FolderShare Software Review

By Sean Kerner, published on February 13, 2008
Source: Tom's Guide US | Keywords: , , | Themes: Software
Contents

8. FolderShare Software Review

FolderShare

Microsoft’s FolderShare is similar to BeInSync in that it allows for synchronization of folders across an Internet connection and can enable remote access and file sharing capabilities.

foldershare software FolderShare Main Screen

Setting up a synchronization pairing is similar to how a pairing is achieved with BeInSync. Either side of the sync pair when connected to FolderShare can see the files on the other, or it’s just a simple matter of selecting the files to match up.

foldershare software FolderShare: Synchronization screen

It’s also a simple matter to invite others to see files with varying levels of permission for read/write/edit as well.

Where FolderShare doesn’t compare well with BeInSync is in the simple matter of easily identifiable sync/share folders. FolderShare does not change the icon (as BeInSync does) for sync/share folders so it’s not nearly as easy to quickly identify which files are actually synced or shared on a user desktop. FolderShare also lacks the notification options as well as the full set of network options that BeInSync has for CPU usage and network speed.

foldershare software FolderShare: Settings

The settings screen is bare, lacking proper FolderShare branding or identification. That said, FolderShare (which is technically still a beta) is a Free service, and minor nitpicks aside, it does work to effectively sync PCs across a network with relative ease.

Product GoodSync SyncBackSE Allway Sync FolderMatch/ FolderClone
Version 7.1 4.3.1.5 7.0.1 3.4.8 / 2.0.0
Price Trial / $19.95 Trial / $30 Free/ $19.95 Trial / $55 bundle
Online Access SSH/FTP N/A N/A N/A
USB thumb drive autosync Yes Yes Yes N/A

Product SyncToy BeInSync FolderShare
Version 2.0 beta 3.2.53 Beta
Price Beta Free Trial / Pro $59.95 Beta Free
Online Access N/A Portal Portal
USB thumb drive autosync Yes N/A N/A

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Comments



Deleted profile 02/14/2008 12:55 PM
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Dsynchronize by domio is free and can handle all sorts of syncing scenarios without the fruity looking interfaces.
Deleted profile 02/14/2008 12:55 PM
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Dsynchronize by domio is free and can handle all sorts of syncing scenarios without the fruity looking interfaces.
peppe 02/14/2008 12:55 PM
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peppe

Dsynchronize by domio is free and can handle all sorts of syncing scenarios without the fruity looking interfaces.
Deleted profile 02/14/2008 1:12 AM
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www.powerfolder.com
you forget to mention that one
Deleted profile 02/14/2008 2:46 AM
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No SuperFlexible File Synchronizer? Too complicated for you?
Deleted profile 02/14/2008 3:56 AM
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Foldershare has been in beta for years - I think it's abandonware (though I use it and love it)
Deleted profile 02/14/2008 6:20 AM
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You seem to have forgotten the tried and proven robocopy from the Windows Server 2003 resource kit. It runs in a simple batch file, which can be generated by robocopygui. It's ugly but works extremely well, can be scheduled using Task Scheduler, can sync changes in both directions, and is a favorite business solution that works just as well for me at home, even in Vista x64.
Deleted profile 02/14/2008 7:35 AM
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i like unison
http://www.cis.upenn.edu/~bcpierce/unison/
freeware, open source, and works cross platform and remotely.
allows remote SSH sync, too. pretty simple, no automated options, though. pick one dir, then another (local or remote) to sync it to...and it does the hard part. asks about files it is not sure about.

peace.
Deleted profile 02/14/2008 7:39 AM
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maybe not open source. there is a link to the source code...but it is broken. well, free, anyway. ;-p
Deleted profile 02/14/2008 8:15 AM
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Hey ! Where is MirrorFolder? you missed the best !
tot 02/14/2008 8:45 AM
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tot
You definitively forgot PowerFolder!!! (http://www.powerfolder.com)
tot 02/14/2008 8:46 AM
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tot
You definitively forgot PowerFolder !!!
tot 02/14/2008 8:47 AM
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tot
www.powerfolder.com
Deleted profile 02/14/2008 9:32 AM
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mmhh nice list a little bit late for me:D. i finally came to PowerFolder. I think its better and i can run my smaller clients
Deleted profile 02/14/2008 11:48 AM
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What about Windows Offline Folders and My Briefcase?
Deleted profile 02/14/2008 1:34 AM
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I was surprised you left out Microsoft Groove. In addition to being an amazingly easy to use sync program, it also has wonderful team collaboration features built in. I can drag a file in to groove and auto-sync with an unlimited number of computers across the interet, lan, or even wireless ad-hoc.

When I worked overseas, we used Groove to handle a 4 man project team's collaboration efforts. Whenever one of us updated a directory on our computer that was setup as a shared directory, the other users were updated automatically. Wonderfully easy to use.
Deleted profile 02/14/2008 4:31 AM
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Allway Sync is rather buggy and has several times during sync deleted all files on both shares.
Deleted profile 02/14/2008 6:53 AM
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Capivara works very well for me!

www.capivara.org
Deleted profile 02/14/2008 7:21 AM
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Vice Versa is hands down the best tool. Archiving function is awesome
http://www.tgrmn.com/
Deleted profile 02/14/2008 10:57 AM
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imho, by far the best sync software is vice versa 2 pro (not tested here)

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