SugarSync
SugarSync is a cloud-based file synchronization, backup, and sharing service for consumers, SMBs, and small enterprises. Operated by IPVanish, Inc. (a Ziff Davis subsidiary), it offers multi-device sync, encryption, and remote wipe across Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2008
- HeadquartersSan Mateo, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingSoftware
What SugarSync does
SugarSync is a cloud-based file synchronization, backup, and sharing platform launched in 2008 by Sharpcast, Inc. and now operated as a subsidiary of Ziff Davis, Inc. through IPVanish, Inc. The service lets users automatically sync, share, and back up files across Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android devices, with a distinguishing technical capability in multi-folder syncing — users can sync any folder to any device without restructuring their data, a feature the company highlights as unique versus Dropbox-style single-magic-folder approaches. Core platform components include a REST-style API over HTTPS with XML payloads, TLS in transit and AES-256 encryption at rest, remote wipe for lost devices, Protected Folders with up to 12 point-in-time backup copies for ransomware recovery, and file version history.
The revenue model is subscription-based, anchored on individual plans (monthly or annual, with a 30-day free trial) and Business/Teams plans starting at $55/month for 1TB and 3 users, with custom contracts for 10+ users. The service was transitioned to a paid-only model in 2013, replacing earlier freemium tiers. Go-to-market is primarily product-led and self-serve via direct website download and app stores, with inside sales support for business plans and a referral program offering up to 10GB of bonus storage per converted referral. The company has historically expanded internationally through channel partnerships with France Telecom-Orange, Korea Telecom, and BB Softservice in Japan, and more recently cross-bundles with sister Ziff Davis brands IPVanish and StrongVPN. Named customers span construction (Cantech), real estate (University Realty), and consulting (Center for Sales Strategy), indicating a long tail of SMB and small-enterprise accounts rather than large anchor clients.
SugarSync firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- SugarSync
- Legal name
- IPVanish, Inc.
- Website
- https://www1.sugarsync.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2008
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- SugarSync is a cloud-based file synchronization, backup, and sharing service for consumers, SMBs, and small enterprises. Operated by IPVanish, Inc. (a Ziff Davis subsidiary), it offers multi-device sync, encryption, and remote wipe across Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
SugarSync industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Cloud Storage and File Synchronization
- NAICS
- Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (5182)
- SIC
- Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Business Continuity Management (BCM) Platforms (HDABAIAD)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Data Security & Privacy for Cloud (DLP, DSPM, Tokenization) (HDABAHAK)
Keywords
Where SugarSync is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- San Mateo
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
SugarSync business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations
Revenue model
- Individual Subscription Plans: Monthly or annual subscription plans for individual users. Plans include free trial period. Subscription fees are charged automatically at end of trial unless cancelled.
- Business/Team Plans: Business plans starting at $55/month for teams with 3+ users and 1TB storage. Annual plans available at $550/year (17% savings). Custom solutions available for 10+ users.
- Referral Program: Users earn bonus storage (up to 10GB per referral) when friends sign up for 60GB or larger paid plans, creating a viral growth loop.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Business/Team Plan - 1TB Storage |
| Subscription | Monthly | Personal/Individual Plans |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Custom Business Solutions |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels5 records
SugarSync product offering
Product offeringCore offering
SugarSync is a cloud-based file synchronization, backup, and sharing service that lets users automatically sync, access, and share photos, videos, and documents across multiple devices including PCs, Macs, iOS, and Android. Its distinguishing capability is multi-folder syncing, which lets users sync any folder to any device without reorganizing their file structure, combined with AES-256 encryption, file version history, remote wipe, and Protected Folders for ransomware recovery.
Product overview
SugarSync is a cloud-based file synchronization, backup, and sharing platform that operates as a unified service with multiple delivery mechanisms. The core SugarSync product (sugarsync.com) provides cloud file storage with multi-folder syncing, automatic backup, secure file sharing, and remote wipe capabilities. The platform includes dedicated mobile apps for iOS and Android devices, desktop applications for Windows and macOS, and the SugarSync Platform API for developer integrations. Business/Teams plans add administrative controls, pooled storage, and premium support. The key differentiating feature is multi-folder syncing, which allows users to sync any folder without reorganizing their file structure, alongside Protected Folders for ransomware protection with point-in-time recovery.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- SugarSync Cloud-based file synchronization, backup, and sharing service that automatically syncs photos, videos, and files from any folder across multiple devices for individuals and professionals.
- SugarSync Business / Teams Business subscription plan for teams starting at 3 users with 1TB pooled storage, admin controls, remote device wipe, and premium phone-based customer support.
- SugarSync iOS App iOS application for iPhone and iPad (iOS 8.0+) that enables secure access, sharing, and syncing of files and photos with automatic photo/video uploads, offline access, and Touch ID.
- SugarSync Android App Android application (Android 2.3+) that provides secure cloud storage, file syncing, editing, sharing, and AutoSync of videos from mobile devices to computers.
- SugarSync Windows Desktop App Desktop application for Windows 8.1, 10, and 11 that enables file backup, sync, and sharing with TLS and AES-256 encryption.
- SugarSync macOS Desktop App Desktop application for macOS that enables backup, sync, and sharing of files from Mac computers.
- SugarSync Platform API Free developer API with REST-style architecture over HTTPS and XML payloads that lets developers access files, folders, and albums, create content, share, generate thumbnails, perform resumable uploads, and programmatically provision SugarSync user accounts.
Quantifiable outcome
- Previous five versions of all documents kept in cloud
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use SugarSync
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
SugarSync technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature7 records
SugarSync partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered minor.
- StrongVPNminorSugarSync partnered with StrongVPN to offer free cloud storage to VPN customers.
- StaplesminorSugarSync Teams-Up With Staples to offer comprehensive cloud storage solution to small businesses and consumers.
- France Telecom-OrangeminorFrance Telecom-Orange selected SugarSync as a partner to bring cloud services to their customers in France.
- BB SoftserviceminorBB Softservice and SugarSync signed the first phase of a comprehensive business alliance to officially release SugarSync service in Japan in 2010.
- BestBuyminorBestBuy selected SugarSync as a partner to bring cloud services to their customers.
- LenovominorLenovo selected SugarSync as a partner to bring cloud services to their customers.
- SanDiskminorSanDisk selected SugarSync as a partner to bring cloud services to their customers.
- Korea Telecom (KT)minorKorea Telecom selected SugarSync as a partner to bring cloud services to their customers. KT Consumer Cloud Service was powered by SugarSync.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
SugarSync competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- pCloud: pCloud is a Switzerland-based cloud storage and file sync service offering individual, family, and business plans with lifetime subscription options. Directly comparable as a standalone paid cloud sync/sharing/backup product targeting similar consumer and SMB segments.
- Dropbox: Dropbox is the leading direct competitor in cloud file sync and sharing, offering multi-device sync, sharing, and backup across consumer and business tiers. Most direct comparable in core product category, target market, and subscription business model.
- IDrive: IDrive is a cloud backup and sync service offering continuous backup, versioning, and team storage plans. Directly comparable in backup-first positioning, versioning, and tiered subscription model across consumer and business.
- Box: Box provides cloud content management and file sync focused on business and enterprise customers with collaboration, compliance, and admin controls. Directly comparable in business-tier sync/sharing functionality and SMB-to-enterprise GTM.
- Sync.com: Sync.com is a privacy-focused Canadian cloud storage and file sharing service with end-to-end encryption, individual and team plans. Directly comparable as a standalone paid cloud sync/share service with similar privacy/security positioning.
- Backblaze: Backblaze provides unlimited cloud backup and B2 cloud storage with personal, business, and B2 object storage products. Directly comparable in backup and storage for individuals and SMBs, with overlapping sync/share via Backblaze Personal.
- Carbonite (now part of OpenText): Carbonite offers automatic cloud backup and file sync for consumers and SMBs with a subscription model. Directly comparable in backup-led cloud storage targeting individuals and small businesses.
Broad incumbents
- Apple iCloud: Apple iCloud is Apple's bundled cloud sync and backup service for Mac, iPhone, and iPad users. A broad incumbent offering consumer sync and backup as part of the Apple ecosystem rather than as a standalone cross-platform service.
- Microsoft OneDrive: OneDrive is Microsoft's bundled cloud storage product integrated with Windows and Microsoft 365. A broad incumbent offering comparable functionality at scale but as part of a much wider productivity/cloud portfolio rather than a standalone sync service.
- Google Drive: Google Drive is Google's consumer and enterprise cloud storage product bundled with Workspace. A broad incumbent that competes in the same sync/share category but as part of Google's broader productivity and cloud platform.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
SugarSync social profiles
Digital presenceSugarSync financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
SugarSync leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
SugarSync funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds8 records
Investors6 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
SugarSync M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about SugarSync
What does SugarSync do?
SugarSync is a cloud-based file synchronization, backup, and sharing service that lets users automatically sync, access, and share photos, videos, and documents across multiple devices including PCs, Macs, iOS, and Android. Its distinguishing capability is multi-folder syncing, which lets users sync any folder to any device without reorganizing their file structure, combined with AES-256 encryption, file version history, remote wipe, and Protected Folders for ransomware recovery.
Is SugarSync a public or private company?
SugarSync is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was SugarSync founded?
SugarSync was founded in 2008. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is SugarSync based?
SugarSync is headquartered in San Mateo, United States, in the North America region.
How does SugarSync make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Individual Subscription Plans are the primary driver. The others are business/Team Plans and referral Program.
Who are SugarSync's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are pCloud, Dropbox, IDrive, Box, Sync.com, Backblaze and Carbonite (now part of OpenText). Broad incumbents are Apple iCloud, Microsoft OneDrive and Google Drive.
Does SugarSync have an API?
Yes. SugarSync offers a free Platform API that allows developers to cloud-enable their web, mobile, or desktop applications. The API uses a REST-style architecture over HTTPS with XML-formatted requests and responses. It provides access to user files, folders, and resources through unique URIs. Key capabilities include: full access to files and folders in user clouds, creating new files and folders, sharing options, updated authentication mechanism that doesn't require storing user passwords, resumable uploads, shared folder support, sorting contents by name/date/size/extension, thumbnail generation for images, and developer provisioning for creating new SugarSync user accounts programmatically. Developer documentation is at www.sugarsync.com/developer.
What industry is SugarSync in?
SugarSync's product category is Cloud Storage and File Synchronization. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDABAIAD, Business Continuity Management (BCM) Platforms, with a secondary code of HDABAHAK, Data Security & Privacy for Cloud (DLP, DSPM, Tokenization). Its NAICS code is 5182 and its SIC code is 7370.