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I've read this while looking for software for syncing between folders in my laptop drive and my external HD, but it still lacks software options.

At first I thought of Windows only software. But it will be better if there is Linux software for this.

For your information, I have Ubuntu 14.04 and Windows 8.1 (both 64bit).

Since it is about syncing folders with large files and sizes, I'm a bit scared of any problems that may arise.

What software can I use to sync between my laptop 'Data' drive and my external HD as backup? It should be reliable, and stable. I don't care if it runs under Windows or Linux. (Linux option will be better).

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Under Linux, that software already ships with your distro: it's called RSync, and works locally as well as with remote devices.

RSync only copies "changed stuff" – which would remove your fear concerning your large folders & sizes. If both drives are connected to the same device, you can run it using any (unsecured) protocol; for remote drives, you can run it via SSH:

rsync -Pae ssh /source/path [[user@]remote-machine:]/target/path

would be an example how I keep a remote location updated (add the --delete parameter to take care for deleted files as well). You can find a bunch of examples in the linked Wikipedia page as well. It even offers a "dry-run" mode if you just want to check "what would happen".

There're several tools and graphical front-ends to RSync (if you're rather the "GUI guy/girl"). One of the tools listed in that section is Unison – which might be another candidate to check, especially if you're after bi-directional synchronisation (see below).

I'm very satisfied with RSync: it runs stable, fast, reliable. But admittedly, I've only used it "uni-directional" (to keep a remote location updated), not "bi-directional" (keeping two folders in "perfect sync").

Edit:

If you're looking for a GUI, I'd recommend starting with LuckyBackup:

LuckyBackup LuckyBackup
LuckyBackup (Source: SourceForge; click images for larger variants)

As the screenshots show, this software not only makes it very user-friendly to setup your sync jobs (especially when not feeling that comfortable with command-line), but also includes a scheduler – so you wouldn't even have to deal with Cron jobs manually. It offers an easy way even to exclude files, and run additional jobs connected to the sync process.

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  • Changed stuff here means additonal files and modified files, am I correct? Then it is what I need. But, as you said, it only can be done in terminal right? Since I don't need remote any PC, I just need to sync my local. And will be ineffective since it will not about one, two, or three parent folder. And yes, the GUI one will be safe and effective ones (for me, and the less it's just for my thing). I guess I'll try Unison first. Will report it after that. Thank's
    – adadion
    Commented Dec 1, 2015 at 10:51
  • Additional and modified files for sure. As pointed out, with --deleted also removed files. It can be done in terminal, which is a big pro: you easily can setup Cron jobs to have the task done automatically. And effective it is with any number of parent folders (as long as they're fixed). Unison adds some overhead, so you might wish to try some other front-end first: Grsync and especially LuckyBackup look like good candidates here.
    – Izzy
    Commented Dec 1, 2015 at 10:58
  • Very gllad that RSync have the GUI one. And yes, RSync will be more effective if I made some automatic sync script. Thank's!
    – adadion
    Commented Dec 1, 2015 at 11:01
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    This is totally what I need. Superb!
    – adadion
    Commented Dec 1, 2015 at 11:33
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    Reading your comments, I've expected that – hence my update :) Glad I was able to find the exact match to your needs, enjoy! Btw: According to the Wikipedia page, it's even available for Windows as well. Living in an "MS free zone" (using solely Linux for about 15 years now) I wasn't able to verify that, however :)
    – Izzy
    Commented Dec 1, 2015 at 11:35
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