I looked at SmartSyncPro for backups and synchronization, but rejected it because it doesn't handle synchronization conflicts -- synchronization is solely based on file dates. For one way copying, in which you know what's on each end, it seems like a competent program.

Quoted: SmartSync Software: Synchronize Files, Replicate Folders, Mirror Files and Disks, Compare Files. Backup Software for Laptop, Desktop, Server and Network

I tried this backup software and was not happy with it. Consumer Reports rated it fairly high, but the error reporting left a lot to be desired. The "synchronization" feature couldn't handle conflicts and the icon on my taskbar *always* showed an error because it couldn't backup up my Outlook datastore. It was a pain to check what caused the error over and over again, so I stopped checking. As a result, when it actually had real errors to tell me about, I didn't notice them for a week.

Quoted: Second Copy® is the perfect backup product designed for Microsoft Windows you have been looking for. It makes a backup of your data files to another directory, disk or computer across the network. It then monitors the source files and keeps the backup updated with new or changed files.

Top rated by Consumer Reports. I've just rejected it for my own use because it doesn't support "native backup" or file synchronization (the backup files can only be read with the backup program).

Quoted: PC Backup at Stomp Soft. Specializing in backup software, data backup software, file backup software and back up computer

SyncBack is free; SyncBack SE is $30. Recommended by a friend.

UPDATE: I bought this product, along with the companion product FindOnClick. It is the only product of the many I tried that properly handles synchronization. After the first time you sync, it saves a record of what it did and after that is able to successfully recognize conflicts (same file edited in both places). It is also quite speedy. One disadvantage: Lots of options. I mean LOTS of options. Many are useful, but they can be daunting for a novice user. This is ameliorated somewhat by their "Easy" mode which has fewer options.

Quoted: SyncBack is our freeware program that helps you easily backup and synchronise your files to: the same drive; a different drive or medium (CDRW, CompactFlash, etc); an FTP server; a Network; or a Zip archive.

List of dots for backup software.

I'm currently using Carbonite for my own backups, largely because it has unlimited backups.

I set up Emily with Mozy, which is free for <2GB and is even simpler to use.

See below for details.

I recently signed up with Carbonite for online backup. Use this link to download a 15-day trial and get a free month added to your subscription if you decide to buy it.

I looked at a bunch of different options and it seemed like the best. It is $50/year for unlimited backups, though they do throttle uploads after you've uploaded 50GB (I haven't hit that yet, but I will soon when I finish re-organizing my digital photos so they're all in one place). The software seems pretty decent so far, with decent integration into Windows. I've restored a few test files, but nothing huge.

Advantages: Unlimited backups; good Windows integration; simple options, but easy to change what gets backed up; easy to see what's backed up in Windows Explorer; restores are easy (either drag&drop or Restore all to a new machine).

Disadvantages: You must buy a whole year right now (they'll add pay-by-the-month in the future); throttling above $50GB (they say they'll have an extra-cost option to prevent that); 15-day trial should really be longer.

Quoted: Carbonite backs up everything on your PC automatically over the Internet for less than $5 per month.

Quoted: KeepSafe is the intermediate step needed to secure data between backups. It saves your important files in real-time as you work on them.
Have you ever had a document become corrupted just when you were saving it? Have you ever overwritten an important file, wished you could go back to an earlier version, or had your hard drive crash and your most recent backup was a month old? You NEED KeepSafe!

Quoted: Finally - a solution to the backup problem that will automatically transfer your data to an offsite location with no effort required by you. Never lose another important file or document again. Be able to restore any version of a file. Have global access to all your documents.

Redotted from someone I don't know.