Syncthing: Self-Hosted File Synchronization

Syncthing is a continuous file synchronization program that syncs files between two or more devices in real time. With over 79,000 GitHub stars, it is the most trusted open-source alternative to Dropbox, Google Drive, and other cloud sync services. Syncthing operates on a peer-to-peer model — your data transfers directly between your devices without passing through any central server.

Self-hosting a Syncthing relay or always-on node on a VPS ensures your devices stay synchronized even when your home computers are offline.

Key Features

• Peer-to-peer synchronization with no central server or cloud dependency
• End-to-end encryption using TLS for all data in transit
• Selective sync with folder-level sharing and per-device configurations
• File versioning with configurable retention for recovering deleted or overwritten files
• Conflict resolution with automatic handling and manual review options
• Cross-platform support for Linux, macOS, Windows, Android, and FreeBSD
• Web-based admin interface for managing devices, folders, and sync status
• Ignore patterns for excluding files and directories from synchronization

Why Self-Host Syncthing?

Your files never touch third-party servers. Syncthing's peer-to-peer architecture means files transfer directly between your devices. Unlike Dropbox or Google Drive, there is no cloud intermediary storing copies of your data. Adding a VPS node gives you an always-on sync peer without sacrificing this privacy model.

No storage limits or subscription fees. Cloud sync services charge monthly for storage tiers. With Syncthing, your only cost is the disk space on your own devices. A VPS with 100 GB of storage costs a fraction of equivalent cloud storage subscriptions — and you can expand at any time.

Always-on availability. Running Syncthing on a VPS creates a persistent sync node that's online 24/7. When your laptop is closed and your desktop is off, the VPS keeps a current copy of your files. Open any device and it syncs instantly from the VPS rather than waiting for another peer to come online.

Complete control over sync rules. Define exactly which folders sync to which devices. Set up one-way send-only or receive-only folders. Configure file versioning policies, bandwidth limits, and ignore patterns — all granular controls that cloud services rarely offer.

System Requirements

Resource	Minimum	Recommended
CPU	1 vCPU	2 vCPUs
RAM	512 MB	1 GB
Storage	10 GB SSD	50 GB+ SSD
OS	Ubuntu 22.04+	Ubuntu 24.04

Syncthing is lightweight and efficient. CPU usage spikes during initial sync and file scanning but idles low during steady state. Storage should match the size of the folders you intend to synchronize.

Getting Started

Deploy Syncthing on your VPS using Docker Compose through Dokploy. Our deployment guide covers persistent storage, device pairing, folder configuration, and SSL for the web interface.

Deploy Syncthing with Dokploy →

Alternatives

• Nextcloud — Full-featured cloud platform with file sync, calendar, contacts, and office suite
• Seafile — High-performance file sync and share with client-side encryption
• Resilio Sync — Peer-to-peer sync using BitTorrent technology
• LocalSend — Cross-platform local network file sharing without internet

FAQ

Is Syncthing secure? Yes. All connections are encrypted with TLS. Device authentication uses unique cryptographic certificates. Data is never stored on external servers — it only exists on the devices you configure. The protocol has been independently audited.

Can Syncthing replace Dropbox? For file synchronization, yes. Syncthing handles real-time sync, file versioning, and selective folder sharing. It does not include collaboration features like shared links or document editing — it focuses purely on keeping files in sync across devices.

How does Syncthing handle conflicts? When two devices modify the same file simultaneously, Syncthing keeps both versions. The newer change takes the original filename, and the other is saved as a conflict copy. You can review and resolve conflicts manually.

Does Syncthing work behind NAT or firewalls? Yes. Syncthing uses relay servers and NAT traversal techniques to connect devices that can't establish direct connections. Self-hosting a relay on your VPS gives you a private relay for better performance and privacy.

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App data sourced from selfh.st open-source directory.