how to add a cloud backup to syncthing

[pko]

how can i add a cloud backup to syncthing? could i sync my 4 local pcs with syncthing, and also back up one of them with, say, OneDrive?

[gadget]

If the backups are done via backup software independently of Syncthing, sure.

The most important thing to avoid is making OneDrive, Dropbox, Box, pCloud or some other similar cloud storage the destination for a Syncthing folder because of the on-demand nature of those types of cloud storage services.

Best approach is to use purpose-built backup software to copy the contents of a Syncthing folder to backup storage, either local or remote.

[pko]

@gadget

“Best approach is to use purpose-built backup software to copy the contents of a Syncthing folder to backup storage, either local or remote.”

Any recommendations for relatively simple-to-use software of this kind? My SyncThing setup is working really well with my four pcs, and I don’t want to wreck it by adding a complex backup program that assumes more savvy than I’ve got. But I take seriously the advice from this forum that syncing my four pcs is not the same as backup, and that I should be backing up somehow with another program. What worries me most is the possibility of my making a ham-fisted error, erasing important files, and then discovering that SyncThing dutifully propagated my goof to my three other pcs. So, I’m eager to install some “purpose-built backup software to copy the contents of a Syncthing folder to backup storage” but I need some specific recommendations from experienced users. I assume I would then pick one pc and periodically copy from it to external storage the folders I’m syncing among my four local pcs. The copying would only include new or revised files not already backed up.

[239]

• Kopia
• restic
• zpaq

[gadget]

@pko

Any recommendations for relatively simple-to-use software of this kind?

As you probably already know, it’s going to vary a lot depending on…

• … a user’s interpretation of “simple”.
• … features required – e.g. revisions, deduplication.
• … operating system (impacts the available choices).
• … local and/or cloud storage.
• … budget – e.g. paid subscription service, free, open-source.

Probably the simplest option is using something like FreeFileSync and an external USB drive.

@239 mentioned Kopia and Restic, which are both excellent. Another great option is Duplicacy. All of them support mixing local and cloud storage with lots of features.

Turnkey solutions including CrashPlan, Backblaze Computer Backup, Carbonite plus many others offer easy to use solutions if a paid subscription service is in the budget.

At the end of the day, the free solutions with the most in-demand features require more effort to set up, while the easiest to use solutions often require a fee.

See also:

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_backup_software (not comprehensive, but a good start)
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_online_backup_services

[DavidJM (David)]

As mentioned above, Freefilesync might be an option. As the name suggests, it’s a sync app. However, I believe that it does have versioning as an option. And, you can have one of your PC’s run it at scheduled times by setting up a task in Windows Task Scheduler. I did that for a very long time. Mine sync’d / backed up to One Drive. Today, I much prefer a NAS like Synology or QNAP which can do snapshots. My Synology does a sync to One Drive in place of Freefilesync now. A small NAS ( I would never buy less than a 4 bay ) can be a great off site backup if you can put it in a trusted location. A detached garage if you are a home user works ( that’s what I do.) Or a friend’s or relative’s place. Just schedule the backups to run in the middle of the night.