GoodSync 9.5 review: Get your computers on the same page

If cloud-based storage services are the most popular kids in town, GoodSync is the sympathetic rebel. This file synchronization and backup service bucks the cloud-based trend, focusing on computer-to-computer syncing instead. And anyone who relies on cloud storage will be relieved to know that GoodSync just might have you covered there, too.

GoodSync offers little hand-holding when you're first getting started.

Using GoodSync does present something of a learning curve: Once you install the software on your computer and sign up for an account, it simply asks you to create a job.

And once you do create that job, you're not going to see a whole lot of guidance getting it started. GoodSync's all-business interface, which tells you to select a left sync folder and a right destination folder, without really explaining the nature of either one, will likely overwhelm those who aren't at least a little bit tech-savvy. If you fall into that category, I'd highly recommend checking out GoodSync's online tutorial, which offers plenty of tips for getting started with the software.

GoodSync's all-business interface may overwhelm users who are just getting started.

From there, GoodSync becomes a breeze to use. You can use it to sync data between two or more computers on your network, which makes it easy to stay on top of all the photos, videos, music, and more that you may have accumulated over the years. (All of the computers to which you want to connect will need to be running GoodSync Connect, which is easy to install.) Once you select the source and destination folders, GoodSync analyzes and compares the content in each of them, and then suggests which information should be synced.

In addition to other computers, GoodSync also lets you sync information to some cloud-based storage services, such as Google Drive and Amazon S3, which is a nice touch for users who haven't forsaken cloud storage entirely.

To sync to a cloud-based storage service, you'll need to enter your username and password.

Getting started with GoodSync can be a bit of a challenge. But once you get started with this backup and synchronization tool, you're likely to be impressed with its range of features and just how easy it actually is to use.

Liane Cassavoy is a veteran technology and business journalist. She contributes regularly to PCWorld and has written about business issues and products for Entrepreneur Magazine and other publications. She is the author of two business start-up guides published by Entrepreneur Press.
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GoodSync: Most Powerful Syncing Solution on the Planet?

GoodSync ($30, 30-day free trial) is the Godzilla of syncing programs, and I mean that in the best possible way. It has tons of features and offers unprecedented connectivity. Not only does it sync or back up one computer to another--including remotely across the Internet with the GoodSync Connect portal, but it also syncs with online services such as Microsoft's SkyDrive. Want offsite backup without the online storage charges? GoodSync could well be your answer.

Though it's not the sexiest interface, GoodSync's main window is extremely efficient and well laid out.You'll find all the basic sync and backup features in GoodSync: bidirectional and unidirectional syncing (aka backup), file filtering, job scheduling, and syncing of deletions. New in version 9 is the ability to include multiple sources (e.g., folders) and single files in a single job. I already mentioned that the program syncs with online services. It's nice having a program that will automatically download the files I create on SkyDrive using my smartphone. Other services supported are Google Docs, Windows Azure, Amazon S3, and Amazon Cloud Drive.

Peruse GoodSync, and it quickly becomes apparent that someone has a passion to become the best. The GoodSync interface doesn't feature a lot of bitmaps or a sexy color scheme, but it is intuitive and easy to use. That said, there are so many options that it may take you a while to get up to speed with the program.

Unlike many syncing programs, GoodSync displays all files from both the source and destination on the right side of the main window and only their status on the left. This can be a bit disconcerting with a one-way sync from a small folder with few files to a folder with many files--such as syncing SkyDrive to My Documents. To avoid this, always use a dedicated destination folder for the sync.

GoodSync's ability to connect to online services left me wanting more--a positive thing. It would be great to be able to connect remotely to my NAS box's Rsync service. GoodSync doesn't support this yet, but it does support FTP, SFTP, and Webdav, which can be used to the same effect.

While GoodSync functions as a "free" version after the 30-day trial period, it's limited to three jobs of 100 files. That's enough to perhaps sync a thumb drive or two, but effectively renders the program useless for backup. You're better off with Windows Briefcase for the stuff the free version of GoodSync handles. Also, you'll need a license for each PC you want to sync between remotely using the GoodSync Connect service. Not that this is unusual, but those $30 licenses can add up in a hurry.

If GoodSync isn't the most powerful syncing solution on the planet, then someone out there is flying really low under the radar. It's most definitely worth downloading.

--Jon L. Jacobi

GoodSync is an easy and reliable file backup and file synchronization software. It automatically analyzes, synchronizes, and backs up your emails, precious family photos, contacts, MP3s, financial documents, and other important files locally - between desktops, laptops, servers, external drives, and Windows Mobile devices, as well as remotely with FTP, SFTP, WebDAV, Amazon S3 servers. With GoodSync you can automatically backup your files to ensure you'll never lose them again. You can utilize GoodSync's synchronization option to easily Synchronize your files between multiple computers and devices. GoodSync is simple enough for a beginner, yet has many advanced options to satisfy the most advanced computer users.

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