Syncra vs rclone
The command-line tool for the widest range of cloud storage, or a sync app built around previews and recovery.
Checked: Plans, prices and features of other products change. This comparison was checked in 2026-10; confirm the details on rclone's own site before you decide.
The two tools in short
rclone
rclone is a free, open-source command-line program that copies and syncs files to and from dozens of cloud and storage services.
Syncra
Syncra syncs folders between your PCs, drives and NAS and can connect cloud accounts you already have. It does not provide online storage of its own.
Side by side
| Capability | Syncra | rclone |
|---|---|---|
| Two-way sync of folders | Yes | Partlyrclone is built mainly for one-way copy and sync. Its two-way mode (bisync) exists, but check its current status in the rclone documentation and test it before you rely on it. |
| Direct device-to-device sync on a local network | YesDesktop & CLI1 | No |
| Works across local drives, NAS and cloud storage together | YesDesktop & CLI1 | Yes |
| Contents encrypted on your device with a key only you hold | YesDesktop & CLI1 | YesThe crypt backend encrypts file contents, and optionally names, with keys you hold. |
| Version history and restore | YesDesktop & CLI1 | PartlyOld copies are kept only if you configure a backup directory or the storage service's own versioning; there is no built-in point-in-time restore. |
| Automatic stop when mass damage is detected | YesDesktop & CLI1 | No |
| Free for personal use | Yes | Yes |
| Provides online storage of its own | No | No |
¹ Implemented in the Syncra engine, the syncra CLI and the background service; the desktop app's screens for it are rolling out now. Not available in the browser web app.
Syncra vs rclone
When rclone is the better choice
- You script your backups, run on servers or want the broadest choice of storage backends.
- You are comfortable on the command line and want a tool you can fully automate.
- You want free, open-source software, with encryption that can also hide file names.
When Syncra fits better
- You want two-way sync as a core feature, with deletion detection, conflict handling and a preview of every change.
- You want devices on your network to pair with a QR code and sync directly.
- You want ransomware auto-stop and point-in-time restore in a tool with a graphical interface.
What Syncra costs
Personal use is free with every feature. Business, for work use by companies, organisations and public bodies, is 6,900 KRW (5.99 USD) per member per month, for two members or more.
Questions about Syncra and rclone
Can Syncra replace rclone?
Not for everything. For scripting and the widest choice of storage backends, rclone is stronger. Syncra covers the common cloud and NAS services (Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox, S3/R2, WebDAV, SFTP) with previews and recovery tools, and plenty of people use both.
Can Syncra read files encrypted by rclone crypt?
No. Syncra uses its own encryption format (XChaCha20-Poly1305 in 64 KiB chunks), so files encrypted by one tool cannot be read by the other.