Feature comparison of Microsoft OneDrive Sync Client versus Layer2 Cloud Connector

While the Microsoft OneDrive for Business document synchronization client is a free tool for end-users, the Layer2 Cloud Connector offers advanced features as often needed to solve typical business requirements with Microsoft cloud data integration, file migration, backup, or synchronization. Find a comparison of the OneDrive Sync Client and the Layer2 Cloud Connector in the fact sheet below.

Features
Microsoft OneDrive for Business Client
Layer2 Cloud Connector
Business requirements solvedKeeps pre-selected OneDrive for Business documents in sync with local drives. Keeps pre-selected files and data sets in sync across 100+ IT systems and apps, cloud-based and on-premises.
Audience End Users IT Administrators, Consultants
Where to run Runs client-side on the user‘s computer in the system tray or on mobile devices. Runs server-side centrally in the corporate network or cloud as a Windows Service.
How to run Runs automatically on data changes, but the user must be logged in.Runs scheduled or on-demand in the background as a Windows Service with no user logged in.
What to syncManually selected OneDrive for Business libraries or folders on local disks. Folders, files & structured data via ADO.NET Data Providers connected by connection string and flexible data query, such as SharePoint Views, SQL, OData, Xpath.
When to runautomaticallyFlexible scheduled sync interval per connection.
Sync on-demandNoYes, per command-line or API.
File server, shared folders, and NAS supportNo, you can't add a network or mapped drive as your OneDrive sync location.Yes, sync folder location can be set to a network drive.
Azure File Share supportNoYes
SharePoint to SharePoint sync supportDepending on versions/releases.Yes, including across versions, tenants, sites, site-collections, online and on-prem.
Support for SharePoint on-prem and older SharePoint versionsNoYes, starting with SharePoint Server 2010 including SharePoint Foundation
Authentication and accountsCurrent user contextDifferent authentication methods and users per end-point and connection.
Administration, Logging & Alerting Interactive/Tray, Windows Event Log. Windows MMC/XML/PowerShell, NLOG to file, SQL, Windows, E-Mail
Amount of files or records5.000 / 20.000 / 100.000+ documents per library, depending on release (List View Threshold). No hard limit regarding the number of items and documents to sync. Becomes less effective with more than 100.000 items per library.
Selection of document set to be syncedmanualmanual, SQL-like query language to include/exclude files to/from synchronization by folder, name, size, age, etc.
Provisioning (automated setup of connections)Novia scripting (all connections are just XML files)
Backup / Migration Option (One-Way Sync) No Yes, flexible sync options (such as no-insert, no-update, no-delete) and optimized data providers for different requirements (e.g. speed vs. features).
Metadata managementNo Yes, field/column auto-mapping or manual. Can add custom metadata via C#.
Data cleanup, cross-system translation, transformation, and custom business logicNo Yes, via C# and Dynamic Columns 
Sync conflict-resolution options Interactive by end userPre-defined conflict resolution rules per connection, such as "one side wins", or "keep both files". 
Systems and apps to connect and sync SharePoint / OneDrive libraries, local disks, (supported systems highly depending on client release version). SharePoint 2010/13/16, SharePoint Online lists and libraries, OneDrive4B, Office 365 Groups, Microsoft Teams, Dynamics, Exchange, Azure, local disks, file server shares, home drives, almost any SQL database, Access, Excel/XML, Text/CSV, OData, SOAP, ERP/CRM, 100+ more
Known restrictions and limitationsSee hereDepends on restrictions of the connected systems.
Operating Systems Runs on Windows, iOS, Android Windows only (32/64-Bit)
Costscost-freeFree edition with limited features. License costs depending on the edition. Licensing per installation. No additional costs for the number of users, tenants, connections, or data volume.

Summary

The Layer2 Cloud Connector can help to solve usual needs, but also more complex business requirements in the field of Microsoft cloud file migration, backup, and synchronization. Compared to the free Microsoft sync tool, the Layer2 connector can add additional value by providing advanced integration features, flexible sync options, and its support of structured data sync to keep hundreds of IT backend systems and apps connected and in sync with Microsoft Office 365.

 

In case of the specific requirement to keep existing folders on local file servers, network shares, or NAS devices centrally in sync with SharePoint libraries, the Layer2 Cloud Connector is a must-have to meet these requirements.

 

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