head to head · open source
Files vs Sync-in
Files has 46,481 GitHub stars, 3,016 forks, 458 open issues and last shipped 2 days ago. Sync-in has 1,952 stars, 160 forks, 13 open issues and last shipped 4 days ago. Files leads on adoption by 2,281% (46,481 vs 1,952 stars). Files is written in C# under MIT; Sync-in is written in TypeScript under AGPL-3.0. Files has attracted 6% as many forks as stars, Sync-in 8%. Files was the more recently maintained of the two, and both are self-hostable with no licence fee.
Two open source projects, one decision. Both are free and self-hostable — the differences are community size, license terms, language stack and release pace.
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Side by side
| Files | Sync-in | |
|---|---|---|
| GitHub stars | ★ 46K | ★ 2.0K |
| License | MIT | AGPL-3.0 |
| Written in | C# | TypeScript |
| Last push | 2026-11-03 | 2026-11-01 |
| Forks | ⑂ 3.0K | ⑂ 160 |
| Self-hosting | Yes | Yes |
| Data ownership | Your server | Your server |
pick Files if
- You weight community size — 46K stars and counting
- You want the MIT license terms
- Your stack matches C#
- You value the larger contributor base for long-term maintenance
pick Sync-in if
- You want the Sync-in feature set and don't need the biggest community
- You prefer the AGPL-3.0 license terms
- Your stack matches TypeScript
- You evaluated both and Sync-in fits your workflow better
About Files
Files is a modern file manager that helps users organize their files and folders. Our mission with Files is to build the best file manager for Windows, and we’re proud to be building it out in the open so everyone can participate. User feedback helps shape the features we work on, & the bug reports on GitHub help to make Files more reliable. Built and maintained by the open source community, Files features robust multitasking experiences, file tags, deep integrations, and an intuitive design. Installing and running Files Files is a community driven project that depends on your support to grow and improve. Please…
read the full Files overview →
About Sync-in
Website • Documentation • Demo • Docker setup • NPM setup • GitHub Server • GitHub Desktop & CLI Sync in is a self hosted platform for file storage, synchronization, and team collaboration. Run your own workspace for files, documents, shares, and collaborative work without giving up control of your infrastructure or data. Sync in is designed to stay fast, lightweight, and centered on your data, keeping files readable on your filesystem while adding collaboration features only where they are needed. Features 🖥️ Modern web interface with drag and drop, smart clipboard, gallery view, sorting, filtering, and…
read the full Sync-in overview →
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Frequently asked questions
Is Files or Sync-in more popular?
Files has 46,481 GitHub stars and Sync-in has 1,952. Files has the larger community by that measure.
Are Files and Sync-in free?
Both are open source. Files is licensed under MIT and Sync-in under AGPL-3.0. Neither carries a licence fee.
What is the difference between Files and Sync-in?
Files is written in C# and Sync-in in TypeScript. The practical differences are community size, licence terms, language stack and release cadence — all compared in the table above.
Which should I choose, Files or Sync-in?
Choose Files if you want the larger community (46,481 stars) or its MIT licence terms. Choose Sync-in if its feature set, stack or AGPL-3.0 licence fits better. Both are self-hostable.