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Electronic Team, Inc. • 2017-01-12T11:05:27
Synchronization of macOS with several portable devices and online accounts can be a pain without the right tool. Keeping your macOS vital apps like iCal, Music, Address Book, photos, and other data in sync with other devices is the desire of most Mac users. It gives you the flexibility and the ability to stay on top of things no matter where you are and what devices you have at hand.
Before Mac OS X 10.7 (Lion), there were plenty of tools that relied on the Apple's Sync Services framework, but after it was deprecated, the situation on the market changed. The removal of Sync Service from macOS created a vacuum that so many third party developers tried to fill. In the process of filling the vacuum, the market was flooded with lots of solutions, not necessarily reliable ones. Only a few of them can sync data directly between macOS apps and other devices online and offline without hiccups.
Quick Summary:
We can definitely say that our top choice is SyncMate. This Mac synchronization software is renowned for its ability to sync data on macOS with multiple devices and online accounts. SyncMate can perform synchronization of various devices simultaneously and offers automatic background sync too.
Devices/Accounts supported include iOS, Android devices, Mac computers, MTP and other mounted devices. iCloud, Dropbox, Google, Outlook, Office 365 Home and Business accounts even One Drive are all supported by SyncMate.
Sync options: SyncMate has an extensive sync option list when compared to other tools in this article. It syncs media files and folders with personal data. At the same time offering non-sync options that include mounting devices, SMS management, call history, and so many others. One of the popular options is data backup, which can be automated as well, so you never have to worry about losing any important information on any of your devices.
Pros:
• keeps accounts and devices in sync with macOS apps directly without any clouds;
• sophisticated and multi-device but with a really comprehensive interface at the same time;
• syncs over Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB.
Cons:
• not a free solution;
• no PDF documentation.
Supported OS:
Mac, iOS, Android
Conclusion:
All in all, we have to say that SyncMate is probably the best Mac Folder sync software out there. Everything is completely easy to use, with a convenient interface that makes sync tasks the work of a few seconds. Compatibility is great, and it’s easy to sync not just files and documents, but contacts and message histories as well. You do have to pay for the full package, but it’s more than worth it.
SyncMate
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SyncMate
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dr.fone
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GoodSync
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iPhoneTransfer
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ChronoSync
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TunesGo
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SugarSync
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Android Data Recovery
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EaseUS MobiMover
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AirDroid
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MobiKin Assistant
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MobileTrans
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SyncGene
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Syncovery
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Get Backup Pro
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Mac to Mac
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Mac to Mac
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Mac to Android
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Mac to Android
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Mac to iOS devices
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Mac to iOS devices
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Sync with cloud storages
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Sync with cloud storages
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Sync with Microsoft services
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Sync with Microsoft services
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iOS - Android
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iOS - Android
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Backup devices
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Backup devices
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iTunes to device
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iTunes to device
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AutoSync
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AutoSync
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macOS 10.15+
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macOS 10.15+
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$39.95
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$39.95
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$139.95
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$49.95
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$49.95
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$49.99
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$69.95
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7.49$ per month
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$69.95
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$59.95
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2.99$ per month
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$49.95
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$39.95
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$69.95
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$34.90
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$19.99
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ChronoSync is an interesting synchronization software because apart from the regular sync function, it also backs up and restores data.
Devices/Accounts supported include Apple devices only. Surprising yes! The only synchronization supported is between macOS and iOS devices. If you have Android devices then you might want to consider SyncMate or GoodSync.
Sync options: It can sync any file type between Apple devices. This synchronization software also handles backup like local, remote, bootable and even remote bootable backup.
Pros:
• good interface;
• multiple backup options incl. bootable.
Cons:
• no data compression;
• not always easy to restore backups.
Supported OS:
Mac, iOS
Conclusion:
This solution has a number of things to recommend it. Not only does it sync, but it also backs up, meaning that you can guarantee all your files will be safe. However, the obvious problem comes with compatibility. While it’s a useful Mac file sync software if you’re completely loyal to Apple, if you have an Android phone, you won’t be able to use it, which is a major drawback.
The name of this tool implies it is a synchronization tool but in reality, it is a backup and restoration tool, so be careful - first decide what type of software you need exactly.
Supported devices: You can backup Mac data to a file server, FireWire disk, and PowerBook with the intention of keeping files on both ends up to date. With Synchronize! PRO bootable backups to a disk image over a Network is possible. One interesting feature worth mentioning is that you can set backups to happen automatically or at a scheduled time.
Pros:
• can operate automatically;
• bootable backup options.
Cons:
• rather expensive.
Supported OS:
Mac, iOS
Conclusion:
This is a pretty handy Mac sync software, with a lot to offer. It offers the standard sync features, as well as backups to ensure your files are kept safe. However, you do have to spend a fair amount of money to get full usability. While the network feature is definitely useful, you may not want to spend that much on a sync tool if you don’t really need to.
This macOS synchronization software can sync, backup and restore data.
Accounts/Devices supported: computers, mobile devices, FTP, S3, GDocs, SkyDrive, DAV, etc. It has the option to automatically sync any file on your Mac with any computer, drive, or mobile devices. It can also backup data on drives, devices to FTP, S3, SkyDrive and others.
Sync options: It is important to accentuate that GoodSync only syncs folder to folder, not folder and macOS apps like iCal, iTunes or even photos. GoodSync can sync folders containing files among supported devices and accounts.
Pros:
• automated backup and sync options for folders and volumes;
• advanced support for remote data access.
Cons:
• narrow focus;
• dense, techie documentation;
• difficult interface, not for beginners.
Supported OS:
Mac, iOS, Android
Conclusion:
In many ways, this is a useful program, though it may not be for everyone. Compared to some of the other software we’ve looked at, GoodSync can often feel clunky and overly complicated. The other major problem is that it’s good at syncing folders, but useless when it comes to syncing between different programs. For that reason, you may want to look at some of the other options for the best sync software for Mac.
Resilio Sync (previously BitTorrent Sync) is a peer-to-peer synchronization tool. You might think of it as the analogue of Dropbox, but unlike the latter it is not just one folder on your computer, it is rather multiple folders that you pick yourself to be synchronized.
Accounts/Devices supported: Resilio Sync supports Android, iOS, Windows Phone, Amazon Kindle Fire mobile platforms as well as desktop operating systems like macOS, Windows and Linux, FreeBSD. It is also available for NAS.
Pros:
• safe and secure;
• great for large files;
• real-time synchronization.
Cons:
• no way to access files from a web browser;
• slight delays occasionally;
• poor tech support cases were reported.
Supported OS:
Mac, Windows, iOS, Android, Linux
Conclusion:
Resilio offers a lot of plus points. It’s a good sync software for Mac for moving large files between devices, and keeping them synchronized. However, the speeds could be a lot higher. Another issue is poor customer feedback regarding support. It may be better if you choose a different program to rely on.
You can back up and sync select files and folders, back up to FTP, compress files, and set other basic options with any version of SyncBack. There are other additional features available in SyncBackFree, SyncBack Lite, SyncBackSE, and SyncBackPro.
Accounts/Devices supported: sync files within the same network to another drive on your computer or a shared folder on a different computer. Or you can sync your files to online accounts like Dropbox or Google Drive.
Pros:
• ease of use and flexibility;
• safe sync.
Cons:
• not every version supports various OS types;
• can be quite pricey, if you need advanced possibilities.
Supported OS:
Mac, Windows, iOS, Android, Linux
Conclusion:
SyncBack offers all the options we’ve come to expect from a decent sync software Mac users can enjoy. It’s fairly versatile, though there have been issues reported with different MacOS systems. If you’re unsure whether it can support your device, you may want to rely on a different solution. It’s also not the cheapest option out there.
This is a folder comparison and synchronization application for creating backup copies for your files. The way FreeFileSync works is it compares versions of the file and only transfers the data that is missing, without moving the whole files and folders around.
Accounts/Devices supported: this is an open-source software available for Windows, macOS, and Linux. In addition to local file systems and network shares, the app can sync to FTP, FTPS, SFTP and MTP devices.
Pros:
• open source and free, which might be a disadvantage too;
• synchronization scheduling;
• automatic batch sync.
Cons:
• only syncs folders, not apps like Calendars or Contacts;
• in 2018 Norton considered FreeFileSync a malware and was blocking its installer.
Supported OS:
Mac, Windows, iOS, Android, Linux
Conclusion:
This is an ambitious piece of software, all the more appreciated because it’s open source and available completely free. It’s quicker than some other programs, because it focuses on adding missing data rather than complete files. However, in practical terms, the lack of any calendar or contact sync makes this less useful for syncing with a mobile device.
Mozy Sync is a data synchronization service for syncing files and folders across multiple computers. This app uses its servers to move your data around. There is also a Mozy mobile app and you can access your files from a web browser if you need to use a different computer.
Accounts/Devices supported: this cloud-based solution works for the computers with either Mac OS or Windows installed. Mobile app is available for iOS and Android devices.
Pros:
• great backup, recovery and remote sync tool;
• possibility to pause sync process anytime.
Cons:
• only offers one-way synchronization.
Supported OS:
Mac, Windows, iOS, Android, Linux
Conclusion:
There are a few positive sides about Mozy, though it isn’t the best sync app for Mac. It’s great for creating backups, that let you perform a complete recovery if necessary. However, the main drawback is the fact that syncing is only one way. Given that all the other programs we’ve reviewed offer two way sync, there’s really no reason to choose this program.
Syncovery is a synchronization and backup software helping you keep all your important documents safe no matter what happens to your machine.
Accounts/Devices supported: this software works with Windows, macOS computers, servers, notebooks, and online storage accounts. It also supports FTP, SSH, HTTP, WebDAV, Microsoft Azure, Amazon S3, Google Drive, OneDrive, SharePoint, DropBox, Box and others.
Pros:
• great for any level of user.
Cons:
• Advanced Mode offers advanced features but might seem expensive for some users.
Supported OS:
Mac, Windows, iOS, Android
Conclusion:
Syncovery is a pretty good choice on this list. Its versatility means that you are safe using it with just about any kind of device, and good usability means that it’s easy to get your head around. However, at a fairly high price, you might be better off saving on a cheaper program.
With the galore of options that you can find online it is still not guaranteed all those options are exactly what you need neither it means they will actually work. Everybody knows that macOS is a type of operating systems that can be easily synchronized with other macOSs-operating devices but not so well with third party ones. Things got even more complicated when Apple decided to no longer support their Sync Services some years back. This automatically meant that all the apps that could have been used for data transfer up until that point, stopped working. This made gathering a list of apps and compare them by functionality a lot more trickier, however, we provided you with the best ones. We made our best possible effort to choose the applications that stayed in stride and should satisfy your synchronization needs.
Key factors we considered while choosing best macOS synchronization software:
The 3 online cloud sync services discussed here are considered the best among numerous cloud sync services. They basically store data in the cloud.
The upside of these services is that you can access data stored in them from any device provided there is an internet connection. The downside of these services is that there is no direct interaction with Mac apps like iTunes or even synchronization of data like contacts or calendars. We selected iCloud, Dropbox, and SugarSync.
iCloud belongs to Apple and is the cloud storage platform for all Apple devices. iCloud allows you to store and manage personal data in iCal, Address Book, etc. directly in it. It is only available for Apple devices.
Dropbox is a widely used cloud storage service. Most people choose this service because it offers free cloud space for data storage. Dropbox also allows sharing of stored data with others even if they don't have a Dropbox account. It supports Mac, iOS, PC and Android.
SugarSync shares some similarity with Dropbox, providing cloud storage space for data and folders transfer. The stored contents can be shared or removed from all PC's or Mac in the event of loss or theft. It is available for PC's, Androids and Mac.
Pros:
Cons:
Conclusion:
All in all, cloud services are a useful choice for many people. The main draw is the flexibility they offer, allowing you to reach your saved files from any device with an internet connection. They’re also useful due to the large amount of space on offer, and the fact that many of the biggest services are free. However, despite these benefits, they are still not the best Mac sync app. Especially if you are looking to move conversations, calendars and contact details from one device to another, you’re better off with a program like SyncMate, that has been designed specifically with these tasks in mind.
As we’ve seen, there are plenty of different options on offer for anyone looking for the best Mac folder sync software. Whether you’re looking for an online, cloud based solution, or downloadable software, there’s no shortage of options out there. While writing this list, we’ve tried to take into account some of the most important factors at play when you choose how you want to sync between your Mac and mobile devices. Covering cost, compatibility, extra features and ease of use, we’ve made an effort to give you everything you need to find the right sync solution for your needs.
That said, we’re more than happy to endorse SyncMate as the best Mac file sync software. It’s got a range of different features, covering straightforward file syncs, as well as extra features such as contact, calendar and conversation syncing. While you do need to invest to get the most out of it, you can still get a taste of what’s on offer with their free trial. And once you unlock the complete package, it’s the work of seconds to ensure that all your devices are always in sync, with the most important data shared between them.
SyncMate has every right to be considered the best sync software for Mac. Take a look at its key features: