ChronoSync Express App Reviews
Recently I started to use Chronosynch Express to synchronize the ~/Document directory of my macs. The first problem is that it is too slow on my LAN, so I have to synch via USB key or SDXC card. The second problem is way more serious, as it concerns data integrity. Chronosynch Express crashed twice, and in both cases I had a large part of ~/Document erased. Worse, it propagated deletions to the other mac without giving a warning. Same if you abort it intentionally. Fortunately, the Time Machine saved my files. Now I am looking for a replacement.
I use this to back up Final Cut Video Projects and the associated media like art work and LPX projects for editing the audio. Very easy to use. Works great! Not only does it keep my media synced on a backup drive, but also my edits throught the project such as the end of day. I create one folder for a project where I keep everything I need for that project and backup that on folder to a new drive.
I’ve used Chronosync for years. With today’s launch of iCloud Drive I decided to give Chronosync a try for backing up my files to an offsite location. I’m happy to report that it works flawlessly with iCloud Drive and is amazingly fast. I set up two sync profiles. The first profile syncs all the documents on my Mac to iCloud. The second syncs a folder in iCloud Drive that I’ve named ‘Shared’ and contains files I share with others. By syncing those files from iCloud to my Mac, I always have a copy to work on when I’m offline (on an airplane, etc). Now with Time Machine and Chronosync I’ll always have both local and remote backups. Sweet!
Most times I find backup software hard to understand and configure. This program was easy to setup and operate. Very nice user interface. The trial sync option is a nice feature. Lots of features and easy to use.
I’ve been using ChronoSync Express since it came out and have found it to be extremely flexible. In addition to the scheduled backup stuff, I’ve found other unique uses, too. For example, I’ve got it restoring the home folders of the workstations in my classroom. My students tend to wreak havoc on them (renaming and deleting files at random - for fun, of course) and this program lets me restore from master images. I’ve got ChronoAgent installed on each workstation and I can perform the restore without leaving my desk. That’s just one example of how you can use it for more than backup. I highly reccomend it!
This is a good application except it does not seem to have encryption of the backup files. If it does I can’t find it. Very disappointing to what is otherwise a good product.
I’ve used their full version and used their support over the years. Was glad to get this express version for a laptop versus the multi-system ones for other systems. I like their docs, like their product and love their responsiveness. Saved me time today versus using the full version or manual copy/synch work. Thanks for the AppStore Express version!
I set up a series of backups with synching of deleted files and archive older versions. It’s easy to create synching documents. The program has safeguards built-in to confirm what and how files are backed-up and synched.
ChronoSync Express offers most of the features you need in a robust and reliable backup. I use several backup programs that backup to external hard drives and cloud locations. The only feature lacking in Express is a bootable backup. But for basic backups or sync backups Express is hard to beat. And the price is very reasonable.
This program has been absolutely vital in keeping backups of multiple drives all up-to-date. The reasonable price is a bargain. If you have multiple drives and often change or add files, this program will help keep things reliably synced.
Excellent Sync Program
ChronoSync does exactly what I need to sync files between my iMac and Win10 PCs. I could not ask for more. Please keep up the good work.
I have a time capsule which I use to backup time machine to, however I was looking for an app that will backup files to an NAS drive connected to my time capsule so that I can have an extra backup as well as be able to access those files for viewing from other devices - ChronoSync works great and it’s easy to set up.
Well conceived and comprehensive tool for file management, transfers, backups, etc. Once you fully wrap your brain around their terminology, there is precious little you cannot do reliably with this tool. Highly recommended!
Superb!!
Chronosync is the easiest, best, most efficient form of backup I have used on any platform. I recommend it to anyone ASAP.
Must have daily utility
All professional content creators need this app
M1 Mac user concerns
An M1 Mac user with the most current OS. I have very recently had two ChronoSync target drives become corrupted to the point of being trashed. This is in addition to the IO errors I started seeing , which errors were reported by another user a year ago. Also ChronoSync somehow is causing the target drives to report less storage space available than the source drive, even when a very straight foward synchronization is being done. ChronoSync has some nice features but I can not recommend it.
Exactly what I was looking for
I got a LaCie drive that came with the Seagate Toolkit/Mirror folder stuff. I had such high expectations for what I wanted that software to do (sync my Music and Photos to the LaCie drive automatically) I didn’t realize that this Mirror folder is essentially just an extra folder you drag and drop stuff to—still completely manual. Or maybe I just don’t get it? Chronosync lets me choose which folders I want to sync to my drive (I chose the home folders Music and Photos) and then set up multiple scheduled sync tasks. Mine are run when my drive mounts (for whenever I connect it), when Chronosync starts up (for when my computer restarts), and a standard weekly sync. It was so much easier and clearer to set up.
Only writing this review because the app keeps bugging me
The app works but has an annoying popup every couple of days telling me to give it a review. So, here's the review. One star to discourage the company from bugging me. UPDATE: It has requested another review. UPDATE: It has requested another review. UPDATE: It has requested another review.
Life Saver
Love Chronosync. Use it every day for backups. Has great options for archiving or synchronizing deletions. I love that I can run multiple backups simultaneoustly.
Works Great!
I have been using ChronoSync Express for a while to backup my personal data on my Mac to an external solid state drive. I also use it in combination with ChronoAgent to synchronize my data folders between my Mac and MacBook Pro. The programs have worked flawlessly, and I love having backup copies of my data that can be read without a special program.
Causes issues with many cloud storage applications
I have tested this against both Google Drive and dropbox. I use it to sync my photography archive to my cloud storage as a backup. ChronoSync creates a temporary directory (.CS000.Pictures.cocatalog) that causes serious issues.
ChronoSync Express
This software works fine BUT the interface could be better. To make specific task in the left window is not to my liking I would prefer simple two window interface to drop folders into
Great app, dated documentation
This is an extremely powerful and useful app. You can impose order on massive amounts of jumbled data with extraordinary speed. The documentation of ChronoSync Express is wildly out of date, however. I struggled to make a bootable external drive following the docs, only to be informed by tech support that this feature did not work for MacOS and hasn’t since the Apple’s adoption of APSF. There is no reason that digital documentation shouldn’t be up-to-date.
SLOW
10 MB/s file syncing when a basic copy command can do the same thing at 180 MB/s.
As expected. Every time.
By far the BEST. Easy to set up. Simple to use. Years of flawless use.
Buggy and annoying
1) Every time there's a macOS system update the app loses the source disks path and I have to reconnect every, single, synchronizer. This is super annoying. The path hasn't changed! 2) Synchronizing deletions does NOT work across drives. I have tested this multiple times and it's a repetable bug.
Still my favorite Synch
There's errors here and there but still the best after all these years.
Good alternative to iCloud
Starting using Chronosync since iCloud kept causing problems. Chronosync is decent. It has a support email with a decent response time. However, I've run into an issue on one of my computers I haven't been able to troubleshoot yet. I like the software though. For the most part, it works well.
Excellent backup and sync app
I have been using ChronoSync app backup my External USBs and it is very easy to use, reliable and fast. It is the best backup and sync app I have ever used
Great Buy
Been your this for awhile and completely love it.
Excellent Trouble-free Backups!
I bought my first DOS computer in 1987 and used PC TOOLs Backup as a backup program. It was cumbersome to use and required almost endless tinkering. When I switched to Macs around 15 years ago I tried a variety of backup programs before finally settling upon ChronoSync Express and I’ve been with it since. It is simple to use via the creation of Sync Tasks and they are increadibly easy to create. As a photographer with in excess of 100,000 images on half a dozen external drives I used to spend endless frustrating hours setting up and maintaining my backups. No more! ChronSync Express is both easy to use and trouble free. The one time I had a tiny problem Tech Support was excellent!
Just what I needed
The price is reasonable and it does what I need it to do. I just need to backup selected folder to and external SSD. Most of my work is photography and web design and this ChronoSync Express handles all my backup needs. It is straighforward and easy to use. If your backup needs are as simple as mine (backing up to an external SSD) this is the program for you. I highly reccomend it.
I don't have to worry about it.
If you've ever used another sync application, this one will be easy to set up and use, and if you haven't, the tutorial videos make it pretty clear. And once it's set up, it just does what it should. Should you need any help, the support team is very responsive and their directions are very clear. The only thing I'd like to see is more detail in the logs, which show you how many items were scanned and processed, how much data was copied and any errors, but does not include filenames, which would be very helpful.
Best in class software for backups.
Been using for years I recommend Chronosync without hesitation.
Tried Them All & ChronoSync is The Best
Seriously, I've tried a lot of backup programs. I won't go on and on, but I'll just give you my 20 year conclusion: ChronoSync is so far ahead of the rest, there's no comparison. I do not work for the company, and I have no affiliation whatsoever, and I earn no fees for saying this. Just thought you'd like to know.
Meh
Works great but the UX isn't as self explanitory as it should be. Support is slow to respond and there is no way to talk with anyone at the company to sort out questions/problems.
Need to Sync different drives?
Chronosync is an excellent tool for syncing two different drives, or folders. You can sync A>B, B>A or make sure A&B end up the same. The last option will make sure that all files on two different drives end up on both drives. There are LOTS of options inbetween. It's a powerful tool, just make sure you understand what it is doing.
Keep Folders Synced Between Computers
This is the best tool I've found in the Mac App Store for keeping my folders synced between computers. However, it lacks refined file/folder sync selections/detection. It is a complicated process to go through each file that is different one at a time. I would prefer it displayed a list of of every single file it found a difference it and let me select which way to update, irgnore, or delete. After the initial sync ChronoSync Express still finds differences between folders/files on my local drive and a USB drive that I have not accessed or modified in years. Especially when using a USB drive between a PC and Mac.
Just what I needed... and then some!
This product was exactly the type of app I needed to be able to backup photo images from my laptop to an external hard drive attached to it, and then from it to a secondary wireless LAN backup. I was up and running in minutes. However, the features I got for a very reasonable price are the icing on the cake. For instance, you can set up several. types of conditional backups, including bi-directional synchronization. Good stuff, here!
Killer Program!
Total Swiss Army knife. Incredibly useful.
Does not work on M1 Mac Mini
I have tried it on two M1 Mac Minis. One has a 1Gb NIC and the other has a 10Gb NIC. Both crash repeatedly. Not worth the money.
Best File Sync App Ever
Awesome tool. Reliable. Powerful. Gets the job done effectively.
Love it
I have modest needs-I keep 3 computers updated. But doing this was a real bear until I got Chronosync. These folks mention a bigger package, and while I don't need anything else- well, I think I'll try it.
Very good, but scheduling is inconsistent
This does and very good job of keeping my computers in synch with each other. However, lately I've noted when I take my laptop away to a meeting, when I return and reconnect to my WiFi network, it does not seem to automatically resynch at scheduled times.
Good, but needs status countdown, steadier transfer rates
Best program i've found for its purpose but ChronoSync has major drawbacks. A transfer status countdown seems like a really low bar to hit. Likewise, data transfer rates seem to fluctuate wildly with little recourse for optimization for the user. We can do better...
Excellent
My experience with backup programs goes way back. In the DOS world I enjoyed XCOPY. This software is really flexible. It does a good job of letting you choose which folders to backup. I have used this for years. It's only weekness is what it calls a "container". It's a way to combine multiple disconnected folders. It's not a big deal. The strongest feature is how it lets you choose how many backups to keep and how long they are kept. It works perfectly on my Mac.
An excellent and easy way to back up
I've been using this program for years and it's the easiest one that I've found. Especially when I've been editing all day and just want to get the projects Backed up.
Copying SD cards getting constant I/O errors
Loved this to begin with but noe every second micro SD sync results in multiple I/O errors. Not sure what the issue is...
Keeps Crashing
I couldnt make it work and just keeps crashing on my M1
ChronoSync Express works great!
I was surprised to see how long ChronoSync Express has been around; reviews go back 6 years. It does the job of synchronizing computers or a computer and a drive attached to another computer just exactly how I want it to. Some complain the UI is confusing but I found it easy to figure out and detailed enough to create synchronization without archiving past versions of files. I highly recommend it to others interested in backup/synchronization across computers. I use it for a MacBook Pro (Big Sur) and an iMac (Mojave); it works great but be careful of system files since they are different for the two operating systems.
Awesome application
I use this once a month to backup all my drives and computer. It works very well and hasn't caused me any problems whatsoever, to the contrary, it has helped me to make sure I am safe with all my files backed up.
Scheduled tasks not working
Stuck at 81% for days, can't see the details of status for scheduled task to figure out why its stuck. Worse, I have excluded folders and files, but I suspect ChronoSync tries to back up the exclusions, I know this because when I run sync manually, it repeats the errors that I had previously told ChronoSync to exclude. Running it manually does the job, only if I'm willing to babysit and exclude files. Scheduled tasks has yet to work.
Better than It Needs to Be
Because this software can do so much more than I need it for, there was a (gentle) learning curve. But now that I have it figured out, it has become one of my indispensable apps. I love it.
So Far So Good!
Synchronized my main folder with backup file on external drive. Like I said, so far so good!
Simple, easy to use software
So many kinds of backup software require constant renewals and payments, and don't offer much in the way of an easy experience. This one time fee is worth it, because the user interface is built so you know what exactly you're copying, where, and how often.
Simple and reliable
I needed a simple backup program from my Mac to my NAS. This app is easy to configure and schedule - totally worth it.
Fixed my storage anxiety!
Great app. Works like it should. No more chest pain about losing my files! Clean interface.
Does what it says on the box!
Nightly ChronoSync Express routines: Backup iMac to external USB drive. Backup iMac USB drive to Mac Mini internal drive. Backup Mac Mini drives to network drive. Backup Mac Mini iTunes library to network drive. ...all easily configured and executed. The best backup system I've used.
Layout and remaining time
Hi The layout take too much space on the screen. Would be nice with a smaller ayout option with less clutter. Also the remaining time bar i never showing actual remaining time. Its basically useless. Maybe Im using this all wrong?
works perfect!
I was researching for a physical backup solution for a long time and when I found the app it's finally what I needed. Ive been suing it fpr 2 years npw and it works graet. the intially setup is very short and it works seamlessly after.
Life Saver
I would never take the time to manually back up the specific files that I use ChronoSync to do automatically. Set it up once and I am always assured of having latest versions of files in the right palces.
Great Program for automatic backups and Sync
Fantastic program. I like the myriad of back up options from sync to mirror etc. The scheduler works very well. This program has made it easy for me to back my files to multiple external HD and network drives as well.