Syncthing file synchronisation

What Syncthing is

Syncthing is a continuous, decentralised file synchronisation program. It synchronises files between two or more devices in real time, using end-to-end encryption, without routing data through a central cloud server. Unlike Dropbox or OneDrive, your files never pass through a third party — they travel directly between your devices over encrypted connections.

Screenshot evidence

It is open source, cross-platform (Linux, Windows, macOS, Android), and supports folder sharing, versioning, conflict resolution and ignore patterns. It discovers peers using local discovery, global discovery relays and direct connections.

Why I run it

I use Syncthing to keep configuration files, scripts, notes and important documents synchronised across my devices without relying on a cloud storage provider. It runs as a Docker container on the lab infrastructure and syncs with my desktop, laptop and phone — all encrypted, all peer-to-peer, all under my control.

Docker Compose

services:
  syncthing:
    image: syncthing/syncthing:latest
    container_name: syncthing
    restart: unless-stopped
    ports:
      - "8384:8384"
      - "22000:22000/tcp"
      - "22000:22000/udp"
      - "21027:21027/udp"
    volumes:
      - ./config:/var/syncthing/config
      - /path/to/sync:/var/syncthing/data
    environment:
      - PUID=1000
      - PGID=1000

What this gives you

Private, encrypted, real-time file synchronisation that works without a cloud provider, without a subscription and without trusting a third party with your data.