DriveSync vs. GoogleDriveSync

These are separate Mac menu bar apps. ScaleNinja’s DriveSync uses dsync and asks you to review each push or pull. GoogleDriveSync by saihgupr uses rclone and offers manual or scheduled syncing. The choice is chiefly about how you want to start and review transfers.

Get DriveSync for Mac Try the free CLI

Best fit

Choose DriveSync if...

You want a visual plan before each transfer, separate upload and download actions, opt-in deletion, and a Mac App Store app backed by the same engine as your CLI.

Choose GoogleDriveSync if...

You want a free, open-source Mac menu bar app with scheduled runs and multiple Google accounts.

Side by side

Features and workflow

DriveSync’s Mac app and free dsync CLI are identified separately below. Numbered links cite the other tool’s documentation.

DriveSync vs. GoogleDriveSync: feature comparison
Capability	DriveSync / dsync	GoogleDriveSync
Mac support	macOS 14+, Intel and Apple silicon.	macOS 14+, with Intel and Apple silicon builds. [1]
Sync engine	Bundles dsync, ScaleNinja’s Rust engine; also available as a standalone CLI.	Powered by rclone. [1]
When files move	On demand. Review and confirm a push or pull; no app scheduler.	Manual runs or scheduled intervals from 15 minutes to daily. [1]
Transfer review	Compare is read-only. Push and pull show a file-by-file plan and wait for confirmation.	Documents live progress and errors; does not describe an equivalent pre-transfer approval plan. [1]
Accounts and filtering	Pair folders with Google accounts and exclude paths using .driveignore.	Multiple accounts, per-folder destinations, and rclone-based exclusion rules. [1]
Account setup	Requires an OAuth desktop client in your own Google Cloud project, then browser authorization.	README describes terminal-based Google authorization. [1]
Distribution and cost	One-time purchase for the Mac app. The standalone dsync CLI is free and MIT licensed. Mac app distributed through the App Store.	Free, MIT licensed; GitHub downloads or source builds. README says unsigned and not notarized. [1]

DriveSync requires your own Google Cloud OAuth client. It supports My Drive, without Shared Drives or Google Docs exports. See the DriveSync overview and Google setup guide before choosing.

Common questions

Are DriveSync and GoogleDriveSync the same app?

No. DriveSync is ScaleNinja’s app and dsync engine. This comparison is with the separate GoogleDriveSync project at github.com/saihgupr/GoogleDriveSync, not Google’s official desktop client.

Is the DriveSync Mac app open source?

The dsync engine and standalone CLI are MIT licensed. DriveSync’s native Mac interface is a paid app. The engine’s license does not mean the Mac interface is free.

Does DriveSync need rclone installed?

No. The Mac app includes dsync, so there is no separate sync engine to install. You still need to complete Google Cloud OAuth setup and authorize your account.

Sources and methodology

Based on product documentation reviewed on September 23, 2026, not comparative performance testing. An undocumented feature is not assumed to be absent. Check the linked pricing pages for current plans.