When comparing Microsoft SyncToy vs rsync, the Slant community recommends rsync for most people. In the question“What are the best personal file-syncing solutions?” rsync is ranked 2nd while Microsoft SyncToy is ranked 30th. The most important reason people chose rsync is:
Only the changed parts of files are synced. For instance, if a long log file increases by just a few lines of text, a small diff will be sent to and saved in the archive. Rsync also compresses data in transit.
Specs
Ranked in these QuestionsQuestion Ranking
Pros
Pro Three methods
SyncToy has three methods available: Synchronize, Echo and Contribute. Synchronize will change both the source and the target folder. Echo will not change the source folder. Contribute is the safest option, if source files are deleted, they won't be deleted in the target folder.
Pro Fast and bandwidth efficient
Only the changed parts of files are synced. For instance, if a long log file increases by just a few lines of text, a small diff will be sent to and saved in the archive. Rsync also compresses data in transit.
Pro Works over SSH
SSH support allows sending files securely over the network by encrypting all communcation.
Pro Pre-installed on OSX and most Linux distributions
Many *nix systems bundle rsync so there's nothing to install. All you need to do is open up the terminal and start using rsync.
Pro Free and open source
Licensed under GNU.
Cons
Con No official GUI
To use rsync, you have to know your way around the command line.