Insync is an unofficial Google Drive client which is available for Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X. The Windows and Mac version is not free, you have to pay $9.99 one-time payment, but there is 15 days free trial, so you can try it for free on your Windows or Mac. The Linux users can use Insync for free as long as it is in beta version. Insync supports major Linux distribution including their desktop environment variations. There is support for Unity, Cinnamon, GNOME Shell, KDE 4, LXDE, MATE, Openbox + fbpanel, and my favourite desktop Xfce.

Today, I'd like to show you how to install Insync via its official repository so that you will get the latest version of Insync on your system.


Before you install Insync on your system. It would be nice if you read the benefits of installing Insync:
  • Supports multiple Google Accounts
  • Convert Google Docs file to Office
  • Built in sharing without browser
  • Desktop notifications
  • Selective sync
  • Revert read only files
  • And more!
Install Insync on Ubuntu via Official Repositories
You need to add Insync GPG key to allow APT authenticate the Insync repository:
  • wget -O - https://d2t3ff60b2tol4.cloudfront.net/services@insynchq.com.gpg.key | sudo apt-key add -
Once the GPG Key has been added, please execute the following command to add Insync repository:
  • sudo sh -c 'echo "deb http://apt.insynchq.com/ubuntu quantal non-free" >> /etc/apt/sources.list'
You need to change the "quantal" to appropriate codename of your Ubuntu version e.g. "precise" for Ubuntu 12.04 or "raring" for Ubuntu 13.04. Then update your repository channel:
  • sudo apt-get update
Now, you have to choose which Insync package to be installed for your Desktop environment. There are many choice which is suitable for Unity, XFCE, GNOME Shell, Cinnamon. etc. Simply type "sudo apt-get install insync-beta-" followed by Tab key to see available options.


Note for XFCE users: If you encounter this kind of error while installing Insync "insync-beta-xfce : Depends: thunarx-python but it is not installable", please add the WebUpd8 PPA repository to solve the problem:
  • sudo add-apt-repository ppa:nilarimogard/webupd8
Good luck!