{"slug": "syncthing", "name": "Syncthing", "category": "files", "category_name": "Files, sync and backup", "description": "Open-source continuous file synchronization tool that syncs folders directly between devices, peer-to-peer.", "recommenders": 33, "commenters": 54, "warners": 3, "score": 32.15, "rising": 3.47, "first": "2025-11-03", "latest": "2026-10-16", "why": "Loved for syncing KeePass databases, dotfiles and phone files across devices without a cloud service.", "why_is_quote": false, "has_verdict": true, "sentiment": {"recommend": 34, "neutral": 18, "compare": 0, "warn": 3}, "spark": [1, 4, 2, 1, 3, 1, 3, 5, 3, 4, 4, 3], "listed": true, "loved": ["KeePass sync", "Device backups"], "caveat": "Android client", "short_quote": "I use syncthing from my server to android. Seamless and configurable how I want it.", "icon": true, "domain": "syncthing.net", "github_repo": null, "official_url": "https://syncthing.net/", "pricing": "open source", "aliases": ["Syncthing"], "verdict": [{"text": "Loved for syncing KeePass databases", "cites": [{"id": 801783665, "item_id": 50111479, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50111479", "by": "seplox", "date": "2026-10-15", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "I've been using keepass+syncthing for years, and I've never had any issues.", "excerpt": "I'm puzzled that OP seems stumped on syncing keepass when they're already using syncthing. I've been using keepass+syncthing for years, and I've never had any issues.", "context": "", "use_case": "syncing KeePass database", "switched_from": "", "story": "What I self-host"}, {"id": 789453377, "item_id": 49340836, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49340836", "by": "daleswanson", "date": "2026-08-17", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "it works very well, and I sync between phone/laptop/desktop without any third parties", "excerpt": "I use KeepassXC and Syncthing. It's not a single password manager doing both the managing and syncing, but it works very well, and I sync between phone/laptop/desktop without any third parties.", "context": "", "use_case": "syncing password database", "switched_from": "", "story": "Bluesky draws its logo on screenshots"}, {"id": 742902560, "item_id": 46431410, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46431410", "by": "lightandlight", "date": "2025-12-30", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "started using [Syncthing](https://syncthing.net/) to sync my [KeepassXC](https://keepassxc.org/). It works pretty well", "excerpt": "This year I moved off LastPass, and started using [Syncthing](https://syncthing.net/) to sync my [KeepassXC](https://keepassxc.org/). It works pretty well, but doesn't have any automatic conflict resolution (I've been working on [something](https://github.com/LightAndLight/syncthing-merge) for this). Next up I'm moving my TODOs off Todoist to something local-first, and plugging that into my Syncthing setup.", "context": "", "use_case": "syncing password database", "switched_from": "", "story": "Bye Bye Big Tech: How I Migrated to an Almost All-EU Stack (and Saved 500\u20ac/Year)"}]}, {"text": ", dotfiles and phone files across devices", "cites": [{"id": 777446192, "item_id": 48590387, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48590387", "by": "blop", "date": "2026-06-18", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "I use syncthing to automatically sync my dotfiles git directory across PC/laptops", "excerpt": "I use syncthing to automatically sync my dotfiles git directory across PC/laptops, and stow to manually update symlinks when I add a new dotfile (the content of existing dotfiles is synced by syncthing already) That way I don't have to remember to commit+push+pull changes to existing dotfiles (like bashrc or vimrc which I edit often) to sync them to other machines, it happens automatically in almost real time as soon", "context": "", "use_case": "syncing dotfiles across machines", "switched_from": "", "story": "Migrating from GNU Stow to Chezmoi"}, {"id": 783005633, "item_id": 48937852, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48937852", "by": "KetoManx64", "date": "2026-07-16", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "I've been using chezmoi + Syncthing for about a year now.", "excerpt": "I've been using chezmoi + Syncthing for about a year now. I don't want to have to manually git commit + push + pull everytime I change a config file, so I just sync the chezmoi directory between all my devices (around 8 total). I also have a dedicated VM that I use as a central Syncthing node, and on there I have a script that pushes the chezmoi directory to my Gitea instance on an hourly basis. I then ignore the git", "context": "", "use_case": "syncing dotfiles across devices", "switched_from": "", "story": "Syncthing for Dotfiles: Sync vs. Manage"}, {"id": 797223299, "item_id": 49826456, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49826456", "by": "brokenmachine", "date": "2026-09-24", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "Syncthing to automatically sync files between the phone and my home server", "excerpt": "I use termux to ssh and RealVNC to connect to a remote vnc session, all over a wireguard VPN. Also Syncthing to automatically sync files between the phone and my home server. I download podcasts and audiobooks into a folder on the server and they're automatically on my phone ready to play. Immich to connect to my self-hosted media. And ntfy to get notifications from my home stuff. Tasker to automatically activate my ", "context": "Android user with home server", "use_case": "syncing files phone to server", "switched_from": "", "story": "Apple iPhone 18 Pro Camera test"}]}, {"text": " without a cloud service.", "cites": [{"id": 788306496, "item_id": 49269156, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49269156", "by": "kelvinjps10", "date": "2026-08-12", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "Now I use syncthing (no cloud needed)", "excerpt": "I remember gaining a bunch of storage from dropbox because they used to have this program where you gained storage by doing referrals. but then they removed it after I had invited so many people and I didn't want to keep using the service at all. Now I use syncthing (no cloud needed)", "context": "", "use_case": "file sync", "switched_from": "Dropbox", "story": "Dropbox, loved by the masses, a shareholder dead end"}, {"id": 789453377, "item_id": 49340836, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49340836", "by": "daleswanson", "date": "2026-08-17", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "it works very well, and I sync between phone/laptop/desktop without any third parties", "excerpt": "I use KeepassXC and Syncthing. It's not a single password manager doing both the managing and syncing, but it works very well, and I sync between phone/laptop/desktop without any third parties.", "context": "", "use_case": "syncing password database", "switched_from": "", "story": "Bluesky draws its logo on screenshots"}, {"id": 775329088, "item_id": 48458068, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48458068", "by": "j23n", "date": "2026-06-09", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "Syncthing/Synctrain + my apps allow me to keep everything on my private network", "excerpt": "I've been making a set of local- and files-first iOS apps for myself - Photo Gallery, Music and Contacts. I use Linux on my computer and an iPhone and wasn't happy having to use a cloud to sync my data between my devices. Syncthing/Synctrain + my apps allow me to keep everything on my private network, without ever touching a server or having to self-host something like Immich. https://j23n.com/public/posts/2026/local", "context": "Linux and iPhone user", "use_case": "sync data between devices", "switched_from": "", "story": "Ask HN: What are tools you have made for yourself since the advent of AI"}]}, {"text": " The most common caveat is turmoil around the Android client,", "cites": [{"id": 800550051, "item_id": 50034378, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50034378", "by": "Arrowmaster", "date": "2026-10-10", "stance": "warn", "quote": "with the constant death and forking of Syncthing on Android, it became unusable", "excerpt": "I specifically moved away from KeePassXC to Bitwarden with self hosted vaultwarden because the Linux desktop experience and mobile syncing was so terrible. While I love KeePassXC, using it on an immutable Linux distro where everything needs to be Flatpak means the browser extension doesn't work because it doesn't support Flatpak'd browsers back when I switched. Auto type is a security nightmare and is not an option. ", "context": "", "use_case": "syncing password db", "switched_from": "", "story": "Bitwarden Dual License Model"}, {"id": 749703376, "item_id": 46856461, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46856461", "by": "ratrocket", "date": "2026-02-02", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "being able to just run syncthing from the command line is a breath of fresh air.", "excerpt": "Adding to the many other great uses of termux already here, the most useful lately for me is running Syncthing. After the \"drama\" with the Syncthing android client (my understanding: official development stopped due to onerous requirements from the Google, then the most popular fork was transferred to a new owner in a less-than-fully-trustworthy manner), being able to just run syncthing from the command line is a bre", "context": "", "use_case": "file syncing on Android", "switched_from": "Syncthing Android client", "story": "Termux"}, {"id": 738962896, "item_id": 46185181, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46185181", "by": "robbiet480", "date": "2025-12-07", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "I love using Syncthing for syncing all my ROMs and saves across my handhelds", "excerpt": "I love using Syncthing for syncing all my ROMs and saves across my handhelds (RG35XXSP running muOS, AYN Thor running Android), my NAS and MacBook. I'm trying to figure out what my concern level should be with a change in ownership of syncthing-fork for Android though. I guess let's see what happens?", "context": "", "use_case": "syncing ROMs and saves", "switched_from": "", "story": "Syncthing-Android have had a change of owner/maintainer"}]}, {"text": " plus occasional sync conflicts.", "cites": [{"id": 780519793, "item_id": 48782487, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48782487", "by": "mieses", "date": "2026-07-03", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "I started using Syncthing and KeePass.  File version conflicts are rare but still happen.", "excerpt": "How this solves sync seems useful. If you use Google Drive and KeePass clients you will probably run into conflicts between keepass \"safe save\" and how google drive does file versioning, resulting in runaway duplication of your kdbx files. I started using Syncthing and KeePass. File version conflicts are rare but still happen. Including sync in the app seems like a good idea. It would be good to see screenshots of Br", "context": "", "use_case": "syncing KeePass database", "switched_from": "Google Drive", "story": "Show HN: Bramble \u2013 Local-first password manager"}, {"id": 742902560, "item_id": 46431410, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46431410", "by": "lightandlight", "date": "2025-12-30", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "started using [Syncthing](https://syncthing.net/) to sync my [KeepassXC](https://keepassxc.org/). It works pretty well", "excerpt": "This year I moved off LastPass, and started using [Syncthing](https://syncthing.net/) to sync my [KeepassXC](https://keepassxc.org/). It works pretty well, but doesn't have any automatic conflict resolution (I've been working on [something](https://github.com/LightAndLight/syncthing-merge) for this). Next up I'm moving my TODOs off Todoist to something local-first, and plugging that into my Syncthing setup.", "context": "", "use_case": "syncing password database", "switched_from": "", "story": "Bye Bye Big Tech: How I Migrated to an Almost All-EU Stack (and Saved 500\u20ac/Year)"}, {"id": 793304436, "item_id": 49581527, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49581527", "by": "aborsy", "date": "2026-09-05", "stance": "warn", "quote": "I stay away from sync: problems with permissions,  git repo, conflict, incomplete sync status in syncthing etc.", "excerpt": "The best backup solution that I found is ZFS send (even if it\u2019s not strictly a back up tool). ZFS send raw encrypted stream from laptop to a server automatically. Encrypted compressed incremental. No need to verify: if snapshot exists at destination, there is no error. If a problem is encountered, restore from redundancy. Errors can be detected and corrected. Restic has also been working great. The problem is that, i", "context": "", "use_case": "file sync", "switched_from": "", "story": "Creating backup storage sucks"}]}], "praise": [{"label": "KeePass sync", "summary": "A popular way to keep a KeePass database in sync across desktop and phone.", "quotes": [{"id": 801783665, "item_id": 50111479, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50111479", "by": "seplox", "date": "2026-10-15", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "I've been using keepass+syncthing for years, and I've never had any issues.", "excerpt": "I'm puzzled that OP seems stumped on syncing keepass when they're already using syncthing. I've been using keepass+syncthing for years, and I've never had any issues.", "context": "", "use_case": "syncing KeePass database", "switched_from": "", "story": "What I self-host"}, {"id": 789453377, "item_id": 49340836, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49340836", "by": "daleswanson", "date": "2026-08-17", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "it works very well, and I sync between phone/laptop/desktop without any third parties", "excerpt": "I use KeepassXC and Syncthing. It's not a single password manager doing both the managing and syncing, but it works very well, and I sync between phone/laptop/desktop without any third parties.", "context": "", "use_case": "syncing password database", "switched_from": "", "story": "Bluesky draws its logo on screenshots"}, {"id": 770906882, "item_id": 48181680, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48181680", "by": "kn100", "date": "2026-05-18", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "I switched from Bitwarden to KeepassXC / KeepassDX / Syncthing", "excerpt": "Good post. I switched from Bitwarden to KeepassXC / KeepassDX / Syncthing across my Android phone, Linux PC, and Windows PC. This was the setup I had prior to using Bitwarden for the first time. The Keepass experience is significantly better these days! Importing from Bitwarden is trivial too. Recommended!", "context": "", "use_case": "syncing password database", "switched_from": "", "story": "The Quiet Renovation at Bitwarden"}]}, {"label": "Device backups", "summary": "Used to copy phone files, photos and important data to servers, NAS boxes and relatives' PCs.", "quotes": [{"id": 795804464, "item_id": 49737779, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49737779", "by": "cuvert", "date": "2026-09-17", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "I use syncthing, which will backup on my pc, on my parents pc", "excerpt": "For my small library photos, keepass passwords, etc around 30gb, I use syncthing, which will backup on my pc, on my parents pc (they live in another country), on my sisters pc and on my phone. They also use this triangular mode to backup their stuff. Syncthing is setup to only sync through tailscale or home routers network.", "context": "", "use_case": "photo and password backup", "switched_from": "", "story": "Backups Aren't Simple"}, {"id": 792756928, "item_id": 49547308, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49547308", "by": "cm2187", "date": "2026-09-03", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "I use syncthing to a NAS, and the syncthing data being backed up by the NAS", "excerpt": "You don't want to compile code over SMB, even on a fast network. And what happens when you travel with patchy internet access? I use syncthing to a NAS, and the syncthing data being backed up by the NAS along everything else it contains.", "context": "", "use_case": "syncing code to NAS", "switched_from": "", "story": "Creating backup storage sucks"}, {"id": 764273137, "item_id": 47767071, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47767071", "by": "runjake", "date": "2026-04-14", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "Put important stuff in a SyncThing folder and sync that out to 2 different nodes.", "excerpt": "I already dropped Backblaze over this stuff and I do not intend to ever consider using them again. Now, I: - Put important stuff in a SyncThing folder and sync that out to 2 different nodes. - Clone stuff to an encrypted external drive at home. - Clone stuff to an encrypted external drive at work and hide it out in the datacenter (fire suppression, HVAC, etc). It's janky but it works. I used to use a safe deposit box", "context": "", "use_case": "syncing important files for backup", "switched_from": "Backblaze", "story": "Backblaze has stopped backing up your data"}]}, {"label": "Cloud replacement", "summary": "Several commenters replaced Dropbox or Google Drive with it to avoid third-party clouds.", "quotes": [{"id": 788306080, "item_id": 49269130, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49269130", "by": "kelvinjps10", "date": "2026-08-12", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "syncthing replaced dropbox for me.", "excerpt": "syncthing replaced dropbox for me. and for cloud the existing solutions are better google drive,icloud, onedrive but actually I use restic and a s3 compatible bucket.", "context": "", "use_case": "file sync", "switched_from": "Dropbox", "story": "Dropbox, loved by the masses, a shareholder dead end"}, {"id": 778767072, "item_id": 48672942, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48672942", "by": "shizcakes", "date": "2026-06-25", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "I used to use Google Drive, but now I use Syncthing, further reducing my exposure.", "excerpt": "One of the security advantages of KeePass being just a file is that you can sync it in the way that makes sense to you. The need to have an opinion on how you\u2019d like to sync a file does, as you suggest, eliminate some portion of the population who need a fully baked answer in one step. I used to use Google Drive, but now I use Syncthing, further reducing my exposure. Paired with Synctrain and KeePassium on iOS. One t", "context": "", "use_case": "syncing KeePass database", "switched_from": "Google Drive", "story": "LastPass notifies users of yet another data breach"}, {"id": 775329088, "item_id": 48458068, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48458068", "by": "j23n", "date": "2026-06-09", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "Syncthing/Synctrain + my apps allow me to keep everything on my private network", "excerpt": "I've been making a set of local- and files-first iOS apps for myself - Photo Gallery, Music and Contacts. I use Linux on my computer and an iPhone and wasn't happy having to use a cloud to sync my data between my devices. Syncthing/Synctrain + my apps allow me to keep everything on my private network, without ever touching a server or having to self-host something like Immich. https://j23n.com/public/posts/2026/local", "context": "Linux and iPhone user", "use_case": "sync data between devices", "switched_from": "", "story": "Ask HN: What are tools you have made for yourself since the advent of AI"}]}, {"label": "Dotfiles syncing", "summary": "Syncs dotfiles and configs across machines, removing the git commit, push and pull routine.", "quotes": [{"id": 777446192, "item_id": 48590387, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48590387", "by": "blop", "date": "2026-06-18", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "I use syncthing to automatically sync my dotfiles git directory across PC/laptops", "excerpt": "I use syncthing to automatically sync my dotfiles git directory across PC/laptops, and stow to manually update symlinks when I add a new dotfile (the content of existing dotfiles is synced by syncthing already) That way I don't have to remember to commit+push+pull changes to existing dotfiles (like bashrc or vimrc which I edit often) to sync them to other machines, it happens automatically in almost real time as soon", "context": "", "use_case": "syncing dotfiles across machines", "switched_from": "", "story": "Migrating from GNU Stow to Chezmoi"}, {"id": 777484512, "item_id": 48592782, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48592782", "by": "c-hendricks", "date": "2026-06-18", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "and then added syncthing because the push + pull dance got too annoying. Really happy with it.", "excerpt": "This is what I did too. My dotfiles used a custom install process that didn't really handle ~/.config very well, so I switched to stow, and then added syncthing because the push + pull dance got too annoying. Really happy with it.", "context": "", "use_case": "syncing dotfiles", "switched_from": "", "story": "Migrating from GNU Stow to Chezmoi"}, {"id": 783005633, "item_id": 48937852, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48937852", "by": "KetoManx64", "date": "2026-07-16", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "I've been using chezmoi + Syncthing for about a year now.", "excerpt": "I've been using chezmoi + Syncthing for about a year now. I don't want to have to manually git commit + push + pull everytime I change a config file, so I just sync the chezmoi directory between all my devices (around 8 total). I also have a dedicated VM that I use as a central Syncthing node, and on there I have a script that pushes the chezmoi directory to my Gitea instance on an hourly basis. I then ignore the git", "context": "", "use_case": "syncing dotfiles across devices", "switched_from": "", "story": "Syncthing for Dotfiles: Sync vs. Manage"}]}, {"label": "Runs unattended", "summary": "Works as a background service that syncs automatically without needing attention.", "quotes": [{"id": 797573104, "item_id": 49848319, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49848319", "by": "tripleee", "date": "2026-09-25", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "I use it and rely on it", "excerpt": "I'm talking specifically about the app SyncThing, though. I use it and rely on it, and I haven't opened it in over a month. It works as a background service. Good design would do absolutely nothing for me.", "context": "", "use_case": "background file sync", "switched_from": "", "story": "F-Droid 2.0"}, {"id": 797223299, "item_id": 49826456, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49826456", "by": "brokenmachine", "date": "2026-09-24", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "Syncthing to automatically sync files between the phone and my home server", "excerpt": "I use termux to ssh and RealVNC to connect to a remote vnc session, all over a wireguard VPN. Also Syncthing to automatically sync files between the phone and my home server. I download podcasts and audiobooks into a folder on the server and they're automatically on my phone ready to play. Immich to connect to my self-hosted media. And ntfy to get notifications from my home stuff. Tasker to automatically activate my ", "context": "Android user with home server", "use_case": "syncing files phone to server", "switched_from": "", "story": "Apple iPhone 18 Pro Camera test"}, {"id": 761267569, "item_id": 47579223, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47579223", "by": "igor47", "date": "2026-03-30", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "All my photo syncing happens automatically via sync thing", "excerpt": "Dude get off the train. I run a self hosted immich instance for myself and some friends. I deleted all my Google photos from my Google account and I don't miss it. Alternatives exist. I love being able to automatically share my photos with my partner, or create shared albums that other people can upload into. All my photo syncing happens automatically via sync thing, but less technical friends use the immich phone ap", "context": "", "use_case": "photo syncing", "switched_from": "", "story": "I Regret the Blood Pact I Have Made with iCloud Photos"}]}, {"label": "Game saves", "summary": "Keeps ROMs and saves in sync across retro handhelds and other devices.", "quotes": [{"id": 746312176, "item_id": 46644511, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46644511", "by": "mid-kid", "date": "2026-01-16", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "Having syncthing on-device means I'll never lose my saves again", "excerpt": "~\u20ac25, Moondrop Chu 2 headphones. Really good quality for the price, with a bit of care have lasted me for ~3 years now. When one side was going quieter, I could unscrew and clean it. The clear plastic cord is yellowing now unfortunately, will try to buy a new one. ~\u20ac80, Anbernic RG35XXSP: Handheld games console that runs (mostly) open source linux distros. Reinvigorated my retro gaming on the go when the OG consoles ", "context": "", "use_case": "syncing game saves", "switched_from": "", "story": "Ask HN: What are your best purchases under $100?"}, {"id": 738962896, "item_id": 46185181, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46185181", "by": "robbiet480", "date": "2025-12-07", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "I love using Syncthing for syncing all my ROMs and saves across my handhelds", "excerpt": "I love using Syncthing for syncing all my ROMs and saves across my handhelds (RG35XXSP running muOS, AYN Thor running Android), my NAS and MacBook. I'm trying to figure out what my concern level should be with a change in ownership of syncthing-fork for Android though. I guess let's see what happens?", "context": "", "use_case": "syncing ROMs and saves", "switched_from": "", "story": "Syncthing-Android have had a change of owner/maintainer"}]}], "caveats": [{"label": "Android client", "summary": "The Android client's end of official development and the ownership transfer of its fork worried or drove away users.", "quotes": [{"id": 800550051, "item_id": 50034378, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50034378", "by": "Arrowmaster", "date": "2026-10-10", "stance": "warn", "quote": "with the constant death and forking of Syncthing on Android, it became unusable", "excerpt": "I specifically moved away from KeePassXC to Bitwarden with self hosted vaultwarden because the Linux desktop experience and mobile syncing was so terrible. While I love KeePassXC, using it on an immutable Linux distro where everything needs to be Flatpak means the browser extension doesn't work because it doesn't support Flatpak'd browsers back when I switched. Auto type is a security nightmare and is not an option. ", "context": "", "use_case": "syncing password db", "switched_from": "", "story": "Bitwarden Dual License Model"}, {"id": 749703376, "item_id": 46856461, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46856461", "by": "ratrocket", "date": "2026-02-02", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "being able to just run syncthing from the command line is a breath of fresh air.", "excerpt": "Adding to the many other great uses of termux already here, the most useful lately for me is running Syncthing. After the \"drama\" with the Syncthing android client (my understanding: official development stopped due to onerous requirements from the Google, then the most popular fork was transferred to a new owner in a less-than-fully-trustworthy manner), being able to just run syncthing from the command line is a bre", "context": "", "use_case": "file syncing on Android", "switched_from": "Syncthing Android client", "story": "Termux"}, {"id": 739008400, "item_id": 46188025, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46188025", "by": "joshstrange", "date": "2025-12-07", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "I use Syncthing and have for many years", "excerpt": "I use Syncthing and have for many years but I don\u2019t use it on Android so feel free to dismiss my opinion. I\u2019ve read through a number of the GitHub/Gitlab/Forum threads and while I\u2019m not saying anything new: You couldn\u2019t script a more suspicious transfer [0]. That fact is maybe the most compelling reason to assume it\u2019s actually above board, if there is malicious intent, it\u2019s being poorly disguised. To make matters wor", "context": "doesn't use it on Android", "use_case": "file syncing", "switched_from": "", "story": "Syncthing-Android have had a change of owner/maintainer"}]}, {"label": "File conflicts", "summary": "Conflicts still happen occasionally, and there is no automatic conflict resolution.", "quotes": [{"id": 780519793, "item_id": 48782487, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48782487", "by": "mieses", "date": "2026-07-03", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "I started using Syncthing and KeePass.  File version conflicts are rare but still happen.", "excerpt": "How this solves sync seems useful. If you use Google Drive and KeePass clients you will probably run into conflicts between keepass \"safe save\" and how google drive does file versioning, resulting in runaway duplication of your kdbx files. I started using Syncthing and KeePass. File version conflicts are rare but still happen. Including sync in the app seems like a good idea. It would be good to see screenshots of Br", "context": "", "use_case": "syncing KeePass database", "switched_from": "Google Drive", "story": "Show HN: Bramble \u2013 Local-first password manager"}, {"id": 742902560, "item_id": 46431410, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46431410", "by": "lightandlight", "date": "2025-12-30", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "started using [Syncthing](https://syncthing.net/) to sync my [KeepassXC](https://keepassxc.org/). It works pretty well", "excerpt": "This year I moved off LastPass, and started using [Syncthing](https://syncthing.net/) to sync my [KeepassXC](https://keepassxc.org/). It works pretty well, but doesn't have any automatic conflict resolution (I've been working on [something](https://github.com/LightAndLight/syncthing-merge) for this). Next up I'm moving my TODOs off Todoist to something local-first, and plugging that into my Syncthing setup.", "context": "", "use_case": "syncing password database", "switched_from": "", "story": "Bye Bye Big Tech: How I Migrated to an Almost All-EU Stack (and Saved 500\u20ac/Year)"}, {"id": 793304436, "item_id": 49581527, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49581527", "by": "aborsy", "date": "2026-09-05", "stance": "warn", "quote": "I stay away from sync: problems with permissions,  git repo, conflict, incomplete sync status in syncthing etc.", "excerpt": "The best backup solution that I found is ZFS send (even if it\u2019s not strictly a back up tool). ZFS send raw encrypted stream from laptop to a server automatically. Encrypted compressed incremental. No need to verify: if snapshot exists at destination, there is no error. If a problem is encountered, restore from redundancy. Errors can be detected and corrected. Restic has also been working great. The problem is that, i", "context": "", "use_case": "file sync", "switched_from": "", "story": "Creating backup storage sucks"}]}, {"label": "Tedious setup", "summary": "Adding folders was described as tedious.", "quotes": [{"id": 738961345, "item_id": 46185084, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46185084", "by": "honktown", "date": "2025-12-07", "stance": "warn", "quote": "the Syncthing setup for adding folders is pretty tedious", "excerpt": "I ended up moving from Syncthing to FolderSync, the Syncthing setup for adding folders is pretty tedious and I can reuse my existing webdav (or sftp) server with FolderSync. My use case was probably simpler than some peoples use of syncthing as I just use it for backing up photos/messages/settings and dont need it to be instant. My only issue with FolderSync is that its proprietary but its the only option i found tha", "context": "", "use_case": "backing up photos/messages/settings", "switched_from": "", "story": "Syncthing-Android have had a change of owner/maintainer"}]}, {"label": "Not a backup", "summary": "Sync can replicate corrupted data, so it needs separate snapshots or backups.", "quotes": [{"id": 792738560, "item_id": 49546160, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49546160", "by": "fc417fc802", "date": "2026-09-03", "stance": "neutral", "quote": "make due with the \"least bad\" option of syncthing", "excerpt": "> like the hard drive part here will just fail to mount one night and not back things up for 3 months until you notice I think the author is having trouble because he is conflating concepts and roles that should be distinct. Sync, rotating snapshots, and deduplicated backups need to be kept entirely separate if you want any hope of maintaining your sanity. So he's got sync but he's missing some sort of rotating snaps", "context": "data hoarder", "use_case": "file sync", "switched_from": "", "story": "Creating backup storage sucks"}]}], "who": [{"by": "dbmikus", "context": "homelab hobbyist", "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50021947", "date": "2026-10-09"}, {"by": "jo-m", "context": "runs VPS for personal tools", "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50015868", "date": "2026-10-09"}, {"by": "brokenmachine", "context": "Android user with home server", "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49826456", "date": "2026-09-24"}, {"by": "fc417fc802", "context": "data hoarder", "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49546160", "date": "2026-09-03"}, {"by": "pmontra", "context": "software developer", "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49327022", "date": "2026-08-16"}, {"by": "firen777", "context": "runs a homelab", "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48772805", "date": "2026-07-03"}, {"by": "j23n", "context": "Linux and iPhone user", "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48458068", "date": "2026-06-09"}, {"by": "joshstrange", "context": "doesn't use it on Android", "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46188025", "date": "2025-12-07"}, {"by": "stonecharioteer", "context": "homelabber", "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45876153", "date": "2025-11-10"}, {"by": "_-_-__-_-_-", "context": "45000+ track music library since 2003", "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45806980", "date": "2025-11-03"}], "tags": ["for KeePass users", "self-hostable", "for homelabs", "for Linux users", "for retro handhelds"], "use_cases": ["file sync", "syncing password database", "syncing keepass database", "syncing music library", "syncing game saves", "syncing password db"], "compared": [{"slug": "dropbox", "name": "Dropbox", "co": 4, "switched_from": 3, "switched_to": 0}, {"slug": "keepassxc", "name": "KeePassXC", "co": 7, "switched_from": 0, "switched_to": 0}, {"slug": "google-drive", "name": "Google Drive", "co": 1, "switched_from": 2, "switched_to": 0}, {"slug": "keepass", "name": "KeePass", "co": 5, "switched_from": 0, "switched_to": 0}, {"slug": "localsend", "name": "LocalSend", "co": 3, "switched_from": 0, "switched_to": 1}, {"slug": "immich", "name": "Immich", "co": 5, "switched_from": 0, "switched_to": 0}, {"slug": "tailscale", "name": "Tailscale", "co": 5, "switched_from": 0, "switched_to": 0}, {"slug": "restic", "name": "restic", "co": 4, "switched_from": 0, "switched_to": 0}], "makers": [], "threads": [{"url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50033407", "title": "Bitwarden Dual License Model", "mentions": 3}, {"url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49985548", "title": "Ask HN: What do you run on a $5 VPS that's worth keeping online 24/7?", "mentions": 3}, {"url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49509606", "title": "Creating backup storage sucks", "mentions": 3}, {"url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46184730", "title": "Syncthing-Android have had a change of owner/maintainer", "mentions": 3}, {"url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50109715", "title": "What I self-host", "mentions": 2}, {"url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49290545", "title": "How do I permanently disable Google Photos pop-up prompt to backup my photos?", "mentions": 2}], "sentiment_by_month": {"2025-11": {"recommend": 1, "neutral": 1}, "2025-12": {"warn": 1, "recommend": 4}, "2026-01": {"recommend": 2, "neutral": 1}, "2026-02": {"recommend": 1, "neutral": 1}, "2026-03": {"recommend": 3, "neutral": 1}, "2026-04": {"recommend": 1, "neutral": 1}, "2026-05": {"recommend": 3}, "2026-06": {"recommend": 5}, "2026-07": {"neutral": 2, "recommend": 3}, "2026-08": {"recommend": 4, "neutral": 4}, "2026-09": {"neutral": 1, "recommend": 4, "warn": 1}, "2026-10": {"recommend": 3, "neutral": 6, "warn": 1}}, "quotes": [{"id": 801821841, "item_id": 50113865, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50113865", "by": "viceconsole", "date": "2026-10-16", "stance": "neutral", "quote": "I use both Restic and Syncthing.", "excerpt": "I use both Restic and Syncthing. I have considered putting encrypted backups on a cloud blob storage, but my preference would be to set up an offsite backup at a relative's house.", "context": "", "use_case": "file sync", "switched_from": "", "story": "What I self-host"}, {"id": 801783665, "item_id": 50111479, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50111479", "by": "seplox", "date": "2026-10-15", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "I've been using keepass+syncthing for years, and I've never had any issues.", "excerpt": "I'm puzzled that OP seems stumped on syncing keepass when they're already using syncthing. I've been using keepass+syncthing for years, and I've never had any issues.", "context": "", "use_case": "syncing KeePass database", "switched_from": "", "story": "What I self-host"}, {"id": 800577714, "item_id": 50036107, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50036107", "by": "jonny2811", "date": "2026-10-10", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "syncthing and KeepassDx also works suprisingly well", "excerpt": "ive used keepassxc forever, switched to proton pass after the release, because i was managing my db in git and it was always a pain to keep in sync, but switched back a couple of weeks ago with exactly the same setup, syncthing and KeepassDx also works suprisingly well. mostly i was missing power user features and especially ux for the browser plugin, namely you can't operate it fully with the keyboard, with keepassx", "context": "", "use_case": "syncing password database", "switched_from": "", "story": "Bitwarden Dual License Model"}, {"id": 800550051, "item_id": 50034378, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50034378", "by": "Arrowmaster", "date": "2026-10-10", "stance": "warn", "quote": "with the constant death and forking of Syncthing on Android, it became unusable", "excerpt": "I specifically moved away from KeePassXC to Bitwarden with self hosted vaultwarden because the Linux desktop experience and mobile syncing was so terrible. While I love KeePassXC, using it on an immutable Linux distro where everything needs to be Flatpak means the browser extension doesn't work because it doesn't support Flatpak'd browsers back when I switched. Auto type is a security nightmare and is not an option. ", "context": "", "use_case": "syncing password db", "switched_from": "", "story": "Bitwarden Dual License Model"}, {"id": 800543554, "item_id": 50033972, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50033972", "by": "pprotas", "date": "2026-10-10", "stance": "neutral", "quote": "I use SyncTrain on my phone to connect to my SyncThing network.", "excerpt": "Not desktop only, KeePass uses an encrypted file, all you need is a way to decrypt it. You can store it in iCloud or whatever you like to sync files between devices. iOS has a good open source app KeeForge to open the encryped password files. I use SyncTrain on my phone to connect to my SyncThing network.", "context": "", "use_case": "syncing password file", "switched_from": "", "story": "Bitwarden Dual License Model"}, {"id": 800351152, "item_id": 50021947, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50021947", "by": "dbmikus", "date": "2026-10-09", "stance": "neutral", "quote": "at one point was messing around with https://syncthing.net/ for a self-hosted form of Dropbox", "excerpt": "I love homelab stuff and self-hosting. Writing software is my job, but tinkering with computers + devops is my hobby I have a media server I run on a spare desktop, and at one point was messing around with https://syncthing.net/ for a self-hosted form of Dropbox. More recently, I'm using a VPS to run some internet scraping jobs for things I want to monitor, like apartment listings in NYC (where I live). Of course, I ", "context": "homelab hobbyist", "use_case": "self-hosted file sync", "switched_from": "", "story": "Ask HN: What do you run on a $5 VPS that's worth keeping online 24/7?"}, {"id": 800282677, "item_id": 50017667, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50017667", "by": "wraptile", "date": "2026-10-09", "stance": "neutral", "quote": "languagetool, nextcloud, hister, syncthing, restic backups, vaultwarden, windmill", "excerpt": "These VPS no longer make much sense for self-hosting imo. I have two refurbished 32gb ram Lenovo k14 laptops (250$ each) that I use for self-hosting over tailscale and cloudflare tunnels. This is a lot of compute and very little power use. One for personal self-hosted projects: languagetool, nextcloud, hister, syncthing, restic backups, vaultwarden, windmill. Another for public facing web apps I host through cloudfla", "context": "", "use_case": "file sync", "switched_from": "", "story": "Ask HN: What do you run on a $5 VPS that's worth keeping online 24/7?"}, {"id": 800253888, "item_id": 50015868, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50015868", "by": "jo-m", "date": "2026-10-09", "stance": "neutral", "quote": "- Syncthing", "excerpt": "- Syncthing - Readeck (bookmarks) - Traggo (time tracking) - Joplin notes sync webdav server - Cartomancer (GPX tracks) And some other small personal tools. https://github.com/jo-m/fluffy/tree/main/fluffy", "context": "runs VPS for personal tools", "use_case": "file sync", "switched_from": "", "story": "Ask HN: What do you run on a $5 VPS that's worth keeping online 24/7?"}, {"id": 799288928, "item_id": 49955558, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49955558", "by": "paradox460", "date": "2026-10-04", "stance": "neutral", "quote": "But I used to use SyncThing for sync.", "excerpt": "I second this. But I used to use SyncThing for sync. Now I use Bookorbit and the Koreader plug-in for sync It beats the pants off kindle", "context": "", "use_case": "syncing books", "switched_from": "", "story": "Amazon introduces a redesigned Kindle family"}, {"id": 798955377, "item_id": 49934711, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49934711", "by": "sneak", "date": "2026-10-02", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "I can run syncthing on it and just drop music into a folder on my desktop which will automatically get picked up by the device", "excerpt": "I recently bought an Android-based MP3 player that can use Spotify, including Spotify lossless, and has a microSD slot. The benefits here are pretty substantial. It has a really nice headphone amp inside of it for driving larger headphones at the right volume (and a switch in software for low/medium/high headphone gain, separate from volume). Also I don't have to take up expensive space inside my iPhone for Spotify d", "context": "", "use_case": "syncing music to player", "switched_from": "", "story": "Sudo \u2013 A dedicated music player designed around listening to music"}, {"id": 797573104, "item_id": 49848319, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49848319", "by": "tripleee", "date": "2026-09-25", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "I use it and rely on it", "excerpt": "I'm talking specifically about the app SyncThing, though. I use it and rely on it, and I haven't opened it in over a month. It works as a background service. Good design would do absolutely nothing for me.", "context": "", "use_case": "background file sync", "switched_from": "", "story": "F-Droid 2.0"}, {"id": 797428640, "item_id": 49839290, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49839290", "by": "brokenmachine", "date": "2026-09-25", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "I use syncthing from my server to android. Seamless and configurable how I want it.", "excerpt": "I use syncthing from my server to android. Seamless and configurable how I want it. I still don't like the way apps try to hide the filesystem in android but at least I can use a file browser to access the file system directly. Thank you for confirming my thoughts about Apple. Unfortunately the incentive of current mobile OSs is to funnel everything towards rent-seeking. The cloud was a mistake.", "context": "", "use_case": "syncing files to Android", "switched_from": "", "story": "Ideas on modernizing the open-source desktop"}, {"id": 797223299, "item_id": 49826456, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49826456", "by": "brokenmachine", "date": "2026-09-24", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "Syncthing to automatically sync files between the phone and my home server", "excerpt": "I use termux to ssh and RealVNC to connect to a remote vnc session, all over a wireguard VPN. Also Syncthing to automatically sync files between the phone and my home server. I download podcasts and audiobooks into a folder on the server and they're automatically on my phone ready to play. Immich to connect to my self-hosted media. And ntfy to get notifications from my home stuff. Tasker to automatically activate my ", "context": "Android user with home server", "use_case": "syncing files phone to server", "switched_from": "", "story": "Apple iPhone 18 Pro Camera test"}, {"id": 795804464, "item_id": 49737779, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49737779", "by": "cuvert", "date": "2026-09-17", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "I use syncthing, which will backup on my pc, on my parents pc", "excerpt": "For my small library photos, keepass passwords, etc around 30gb, I use syncthing, which will backup on my pc, on my parents pc (they live in another country), on my sisters pc and on my phone. They also use this triangular mode to backup their stuff. Syncthing is setup to only sync through tailscale or home routers network.", "context": "", "use_case": "photo and password backup", "switched_from": "", "story": "Backups Aren't Simple"}, {"id": 793304436, "item_id": 49581527, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49581527", "by": "aborsy", "date": "2026-09-05", "stance": "warn", "quote": "I stay away from sync: problems with permissions,  git repo, conflict, incomplete sync status in syncthing etc.", "excerpt": "The best backup solution that I found is ZFS send (even if it\u2019s not strictly a back up tool). ZFS send raw encrypted stream from laptop to a server automatically. Encrypted compressed incremental. No need to verify: if snapshot exists at destination, there is no error. If a problem is encountered, restore from redundancy. Errors can be detected and corrected. Restic has also been working great. The problem is that, i", "context": "", "use_case": "file sync", "switched_from": "", "story": "Creating backup storage sucks"}, {"id": 792756928, "item_id": 49547308, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49547308", "by": "cm2187", "date": "2026-09-03", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "I use syncthing to a NAS, and the syncthing data being backed up by the NAS", "excerpt": "You don't want to compile code over SMB, even on a fast network. And what happens when you travel with patchy internet access? I use syncthing to a NAS, and the syncthing data being backed up by the NAS along everything else it contains.", "context": "", "use_case": "syncing code to NAS", "switched_from": "", "story": "Creating backup storage sucks"}, {"id": 792738560, "item_id": 49546160, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49546160", "by": "fc417fc802", "date": "2026-09-03", "stance": "neutral", "quote": "make due with the \"least bad\" option of syncthing", "excerpt": "> like the hard drive part here will just fail to mount one night and not back things up for 3 months until you notice I think the author is having trouble because he is conflating concepts and roles that should be distinct. Sync, rotating snapshots, and deduplicated backups need to be kept entirely separate if you want any hope of maintaining your sanity. So he's got sync but he's missing some sort of rotating snaps", "context": "data hoarder", "use_case": "file sync", "switched_from": "", "story": "Creating backup storage sucks"}, {"id": 790247730, "item_id": 49390483, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49390483", "by": "LarryDarrell", "date": "2026-08-21", "stance": "neutral", "quote": "From there, I use Syncthing. But I'm thinking about replacing it with rsync", "excerpt": "For discovering new music, I listen to my old college radio station. About once a month they play something good that makes me do a deep dive. I use Pianobar while I work, and creating a station based on a new (to me) artist tends to give me more to explore. I also use music-map.com from time to time. As for acquiring music, I use Bandcamp. If they aren't on there, I'm not above finding it via file sharing. I have a ", "context": "", "use_case": "syncing music library", "switched_from": "", "story": "GrapheneOS in 2027 available on high-end Motorola phones"}, {"id": 789453377, "item_id": 49340836, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49340836", "by": "daleswanson", "date": "2026-08-17", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "it works very well, and I sync between phone/laptop/desktop without any third parties", "excerpt": "I use KeepassXC and Syncthing. It's not a single password manager doing both the managing and syncing, but it works very well, and I sync between phone/laptop/desktop without any third parties.", "context": "", "use_case": "syncing password database", "switched_from": "", "story": "Bluesky draws its logo on screenshots"}, {"id": 789232353, "item_id": 49327022, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49327022", "by": "pmontra", "date": "2026-08-16", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "Backups are through Syncthing", "excerpt": "I checked on my phone. I don't have Google Photos so maybe I uninstalled it or the phone came without it. It's a Samsung so it has Samsung Gallery but I'm not logged in into a Samsung account. Photos are local. I installed Aves Gallery [1] and that's my main photo app. Backups are through Syncthing which of course is not a mass market app, but I'm a software developer and being able to use niche alternatives is one o", "context": "software developer", "use_case": "photo backups", "switched_from": "", "story": "How do I permanently disable Google Photos pop-up prompt to backup my photos?"}, {"id": 789225761, "item_id": 49326610, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49326610", "by": "hiisukun", "date": "2026-08-16", "stance": "neutral", "quote": "I had previously been using syncthing to sync & backup the photos", "excerpt": "This exact issue was the final straw for me ditching google photos! I had previously been using syncthing to sync & backup the photos, same as other files on my phone and laptop. I now use Immich [1] (mentioned elsewhere in this thread but without the proper link), having purchased a single-payment lifetime family licence. There is, as I understand it, no benefit to me to purchase it. After a month of use it was clea", "context": "", "use_case": "syncing photos and files", "switched_from": "", "story": "How do I permanently disable Google Photos pop-up prompt to backup my photos?"}, {"id": 788873104, "item_id": 49304569, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49304569", "by": "raddan", "date": "2026-08-14", "stance": "neutral", "quote": "I've installed Syncthing and a few other small niceties", "excerpt": "I've been using a Supernote Manta for the past month and I love it. It's not a full-on computer, and it has its own UI that discourages you from treating it like one, but it is in fact an Android device. I've installed Syncthing and a few other small niceties, and it is amazing to be able to carry a big collection of PDFs around with me that I've curated on my laptop, desktop, phone. One of the \"native\" apps is Amazo", "context": "", "use_case": "syncing PDFs to e-ink tablet", "switched_from": "", "story": "I turned my RSS feeds into an e-ink newspaper to stop reading on my phone"}, {"id": 788465714, "item_id": 49279107, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49279107", "by": "rcMgD2BwE72F", "date": "2026-08-12", "stance": "neutral", "quote": "then synced to my computer with syncthing", "excerpt": "I'm pretty happy with a Pixel 9 running GrapheneOS and a Garmin that I never connected to a Garmin account. I use https://codeberg.org/Freeyourgadget/Gadgetbridge instead (then synced to my computer with syncthing), and I don't miss anything from Garmin. I'm 100% Google free, and far happier with tech that I ever was.", "context": "", "use_case": "sync data to computer", "switched_from": "", "story": "Pixel Watch 5"}, {"id": 788306496, "item_id": 49269156, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49269156", "by": "kelvinjps10", "date": "2026-08-12", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "Now I use syncthing (no cloud needed)", "excerpt": "I remember gaining a bunch of storage from dropbox because they used to have this program where you gained storage by doing referrals. but then they removed it after I had invited so many people and I didn't want to keep using the service at all. Now I use syncthing (no cloud needed)", "context": "", "use_case": "file sync", "switched_from": "Dropbox", "story": "Dropbox, loved by the masses, a shareholder dead end"}, {"id": 788306080, "item_id": 49269130, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49269130", "by": "kelvinjps10", "date": "2026-08-12", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "syncthing replaced dropbox for me.", "excerpt": "syncthing replaced dropbox for me. and for cloud the existing solutions are better google drive,icloud, onedrive but actually I use restic and a s3 compatible bucket.", "context": "", "use_case": "file sync", "switched_from": "Dropbox", "story": "Dropbox, loved by the masses, a shareholder dead end"}, {"id": 787311329, "item_id": 49206958, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49206958", "by": "KetoManx64", "date": "2026-08-07", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "weekly backups of all my app+data which then gets Syncthing'd to a server", "excerpt": "Swift Backup is the modern solution for backups if you have root access. It backups apps + data. I've migrated through 4 phones at this point without any notable issues. I use it to also do weekly backups of all my app+data which then gets Syncthing'd to a server and then snapshotted to my NAS in case I want to ever come back to a app version from weeks or months back.", "context": "", "use_case": "syncing backups to server", "switched_from": "", "story": "I'm switching my phone from Android to Linux"}, {"id": 785622704, "item_id": 49101419, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49101419", "by": "exe34", "date": "2026-07-29", "stance": "neutral", "quote": "I use syncthing to sync a folder with my laptop", "excerpt": "I run this on a pinenote, and I love it. Only sad thing is that I started transitioning to Linux and then lost interest, so I've only got about 8GB for data on the Android partition. I use syncthing to sync a folder with my laptop, so I just push a pdf into the folder on the laptop and then it turns up on the pinenote in koreader.", "context": "", "use_case": "syncing PDFs to e-reader", "switched_from": "", "story": "KOReader"}, {"id": 784221825, "item_id": 49013864, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49013864", "by": "cpburns2009", "date": "2026-07-22", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "I used to use Dropbox but now I use Syncthing.", "excerpt": "I use KeePassXC, just not for passkeys. I used to use Dropbox but now I use Syncthing. I use a strong password and a key file that IS NOT synced.", "context": "", "use_case": "syncing KeePassXC database", "switched_from": "Dropbox", "story": "Passkeys were invented by engineers with zero understanding of consumer brain"}, {"id": 783005633, "item_id": 48937852, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48937852", "by": "KetoManx64", "date": "2026-07-16", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "I've been using chezmoi + Syncthing for about a year now.", "excerpt": "I've been using chezmoi + Syncthing for about a year now. I don't want to have to manually git commit + push + pull everytime I change a config file, so I just sync the chezmoi directory between all my devices (around 8 total). I also have a dedicated VM that I use as a central Syncthing node, and on there I have a script that pushes the chezmoi directory to my Gitea instance on an hourly basis. I then ignore the git", "context": "", "use_case": "syncing dotfiles across devices", "switched_from": "", "story": "Syncthing for Dotfiles: Sync vs. Manage"}, {"id": 782233041, "item_id": 48889565, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48889565", "by": "mieses", "date": "2026-07-13", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "start with syncthing which is decentralized and even more useful", "excerpt": "croc is great. been using it for unimportant transfers for years. If you want to donate money then start with syncthing which is decentralized and even more useful. could syncthing add croc-like command that was as simple and quick?", "context": "", "use_case": "file sync", "switched_from": "", "story": "Croc: Securely transfer files and folders between two computers"}, {"id": 780519793, "item_id": 48782487, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48782487", "by": "mieses", "date": "2026-07-03", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "I started using Syncthing and KeePass.  File version conflicts are rare but still happen.", "excerpt": "How this solves sync seems useful. If you use Google Drive and KeePass clients you will probably run into conflicts between keepass \"safe save\" and how google drive does file versioning, resulting in runaway duplication of your kdbx files. I started using Syncthing and KeePass. File version conflicts are rare but still happen. Including sync in the app seems like a good idea. It would be good to see screenshots of Br", "context": "", "use_case": "syncing KeePass database", "switched_from": "Google Drive", "story": "Show HN: Bramble \u2013 Local-first password manager"}, {"id": 780364881, "item_id": 48772805, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48772805", "by": "firen777", "date": "2026-07-03", "stance": "neutral", "quote": "Syncthing sync our photos back to the homelab server hosting immich", "excerpt": "> Upload asset directly to album on the mobile app Does this fix this problem? https://github.com/immich-app/immich/discussions/12748 It's a pretty big issue for me having multiple devices and multiple people who want to pool pictures of our cats together in one album. Currently I have to do this kind of set up: 1. Syncthing sync our photos back to the homelab server hosting immich - /mnt/Syncthing/a1/cats/ - /mnt/Sy", "context": "runs a homelab", "use_case": "syncing phone photos to homelab", "switched_from": "", "story": "Immich v3.0.0 Released"}, {"id": 779578864, "item_id": 48723679, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48723679", "by": "rhco", "date": "2026-06-29", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "Syncthing to sync important data between the workstation and laptop", "excerpt": "You could take this one step further using Syncthing to sync important data between the workstation and laptop. That's how my devices are configured, and it's amazing - if I need to travel for work, I just pick up my laptop and go. NixOS makes sure the system itself is identical (apps, most of the code configs, etc), then any app-spcific config is handled by Syncthing. It was really magical the first few times I used", "context": "", "use_case": "syncing data between devices", "switched_from": "", "story": "NixOS 26.05 Released"}, {"id": 778767072, "item_id": 48672942, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48672942", "by": "shizcakes", "date": "2026-06-25", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "I used to use Google Drive, but now I use Syncthing, further reducing my exposure.", "excerpt": "One of the security advantages of KeePass being just a file is that you can sync it in the way that makes sense to you. The need to have an opinion on how you\u2019d like to sync a file does, as you suggest, eliminate some portion of the population who need a fully baked answer in one step. I used to use Google Drive, but now I use Syncthing, further reducing my exposure. Paired with Synctrain and KeePassium on iOS. One t", "context": "", "use_case": "syncing KeePass database", "switched_from": "Google Drive", "story": "LastPass notifies users of yet another data breach"}, {"id": 777484512, "item_id": 48592782, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48592782", "by": "c-hendricks", "date": "2026-06-18", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "and then added syncthing because the push + pull dance got too annoying. Really happy with it.", "excerpt": "This is what I did too. My dotfiles used a custom install process that didn't really handle ~/.config very well, so I switched to stow, and then added syncthing because the push + pull dance got too annoying. Really happy with it.", "context": "", "use_case": "syncing dotfiles", "switched_from": "", "story": "Migrating from GNU Stow to Chezmoi"}, {"id": 777446192, "item_id": 48590387, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48590387", "by": "blop", "date": "2026-06-18", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "I use syncthing to automatically sync my dotfiles git directory across PC/laptops", "excerpt": "I use syncthing to automatically sync my dotfiles git directory across PC/laptops, and stow to manually update symlinks when I add a new dotfile (the content of existing dotfiles is synced by syncthing already) That way I don't have to remember to commit+push+pull changes to existing dotfiles (like bashrc or vimrc which I edit often) to sync them to other machines, it happens automatically in almost real time as soon", "context": "", "use_case": "syncing dotfiles across machines", "switched_from": "", "story": "Migrating from GNU Stow to Chezmoi"}, {"id": 775329088, "item_id": 48458068, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48458068", "by": "j23n", "date": "2026-06-09", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "Syncthing/Synctrain + my apps allow me to keep everything on my private network", "excerpt": "I've been making a set of local- and files-first iOS apps for myself - Photo Gallery, Music and Contacts. I use Linux on my computer and an iPhone and wasn't happy having to use a cloud to sync my data between my devices. Syncthing/Synctrain + my apps allow me to keep everything on my private network, without ever touching a server or having to self-host something like Immich. https://j23n.com/public/posts/2026/local", "context": "Linux and iPhone user", "use_case": "sync data between devices", "switched_from": "", "story": "Ask HN: What are tools you have made for yourself since the advent of AI"}, {"id": 771613937, "item_id": 48225871, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48225871", "by": "arikrahman", "date": "2026-05-21", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "Just switched to KeepassXC and syncthing.", "excerpt": "Just switched to KeepassXC and syncthing. Transferring keyfiles over LocalSend. This has been a great local FOSS way to keep autonomy over secrets, without even needing internet.", "context": "", "use_case": "syncing password database", "switched_from": "", "story": "Get your passwords out of Bitwarden while you still can"}, {"id": 770978530, "item_id": 48186158, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48186158", "by": "humanfromearth9", "date": "2026-05-18", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "Synchronizing with Syncthing works well enough both on desktops and smartphones.", "excerpt": "Obsidian may not be open source, but its file format is definitely more open than Joplin's. Which is why I switched to it. Synchronizing with Syncthing works well enough both on desktops and smartphones.", "context": "", "use_case": "syncing notes", "switched_from": "", "story": "Show HN: Files.md \u2013 open-source alternative to Obsidian"}, {"id": 770906882, "item_id": 48181680, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48181680", "by": "kn100", "date": "2026-05-18", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "I switched from Bitwarden to KeepassXC / KeepassDX / Syncthing", "excerpt": "Good post. I switched from Bitwarden to KeepassXC / KeepassDX / Syncthing across my Android phone, Linux PC, and Windows PC. This was the setup I had prior to using Bitwarden for the first time. The Keepass experience is significantly better these days! Importing from Bitwarden is trivial too. Recommended!", "context": "", "use_case": "syncing password database", "switched_from": "", "story": "The Quiet Renovation at Bitwarden"}, {"id": 749703376, "item_id": 46856461, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46856461", "by": "ratrocket", "date": "2026-02-02", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "being able to just run syncthing from the command line is a breath of fresh air.", "excerpt": "Adding to the many other great uses of termux already here, the most useful lately for me is running Syncthing. After the \"drama\" with the Syncthing android client (my understanding: official development stopped due to onerous requirements from the Google, then the most popular fork was transferred to a new owner in a less-than-fully-trustworthy manner), being able to just run syncthing from the command line is a bre", "context": "", "use_case": "file syncing on Android", "switched_from": "Syncthing Android client", "story": "Termux"}, {"id": 742902560, "item_id": 46431410, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46431410", "by": "lightandlight", "date": "2025-12-30", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "started using [Syncthing](https://syncthing.net/) to sync my [KeepassXC](https://keepassxc.org/). It works pretty well", "excerpt": "This year I moved off LastPass, and started using [Syncthing](https://syncthing.net/) to sync my [KeepassXC](https://keepassxc.org/). It works pretty well, but doesn't have any automatic conflict resolution (I've been working on [something](https://github.com/LightAndLight/syncthing-merge) for this). Next up I'm moving my TODOs off Todoist to something local-first, and plugging that into my Syncthing setup.", "context": "", "use_case": "syncing password database", "switched_from": "", "story": "Bye Bye Big Tech: How I Migrated to an Almost All-EU Stack (and Saved 500\u20ac/Year)"}, {"id": 738962896, "item_id": 46185181, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46185181", "by": "robbiet480", "date": "2025-12-07", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "I love using Syncthing for syncing all my ROMs and saves across my handhelds", "excerpt": "I love using Syncthing for syncing all my ROMs and saves across my handhelds (RG35XXSP running muOS, AYN Thor running Android), my NAS and MacBook. I'm trying to figure out what my concern level should be with a change in ownership of syncthing-fork for Android though. I guess let's see what happens?", "context": "", "use_case": "syncing ROMs and saves", "switched_from": "", "story": "Syncthing-Android have had a change of owner/maintainer"}]}