Unison

Self-Hosted

Bidirectional file synchronization tool for cross-platform use

Overview

Unison is a bidirectional file sync tool enabling seamless data transfer between local directories or remote machines (via SSH). It works across Windows, macOS, and Linux, preserving file permissions, timestamps, and metadata. Unison handles conflicts with clear resolution options to avoid data loss. Deployment is flexible—install via package managers (apt, brew, Chocolatey) or from source. It supports secure remote sync using SSH, making it ideal for personal backups or team collaboration without relying on cloud services. Lightweight and efficient, it suits both small and large file sets.

Self-Hosting Resources

Find Official Image on Docker Hub View Source & Docs

Below is a reference structure for docker-compose.yml. ⚠️ Do NOT run blindly. Replace placeholders with official values.

docker-compose.template.yml TEMPLATE


version: '3'
services:
  unison:
    image: <OFFICIAL_IMAGE_NAME>:latest
    container_name: unison
    ports:
      - "8080:<APP_INTERNAL_PORT>"
    volumes:
      - ./data:/app/data
    restart: unless-stopped

Key Features

Bidirectional file synchronization
Cross-platform compatibility (Windows/macOS/Linux)
Conflict resolution mechanisms
SSH support for secure remote sync
Preserves file metadata (permissions, timestamps)

Frequently Asked Questions

? Is Unison hard to install?

Unison is easy to install via package managers (apt, brew, Chocolatey) on most platforms. For command-line use, setup is straightforward, and third-party GUI wrappers are available for less technical users. Note that it needs to be installed on both endpoints you want to sync.

? Is it a good alternative to Dropbox?

Yes, if you prefer peer-to-peer sync without cloud reliance. Unlike Dropbox, Unison doesn’t store files on third-party servers, enhancing privacy. However, it lacks Dropbox’s real-time sync and cloud backup features.

? Is it completely free?

Yes, Unison is open-source under the GPL license. It has no paid tiers or hidden costs—you can use it for personal or commercial purposes without fees.

Top Alternatives

Dropbox Compare

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Tool Info

Pricing Free/Open Source

Category File Transfer & Synchronization

Platform Self-Hosted

Pros

⊕ Privacy-focused (no cloud middleman)
⊕ Cross-platform support
⊕ Efficient conflict handling
⊕ Open-source and free to use

Cons

⊖ Command-line primary (limited official GUI)
⊖ Requires installation on both sync endpoints
⊖ No real-time automatic sync (manual/scheduled runs only)