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Your own private Dropbox, with no cloud and no subscription

Stop paying for cloud storage. Syncthing keeps folders in sync between your laptop, desktop and phone, directly from device to device, and sends your phone photos to your PC by itself. No account, no monthly fee, and your files never sit on a company's server.

40 minBeginnerTools: FreeStep 1 free
Tested 8 Oct 2026 · Syncthing 2.1.6 (Scoop and the official zip), two copies paired on one Windows 11 laptop
A folder that stays the same on every computer you own, synced directly between them
Your phone's camera folder copying itself to your PC, with no cable and no cloud
Real numbersa change shows up in about 11 seconds, and 377MB of photos synced in 12
  • Old versions kept, so a deleted file can be brought back
  • Syncthing starting by itself every time you log in
  • A clear picture of what Syncthing is for (sync, not backup) and what has to be switched on
Before you start
  • Two devices you own: laptop, desktop, or an Android phone
  • About 30MB of disk space for Syncthing itself
  • No account, no payment, no admin rights
01/08Install Syncthing and open its control panel0 done
STEP 01 of 08~5 min

Install Syncthing and open its control panel

Syncthing is one small program. You run it on every device you want to keep in sync.

  1. The easiest way on Windows is Scoop ↗, a free installer that needs no admin rights. One command:

    Windows (Scoop)
    scoop install syncthing
    Output
    Installing 'syncthing' (2.1.6) [64bit] from 'main' bucket
Downloading https://github.com/syncthing/syncthing/releases/download/v2.1.6/syncthing-windows-amd64-v2.1.6.zip (11.4 MB)...
Checking hash of syncthing-windows-amd64-v2.1.6.zip... OK.
...
'syncthing' (2.1.6) was installed successfully!
    TipNo Scoop? Download the windows-amd64 .zip from the official releases page ↗, unzip it and double-click syncthing.exe. That's the exact file Scoop fetches. Mac and Linux downloads are on syncthing.net/downloads ↗.
    Mac (Homebrew)
    brew install syncthing
    Linux (Debian/Ubuntu)
    sudo apt install syncthing

  2. Now start it:

    Terminal
    syncthing

  3. Syncthing has no normal window. You control it from a web page that only your own computer can open: 127.0.0.1:8384 ↗. If your browser doesn't open it for you, type that address in.

    CarefulWindows may pop up a Windows Security box asking whether to allow Syncthing on networks. Tick Private networks only and click Allow, so your other devices at home can reach it. Don't tick Public networks.

  4. A green banner suggests setting a username and password for the control panel. It's optional, and only matters if other people use your computer. Click OK to hide it.

✓
CheckpointThe Syncthing page shows Folders, This Device and Remote Devices, with your computer's name at the top.
If it breaks'syncthing' is not recognised + 1 more
'syncthing' is not recognised
Open a new PowerShell window after installing. If you used the zip, run it from inside the unzipped folder instead.
127.0.0.1:8384 won't load
Syncthing isn't running. Run syncthing again and leave that window open.
Still stuck? Ask the community
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