Hello fellow selfhosters! I have a laptop and a tablet (both running endeavourOS), and I want a certain folder to be always in sync. I also have a very potato server.
My two options currently are Nextcloud and Syncthing. The laptop and the tablet are rarely online at the same time, so I need the server as middleman (so, no syncthing laptop <-> tablet, but laptop <-> server <-> tablet).

Which one do you recommend? The power consumption (of the client) is also very important, because both the laptop and the tablet are battery-powered

I’m also open to other options as well!

thanks in advance to everyone!

Edit: thanks to everyone for your precious help! I finally set up syncthing and it’s working flawlessly!

  • @[email protected]English
    14•5 months ago

    Quick pros/cons from what I’ve read (correct me if I’m wrong - I’ve not used syncthing myself):

    syncthing

    Pros:

    • Easy to setup and use.
    • No infrastructure to maintain
    • Will sync directories between computers

    Cons:

    • Uses third party resources to sync by default (can setup direct sync if needed/wanted however)
    • Only does directory synchronization

    Nextcloud

    Pros:

    • Can synchronize directories
    • Entire synchronization pipeline is under your control
    • Offers a lot more functionality if you want it (WebDAV, Calendars, public shares with “anyone with URL can view” permission, etc.)

    Cons:

    • You need to setup/maintain your Nextcloud server
    • Can be fiddly to setup for some (wasn’t for me - but lots of people do complain about it).
    • @JoeKroganEnglish
      8•5 months ago

      Syncthing can do direct sync if you give the ip address to each node and you can disable relay servers .

    • @Potatos_are_not_friendsEnglish
      5•5 months ago

      The maintenance part crushed me. Most of my other self hosted home setup, I fiddle with at most 2-3 times a year. Next cloud, I logging in at least once a month because something wasn’t working.

      • @cybersandwichEnglish
        4•5 months ago

        I switched the the snap package and it’s been rock solid and pain free the entire time.

        I welcome any and all comments on why snap is Satan.