Comparing File Syncronization Apps: Dropbox, FolderShare, SugarSync and Syncplicity
July 28th, 2008
We've written up some of the desktop file synchronization applications available, and today we'd like to share what we've discovered. We chose these applications for their versatility and integration of web 2.0 features, and though we did not choose these applications for their file sharing ability, it quickly became apparent that the developers valued that ability. As you can see from the chart, we judged the applications on usability as well as function, always with a mind to reliability. Measured for security, sync, and which applications have unique functions for photos or sharing, we'll be taking a look at the applications that connect you. Read More »
The first thing to know about the beta file sharing, sync'ing, and backup utility Syncplicity is that at the moment, it only supports the Windows platform. According to Syncplicity, support for Apple will come, but for the moment this review applies to users running XP or Vista. With the Syncplicity experience, sharing, sync'ing, and backup are all simple processes with Syncplicity. Secure, up to date files are maintained with frequent synchronization, available at any time through remote access on the web. Integration into productivity tools and social networks extend the function of Syncplicity, making it versatile for the PC user. 
File management is genuinely sweet with SugarSync, the cross-platform application that can sync multiple computers, share files, and backup files. Access your files from any location, including your mobile, and have them backed up as you go with SugarSync. 
FolderShare has been in one incarnation or another since the end of 2005, offering a platform for file synchronization, sharing, and remote access. A pragmatic approach to synchronization, Foldershare offers sync without the 3rd party upload in a simple interface. 
At a glance, there's not much to Dropbox. Download the program, install, then put files you'd like to share into one of the two folders Dropbox creates for you on your computer. One for files, the other for photos. When you're ready to sync or share, you sign in to Dropbox.com. That's it. Share away. Yet beyond the simplicity of Dropbox there is a lot of capability, ranging from synchronizing files to cross platform compatibility. Dropbox allows you to upload online for the purpose of sharing or syncing, but the original files stay in your folders, giving you the best of both worlds. Share, sync, and even restore versions while maintaining local control over the information. 
