In the previous article, I covered Nextcloud — a full-featured personal cloud that gives you complete control over your data.
But what if you don’t need the full cloud storage functionality and just want reliable, private, and fast file synchronization between your devices — with no middlemen?
Then meet Syncthing — a unique open-source solution that changes the game.

What is Syncthing and How Does It Work? 🤝

Syncthing is a free and open-source program for decentralized P2P (peer-to-peer) file synchronization.
This means your files are transferred directly between your devices, without any central server acting as an intermediary.

How does it work?

Imagine you have files on:

• a work laptop 💻
• a home computer 🖥️
• a server 🌐

You want changes made on one device to instantly appear on all the others.
Syncthing lets you select folders to sync on each device and “link” them together.
When you change a file in one folder, Syncthing detects it and transfers the change directly to the other connected devices.

All data is encrypted during transmission, and no copies are stored on third-party servers.
Your data stays only on your own devices.

Advantages of Syncthing for Business and Personal Use: 👍

• Maximum privacy: 🕵️‍♀️
  Your files never touch third-party servers. Synchronization happens directly between your devices.

• Full control
  You decide exactly which folders are synced, with which devices, and under what rules.

• Decentralization
  No single point of failure. If one device goes offline, the others can continue syncing.

• Cross-platform compatibility: 🌐
  Syncthing works on all major operating systems: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, FreeBSD, Solaris — even on NAS devices.

• Free and open source: 💰
  No subscription fees, and you can trust the transparency of the code.

• Versioning support
  Syncthing can retain previous versions of files in case you accidentally change or delete something important.

• High speed
  Since data is transferred directly, syncing is often faster than through cloud services — especially over a local network.

Drawbacks to Consider: 👎

• Not a “cloud” in the traditional sense
  Syncthing has no central web interface you can access from anywhere if your devices are offline.

• Devices must be online
  For syncing to occur, devices need to be turned on and connected to the network (at least one device acting as a relay if not using external relay servers).

• Complexity with many devices
  Managing sync across a large number of devices or users can be more cumbersome than in centralized systems.

• No centralized administration
  There’s no unified dashboard for managing all connections and users in a large network.

Who Is Syncthing For? 🧑‍💻👩‍💼

Syncthing is an ideal solution for:

• Entrepreneurs and freelancers who need reliable, private syncing of work documents between their laptop, home PC, and possibly a server.
• Small teams collaborating on shared projects who value confidentiality and direct file exchange.
• Privacy-conscious users who don’t want their data stored on third-party servers.
• Those looking for a free alternative to paid syncing services.
• NAS owners who want easy file sync between NAS and other devices.

Syncthing won’t replace a full-featured cloud platform,
but it’s a fantastic complement — or even a standalone solution — for tasks where privacy and direct control over your data are the top priorities.

Install it on your devices, configure a few folders, and enjoy the freedom of sync! 🚀