Ask HN: Apple workers of HN, do you really use iTunes Sync?

I do. I still sync my music and photos over USB because they're not stored on the cloud and I don't want to pay to store them there nor have to deal with migrating them between various apps/services to retain access or risk them losing data or getting hacked or whatever.

[Not an Apple worker, but I use a Mac and an iPhone]

Is there an alternative?

Apple doesn't let you simply add a music file to the Music app (you have to sync it from an iTunes library on the computer if you want a file in there), and the Music app, while it is getting worse as time goes on, is something I have not yet been able to replace.

If you purchase music from the iTunes Store, I think it can appear on your iOS device without involving a desktop/laptop. If you subscribe to iTunes Match, music added to iTunes on your desktop/laptop will be transferred to Apple's servers and can then be accessed from iOS devices. Non-music content like contacts and calendar can sync via iCloud, a number of non-Apple apps can only sync using iTunes.

I just use iTunes over USB to sync, my wife syncs over WiFi but not very often.

Periodically like once every 2 months. I still have no idea where iCloud stores their stuff (most unintuitive application ever)