Best Self Hosted Alternatives to GoodSync

Syncthing is a continuous file synchronization program that securely syncs files between two or more computers in real time. It operates without a central server, giving you control over where data is stored and how it's transmitted over the internet. (syncthing.net)

Key Features

• Real-time, peer-to-peer synchronization across devices. (syncthing.net)
• No central server; data stored only on your devices. (syncthing.net)
• TLS-encrypted transfers with perfect forward secrecy; devices are authenticated via cryptographic certificates. (syncthing.net)
• Open Protocol; Open Source; documented specs; development is open. (syncthing.net)
• Web-based UI accessible via a browser for configuration and monitoring, with cross-platform support. (syncthing.net)
• NAT traversal across LAN and Internet, with UPnP support for automatic port forwarding. (syncthing.net)
• Cross-platform support (macOS, Windows, Linux, and more). (syncthing.net)

Use Cases

• Personal backup and multi-device file synchronization without cloud storage. (syncthing.net)
• Peer-to-peer sharing of folders with family, friends, or colleagues without relying on a central service. (syncthing.net)
• Remote access to files across LAN/Internet with end-to-end-like security via TLS. (syncthing.net)

Limitations and Considerations

• (No dedicated limitations section added since no service-specific caveats are highlighted in official sources.)

Conclusion

Syncthing provides decentralized, secure file synchronization with a browser-based UI, broad cross-platform support, and a documented open protocol. It emphasizes user-controlled data flow without central servers and supports seamless LAN or Internet synchronization.

rclone is a command-line program for managing files on cloud storage and remote filesystems, often described as “rsync for cloud storage”. It supports a large range of providers and protocols, and can be used interactively, in scripts, or via its remote control API.

Key Features

• Sync, copy, move, and verify files between local storage and many cloud providers
• Integrity checking with hashes (such as MD5/SHA-1 where supported) and preserved timestamps
• One-way sync and two-way synchronization (bisync) workflows
• Optional client-side encryption (crypt), compression, chunking, and other virtual backends
• Mount remotes as a local disk via FUSE on supported platforms
• Serve remotes over common protocols (HTTP, WebDAV, FTP, SFTP, DLNA)
• Resumable transfers and support for efficient server-side copies when providers allow it

Use Cases

• Encrypted backups and restores to S3-compatible or consumer cloud storage
• Data migration between cloud vendors without manually downloading and re-uploading
• Mounting cloud/object storage as a filesystem for legacy applications and workflows

Limitations and Considerations

• Primarily a CLI tool; GUI functionality exists but is not the main interface
• Some capabilities depend on the chosen backend (hash types, server-side copy, metadata support)

rclone is a mature, cross-platform tool that excels at reliable file transfer and automation across heterogeneous storage systems. It is widely used for backup, migration, and day-to-day cloud storage operations where scripting and protocol flexibility matter.

Duplicati is a cross-platform backup client that creates encrypted, compressed, incremental backups and sends them to a wide range of cloud storage providers or remote file servers. It is designed for automated, bandwidth-efficient backups with a web-based UI and command-line tooling.

Key Features

• Client-side encryption using AES-256 or GnuPG before upload
• Incremental/differential backup approach to reduce storage and bandwidth
• Built-in scheduler for unattended, recurring backups
• Multiple destination types including SFTP/SSH, WebDAV, FTP, and S3-compatible/object storage providers
• Flexible selection and filtering (folders, file types, include/exclude rules)
• Web-based management interface plus command-line operation
• Support for backing up open/locked files via VSS on Windows and LVM snapshot support on Linux

Use Cases

• Encrypted offsite backups of desktops or servers to S3-compatible storage or a NAS
• Scheduled backups to remote servers over SFTP/WebDAV with retention rules
• Bandwidth-aware incremental backups for laptops and small office environments

Limitations and Considerations

• As a backup client, it requires a separate storage destination (cloud bucket, remote server, or file share) to receive data

Duplicati is a good fit when you need privacy-preserving backups with strong encryption and flexible destination support. Its combination of scheduling, incremental backups, and broad protocol/provider compatibility makes it practical for both home and small business environments.

Unison is a file-synchronization tool for POSIX systems (Linux, BSD, macOS) and Windows. It keeps two replicas of a set of files and directories synchronized, allowing changes to be made independently on each side and then propagated in both directions.

Key Features

• Bidirectional synchronization (not one-way mirroring) with automatic propagation of non-conflicting changes
• Conflict detection and presentation when both replicas are modified
• Works locally (different disks) or across networks between hosts
• Communication over SSH or direct TCP connections
• Efficient transfers over slow links, optimizing small updates to large files with an rsync-like delta/compression approach
• Offline-friendly behavior since data is copied rather than accessed via a network filesystem
• Resilient to failures, aiming to keep replicas and internal state consistent after interruptions
• Repeat mode with filesystem monitoring to sync changes soon after they happen

Use Cases

• Keeping a laptop and a server directory synchronized across SSH
• Syncing personal work folders between multiple computers without relying on a centralized cloud drive
• Maintaining consistent configuration or project directories across machines while handling occasional conflicts

Limitations and Considerations

• Designed for synchronizing exactly two replicas at a time; it is not a multi-node distributed filesystem
• Conflicts require user resolution when both sides change the same file or structure

Unison is a mature, long-used synchronizer focused on correctness, cross-platform support, and reliable two-way syncing. It fits best where you want direct control over replication behavior and a robust tool that works well over real-world networks.

FTPGrab is a command-line application for automatically grabbing files from remote FTP or SFTP servers on a schedule. It is written in Go and distributed as a single binary or as a Docker image, making it practical to run on servers, desktops, and NAS devices.

Key Features

• Periodic downloads using an internal cron-style scheduler
• Supports multiple sources, with FTP and SFTP (SSH) connectivity
• Prevents re-downloads using hashing and an embedded key/value store to track previously downloaded files
• Include/exclude filtering using regular expressions and optional date-based filtering
• Retry support for failed downloads
• Ability to adjust downloaded file/folder permissions and ownership
• Modtime translation on downloaded files
• Notifications via email, Slack, webhooks, and other providers
• Enhanced logging for auditing and troubleshooting

Use Cases

• Pulling completed downloads from a seedbox to a home NAS on a schedule
• Periodic backup-like retrieval of files from remote FTP/SFTP servers
• Automated synchronization of specific folders with filtering and notifications

FTPGrab is a focused utility for scheduled file retrieval rather than a full bidirectional sync tool. Its single-binary and Docker delivery makes it straightforward to deploy across many platforms and architectures supported by Go.

GitSave is a self-hosted web application that automates scheduled backups of Git repositories. It provides a simple, responsive UI to configure repositories, schedules, retention and storage destinations for safe, repeatable backups.

Key Features

• Responsive web interface for managing repositories, schedules and backups
• Automated scheduling with pause/resume controls and configurable retention (number of backups to keep)
• Support for GitHub, GitLab and arbitrary Git endpoints
• Pluggable authentication / support for a custom authentication provider
• Backup history and logs for auditing and troubleshooting
• Ability to store backups on a mounted filesystem or an SMB/CIFS share
• Distributed as Docker images with a provided docker-compose deployment pattern
• Requires configurable secrets for JWT and encryption (ENCRYPTION_SECRET is used to encrypt stored data)

Use Cases

• Regularly back up personal and starred repositories to a local NAS or backup server
• Ensure offline copies of organization repositories hosted on third-party Git providers
• Maintain a retention policy of repository snapshots for incident recovery and audits

Limitations and Considerations

• ENCRYPTION_SECRET must be a specific length (32 characters) for encryption to function correctly
• Primary storage options documented are local filesystem mounts and SMB shares; built-in cloud storage providers are not a highlighted feature
• Intended for single-node Docker deployments; lacks built-in clustering or multi-node high-availability features

GitSave is aimed at users who need a straightforward, self-hosted solution to schedule and retain Git repository backups. It emphasizes ease of deployment via Docker and simple management through a web UI.

Minus Games is a self-hosted suite for distributing, running and syncing games from a central home server to client devices. It provides server and client components plus helper apps to discover, update and launch games while keeping game files and save data synchronized.

Key Features

• Modular suite with server, client, GUI, finder and updater components for distribution and orchestration
• Distribute game files from a central server to multiple clients and launch games locally
• Sync save files between devices so non-launcher-managed games keep progress across machines
• Server-side scanning/indexing of designated game folders and endpoints to trigger rescans
• Client-side download, update and run workflows; includes a GUI for easier management

Use Cases

• Keep save files synchronized between a handheld (e.g., Steam Deck) and a desktop for non-store-managed games
• Host a small home-server game library and allow multiple clients to download and run titles locally
• Automate discovery and updates of game files on clients while preserving user saves

Limitations and Considerations

• Designed primarily for home/server LAN environments rather than large-scale CDN deployments
• Project scope is focused on file distribution and sync; advanced access control, multi-tenant features, or large-scale streaming are not core features

Minus Games is a practical tool for hobbyist home-server setups that need reliable distribution and save-file synchronization for games not managed by mainstream launchers. Its modular design supports headless and GUI clients and is suited for personal multi-device workflows.