SugarSync Review

Sugarsync_logo_125x1252.9/5
★★★✩✩
PRICING & PLANS
★★✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩
2.0/10
EASE OF USE
★★★★★✩✩✩✩✩
5.0/10
FILE SYNCING
★★★★★★★★✩✩
8.0/10
FILE SHARING
★★★★★✩✩✩✩✩
5.0/10
RETRIEVING FILES
★★★★★★★✩✩✩
6.5/10
SECURITY
★★★★★★✩✩✩✩
6.0/10
SUPPORT
★★★★★★★★★✩
8.5/10
ADDITIONAL FEATURES
★★★★★★✩✩✩✩
6.0/10

PROS

  • Great syncing solution
  • Fast down/upload speeds
  • Good mobile applications
  • Generous link bandwidth
  • Live chat support

CONS

  • Expensive upgrade plans
  • No permanent free plan
  • Slow browser interface
  • No file previews/edits in the browser
  • No Linux client
  • Limited sharing options
  • No client-side encryption

SugarSync Review

SugarSync is a cloud service that focuses on making sure your files are synced across all your devices. It offers a decent syncing solution but fails to deliver in all the other areas. It’s far too expensive, provides limited sharing capabilities, doesn’t offer client-side encryption and just has an outdated slow interface. They also offer no permanent free program which means you’ll have to pay for it eventually. They might have been the cloud storage sync solution but I have come to the conclusion that they are that no-more during the course of this SugarSync review. That’s why I recommend you take a look at our Best Cloud Storage Providers list and pick a better solution.

Read the full SugarSync review down below.


SugarSync Alternatives

pcloud_logo_125x125pCloud
4.6/5
★★★★★
5-10 000 GB
10 GB Free

❌Sync Folder
✔️Selective Sync
✔️Link Sharing
✔️Zero Knowledge


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Sync.com_logo_125x125Sync.com
4.6/5
★★★★★
5-6000 GB
5 GB Free

✔️Sync Folder
✔️Selective Sync
✔️Link Sharing
✔️Zero Knowledge


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Icedrive_logo_125x125Icedrive
4.5/5
★★★★★
10-10 000 GB
10 GB Free

✔️Sync Folder
❌Selective Sync
✔️Link Sharing
✔️Zero Knowledge


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Cubbit_logo_125x125Cubbit
4.5/5
★★★★★
1-8000 GB
1 GB Free

✔️Sync Folder
✔️Selective Sync
✔️Link Sharing
✔️Zero Knowledge


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Mega_logo_125x125Mega
4.2/5
★★★★✩
15-16000 GB
15 GB Free

✔️Sync Folder
✔️Selective Sync
✔️Link Sharing
✔️Zero Knowledge


Read Review

Jump to:

Pricing & Plans
Who is it for?
Ease of use
File syncing
File sharing
Retrieving files
Security
Online support
Additional features
Conclusion


SugarSync Features

Pricing & Plans
Free storage
Free trial 30 days
Lifetime plans
Payment methodsCredit card, PayPal
Ease of use
Open in-browser
Edit in-browser
Mobile apps Android, iOS
WebDAV
File syncing
Supported systems Windows, macOS
Imaginary drive 
An imaginary drive allows you to access all of the files that are in the cloud directly from your desktop via an application without taking up local storage space.
Sync folder 
A sync folder allows you to access all of the files that are in the cloud directly from your desktop via an application. Since it synchronises the files to the device, it takes up local storage space.
Block-level file sync
Selective sync 
Selective sync allows you to choose which folders that are located in the cloud should and shouldn't be synchronised to your device.
Sync any folder 
The sync any folder feature allows you to choose any local folder and synchronise it to the cloud without any further actions.
File sharing
Share download links
Link password protection
Link expiration dates
Link branding
Link download limits
Link stats
Share upload links
Share folders
Set folder permissions
Retrieving files
File versioning system
Trash bin
Rewind feature 
The rewind feature allows you to go back in time and inspect your cloud storage as it was in that moment. This enables easy retrieval of files in various scenarios such as malware infection.
Security
Server location US
HIPAA Compliance
Encryption protocol 256-bit AES
At-rest encryption
In-transit encryption
Client-side encryption
Zero-knowledge privacy
Two-factor authentication
Online support
FAQ base
Forums
E-mail support
Live chat support
Phone support

Pricing & Plans

SugarSync has some different plans that you can pick from. They are no different from each other apart from the amount of storage you get. When you start off, you can go for the free 30-day trial where you’ll receive 5 GB of storage. You can also go for any Pro plan without paying for it straight away since they all include a 30-day trial period.

SugarSync is very expensive and is not competitive when compared to other best cloud storages. Take a look at our cheapest cloud storage list to find a suitable replacement.

PlanPricingStorage
SugarSync 30-day trialFree5 GB
SugarSync Pro$7.49/month

$74.99/year

100 GB
SugarSync Pro$9.99/month

$99.99/year

250 GB
SugarSync Pro$18.95/month

$189.50/year

500 GB
SugarSync Business$55.00/month

$550.00/year

1000 GB

You can also receive free additional storage by referring friends. Well, it’s free for you but not for your friend. Whenever somebody you referred upgrades to a Pro plan you and him will receive 10 GB of storage for free. That can be done up to a maximum of 40 GB additional free storage.

SugarSync offers no lifetime cloud storage plans.


Who is it for?

SugarSync is suitable for anyone who wants some working files synced across all of his platforms. The upgrade plans are quite expensive which you have to keep in mind as well. If you’re truly looking for a reliable syncing cloud service and you don’t mind paying a bit more for it, then sure go for it. However, there are cheaper and better alternatives on the market.


Ease of use

If you register for a free 30-day trial of any of their Pro plans, you will have to enter your bank or PayPal details. You won’t be charged immediately, that will happen 30 days after your sign-up. In that period you can cancel your trial at any time and that way cancel your subscription to them.

After a few minutes on their interface you’ll figure out where everything is, it’s rather straightforward and modern looking. It does take a while to open folders and switch between them though. It could be much more responsive.

SugarSync Review Interface

File previews & edits

You are not able to preview or edit PDF and Office documents directly in the browser with SugarSync. The same goes for listening to music, watching movies or previewing images. It all has to be done via the desktop client which is not very practical.


File syncing

SugarSync is available for you to install on Windows and macOS.

Unlike with other cloud storages, they focus on syncing your files across all devices. The desktop client your install on your computer doesn’t create an imaginary drive, instead, you have a program where you do all the necessary things. You can still manually assign the sync folder to quick access, essentially creating that “sync folder” yourself.

SugarSync Review Sync Folder

The big advantage you have with SugarSync is that you can select which folders you want to have synced across all your devices (sync any folder). The syncing speeds are incredibly fast, and you’ll have no issue with that. You can do pretty much everything in the desktop app that you can do in your browser and more. Transfer speeds are unlimited (you can limit transfer speeds in the desktop client -> preferences).

The files synced to your device are physically transferred to it which means that they will take up your hard drive space. There are no file size limits when uploading through the desktop app however there’s a 300 MB file size limit when uploading through the browser.

SugarSync Review Desktop Client

The “Protected Folders” feature basically allows you to backup specific folders additionally. You can choose the number of copies to be made and at what frequency they should be made (Once, Daily, 3-14 days, Monthly).

SugarSync Review Protected Folder Settings

SugarSync does not support block-level sync that would otherwise shorten upload times of files that are already present in the cloud (file updates). SugarSync also doesn’t support selective sync in the true meaning of the word which would enable you to stop certain folders from synchronisation across all your devices and instead just keep them in the cloud. You can, however, stop a certain device from syncing to the cloud.

SugarSync isn’t meant for backing up your files though, take a look at our best cloud backup list for that.


File sharing

You can decide between two options on how you want to share your files and folders in SugarSync. As public or private links. The person you’re sending the link to doesn’t need a SugarSync account.

Everyone will be able to download from the public link, while only the people you invite will be able to see and download from a private link.

Public Links shared by free customers can use up to 10GB of bandwidth daily, while links sent by paid users can use up to 250GB of bandwidth, which is quite a satisfying number, to be honest. There are also no file size limitations.

I am definitely missing a few advanced options like password-protected links or time-limited links.

SugarSync Review Share

Retrieving files

SugarSync keeps the last 5 versions of your files, no matter what pricing plan you’re at. You just right-click the file -> Show versions, and voilà, there they are.

SugarSync Review File Versions

You also have the deleted files folder, where you can find all your removed files. It is accessible only in the desktop client (not available in the browser). Files that you deleted will stay there for 30 days, after which they’ll be eliminated permanently. Keep in mind that deleted files still take up your space so you might want to permanently delete them yourself if you’re sure you won’t be needing them anymore.

SugarSync Review Deleted Files

Security

SugarSync has its servers located in the US.

When you sync files to SugarSync’s servers, your files are sent over the Internet using TLS (Transport Layer Security) encryption. When your files reach their servers they are encrypted with 256-bit AES, which is the same level of hacker-proof protection used by major banks. They also back up your synced files on another server. When downloading your files they undergo the same procedure as when you upload them.

Customer data is accessed only when necessary, solely for troubleshooting purposes. Access is limited to only a few individuals in their team who work in conjunction with developers to solve difficult support cases.

Needless to say, that is clearly not a sign of zero-knowledge privacy. Client-side encryption is likewise not available (unlike with pCloud and Sync.com). The fact that they can access your data means that the same goes for the US government which can use the Patriot Act and the CLOUD act in order to investigate your online activities, including all the files you’ve uploaded to SugarSync. You should look for more secure cloud storage if privacy is important to you.

SugarSync also provides no information in regards to compliance with various regulations such as GDPR,… Signing a BAA with companies that deal with patient sensitive data to conclude HIPAA compliance is also off the table.

Two-step verification is not available.


Online support

SugarSync offers an extensive FAQ base which will most probably answer most of the questions you might have. You can also try looking through their community forums.

SugarSync Review Support

If you don’t find your answer here you can always contact them through an email/their integrated inquiry system. They also have live chat which works Monday through Friday from 6 am to 5 pm PST. Phone calls aren’t on the table.


Additional features


Mobile Application

You can download SugarSync on iOS and Android systems.

The application itself is well developed and design with no flaws. You can do everything that you can do on your PC. They also give you the option to backup all of your photos and videos. There’s also an option to make certain files available to you offline, which is always a nice feature to have. All in all a very useful and nice-looking app.

SugarSync Review app
SugarSync Review app2
SugarSync Review app3

Conclusion

When you draw the line SugarSync still remains one of the more expansive cloud storages. Having said that, it’s not one of those badly developed cloud services with crazy prices. You get what you pay for and that’s at least something. It goes without saying that they lack in many areas and fail to provide the cloud storage features one would expect nowadays. It is for that reason I recommend you keep searching and find a better cloud storage.



Hopefully, we’ve gone through everything that you wanted to know about SugarSync within this SugarSync review. If you have any unanswered questions feel free to ask them in the comments section down below and I’ll answer them shortly!

2 thoughts on “SugarSync Review”

  1. Been using SugarSync since the time it was free (I think 2009?).
    When it became a completely paid service, I stayed with them.
    However, over the years my feelings towards SugarSync has changed:

    1. Sugarsync is still relatively expensive ($10/month for 250 GB)
    2. Multiple of computers have stopped syncing over time. I had to reset the sync every time.
    3. I have had issues with syncing to new devices. Sugarsync started duplicating every file.
    4. Sugarsync is ALWAYS syncing files, even files that have not been changed in years.
    (See File Transfer within the app, it always has folders in it to sync)
    5. I have checked the property of MySugarSync folder on several computers and the file size and file count differs. Although the computers are almost 24/7 on.
    Ditching old computers, I have copied and backupped my Sugarsync folder several times because I am afraid to lose data because the folders are not equal over several computers.
    6. My used spaced (outside the Protected Folder) is about 75 GB. Synching on a new computer/laptop will take about a week (24/7) on a 50Mb/s connection. At work, it takes several weeks.
    7. Starting around September 2019, Sugarsync started saying I exceeded my storage limit. And kept asking me to upgrade to get more storage. After I about six weeks, my storage went back to showing my real usage. However till date almost every time I restart my computers, Sugarsync will again show excessive use (several time my subscripted amount) until “all” syncing is done.
    Strange thing though, is that during these messages, the online version of Sugarsync shows my storage use correctly!!!
    8. Sugarsync is a CPU hog. You notice this especially on laptops for the CPU-fan kicks in hard and because Sugarsync is always syncing (according to “File Transfer”, I some times just quit Sugarsync to get some quality silence.

    Positive points about Sugarsync:
    You can start syncing any folder on your computer. You don’t have to move the folder to a sync folder you had to choose during installation.
    You can share folders with people without a Sugarsync account. If people (are allowed) to edit these files, the files are synced backed with my Sugarsync files.
    This is great for sharing e.g. a TODO-list with my colleagues.

    Other things missing:
    There is no extra secured vault for special data. So people working on your computer while you are not around could just look at your private/personal data.

    The number one issue I have with Sugarsync is: I do not trust their sync algorithm across multiple computers.
    Therefore I would not recommend them at this moment (2019/2020).

    I am looking to replace Sugarsync, the moment I found a good replacement, but it’s time consuming checking all the different features of so many cloud storage services.
    Thank God, cloudstorageinfo.org is helping me with the initial selection 😉

    1. Hello Joshua,

      Thank you for providing useful feedback about SugarSync. Thank you for the kind words at the end as well. Let us know if you need any assistance and we’ll be happy to help.

      Kind regards,
      Dejan

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