Backup vs sync: what is the difference?
Sync keeps files identical in two or more places, so a change or a deletion in one place appears in the others. Backup keeps a separate copy of your files, ideally with earlier versions, so you can go back to how things were. Sync is for access and collaboration; backup is for recovery. Many people need both, and some services blur the line, so it is worth knowing what yours actually does.
What sync does
A sync service makes a folder on your computer match a folder in the cloud, and on any other device you connect. Edit a document on your laptop and the new version appears on your phone. That is convenient, and it is exactly what you want for working across devices or sharing a project folder.
The same mechanism is the weakness if you treat it as protection. If you delete a file in a synced folder, the deletion is synced too. If a file is overwritten by mistake, the bad version replaces the good one everywhere. Sync is faithful to the current state, including your mistakes.
What backup does
A backup stores copies of your files separately from the originals, on a schedule, so a later problem with the originals does not reach the copy. Deleting a file on your computer does not remove the backup of it, and a good backup keeps earlier versions so you can go back before a bad edit.
The point of a backup is restoring. It is designed around questions such as: what was this folder like last week, and can I get this file back after I deleted it? Because it does not need to stay identical to your live files, it can keep history that sync does not.
Side by side
Backup and sync compared
| Question | Sync | Backup |
|---|
| Main purpose | Same files available on several devices, easy sharing | Recover files after loss, damage or mistakes |
|---|
| Deleting a file | Usually removes it everywhere (a recycle bin may hold it for a limited time) | The backup copy stays until you remove it |
|---|
| Overwriting a file | The new version replaces the old one everywhere | Earlier versions can be kept, if the service offers them |
|---|
| Direction of change | Two-way: changes flow both ways | One-way: from your computer to the backup |
|---|
| Good for | Collaboration, access from anywhere | Hardware failure, accidents, disasters |
|---|
Neither is better in general. They answer different questions, and using one for the other's job is where people get hurt.
Where the line blurs
Services such as OneDrive, Dropbox and Google Drive are primarily storage and sync products. Most also include recovery features: a recycle bin or trash for deleted files and a version history for changed ones. These can rescue you from many everyday accidents, so it would be unfair to call them useless as protection.
The limits are in the details. Recovery windows are usually time-limited and differ by plan and account type. Version history depends on the file type and the plan. And because the files still live in the synced folder, mass deletion or corruption of the folder syncs too. Check the current terms of your own service to see what it keeps and for how long.
Some of these services also offer a feature that moves your Desktop, Documents and Pictures folders into the sync service. That makes those folders available in the cloud, but it is still sync underneath. Cloud storage vs cloud backup compares the two product types in more detail, and the pages under comparisons look at specific services.
Which one helps in which situation
- You delete the wrong folder. Sync removes it everywhere; a recycle bin may help for a short time. A backup still holds the copy.
- You save a bad edit over a good document. Version history helps in either type of service, if it is switched on and has not expired.
- Your laptop is stolen. Both help, as long as the files were in the synced folder or the backup set.
- Ransomware encrypts your files. Synced devices may receive the encrypted versions. Recovery depends on versions or on a separate copy that the malware could not reach. See ransomware and backup.
- You work on three devices or share with colleagues. This is what sync is for, and backup does not replace it.
How to decide
Use sync for files you actively work on from several places or share with others. Use backup for anything you could not afford to lose, including the files you also sync. A simple pattern is to let sync handle convenience and a separate backup handle recovery, so each does the job it is built for.
Whatever you use, ask three questions of any service: what happens when I delete a file, how far back can I go, and who can restore. Versions and retention are covered in file versions and Trash explained.
How Tornova handles this
Tornova Backup is a backup service for Windows PCs, not a sync service. It sends the files, folders or drives you choose from the PC to the cloud, one way, and does not mirror folders between your computers or provide file sharing.
Deleting a file on the PC does not delete its cloud copy, and removing an item from the Backup Set only stops future backups of it. Smart Cleanup lets you review deleted files that still have a cloud copy, and nothing is removed until you select files, type CLEAN UP and confirm; cleaned files go to Trash. Versioning is optional and off by default (keep 3, 10 or 50 versions, which use storage), and deleted cloud backup data stays in Trash for 1 day before it is permanently deleted.
Tornova does not run continuously: Automatic Backup runs at a time you set, and Smart Backup checks once per day, week or month. Between runs, new changes are not yet protected. See the features page, or start with a trial to see how it works with your folders. If you use OneDrive, Dropbox or Google Drive for sharing, you can keep doing so and add Tornova for recovery.
Frequently asked questions
Is OneDrive a backup?
OneDrive is mainly a storage and sync service. It has a recycle bin and version history that can recover some mistakes, but because deletions and changes sync, it is better thought of as convenient access with some recovery than as a separate backup.
Is Dropbox or Google Drive a backup?
They work in a similar way: syncing is the core, with recovery features that have limits depending on your plan. Check their current terms for how long deleted files and older versions are kept.
Do I need both backup and sync?
Not necessarily, but they solve different problems. If you work across several devices or share files, you will want sync. If you cannot afford to lose the files, you want a backup as well.
If I delete a file from my PC, is it deleted from my backup?
It depends on the product. With sync, usually yes. With Tornova Backup, no: the cloud copy stays until you choose to remove it, for example through Smart Cleanup.
Can a backup protect me from ransomware?
A backup helps you recover because a separate copy exists, but it does not stop infection. Keep versions and a copy the malware cannot reach, and test restores.
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