Cloud storage feels like oxygen until you stop and ask why. A long-time Google Drive user recently tried a free, open-source tool called Syncthing on a hunch: maybe he didn't need the cloud at all to keep files in step across his machines. According to makeuseof.com, the experiment worked well enough that cloud storage stopped feeling essential for daily file syncing.
The idea is not new, but it is gaining traction with people who already self-host other services and want to keep their data close. Below is what Syncthing actually does, where it beats Drive, and where Drive still wins on a feature most of us quietly rely on.
What happened
- Syncthing is free, open-source software that syncs folders directly between your own devices.
- It needs no cloud account, no subscription, and no upload to a third-party server.
- Setup is simple: install on each device, pick folders, approve the connection, and it runs in the background.
- Files edited on one machine appear on the others without manual copying.
- The trade-off, flagged by the report, is missing or limited remote access when you are away from your gear.
What Syncthing actually does
Syncthing is not a cloud replacement in the Google Drive sense. It is not hosting your files on someone else's server so you can sign in through a browser from a hotel lobby. It connects the devices you already own and keeps selected folders in step across them, which is the original promise of file sync before cloud storage became the default.
For someone running Immich in place of Google Photos, Navidrome in place of Spotify, and Audiobookshelf in place of Audible, Syncthing slots in as the natural file layer. You choose which folders matter, you stop syncing the rest, and your system quietly shrinks because the dead wood disappears with it.
Our analysis
Sync vs backup is the first thing to clear up. The makeuseof.com test calls this out plainly: if you delete a file on machine A while both send and receive are active, machine B will also drop it. That is correct behaviour for sync but a nasty surprise if you treat sync like a backup. Anyone switching off Drive for that reason alone is solving only part of the problem.
Remote access is the second issue, and it is where Drive still earns its keep. Syncthing needs at least one of your devices awake and reachable to pull files on the road. If your laptop is asleep in a drawer, your phone cannot fetch that contract. Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, and similar services solve this by holding the file on a server you can reach from any browser. So the trade looks like this:
| Option | Best for | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Device-to-device sync (Syncthing) | Power users with several devices in one place | No remote access without a relay; deletes propagate |
| Cloud sync (Google Drive) | Reaching files from any browser, anywhere | Monthly caps, subscription tiers, third-party trust |
| Hybrid: Drive for travel folders, Syncthing for the rest | Splitting convenience from ongoing archives | More moving parts to manage |
The honest read is that Syncthing wins on cost, control, and clarity of where the bytes live. Drive wins on remote reach and on not having to think about which machine is on.
Who should care
- Android-and-laptop power users who already self-host services and want one more piece off the cloud.
- Privacy-focused readers who would rather keep personal files on hardware they control.
- Heavy editors who want changes to appear across a desktop and a laptop without a cloud step in the middle.
- Road warriors and freelancers who pull contracts from a stranger's browser, and should probably stick with Drive for those folders.
- Anyone hitting storage tiers and tired of paying for capacity they barely use.
A worked example
Say you keep three folders: work drafts, a phone photo dump, and a year of tax PDFs. Install Syncthing on your phone, your work laptop, and a small home server. Let only the work drafts sync between the laptop and the home server. Park the tax PDFs on the server alone as a cold backup. Keep phone photos uploading to Immich as before, and only turn on Drive for the folders you actually need on holiday. End state: one less subscription, one less cap to watch, and a clearer mental model of where each file lives.
What to watch next
If a tipping point comes, it will be in remote access. Syncthing already offers relay servers, which let devices find each other when they cannot see each other directly, but reach and speed vary. Watch for a stable, low-friction relay story, or a sensible way to pair it with something like Tailscale for the rare off-site grab. Until then, the practical move for most readers is hybrid: Syncthing at home for the bulk of the work, Drive kept around for the few folders that must travel. The cloud did not become optional overnight, but the part of it you actually rely on is smaller than your subscription receipt suggests.
Key takeaways
- Syncthing is sync, not backup; pair it with a real backup habit.
- Cloud still wins on remote access, which Syncthing does not replace.
- A hybrid setup often beats going all-in on either side.
Frequently asked questions
Is Syncthing really free?
Yes, it is open-source and free to use. There is no subscription tier and no storage cap because nothing is uploaded to a third-party server.
Can Syncthing sync folders between an Android phone and a laptop?
Yes, there is an official Android app that pairs with desktop installs and keeps chosen folders in step, provided both devices are online and reachable.
If I delete a file on one device, does it delete on the others?
With default send and receive settings, yes. Syncthing treats devices as peers, so a deletion on one side propagates. Keep a non-syncing backup for anything you cannot afford to lose.
Can I reach my files from a browser when I am away from home?
That is the weak spot. Plain Syncthing needs one of your devices awake and reachable. For off-site access from any browser, keep a small cloud folder in the mix.
Do I still need Google Drive at all?
Many self-hosters get rid of it, but a small Drive allocation is still handy for travel and sharing a single link with someone who does not run Syncthing.