---
id: data-transfers.copy-vs-move-vs-sync
url: https://storagestudio.us/faq/data-transfers/copy-vs-move-vs-sync
category: "Data Transfers"
subcategory: "Copy, Move and Sync"
question: "What's the difference between Copy, Move and Sync in Data Transfers?"
alt_questions:
  - "copy vs move vs sync storage studio"
  - "Which operation should I choose in New Transfer?"
  - "difference between sync and copy"
  - "Does sync delete files?"
  - "what does each transfer mode do"
  - "copy move sync bidirectional explained"
short_answer: "Copy leaves the source untouched; Move copies, checks, then removes the source; Sync (one-way) mirrors the source and deletes extras at the destination; Bidirectional sync keeps both sides matched."
tags: ["copy", "move", "sync", "operations"]
related: ["https://storagestudio.us/faq/data-transfers/does-one-way-sync-delete-files", "https://storagestudio.us/faq/data-transfers/what-is-bidirectional-sync", "https://storagestudio.us/faq/data-transfers/is-move-safe", "https://storagestudio.us/faq/data-transfers/download-a-file-from-a-link"]
applies_to: "all"
last_reviewed: 2026-10-01
---

# What's the difference between Copy, Move and Sync in Data Transfers?

**Copy** puts the files at the destination and leaves the source untouched. **Move** copies, checks the result, and only then removes the source. **Sync (one-way)** makes the destination an exact mirror of the source — anything in the destination that isn't in the source is deleted. **Bidirectional sync** keeps two places matched, carrying changes in either direction.

A fifth choice, **Download**, fetches one file from a web link.

Rules of thumb:

- Want a second copy? **Copy**.
- Want the space back from the source? **Move**.
- Want the destination to always look like the source? **Sync (one-way)** — and dry-run it first.
- Edit in both places? **Bidirectional sync**.

Related: [Does Sync (one-way) delete files?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/data-transfers/does-one-way-sync-delete-files) · [What is Bidirectional sync?](https://storagestudio.us/faq/data-transfers/what-is-bidirectional-sync)