At a Glance:
Sync-in is a self-hosted platform for file storage, synchronization, and collaboration that provides fine-grained access control, OpenID Connect and LDAP authentication, and collaborative document editing through OnlyOffice and Collabora Online integrations.
Overview:
Sync-in is a self-hosted file storage and collaboration platform designed for individuals and organizations that need full control over their data and infrastructure. It provides a centralized workspace for organizing, accessing, and collaborating on files and documents through a modern web interface, desktop client, and CLI tools. The platform supports federated authentication via OpenID Connect and LDAP, role-based access control for shared spaces, and real-time collaborative editing through integrated office suites. Sync-in runs on-premise or in private cloud environments and is built for users who require sovereign data management alongside secure file sharing and synchronization capabilities.
Key Decision Points:
Deployment model: The platform is entirely self-hosted and runs on your own infrastructure, deployable via Docker or NPM on-premise or in a private cloud.
Authentication requirements: Sync-in supports OpenID Connect for SSO, LDAP for organizational environments, and multi-factor authentication, making it suitable for environments with existing identity providers.
Collaboration needs: Real-time collaborative editing is provided through external integrations with Collabora Online and OnlyOffice, not built-in editors, and the platform includes automatic editor selection when multiple options are available.
File access methods: WebDAV support enables remote file access and synchronization with file explorers and third-party tools beyond the native web, desktop, and CLI clients.
Data control: The platform stores files on your own infrastructure with no external dependencies, supporting storage quotas and file locking for controlled sharing environments.
Core Features:
Spaces & Shares with role-based permissions: Fine-grained access control through configurable spaces with role-based permissions for secure collaboration across teams and communities.
OpenID Connect and LDAP authentication: Federated identity support through standard SSO protocols and directory service integration, with multi-factor authentication, recovery codes, and application passwords available.
Collaborative document editing: Integration with Collabora Online and OnlyOffice for multi-user real-time editing with automatic editor selection, comments, notifications, and file activity tracking.
Full-text search across documents: Deep content indexing that enables multi-format search across stored documents and files.
Desktop client with multi-server support: A full-featured desktop application for cross-device file synchronization that can connect to multiple Sync-in server instances.
WebDAV access: Native WebDAV protocol support for remote file access and integration with file explorers and third-party synchronization tools.
Use Cases:
Self-hosters who need a private file collaboration workspace: Individuals and groups wanting to run their own file storage and sharing platform on personal infrastructure can deploy Sync-in for complete data control.
Organizations with existing identity providers: Environments that use LDAP directories or OpenID Connect for user management can integrate Sync-in with their existing authentication systems.
Teams requiring collaborative document editing with access control: Groups that need simultaneous document editing capabilities through familiar office tools while maintaining role-based permissions on shared spaces.
Open-Source Alternative Value:
Sync-in provides a self-hosted alternative for file storage and collaboration by running entirely on your own infrastructure without external service dependencies. The platform offers AGPL-3.0 licensed source code, deployable through Docker or NPM, with capabilities that include role-based access control, federated authentication through standard protocols, and collaborative editing through established open-source office suites. The combination of WebDAV access, a desktop synchronization client, and multi-server support gives self-hosters flexibility in how they integrate Sync-in into their existing workflows and toolchains.
