SugarSync is working on a Linux client, but I'm not unhappy at all with Dropbox
A lot of people have recommended the SugarSync file-synchronization service as an alternative to Dropbox. SugarSync offers 5 GB for free (vs. 2 GB for Dropbox) and has more flexible pricing when you want more storage. SugarSync undercuts Dropbox on price, but I have no idea how well the services work in comparison, having only used Dropbox.
The big problem with SugarSync, for me anyway: No Linux client.
SugarSync users lament this fact in the service's forum, and SugarSync itself has announced that they have hired an outside developer to create a Linux client, namely Mark Willis.
If you look at that SugarSync forum, you can see the frustration ...
And Dropbox has been great in the nearly two weeks I've been using it.
For overall backup, my situation (multiple machines across multiple OSes in multiple locations) is complicated enough that I'm more about online syncing of my most-used files than I am about online backup at this point.
For backup, I'm still all about multiple, physically separate local backups over rsync for Linux, BSD and Mac and periodic drag/drop (but open to other software) for Windows with some Clonezilla imaging when necessary.
I'm also planning/plotting to buy/build a low-power home server.
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Sugarsync is a great service despite the missing Linux support. I have been using it for a long time now, and I much prefer it to dropbox or similar services, especially since one can sync multiple folders and not just one.
Also, users now get 5.5GB of always free online storage at if they use the following link to sign up: https://www.sugarsync.com/referral?rf=ejjfpyq3n6nmz.
Enjoy!
Good review – there are a few recent changes as of June 2011:
You get 5GB of space with the FREE version, but now there is no restriction to the number of computers you can sync/backup (up from 2).
It gives you the ability to upload and sync any folder on your computer.
It is the only service that offers such a broad device and OS support with apps for BlackBerry, Android, iPhone/iPad, Symbian, not to mention your computer!
Also if you use the below referral code you get a bonus 500MB extra on top of your Free 5GB!
As the headline of this post says, SugarSync has no Linux client. Bit of a deal-breaker for me.
SpiderOak is an alternative with a linux client and a better privacy model.
I've heard that it has a much steeper learning curve than SugarSync, but it sounds like it'd be worth it.
I agree with your points and I'm really annoyed that SS does not have Linux client. But SS's android client is much better that DB. None is perfect!
Installed SugarSync using Wine in Ubuntu 10.10 and works fine (currently not finding any problems). But yes, it's not really a true linux client since it has to be emulated. wishing that developer team will launch a real linux client as soon as possible, since its been a months.
Nice to know this works, but I'll wait for a native client.
I've been very happy with SpiderOak. It has a native Linux client as well as Windows and Mac, plus is has an iPhone App. It's very secure. The company doesn't know your keys, which means that you better not forget your password. But it also means that even if given a court order, they can't provide cleartext. It has good pricing, too.