Sync-in

What is Sync-in?

Sync-in is a secure, open-source platform for file storage, sharing, collaboration, and syncing. It is designed to let organizations host their own data on their infrastructure while controlling access to files and shared resources.

The core purpose of Sync-in is to provide dependable file management and collaboration features—backed by a granular permission system—across browsers and clients, while supporting common document workflows such as shared links, collaborative editing, and ongoing synchronization.

Key Features

• Open-source transparency and community improvements: The platform is open source, supporting full transparency and ongoing enhancements from the community.
• Data sovereignty hosting: Users can host data on their own infrastructure rather than relying on a third-party service, aiming to support legal and regulatory requirements.
• Secure by design with granular permissions: Sync-in emphasizes confidentiality and provides a granular permission system to control who can access what.
• Access from multiple devices and clients: Files can be accessed via browser, a desktop client, or through WebDAV.
• Scalable and modular architecture: A modular design supports use cases ranging from individual use to enterprise, with scaling described as both vertical and horizontal.
• Secure sharing options: Secure sharing supports internally and externally, including granular permissions and secure links with rules such as access limits, expiration dates, and password protection.
• File synchronization across operating systems: Applications for Windows, macOS, and Linux sync files between a computer and the web platform; advanced sync options include direction, frequency, simulation mode, and detailed logs.
• Real-time collaborative editing for documents: Integration with Collabora Online and OnlyOffice enables real-time editing of text documents, spreadsheets, and presentations online, including support for Microsoft Office and OpenDocument formats while respecting Sync-in access rights.
• Collaborative spaces with anchoring: Team collaboration can be organized into dedicated spaces with fine-grained permissions; anchoring links files without duplication while maintaining control.
• Advanced file management UI: Features include drag-and-drop, window manager, smart clipboard, offline task management, gallery view, sorting/filtering, and an enhanced viewer.
• Full-text search within document content: A full-text search engine allows finding content inside Microsoft Office, PDF, HTML, and plain text by including/excluding keywords and phrases.
• Guest users and personal groups: External collaboration can be handled via guests and personal groups, which can be added to spaces or shares with finely tuned access rights and linked to designated managers.
• Activity tracking and notifications: Users can comment on files, see recently modified or commented items, and use notifications; shared real-time views support team coordination.
• WebDAV protocol support: Sync-in supports the WebDAV protocol for direct integration with clients that use WebDAV.

How to Use Sync-in

1. Deploy and configure Sync-in on infrastructure you control (to align with data sovereignty goals).
2. Connect clients by using the web interface for browsing and management, and optionally install the desktop applications for Windows, macOS, or Linux for automated syncing.
3. Set permissions and sharing rules for files, shares, and spaces using the granular permission system; for external exchanges, use secure links with access limits, expiration dates, and optional password protection.
4. Collaborate and edit by creating collaborative spaces and enabling real-time editing via the integrated Collabora Online and OnlyOffice tools, while ensuring access rights are respected.
5. Find and audit activity using full-text search across supported document types and activity tracking (comments, recent activity, and notifications).

Use Cases

• Company-wide secure file sharing with controlled distribution: A team shares files internally and externally using secure links and permission controls (including expiration dates and password protection) to manage document access over time.
• Ongoing synchronization for multi-device work: A user installs the Windows/macOS/Linux desktop applications to keep local folders synchronized with Sync-in and uses advanced sync controls such as sync direction, frequency, and simulation mode.
• Real-time document editing with access rights: Teams edit text documents, spreadsheets, and presentations directly online using Collabora Online and OnlyOffice while ensuring edits follow the same permissions defined in Sync-in.
• Project collaboration using dedicated spaces: An organization creates collaborative spaces for teams; members and groups receive role-based fine-grained permissions, and teams can link files through anchoring to avoid duplication.
• Search across document contents for faster retrieval: A knowledge worker uses full-text search to locate information inside PDFs and Office documents, refining results with include/exclude keyword and phrase queries.

FAQ

• Is Sync-in open source? Yes. Sync-in is presented as an open-source platform, emphasizing transparency and community contributions.

• Can I host my data myself? Yes. Sync-in is described as supporting data sovereignty by hosting data on your own infrastructure.

• How do I access files? The site describes access via browser, a desktop client (Windows, macOS, Linux), and WebDAV.

• Does Sync-in support real-time editing? Yes. It integrates Collabora Online and OnlyOffice for real-time collaborative editing of documents online while respecting Sync-in access rights.

• What sharing options are available for external partners? The site describes secure sharing via permissions for structured collaboration and secure links for occasional exchanges, including access limits, expiration dates, and password protection.

Alternatives

• Self-hosted file sync and collaboration platforms: Alternatives in this category also focus on running your own storage and managing permissions, but they may differ in collaboration features, client support, and the specific document editing integrations.
• Enterprise content management (ECM) systems: ECM platforms can provide document libraries, access control, and collaboration workflows, typically with different emphasis on governance, indexing/search capabilities, and deployment models.
• Web-based document collaboration suites (with separate storage): Some solutions focus on collaborative editing and may rely on external storage systems; compared to Sync-in, you may need additional components to achieve self-hosted file storage and WebDAV-based access.
• WebDAV-based storage services: If your primary need is WebDAV integration for syncing, alternatives may offer similar connectivity, though the collaboration and space/permission models may not match Sync-in’s described approach.