> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.tipo.io/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.tipo.io/product-syncs/compare-product-sync-modes.md).

# Compare Product Sync Modes

When connecting two stores, Tipo Sync offers three product sync modes in **Matching & Imports** section:

* **Create & Update**
* **Update Only**
* **Create Only**

Each mode determines what happens when Tipo Sync finds (or does not find) a matching product in the Destination store.

<figure><img src="/files/JNLFFHjnv08mZjwaAyIO" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="/files/v6Z8AJuiQFkuBxqHsk4G" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

***

### 🚀 Quick Recommendation

| If you want to...                   | Recommended Option |
| ----------------------------------- | ------------------ |
| Keep both stores fully synchronized | 🔄 Create & Update |
| Update existing products only       | 🔁 Update Only     |
| Import new products only            | ➕ Create Only      |

***

### 🔗 How Product Matching Works

Before syncing a product, Tipo Sync checks whether the product already exists in the Destination store.

The app compares products using the selected Matching Identifier:

* Handle (Recommended)
* SKU
* Barcode

After checking for a match, Tipo Sync follows the selected sync mode.

***

### 📊 Quick Comparison

This table explains the core difference between all three modes.

| Sync Mode           | Matching Product Found | No Matching Product Found |
| ------------------- | ---------------------- | ------------------------- |
| **Create & Update** | Update Product         | Create Product            |
| **Update Only**     | Update Product         | Ignore Product            |
| **Create Only**     | Ignore Product         | Create Product            |

***

### 🔄 Create & Update

#### How it works

* Updates products that already exist in the Destination store.
* Creates products that do not exist in the Destination store.
* Automatically syncs new products added later.

#### Example

**Source Store**

* Product A
* Product B
* Product C

**Destination Store**

* Product B
* Product C

#### Result

| Product   | Action  |
| --------- | ------- |
| Product A | Created |
| Product B | Updated |
| Product C | Updated |

***

### 🔁 Update Only

#### How it works

* Updates products that already exist in the Destination store.
* Does not create new products.
* Ignores products that do not already exist.

#### Example

**Source Store**

* Product A
* Product B
* Product C

**Destination Store**

* Product B
* Product C

#### Result

| Product   | Action  |
| --------- | ------- |
| Product A | Ignored |
| Product B | Updated |
| Product C | Updated |

***

### ➕ Create Only

#### How it works

* Creates products that do not exist in the Destination store.
* Does not update existing products.
* Automatically imports new products added later.

#### Example

**Source Store**

* Product A
* Product B
* Product C

**Destination Store**

* Product A
* Product B

#### Result

| Product   | Action  |
| --------- | ------- |
| Product A | Ignored |
| Product B | Ignored |
| Product C | Created |

### 📚 Learn More

For detailed setup instructions and examples:

* [Create & Update Products](https://docs.tipo.io/product-syncs/create-and-update-products)
* [Update Products](https://docs.tipo.io/product-syncs/update-products-only) [Only ](https://docs.tipo.io/product-syncs/update-products-only)
* [Create Products Only](https://docs.tipo.io/product-syncs/create-only)