How do I add a device to sync with the VPS?

Install Syncthing on the device (desktop, laptop, phone), copy its Device ID from its web UI, then add it as a Remote Device in the VPS interface. The device will see a pairing request to approve. After pairing, share the folders you want to keep in sync.

Is there a default password?

No. The web interface opens without authentication. Set a username and password in Settings > GUI immediately after first access. Device-to-device authentication uses cryptographic certificates automatically — no manual key exchange needed.

How does it compare to Nextcloud?

Syncthing focuses exclusively on encrypted peer-to-peer sync — no web file browser, no apps, no calendar. Nextcloud provides a full collaborative platform with a web interface and mobile apps. Choose Syncthing for privacy and low resource usage; choose Nextcloud for a full cloud platform.

Are files stored on the VPS after syncing?

Yes. The VPS holds a full copy of every synced folder, acting as a permanent off-site backup. If your laptop is lost or fails, the VPS copy is intact and ready to restore to a new device.

Share information and collaborate.

Syncthing

Keep your devices in sync without trusting anyone else with your files.

256 MB minimum RAM 1 vCPU Available

Syncthing synchronises folders between your devices without ever sending files to a third-party server. Every transfer is encrypted with TLS and authenticated by device certificates — the only parties who can read your data are you and your trusted devices.

Hosting Syncthing on a VPS solves the classic peer-to-peer problem: your laptop and desktop rarely run at the same time. The VPS becomes a permanent, always-on node, acting as the rendezvous point for all your devices. They sync to the VPS whenever they come online, ensuring every machine is up to date even after days offline.

No account to create, no subscription, no central server that can be breached — Syncthing is the self-hosting choice for privacy-minded developers and teams.

Key features

Peer-to-peer sync with TLS encryption — no files ever touch a third-party server.

Always-on VPS node as rendezvous point — devices sync whenever they come online.

Per-folder file versioning (staggered or simple) to recover previous versions.

Fine-grained sharing: each folder shared only with explicitly trusted devices.

Automatic conflict detection and resolution for concurrent edits.

No account, no subscription, no vendor lock-in — pure open source (MPL-2.0).

When to use this solution?

1

Personal file sync across devices

Keep documents, photos and projects in sync between your laptop, desktop and phone without relying on Dropbox or Google Drive. The VPS ensures all devices converge even if they are never online simultaneously.

2

Encrypted off-site backup

The VPS copy of your sync folder is a live, continuously updated off-site backup. Combined with folder versioning, you can recover any file from the past N days.

3

Small team file collaboration

Share specific folders with colleagues by exchanging device IDs — no email, no account, no shared password. Each person syncs directly to the VPS node.

Deploy Syncthing on your VPS

Guide optimized for ServOrbit Cloud VPS.

01

Open the Syncthing web UI

After installing from the marketplace, open the URL provided to access the Syncthing administration interface. The dashboard shows your device ID and the list of synced folders.

02

Set a GUI password immediately

The web interface has no authentication by default. Go to Settings > GUI, set a username and a strong password, and save. Do not skip this step — the interface is accessible to anyone who can reach the URL until you do.

03

Add a remote device

On each device you want to sync (laptop, phone, desktop), install Syncthing and copy its Device ID. In the VPS web UI, click Add Remote Device and paste the ID. The remote device will see a pending request to approve.

04

Share a folder

Click Add Folder, choose a local path on the VPS, then share it with the remote device you added. Accept the share on the remote side. Both ends start syncing immediately.

05

Check sync status

The dashboard shows real-time sync state for each folder and device. Sync is automatic — devices that go offline catch up the next time they connect.

Frequently asked questions

Yes. When port 22000 (the direct sync port) is not reachable, Syncthing falls back automatically to global relay servers. Sync still works with slightly higher latency. If you need maximum transfer speed, open port 22000 in the VPS firewall after deployment — this is optional.

Embed the deploy button

Maintaining a project that uses Syncthing? This button lets your readers deploy it on a VPS in one click, without reading Docker documentation.

Markdown

[![Deploy Syncthing on ServOrbit](https://servorbit.com/brand/deploy/button.svg)](https://servorbit.com/vps-cloud?template=syncthing&utm_source=deploy-badge&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=syncthing)

HTML

<a href="https://servorbit.com/vps-cloud?template=syncthing&utm_source=deploy-badge&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=syncthing"><img src="https://servorbit.com/brand/deploy/button.svg" alt="Deploy Syncthing on ServOrbit" height="40"></a>

The button points to a VPS order with the template preselected. The image is served from servorbit.com — nothing to host on your side.

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