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+--- Thread: Synology Drive on-demand sync (/showthread.php?tid=12284)
Synology Drive on-demand sync - Enquiries - 08-28-2025
Hello!
Thanks for your fantastic work!
On my wishlist for a new video:
- Resilio Sync
- Syncthing
To me the feature that makes all the difference when comparing NAS systems is the on-demand sync that Synology Drive provides.
I'm always surprised that this is seldom mentioned or explained when other systems are compared with Synology.
There's a huge difference between editing a file locally or a file on a NAS.
Somewhere I read a comment that there are alternatives that can be installed on for example a UGreen NAS
- Resilio Sync
- Syncthing
It would be great if you did a video on how to install and use for example Resilio Sync on a UGreen NAS!
Thanks
Henrik
(Personally I recently bought a DS923+ because of the - you know what! - and the Synology Drive. )
RE: Synology Drive on-demand sync - ed - 08-29-2025
Thanks so much for your message – and you’re absolutely right to highlight on-demand sync in Synology Drive. It’s a real game-changer for many users, especially in creative workflows like yours. The ability to selectively download files, edit them locally, and have them sync seamlessly without clogging up your internal drive space is a massive advantage that often gets overlooked in broader NAS comparisons.
It’s one of the key reasons Synology remains so popular in small businesses and production environments – especially when paired with DSM’s stability and the tight integration with macOS and Windows file systems.
Resilio Sync & Syncthing on Other NAS Platforms
You’re spot on that Resilio Sync and Syncthing are viable alternatives, and yes – they can be installed on platforms like UGREEN, QNAP, or even DIY TrueNAS/UnRAID setups. They offer:
• Peer-to-peer sync (Resilio is based on BitTorrent tech)
• Encrypted transfers
• Cross-platform support
• And in the case of Syncthing, open-source freedom
But what they generally lack (at least without extra workarounds) is true on-demand sync with file placeholders, like Synology Drive or OneDrive’s Files On-Demand.
I’ll Add Your Video Suggestion to the Queue
We’ve been meaning to do a deep dive into:
• How to install Resilio and Syncthing on 3rd-party NAS platforms (including UGREEN)
• What level of sync control they offer
• And how close they come to Synology’s on-demand behavior (especially on macOS and Windows)
OPTION 1: Resilio Sync on UGREEN NAS
1. Install Resilio Sync (Docker method):
• Open Docker on your UGREEN NAS (via UGOS Pro if supported).
• Search for: linuxserver/resilio-sync
• Set up a container:
• Map a local folder for /mnt/sync (your shared data)
• Expose ports: 8888:8888 (Web UI), 55555:55555 (Sync service)
• Start the container and go to http://<NAS_IP>:8888
2. Configure Folders to Sync:
• Use the web UI to add shared folders.
• Set permission type (read-only, full sync, encrypted).
• Connect other devices via QR code or shared key.
3. On-Demand Sync Workaround:
• Resilio does not natively support placeholder files.
• Instead, install Resilio Sync on your PC/Mac and configure:
• Selective Sync Mode → Only download files when clicked
• On Windows/macOS, this mimics on-demand behavior, though it’s not filesystem-native like Synology Drive.