FreeFileSyncis a free, open source and cross platform folder comparison and synchronization software, which helps you[synchronize files and folders on Linux][2], Windows and Mac OS.
It is portable and can also be installed locally on a system, it’s feature-rich and is intended to save time in setting up and executing backup operations while having attractive graphical interface as well.
#### FreeFileSync Features
Below are it’s key features:
1. It can synchronize network shares and local disks.
2. It can synchronize MTP devices (Android, iPhone, tablet, digital camera).
3. It can also synchronize via[SFTP (SSH File Transfer Protocol)][1].
4. It can identify moved and renamed files and folders.
5. Displays disk space usage with directory trees.
12. Supports in-depth and detailed error reporting.
13. Supports copying of NTFS extended attributes such as (compressed, encrypted, sparse).
14. Also supports copying of NTFS security permissions and NTFS Alternate Data Streams.
15. Support long file paths with more than 260 characters.
16. Supports Fail-safe file copy prevents data corruption.
17. Allows expanding of environment variables such as %UserProfile%.
18. Supports accessing of variable drive letters by volume name (USB sticks).
19. Supports managing of versions of deleted/updated files.
20. Prevent disc space issues via optimal sync sequence.
21. Supports full Unicode.
22. Offers a highly optimized run time performance.
23. Supports filters to include and exclude files plus lots more.
### How To Install FreeFileSync in Ubuntu Linux
We will add officialFreeFileSync PPA, which is available forUbuntu 14.04andUbuntu 15.10only, then update the system repository list and install it like so:
```
-------------- On Ubuntu 14.04 and 15.10 --------------
$ sudo apt-add-repository ppa:freefilesync/ffs
$ sudo apt-get update
$ sudo apt-get install freefilesync
```
On Ubuntu 16.04 and newer version, go to the[FreeFileSync download page][3]and get the appropriate package file for Ubuntu and Debian Linux.
Next, move into the Download folder, extract the FreeFileSync_*.tar.gz into the/optdirectory as follows:
Now we will create an application launcher (.desktopfile) usingGnome Panel. To view examples of`.desktop`files on your system, list the contents of the directory/usr/share/applications:
```
$ ls /usr/share/applications
```
In case you do not haveGnome Panelinstalled, type the command below to install it:
To compare the file time and size of the two folders (default setting), simply click on theComparebutton.
[
][6]
Compare Two Folders in Linux
Press`F6`to change what to compare by default, in the two folders: file time and size, content or file size from the interface below. Note that the meaning of the each option you select is included as well.
#### Synchronization Two Folders Using FreeFileSync
You can start by comparing the two folders, and then click onSynchronizebutton, to start the synchronization process; clickStartfrom the dialog box the appears thereafter:
To set the default synchronization option: two way, mirror, update or custom, from the following interface; press`F8`. The meaning of the each option is included there.
For more information, visit FreeFileSync homepage at[http://www.freefilesync.org/][12]
That’s all! In this article, we showed you how to install FreeFileSync in Ubuntu and it’s derivatives such as Linux Mint, Kubuntu and many more. Drop your comments via the feedback section below.
I am Ravi Saive, creator of TecMint. A Computer Geek and Linux Guru who loves to share tricks and tips on Internet. Most Of My Servers runs on Open Source Platform called Linux. Follow Me: [Twitter][00], [Facebook][01] and [Google+][02]
