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Head-to-head · File Sync Software

PowerFolder vs rclone

  • Updated Sep 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 3 checks side by side
Higher score PowerFolder #5 in File Sync Software 7.3/10 Free plan · paid from €4/user/mo · 30-day trial Free plan✓ 2 of 2 features Visit PowerFolder
rclone #6 in File Sync Software 7.1/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 2 features Visit rclone

PowerFolder leads on 2 checks, rclone on 0, and 1 is even. Who comes out ahead on the 3 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scorePowerFolder · 7.3/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresPowerFolder · 2 of 2

PowerFolder scores higher on our rubric for file sync software: 7.3 against 7.1 out of 10; our editors rank them #5 and #6.

PowerFolder offers selective sync; rclone doesn't publish it. PowerFolder offers encryption at rest; rclone doesn't publish it.

PowerFolder is the better fit for teams choosing between cloud and self-hosted sync. rclone is the better fit for technical users syncing and mounting cloud storage.

  • PowerFolder fits best

    Teams choosing between cloud and self-hosted sync

  • rclone fits best

    Technical users syncing and mounting cloud storage

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Side by side

Feature PowerFolder 7.3/10 Visit ↗ rclone 7.1/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 7.3 7.1
Ranking #5 in File Sync Software #6 in File Sync Software
Best for Teams choosing between cloud and self-hosted sync Technical users syncing and mounting cloud storage
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free
Starting price Not published Not published
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Self-hosted, Desktop, Mobile Self-hosted, Desktop
Platforms Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, Android
Support Docs Community, Docs
Integrations 10 integrations 70+ integrations
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features PowerFolder 2/2 · rclone 0/2
Selective sync ✓ (best) Not published
Encryption at rest ✓ (best) Not published
Specs
Sync method Hybrid Not published
Supported platforms Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, web Windows, macOS, Linux, FreeBSD, OpenBSD, NetBSD, Plan 9, Solaris, Android
Version history Not published Not published
Max file size Not published Not published
Our review
Pros
  • Selective sync, LAN peer-to-peer transfer and configurable version history
  • Cloud, hybrid and on-premise deployment options
  • Desktop, mobile and web clients with link controls and backup
  • Syncs one-way or bidirectionally with bisync.
  • Mounts cloud or WebDAV storage as a local filesystem or drive.
  • Supports checksums, encryption, and a wide range of backends.
Cons
  • Business Cloud pricing starts at €12.50 per user monthly with annual billing
  • The €4 per-user monthly Enterprise price applies to licensing from 51 users
  • Support channels listed include documentation
  • Its command-line focus is less turnkey than a conventional graphical client.
  • Official Android builds are not first-class builds.
  • Support channels are community and documentation.
Our verdict

PowerFolder is a file sync-and-share platform for individuals, teams, schools and enterprises that need folders available across desktop, mobile and web clients. Its defining fit is deployment flexibility: organizations can use a hosted…

Read the review →

rclone is an open-source command-line program for managing files across cloud storage systems and transfer protocols, including WebDAV. It suits individuals, developers, administrators, and organisations that want to copy, move, check, or…

Read the review →
  1. PowerFolderFile Sync Software 7.3Free plan · paid from €4/user/mo · 30-day trial
  2. rcloneFile Sync Software 7.1Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • PowerFolder — where it wins

    • Selective sync, LAN peer-to-peer transfer and configurable version history
    • Cloud, hybrid and on-premise deployment options
    • Desktop, mobile and web clients with link controls and backup

    Where it doesn't

    • Business Cloud pricing starts at €12.50 per user monthly with annual billing
    • The €4 per-user monthly Enterprise price applies to licensing from 51 users
    • Support channels listed include documentation

  • rclone — where it wins

    • Syncs one-way or bidirectionally with bisync.
    • Mounts cloud or WebDAV storage as a local filesystem or drive.
    • Supports checksums, encryption, and a wide range of backends.

    Where it doesn't

    • Its command-line focus is less turnkey than a conventional graphical client.
    • Official Android builds are not first-class builds.
    • Support channels are community and documentation.
  • PowerFolder7.3/10 · Free plan · paid from €4/user/mo · 30-day trial

    Flexible file sync for teams that need cloud, hybrid or self-hosted deployment.

    Visit PowerFolderFull verdict →
  • rclone7.1/10 · Free plan

    A free, open-source toolkit for syncing, mounting, and managing remote storage.

    Visit rcloneFull verdict →

More comparisons

All file sync software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Sep 2026

Last updated · How we research and update