Lsyncd is a live file synchronization daemon that watches local directory trees for filesystem changes and then synchronizes those changes to a remote target.
It uses the kernel event notification interface, such as inotify on Linux and fsevents on macOS, to detect changes efficiently, then batches events for a short period before launching synchronization jobs. By default it uses rsync, making it a practical solution for keeping local directories mirrored to remote systems without requiring special filesystems or block-level replication.
This is free and open source software.
Key Features
- Monitors local directory trees using filesystem event interfaces such as inotify and fsevents.
- Aggregates file events before synchronizing, which helps reduce unnecessary transfer activity.
- Uses rsync by default to synchronize changed files to remote targets.
- Supports rsync over SSH, including handling remote moves more efficiently.
- Offers flexible configuration through Lua-based configuration files.
- Can be extended with custom action configurations ranging from shell scripts to Lua code.
- Designed for lightweight one-way live mirroring of directories to remote systems.
Website: github.com/lsyncd/lsyncd
Support:
Developer: lsyncd developers
License: GNU General Public License v2.0
Lsyncd is written in Lua and C. Learn Lua with our recommended free books and free tutorials. Learn C with our recommended free books and free tutorials.
Related Software
| File Synchronization Tools | |
|---|---|
| Syncthing | Continuous file synchronization program |
| Unison | File-synchronization tool for POSIX-compliant systems |
| Rclone | Command line program to sync files and directories |
| rsync | Fast incremental file transfer |
| Cryptomator | Multi-platform transparent client-side encryption of files in the cloud |
| FreeFileSync | Folder comparison and synchronization software |
| syncBackup | Backup and mirror your drives |
| Seafile | Coud storage system with privacy protection and teamwork features |
| Grsync | Graphical user interface for rsync |
| Lsyncd | Live Syncing Daemon |
| luckyBackup | Backup & sync tool |
| YARsync | Yet Another Rsync |
| Sync-in | File sync and server management |
| osync | Two way filesync script running on Bash |
| Celeste | GUI file synchronization client |
| ByteSync | File synchronization, backup, and deduplication |
| bita | Differential file synchronization over HTTP |
| Spacedrive | File manager powered by a virtual distributed filesystem |
Read our verdict in the software roundup.
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