CNET Editors' review
Synchronizing and backing up files is extremely simple thanks to this backup program's ease-of-use. With views tailored to novices and more experienced users, it will appeal to both.
Super Flexible File Synchronizer uses a wizard-like approach for beginners. Simply select the task that you wish to accomplish and the program walks you through the process of getting the job done. Its second user interface mode (Advanced) gets right to the point and lets you manually create and edit backup tasks. The Program Settings menu offers tons of configuration options for storing profiles, start-up, log files, and notifications. And despite the many options, we weren't overwhelmed or confused by the instructions. We walked through both synchronization methods, and were able to very quickly and easily synchronize folders. Using the advanced method interface, we were able to export our selected profiles to our location of choice, and we were able to view any activity through the log files.
In terms of help, the program offers the most extensive Help resources we've seen. It comes with six Help menus that each focus on a different aspect of the program, such as editing and scheduling profiles. There is also a tips feature and a link to the publisher's Web site. The 30-day trial period is more than enough time to learn the program's ins and outs. We highly recommend this file backup program for all user levels.
Publisher's Description
From Super Flexible Software:
With Super Flexible File Synchronizer, back up your data and synchronize PCs, Macs, servers, notebooks, and online storage space. You can set up as many different jobs as you need and run them manually or using the scheduler. The software comes with support for FTP, SSH, HTTP, WebDAV, Amazon S3, Google Docs, and Microsoft Azure Storage. You can use ZIP compression and data encryption. The scheduler can run as a service - without users having to log on. There are powerful synchronization modes, including Standard Copying, Exact Mirror, and SmartTracking.
Block-level copying is supported in several ways. The new Synthetic Backup mode backs up each day's changes and keeps a complete version history on the backup storage while using a minimum of storage space.
What's new in this version: Version 5.66 adds support for keeping the files' original timestamps when uploading to a Microsoft IIS 7 or greater WebDAV server.
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All versions:
4.5 starsout of 31 votes
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Current version:
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"Still the best!!!"
Version: Super Flexible File Synchronizer 5.63
Pros
It's incredibly flexible. It's unlikely that you will not find a setting to customise your backup to exactly what you need. Support is first class and super quick. Most of my questions turn out to be setting related (oversights on my part) and the responses are always quick and helpful. Works very well with Amazon S3.
Cons
It is so flexible and customiseable that sometimes I get a bit confused, but that's only me. Overall I love the flexibility.
It's a little quirky with Google storage, but I understand that this is more a problem with Google but I do wish SFFS could come up with some work-arounds.Summary
This SW is incredible value for money, I have been using it for years and I highly recommend it. Updates are regular and support is incredible. It is "super flexible"!!
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"Super Reliable and Well-Behaved"
Version: Super Flexible File Synchronizer 5.62
Pros
This program lives up to its name, with options to do so many different things. What led me to choose this program after trying many others is reliability.
I back up to multiple locations, including network drives. This is the only program I found that consistently completed large backups to network drive without getting hung up when there were intermittent network problems or individual file lock or permission issues.
There are settings to limit which processors the program will use on multiple-CPU PCs and a priority setting to control how aggressive the program is ion competing for resources so that you can let backups run while you are using the PC without having it grind to a halt.Cons
Some of the options tabs can be a bit complex.
Summary
The best option out ther for reliable unintrusive backup.
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"Useless for Amazon EC2"
Version: Super Flexible File Synchronizer 5.48a
Pros
I wasn't impressed, honestly.
Cons
no option for passwordless SSH; no apparent option for selective subfolder upload/exclusion
Summary
Doesn't allow SSH without a password, even if a certificate is provided. Default config of EC2 linux AMI is passwordless, with cert and inbound IP detection.
Also, couldn't find where one would specify selective upload or exclusion of specific folders. -
"As it's name implies; it's Super flexible"
Version: Super Flexible File Synchronizer 5.32b
Pros
Love the flexibility but especially every conceivable means of backing up whether some files go to a removable drives, others to a network drive and still others to any given ftp site.
Cons
I haven't looked for it as I haven't needed it but it could use beginner, Intermediate and Super User UI's therefore this feature may exist and I just haven't had the need for it.
Summary
Best of Breed
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"Absolutely the best file sync & backup in it's class"
Version: Super Flexible File Synchronizer 5.30d
Pros
amazingly flexible (as the name!), local, network, FTP, versioning.. you name it. read the reviews on Cnet, elsewhere-all spot on! I have tried many other products, especially for our industry, and have been disappointed. 10 Stars out of Five!
Cons
none so far..
Summary
for personal, desktop, SOHO backup, I cannot recommend any other product. you could spend $500 - $2000 for some of the enterprise packages for replication and backup and still not get this type of performance. excellent work.
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"The linchpin app in my backup scheme. (I'm a Mac user.)"
Version: Super Flexible File Synchronizer 5.21b
Pros
Fast. Smart. The ability to mirror drives, and to choose direction of left-to-right, right-to-left, or two-way, is insanely useful. Format-independent. Sync drives. Sync folders.
Cons
With the few updates that have been issued since I first bought it, I seriously do not have any issues with this app.
Summary
Here's my backup scheme (which I admit isn't the most sophisticated, but it works for me...knock on wood): Every time I buy a drive, I buy a matching drive (in terms of size) as its backup, *if* I don't already have a drive that has enough defragged free space that I can repartition (using Drive Genius). That is, if I buy a 500GB drive, I will repartition a drive to make a backup for the drive I just bought--and if I don't have enough free space anywhere, I buy another 500GB drive. If the production drive is named "Blue 500GB," I create the backup partition/drive with the name "BACKUP Blue 500GB." I then use SFFS (Super Flexible File Synchronizer) to keep the drives mirrored, and I run sync sessions for all my drives using SFFS on a regular basis, and every time I make substantial changes to a drive. Again, it's not sophisticated, and has its potential shortfalls, but it works for me. I had a RAID6 unit bail completely, due to a controller card gone bad. I've read of Drobo disasters. I'll take the simplicity of mirrored drives.
As I type this, SFFS (Super Flexible File Synchronizer) is performing a drive mirroring. In this instance, I first used Finder to simply copy the contents of one drive to another. Most of this initial copy via Finder completed, until late in the process when it bailed (due to a permission error of some sort). Rather than try to manually figure out what copied successfully and what didn't, I used SFFS to mirror the drives. It *very* quickly figured out which of the nearly 400GB of data made it over, and which didn't, and is now completing the copy/mirror for me.
For a Mac user who has migrated from Windows, SFFS is awesome. Unlike some other popular drive dupers, SFFS works with NTFS (read-only), FAT, and Mac Journaled. One of my music drives is FAT (so that I can read-write with both Windows and Mac machines). The backup drive for that one is Mac Journaled--SFFS doesn't care. The aforesaid 400GB drive that's syncing now is a 400GB NTFS volume (that is long ago nearly filled, and so is mostly just for archive status now), and that's syncing to a Mac Journaled 400GB partition.
There are other features of SFFS that I haven't even used yet, but I'll explore them to see if there's still more in it that'll make my life even easier than it already does.
Super Flexible File Synchronizer is simply outstanding! I consider it one of a handful of absolutely critical apps in my arsenal. -
"Once set up, ti backs up on the fly in background"
Version: Super Flexible File Synchronizer 5.21
Pros
Backs up on the fly, keeps multiple versions, runs in background, pretty easy to set up, reasonable price for 5 computer family pack
Cons
It's not free once you're past the 30 day trial period.
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"Greatly improved my working efficiency;"
Version: Super Flexible File Synchronizer 5.19
Pros
I used to "save" important stuff 2 or more times, under different names or in different folders to improve future locating; none of that is necessary now. Also use it to pull up telephone numbers.
Cons
No adverse whatsoever
Summary
It is INSTANT feedback! As you make an entry, you know you are focusing in on what you seek. As soon as you have typed enough, presto! It is in front of you. Mine is a record-keeping business, lots of names, etc. I used to put things into different folders for peceived efficiency and neatness. why? One central file is perfect (for backing-up, especially) when you have instant access. Since I have this, I have combined 7577 records into one file. Now, if I have a phone number, I enter the name, if something comes up, I see if it is current, and add the phone number on top. If no record, I type the name on a blank sheet in Word, Last name first and the telephone number below it. Hit save, Word make a file using the top line and presto. Done. I type maybe "Sears" on a blank page, and put the account number and phone numbers on subsequent lines, and presto! Everything like that!
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"Superb product + Great support"
Version: Super Flexible File Synchronizer 5.18b
Pros
Incredibly flexible and reliable. Author provides first class support.
Cons
Need to invest time to understand the richness of the product
Summary
One of kind product. Small independent designer bears all big corporation products !
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"Absolute best of class nothing comes close"
Version: Super Flexible File Synchronizer 5.17
Pros
unparalleled functionality for professional use. A rolls royce. synthetic backup (new feature in v 5?) is genius, encrypted backups save compliance headaches, supports Amazon and Google storage, real time file monitoring, it's like sync heaven.
Cons
it's complex, you have to get settled in, know what you want, take some time and read some documentation. not for someone who just wants to keep a copy of a file somewhere else.
Summary
I used this back in version 3 (5 years ago) for basic synchronization before I knew about rsync, before dropbox existed, and it worked but I sensed I was using a bazooka to open a can of tuna. The bazooka has been upgraded to a tank and now that I know more, much more, I realize what a sweet tank it is. If you know what you want, and know what you're doing, this is the tool for you, unparalleled, simply the best. -D.E. computer consultant, SF, CA
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