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.
LinuxLinks helps you discover the best free and open source software for Linux. Explore our extensive collection of recommended applications, including alternatives to popular proprietary software.We also publish software reviews, Linux tutorials, hardware reviews, free programming books and articles covering the wider open source community. Browse our Linux resources to discover more. Know a useful free and open source Linux application we haven't covered? Suggest a program for inclusion. Has your software been featured on LinuxLinks? Display one of our Featured on LinuxLinks badges on your website or GitHub README. |


Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.