FileZilla vs FreeFileSync
Both are free file management & compression tools. Here is how they actually differ.
FileZilla and FreeFileSync at a glance
| Feature | FileZilla | FreeFileSync |
|---|---|---|
| Developer | Tim Kosse | Zenju |
| Licence | Open Source | Open Source |
| Cost | Free | Free |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile | No | No |
| Source code | Public | Public |
FileZilla: what it's good at
FileZilla is the most widely used free FTP client, with a dual-pane interface, a transfer queue that resumes interrupted uploads, and a site manager for storing server connections — a staple of web development work.
- FTP, FTPS and SFTP support
- Resumes interrupted transfers
- Site manager for saved connections
- Handles files larger than 4GB
FreeFileSync: what it's good at
FreeFileSync compares and synchronises folders, drives and network shares, showing exactly what will change before it acts. It handles very large file sets efficiently and can run scheduled, automated sync jobs.
- Visual folder comparison before syncing
- Real-time and scheduled sync jobs
- Handles very large file sets
- Versioning of overwritten files
Which should you choose?
Both are free, so the honest answer is that you can install either and decide for yourself — that is the advantage of free software over a paid trial.
Both run on Windows, macOS, Linux. Both are open source, so neither locks you in.
We deliberately do not publish a star rating for either. We have no way to verify a rating that would be honest at scale, and an invented one would be worse than none — so we give you the facts and let you decide.
Frequently asked questions
Is FileZilla better than FreeFileSync?
Neither is universally better. FileZilla the standard cross-platform FTP, FTPS and SFTP client, while FreeFileSync folder comparison and synchronisation done properly. The right pick depends on your platform and workflow.
Are both really free?
FileZilla is open source and FreeFileSync is open source. Both can be downloaded without paying.
Can I install both?
Yes. Since neither costs anything, installing both and comparing them on your own files is usually the fastest way to decide.