Dropbox vs rsync

Dropbox

Description: Dropbox is a file hosting service that offers cloud storage, file synchronization, personal cloud, and client software. Dropbox allows users to create a special folder on their computers, which Dropbox then synchronizes so that it appears to be the same folder (with the same contents) regardless of which device is used to view it.

Type: software

Pricing: Freemium

rsync

Description: rsync is an open source utility that provides fast incremental file transfer and synchronization. It can efficiently sync files and folders between locations while minimizing data transfer using delta encoding when appropriate.

Type: software

Pricing: Free

Dropbox Features

• Cloud storage
• File synchronization
• File sharing
• Collaboration tools
• Online document editing

rsync Features

• Fast incremental file transfer
• Data compression and encryption
• Preserves symbolic links, devices, permissions, modification times, group, and special files
• Bandwidth throttling
• Daemon mode for remote syncing
• Exclude files/directories from transfer
• Verify content after transfer
• Resume interrupted transfers
• Hard link support
• IPv6 support

Dropbox

• Freemium

rsync

• Free