SmartSync Pro is a file synchronization and backup utility. It can sync files across computers even if they aren’t on the same network. It doesn’t just sync, though. It can also do incremental backups of your most important files.
Pros
- Remote file synchronization
- File backup capabilities
- Lots of options
- Can run profiles even when the computer is logged off
Cons
- Can’t handle super long file names
- No complete system backup
The Bottom Line
SmartSync Pro is a great synchronization and backup program, and the ability to sync to remote computers is simply amazing.
Installation
SmartSync has a multi-user mode which will store settings and log files in the user’s application folder. When not used, it will store settings in a common folder for all users.
Backing Up
When first started, SmartSync uses a New Profile Wizard to create the first profile. You can choose to synchronize files, or backup files. Synchronization keeps files the same between the source and destination.
The SmartSync new profile wizard.
I liked that SmartSync can do incremental type backups with compression and encryption. A lot of other synchronization programs don’t even bother with backup features.
I chose to backup my files to my external USB drive. SmartSync has some fairly advanced filter settings, if you want to exclude certain files or folders.
I was impressed with the scheduling options. Profiles can be scheduled to run anywhere from every few minutes, to once a month, to whenever a folder changes.
While running my profile, SmartSync was unable to handle extra long filenames. I got “The filename or extension was too long” errors for 14 of my files. None of them were that important (temporary internet files), but the software should’ve been able to handle these.
SmartSync has a lot of settings available to each profile.
SmartSync Pro profile properties.
It also has a “Service-mode” that can run even when the computer has locked or logged off.
Restoring
Restoring files in SmartSync is fairly easy. Just click the Restore button, select which backup you want to restore from, and select the files you want to restore. That’s all there is to it.
The only thing I wish was different was the way files are displayed in Restore mode. They’re displayed as one big, long list. There’s no way to collapse folders or hide the contents of them. You have to view all the files!
Features
SmartSync has a long list of features that you won’t typically find in other backup software. I won’t list all of them, just the ones I think are important.
Synchronization
Obviously the main feature of is the ability to sync your files. Bidirectional sync, sync to (and from) other computers on the network, and remote sync via FTP. SmartSync can even sync with remote computers if they both have the software installed.
Copy Open Files
Copy open files using Microsoft’s Volume Shadow Copy service.
File Comparison
Compare using date/time, file size, MD5 hash, and more.
Support
Technical support is available through a contact form. I submitted a support request and was responded to the same day. There’s also a user manual and a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) available on the website.
| Specifications | |
| Product Name | SmartSync Pro |
| Version | 4.0 |
| License | Shareware |
| Price | $45 |
| Operating Systems | Window |
| Backup Types | |
| Files and Folders | |
| Full Disk Image | |
| Incremental | |
| Differential | |
| Backup Destinations | |
| Hard Drive | |
| Removable Media | |
| Network Shares | |
| Blu-ray | |
| CD/DVD | |
| FTP | |
| SFTP | |
| Online Storage | |
| Features | |
| Compression | |
| Encryption | |
| Email Notifications | |
| Error Handling | |
| File Versioning | |
| Priority Setting | |
| Scheduling | |
| Speed Limiting | |
| Synchronization | |
Geoff Akerlund
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