around is to create a new separate calendar for this purpose.
(therefore 4 starts for features list)
Overall, I am a happy camper with this app and I can recommend.
May 19 2012
Version: 1.6.2
I have recently moved from Windows to Mac when my laptop died. I was previously using Syncbackpro for Windows which cost me similar money. By comparison this is very light on features and nothing like as easy to use. Specific comments:
- When the clocks change summer/autumn I get 1hr time differences between time stamps on files. I couldn't find any easy way to handle this. The 'ignore time differences of xx minutes' option doesn't appear to do anything. It is going to be very irritating to have to rewrite all my data twice a year.
- I have a Windows partition on the Mac to run software that isn't available on Mac and as a result it creates quite a lot of data to sync to my portable backup drive. Ideally I'd like to exclude the partition from the sync and backup Windows files separately but can't find an easy way to do it. On my old software I could just check boxes against every file or folder to include/exclude items. This was very quick, easy and flexible.
- When I view the 'preview' run I would like to be able to sort the results in different ways so I can easily pick out the items I want to override. This doesn't seem to be possible.
- When I run 'preview', I can sometimes continue to run a 'synchronise' and other times the button is greyed out so I have to run the whole process again from the main 'synchronise' menu button. Irritating.
- When using the app to load my files onto the mac from the backup drive it crashed several times. It seems to run out of memory after a certain volume of data - poor design
- The tracker bar showing progress of preview or synchronise is useless so I can't tell how long it is likely to take to run.
I realise this isn't fully commercial software but it isn't free either so I think it is reasonable to make comparisons to Windows equivalents. This has a long way to go. The only upside (if I try and look positively) is that I haven't yet found anything better for mac.
Jan 26 2012
Version: 1.6.1
I am running file synchronization (FS) on 2 Macs on my home network. I have version /dupe problems I've been solving on the Macs and a WD MyBookWorld ethernet connected 1 TB Drive. Yesterday I was syncing two directories on the WD drive and the process went fine until after the copy portion it locked up at "fixing permissions" with the status bar at halfway. I left it overnight. No Change in the morning - I Force Quit the app and rebooted. I logged into the WD drive this morning and "unlocked" all the file folders in both Public and Download shares. I do not use the WD software. BTW running the app fom Mac Mini 2.33Ghz cpu/120 gig SSD and 2 gig Ram
Tried again - same indications
Ideas?
Dec 16 2011
Version: 1.6.1
I meant to rate this a "5" but my mouse isn't cooperating :-) excellent program! Works great with Lion.
Nov 18 2011
Version: 1.6.1
Buyer Beware!
I've been using this for a while and I really liked the ease of use but lately I've had issues with the synchronizations- specifically, files not being kept in sync, even though the program insists they are. I'm not talking about little hidden files. I am using it to back up mp3s and the source and target folders are different by GBs (roughly 200GB total in the source folder). I've tried all sorts of things to remedy the situation, but no luck. Finally I had to use another product to fix the glitch. Needless to say it shook my faith in this produce. Neither of the email addresses I found on the developers website work, all the emails are being bounced back so there is no support. You've been warned!
(2010 MBP running OS X 10.6.8, FS ver 1.6.1)
Jun 24 2011
Version: 1.6
This last version very fast. I does very well what it is supposed to do
Mar 1 2011
Version: 1.4.6
I'm not reviewing this software because I wanted to comment on some of the other reviews, and because Backuplist+ does everything I need it to do. Several people have complained about the difficulty of synchronizing two folders using backup software. While that is generally true, Backuplist+ puts a pretty face on the *nix rsync tool that is designed for directory synchronization. It's free, can be scheduled, etc.
In any case, I'm not knocking File Synchronization, because I haven't tried it (at least, not lately), but I can do what I need to do free with Backuplist+.
I also found that the developer of Backuplist+ (whose name escapes me at the moment - something French, I believe) responded quickly and helpfully when I had a question about how to use the program.
$7.99
One-Time Purchase
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