Difference between revisions of "Rclone"

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(Created page with "== Rclone == '''Rclone''' is a free and open-source command-line program used to manage, sync, and transfer files across various cloud storage providers, local storage, and r...")
 
 
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== Rclone ==
 
== Rclone ==
  
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'''Rclone''' is a free and open-source command-line program used to manage, sync, and transfer files across various cloud storage providers, local storage, and remote servers. Often described as “''rsync for cloud storage,''” Rclone supports over 50 different backends including [[Google Drive]], [[Dropbox]], [[OneDrive]], [[Amazon S3]], [[Box]], [[FTP]], [[SFTP]], and many more.
+
'''Rclone''' is a free and open-source [[Command-line interface|command-line]] [[Computer program|program]] used to manage, synchronize, copy, move, and interact with [[Data storage|data]] on various [[Cloud storage]] providers, [[Local storage]] systems, and other remote services. Often described as the "[[rsync]] for [[Cloud storage]]", it supports a wide array of [[storage backend|storage backends]], allowing users to perform operations between different types of storage, including different [[Cloud storage]] providers, or between local storage and a [[Cloud storage]] service.
  
−
Rclone is widely used for backing up data, automating cloud syncs, managing seedboxes, and performing encrypted, high-performance file operations.
+
Rclone is known for its extensive support for over 70 different [[storage backend|storage backends]] and its focus on providing a consistent [[Command-line interface|command-line]] experience for diverse storage technologies.
  
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=== Key Features ===
+
=== Architecture and Design ===
  
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* **Sync files** – Between cloud, local, or remote storage
+
Rclone is designed around the concept of "remotes" or "backends". A remote is a configuration entry that defines a connection to a specific [[Data storage|storage]] location, such as a [[Google Drive]] account, a specific bucket on [[Amazon S3]], a local directory, or an [[SFTP server]]. Users configure these remotes with necessary credentials or [[API]] keys.
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* **Mount cloud storage** – As a virtual drive on your local system
 
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* **Copy/move operations** – With filters and advanced flags
 
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* **Encryption support** – Encrypt filenames, file content, and metadata
 
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* **Transfer optimization** – Multi-threaded uploads/downloads, chunked transfers
 
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* **Scheduling & automation** – Cron-friendly CLI tool for scripts and backups
 
−
* **Cross-platform** – Available for Linux, Windows, macOS, BSD, Android, and Docker
 
  
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=== Supported Storage Backends ===
+
The core of Rclone is its [[Command-line interface|command-line]] interface, which provides a standard set of commands (like `copy`, `sync`, `move`, `ls`, `mkdir`, `delete`) that can be used with any configured remote. This abstracts away the differences in APIs and protocols used by various storage providers.
  
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* Cloud: Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox, Box, Mega, pCloud
+
Key design aspects include:
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* Object Storage: Amazon S3, Wasabi, Backblaze B2, DigitalOcean Spaces
+
* '''Backend Abstraction:''' A modular design where support for each [[storage backend|storage backend]] is implemented as a distinct module, allowing easy addition of new services.
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* WebDAV-compatible: Nextcloud, ownCloud, seedboxes
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* '''Command-line Focus:''' Primarily designed to be used from a [[Shell (computing)|shell]] or script, making it suitable for automation, scripting, and use on [[Server (computing)|servers]].
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* FTP/SFTP/HTTP remote servers
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* '''Pluggable Features:''' Features like [[Encryption (cryptography)|encryption]] and filtering are implemented as layers or options that can be applied universally across different remotes.
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* Local file systems
 
  
−
See the full list: [https://rclone.org/overview/ rclone.org/overview]
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=== Key Features and Functionality ===
  
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=== Installation ===
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Rclone provides a comprehensive set of functionalities for managing [[Data storage|data]]:
  
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On Debian/Ubuntu:
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* '''File Operations:''' Supports fundamental operations like copying (`copy`), moving (`move`), deleting (`delete`, `purge`), and creating directories (`mkdir`). These operations can be performed between any two configured remotes, including local storage.
 +
* '''Synchronization:''' The `sync` command synchronizes the content of a source and destination directory, making the destination identical to the source. This includes transferring new files, updating changed files, and deleting files present in the destination but not the source.
 +
* '''Mounting:''' Rclone can mount a remote location as a [[Virtual file system|virtual filesystem]] on the local [[Operating System|operating system]] (using [[Filesystem in Userspace|FUSE]] on [[Unix-like]] systems and [[WinFsp]] on [[Microsoft Windows]]). This allows users to access and manage files on [[Cloud storage]] or remote servers using standard file explorer tools.
 +
* '''Encryption:''' Provides robust [[Encryption (cryptography)|encryption]] capabilities, allowing users to encrypt file contents, filenames, and directory structures before uploading to any remote. This adds a layer of privacy and [[Computer security|security]], particularly when using untrusted [[Cloud storage]].
 +
* '''Filtering:''' Supports powerful filtering rules based on file names, paths, sizes, modification times, and other criteria, allowing users to include or exclude specific files or directories from operations.
 +
* '''Transfer Optimization:''' Includes features like multi-threaded transfers, chunked uploads, and checks based on size and modification time or [[Cryptographic hash function|checksums]] to optimize data transfer speed and efficiency.
 +
* '''Remote Control:''' Offers an optional remote control [[API]] (`rc`) that allows other programs or scripts to control a running Rclone instance.
 +
* '''Check and Compare:''' Commands to check the [[Integrity (computer security)|integrity]] of files by comparing [[Cryptographic hash function|checksums]] across different remotes and to list differences between directories.
  
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<syntaxhighlight lang="bash">
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=== Supported Storage Backends ===
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sudo apt install rclone
 
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</syntaxhighlight>
 
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Or use the official install script:
 
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<syntaxhighlight lang="bash">
 
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curl https://rclone.org/install.sh | sudo bash
 
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</syntaxhighlight>
 
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=== Configuration ===
 
−
 
 
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To add a remote backend:
 
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<syntaxhighlight lang="bash">
 
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rclone config
 
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</syntaxhighlight>
 
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Follow the interactive prompts to:
 
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* Create a new remote
 
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* Select storage type (e.g., Google Drive, WebDAV)
 
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* Authorize access using OAuth or credentials
 
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Example configuration name: `gdrive`, `seedbox`, `dropbox`
 
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=== Basic Commands ===
 
  
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'''Copy a local folder to Google Drive:'''
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Rclone supports a wide and growing variety of [[storage backend|storage backends]], encompassing various types of [[Data storage|data]] services and protocols. These include:
  
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<syntaxhighlight lang="bash">
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* Major [[Cloud storage]] providers like [[Google Drive]], [[Dropbox]], [[OneDrive]], [[Box Crypto|Box]], [[Mega (service)|Mega]], [[pCloud]], and many others.
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rclone copy /local/folder gdrive:/remote/folder
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* [[Object storage]] services compatible with [[Amazon S3]], such as [[Wasabi Hot Cloud Storage|Wasabi]], [[Backblaze B2]], [[DigitalOcean Spaces]], and various other S3-compatible platforms.
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</syntaxhighlight>
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* [[WebDAV]] and [[FTP]]/[[SFTP]] servers.
 +
* Specific services like [[Microsoft Azure]], [[Google Cloud Storage]], [[OpenStack Swift]], and others.
 +
* Local [[File system|file systems]].
  
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'''Sync two directories (deletes extra files):'''
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The full list of supported backends is extensive and detailed in the official documentation.
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<syntaxhighlight lang="bash">
 
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rclone sync /local/folder remote:/folder
 
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</syntaxhighlight>
 
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'''Mount remote storage as a filesystem:'''
 
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<syntaxhighlight lang="bash">
 
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rclone mount gdrive:/ ~/mnt/gdrive
 
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</syntaxhighlight>
 
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'''List files in a remote directory:'''
 
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<syntaxhighlight lang="bash">
 
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rclone ls remote:/path
 
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</syntaxhighlight>
 
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'''Encrypt a remote:'''
 
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Use `rclone config` to create an encrypted remote layered on top of an existing remote.
 
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=== Scheduling and Automation ===
 
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Rclone is ideal for use in:
 
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* Shell scripts
 
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* Cron jobs for daily backups
 
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* Seedbox automation
 
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* Server-to-cloud file migrations
 
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Example cron entry for daily sync:
 
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<syntaxhighlight lang="bash">
 
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0 2 * * * /usr/bin/rclone sync /data remote:/backup
 
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</syntaxhighlight>
 
  
 
=== Use Cases ===
 
=== Use Cases ===
  
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* Sync media from a [[seedbox]] to cloud storage
+
Rclone is widely used in various scenarios due to its flexibility and broad backend support:
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* Backup server files to Google Drive or Dropbox
 
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* Mount remote drives for live access
 
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* Transfer between two cloud providers directly
 
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* Encrypt data before uploading to untrusted storage
 
  
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=== Rclone GUI Tools ===
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* '''[[Backup software|Backup]] and [[Synchronization]]:''' Automating backups of local data to [[Cloud storage]] or synchronizing data between different locations.
 +
* '''[[Cloud storage|Cloud Storage]] Management:''' Managing files and directories directly on [[Cloud storage]] from the [[Command-line interface|command line]], without needing to sync everything locally.
 +
* '''Migration:''' Transferring data between different [[Cloud storage]] providers or from a server to [[Cloud storage]].
 +
* '''Mounting Cloud Drives:''' Accessing and editing files on [[Cloud storage]] as if they were on a local drive.
 +
* '''[[Encryption (cryptography)|Encrypting]] Data:''' Ensuring data privacy by encrypting files before storing them on potentially less trusted remote locations.
 +
* '''[[Seedbox]] Automation:''' Managing and moving data from [[seedbox]]es to [[Cloud storage]].
 +
* '''Scripting and Automation:''' Integrating file transfer and management into larger [[Shell script|shell scripts]] or automation workflows like [[Cron jobs]].
  
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While Rclone is primarily CLI-based, GUI options include:
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=== Graphical User Interfaces ===
  
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* **Rclone Web UI** – Built-in, browser-based dashboard (`rclone rcd --rc-web-gui`)
+
While Rclone's primary interface is the [[Command-line interface|command line]], several graphical frontends have been developed by the community to provide a more traditional desktop application experience. Some versions of Rclone also include a built-in, browser-based web interface. These GUIs utilize the Rclone executable in the background to perform operations.
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* **RcloneBrowser** – Community-developed graphical frontend
 
  
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=== Security and Privacy ===
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=== Comparison with rsync ===
  
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* Offers optional **encryption** for file content, names, and directory structure
+
Rclone is often compared to [[rsync]], a well-established utility for file synchronization and transfer, particularly over [[SSH]] or on local systems. The key distinction is Rclone's native support for a wide range of [[Cloud storage]] and object storage backends, which [[rsync]] lacks.
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* Uses OAuth 2.0 or direct credentials (depending on backend)
 
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* Supports `--delete-excluded`, `--dry-run`, `--backup-dir`, and more for safe sync
 
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=== Comparison with rsync ===
 
  
 
{| class="wikitable"
 
{| class="wikitable"
−
! Feature !! Rclone !! rsync
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|+ Comparison between Rclone and rsync
 +
|-
 +
! Feature
 +
! Rclone
 +
! rsync
 +
|-
 +
! Primary Focus
 +
| [[Cloud storage]] & diverse remotes
 +
| Local & SSH/remote servers
 +
|-
 +
! Cloud Backend Support
 +
| Yes (Native & Extensive)
 +
| No (Requires mounting or FUSE)
 +
|-
 +
! Local & SSH/Remote Support
 +
| Yes
 +
| Yes
 +
|-
 +
! [[Encryption (cryptography)|Encryption]] (built-in)
 +
| Yes (File content, name, metadata)
 +
| No (Requires external tools like GnuPG)
 +
|-
 +
! Mount Remote Drive
 +
| Yes (using FUSE/WinFsp)
 +
| No
 +
|-
 +
! Delta Transfer
 +
| No (uploads/downloads whole files if changed)
 +
| Yes (efficiently transfers only changed parts within files)
 +
|-
 +
! Bandwidth Control
 +
| Yes (Detailed)
 +
| Yes (Basic rate limiting)
 +
|-
 +
! GUI Options
 +
| Yes (Community-developed & Web UI)
 +
| No (CLI only)
 
|-
 
|-
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| Cloud backend support || Yes || No
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! Supported Protocols/Services
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| SSH/local support || Yes || Yes
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| 70+ Backends (S3, Drive, Dropbox, WebDAV, SFTP, etc.)
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| Encryption (built-in) || Yes || No
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| Local, Shell/SSH, Rsync protocol
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| Mount remote drive || Yes || No
 
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| Bandwidth throttling || Yes || Limited
 
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| GUI options || Yes (via Web UI) || No
 
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| Delta syncing || No (uploads entire changed file) || Yes
 
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| Scripting support || Excellent || Excellent
 
 
|}
 
|}
 +
The primary advantage of [[rsync]] is its efficient [[Delta encoding|delta transfer]] algorithm for updating parts of files, which Rclone does not implement; Rclone typically transfers entire files that have changed. Rclone's strength lies in its breadth of support for various storage services and its mounting capability.
 +
 +
=== Licensing ===
  
−
=== Related Tools and Concepts ===
+
Rclone is free and open-source software licensed under the [[MIT License]].
 +
 
 +
=== See Also ===
  
 +
* [[Cloud storage]]
 +
* [[Object storage]]
 +
* [[File synchronization]]
 +
* [[Backup software]]
 
* [[rsync]]
 
* [[rsync]]
 
* [[SCP]]
 
* [[SCP]]
 
* [[SFTP]]
 
* [[SFTP]]
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* [[Cloud storage]]
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* [[WebDAV]]
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* [[Seedbox]]
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* [[Open-source software]]
−
* [[Nextcloud]]
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* [[Command-line interface]]
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* [[Cron]]
+
 
 +
=== References ===
  
−
=== See Also ===
+
* [https://rclone.org/ Official Rclone Website] - Primary source for documentation and downloads.
 +
* [https://rclone.org/overview/ rclone.org/overview] - Official overview of features and backends.
 +
* [https://www.ostechnix.com/a-brief-introduction-to-rclone/ OSTechNix - A Brief Introduction To Rclone] - An independent article introducing Rclone.
 +
* [https://www.linuxjournal.com/content/rclone-rsync-cloud Linux Journal - Rclone: rsync for the Cloud] - Article in a technical publication comparing Rclone and rsync.
  
−
* [https://rclone.org/ Official Rclone Website]
+
[[Category:File synchronization software]]
−
* [[Backup software]]
+
[[Category:Backup software]]
−
* [[Encryption]]
+
[[Category:Cloud storage software]]
−
* [[SSH]]
+
[[Category:Object storage]]
−
* [[WebDAV]]
+
[[Category:Free and open-source software]]
−
* [[Google Drive]]
+
[[Category:Command-line interface software]]
 +
[[Category:Cross-platform software]]
 +
[[Category:Data management]]

Latest revision as of 12:30, 22 April 2025

Rclone

Rclone is a free and open-source command-line program used to manage, synchronize, copy, move, and interact with data on various Cloud storage providers, Local storage systems, and other remote services. Often described as the "rsync for Cloud storage", it supports a wide array of storage backends, allowing users to perform operations between different types of storage, including different Cloud storage providers, or between local storage and a Cloud storage service.

Rclone is known for its extensive support for over 70 different storage backends and its focus on providing a consistent command-line experience for diverse storage technologies.

Architecture and Design

Rclone is designed around the concept of "remotes" or "backends". A remote is a configuration entry that defines a connection to a specific storage location, such as a Google Drive account, a specific bucket on Amazon S3, a local directory, or an SFTP server. Users configure these remotes with necessary credentials or API keys.

The core of Rclone is its command-line interface, which provides a standard set of commands (like `copy`, `sync`, `move`, `ls`, `mkdir`, `delete`) that can be used with any configured remote. This abstracts away the differences in APIs and protocols used by various storage providers.

Key design aspects include:

  • Backend Abstraction: A modular design where support for each storage backend is implemented as a distinct module, allowing easy addition of new services.
  • Command-line Focus: Primarily designed to be used from a shell or script, making it suitable for automation, scripting, and use on servers.
  • Pluggable Features: Features like encryption and filtering are implemented as layers or options that can be applied universally across different remotes.

Key Features and Functionality

Rclone provides a comprehensive set of functionalities for managing data:

  • File Operations: Supports fundamental operations like copying (`copy`), moving (`move`), deleting (`delete`, `purge`), and creating directories (`mkdir`). These operations can be performed between any two configured remotes, including local storage.
  • Synchronization: The `sync` command synchronizes the content of a source and destination directory, making the destination identical to the source. This includes transferring new files, updating changed files, and deleting files present in the destination but not the source.
  • Mounting: Rclone can mount a remote location as a virtual filesystem on the local operating system (using FUSE on Unix-like systems and WinFsp on Microsoft Windows). This allows users to access and manage files on Cloud storage or remote servers using standard file explorer tools.
  • Encryption: Provides robust encryption capabilities, allowing users to encrypt file contents, filenames, and directory structures before uploading to any remote. This adds a layer of privacy and security, particularly when using untrusted Cloud storage.
  • Filtering: Supports powerful filtering rules based on file names, paths, sizes, modification times, and other criteria, allowing users to include or exclude specific files or directories from operations.
  • Transfer Optimization: Includes features like multi-threaded transfers, chunked uploads, and checks based on size and modification time or checksums to optimize data transfer speed and efficiency.
  • Remote Control: Offers an optional remote control API (`rc`) that allows other programs or scripts to control a running Rclone instance.
  • Check and Compare: Commands to check the integrity of files by comparing checksums across different remotes and to list differences between directories.

Supported Storage Backends

Rclone supports a wide and growing variety of storage backends, encompassing various types of data services and protocols. These include:

The full list of supported backends is extensive and detailed in the official documentation.

Use Cases

Rclone is widely used in various scenarios due to its flexibility and broad backend support:

Graphical User Interfaces

While Rclone's primary interface is the command line, several graphical frontends have been developed by the community to provide a more traditional desktop application experience. Some versions of Rclone also include a built-in, browser-based web interface. These GUIs utilize the Rclone executable in the background to perform operations.

Comparison with rsync

Rclone is often compared to rsync, a well-established utility for file synchronization and transfer, particularly over SSH or on local systems. The key distinction is Rclone's native support for a wide range of Cloud storage and object storage backends, which rsync lacks.

Comparison between Rclone and rsync
Feature Rclone rsync
Primary Focus Cloud storage & diverse remotes Local & SSH/remote servers
Cloud Backend Support Yes (Native & Extensive) No (Requires mounting or FUSE)
Local & SSH/Remote Support Yes Yes
Encryption (built-in) Yes (File content, name, metadata) No (Requires external tools like GnuPG)
Mount Remote Drive Yes (using FUSE/WinFsp) No
Delta Transfer No (uploads/downloads whole files if changed) Yes (efficiently transfers only changed parts within files)
Bandwidth Control Yes (Detailed) Yes (Basic rate limiting)
GUI Options Yes (Community-developed & Web UI) No (CLI only)
Supported Protocols/Services 70+ Backends (S3, Drive, Dropbox, WebDAV, SFTP, etc.) Local, Shell/SSH, Rsync protocol

The primary advantage of rsync is its efficient delta transfer algorithm for updating parts of files, which Rclone does not implement; Rclone typically transfers entire files that have changed. Rclone's strength lies in its breadth of support for various storage services and its mounting capability.

Licensing

Rclone is free and open-source software licensed under the MIT License.

See Also

References

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