Syncthing

This helps when you want to keep documents between desktop, laptop or other supported devices. It suits you if you want to arrange storage and accessibility yourself. For someone who expects an always available online download folder, it is important to know that a suitable other copy should be accessible.

First connect two devices with a test directory and check the device IDs. Try adding, modifying and deleting before connecting important folders.

The transfer between devices is encrypted. Discovery and relay services can process connection data such as device IDs. Secure configuration and keys and withdraw the access of lost devices. A shared folder is available for the authorized device; therefore select only what you really want to synchronize.

Synchronization is not an independent backup. Conflicts can arise if you change the same file on multiple devices at once.

Version Manager does not automatically enable each folder and stores older files in case of changes from another device. It does not replace full independent backup of local operations. Do not unnecessarily open the management interface for your network. Check conflicts before overwriting a file.

Syncing is suitable if you want to synchronize folders between your own devices without a central cloud storage for the file contents. You choose which devices trust each other and which folders they share. That gives control, but requires active management. The devices must be able to reach each other and changes, including deletions, can be transmitted to the other copies.

This choice fits with devices you manage yourself and for which you can arrange the accessibility. For a one-off transfer, a simpler shipping route can be sufficient. When continuing synchronization, determine which direction of change and version storage you need. Also store important data independently, so that a misdeleted folder does not result in the same loss on all synchronized devices.