Dropbox AlternativesOnly Open Source apps categorised as File Sync Tools for Mac

There are many alternatives to Dropbox for Mac if you are looking for a replacement. The best open source Mac File Sync Tool alternative is Nextcloud. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 100 alternatives to Dropbox and 18 are open source and File Sync Tools available for Mac so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting open source Mac File Sync Tool alternatives to Dropbox are ownCloud, Syncthing, Filen and Seafile.

filter to find the best alternatives

Dropbox alternatives are mainly File Sync Tools, but if you're looking for Cloud Storage Services or Online Backup Tools you can filter on that. Other popular filters include Open Source, Self-Hosted, Linux, Cloud Storage, Self-Hosted + Open Source, EU and Mac. You can also filter by region, for example EU-based alternatives if you prefer software developed in the European Union. These are just examples - use the filter bar below to find more specific alternatives to Dropbox.

More about Dropbox

Dropbox alternatives page was last updated Apr 13, 2026

Nextcloud
1202 likes
Nextcloud is an open source software that allows you to manage your files and sync them across all your devices - like Dropbox. There are, however, several differences: You can self-host a Nextcloud instance, allowing you to fully manage it, or you can use a Nextcloud provider to host your data for you. You have access to more security, privacy and administration options. You can add plugins for almost everything (emails, tasks, calendars, maps, news, video chats, notes, and more).

Of course, it’s a bit more complicated to set up since you have to self-host it or find a provider, but if what you’re looking for is an open source and extensible solution that you can fully manage yourself, Nextcloud might be the right pick for you.
164 Nextcloud alternatives
Cost / License
Free
Open Source (AGPL-3.0)
Application types
Cloud Storage
File Sync
Origin
Germany
EU
Platforms
Mac
Windows
Linux
Online
Android
iPhone
Android Tablet
iPad
Self-Hosted
Snapcraft
F-Droid
Raspberry Pi
Cloudron
Docker Hub
HUAWEI AppGallery
Flathub
+3
Is Nextcloud a good alternative to Dropbox?

|
54comments
Nextcloud vs Dropbox Comments

Top Positive Comment
Paour
Feb 1, 2017
15
Open-sourced, easy to install and maintain, close to feature parity with Dropbox (except Paper).
James
Positive commentApr 7, 2025
0
With self-hosted sync, you maintain complete control over your data instead of trusting it to some third-party company. Plus, Nextcloud offers handy features like calendar integration and automatic photo uploads from your phone
aronkvh
Positive commentApr 24, 2024
0
It runs well even on an old laptop or a large server, great for sharing files, collaborating on documents and managing my photo library.
3 of 54 comments
Nextcloud is Free and Open SourceDropbox is Freemium and Proprietary
Nextcloud is Privacy focused, Security-focused, Customizable and DecentralizedDropbox is not according to our users
ownCloud
868 likes
Like Nextcloud, ownCloud is an open source solution that you can self-host on your own server, or you can pay a monthly fee to get an online instance with limited storage. It offers interesting features such as collaborative editing and version management of documents, image galleries, end-to-end encryption, email plugins to host attachments, and more… and you can also extend it by installing add-ons from their marketplace.

It’s no coincidence that ownCloud and Nextcloud share so many features, because Nextcloud is based on ownCloud. The key differences are the licenses (ownCloud’s enterprise edition comes under commercial license), the exclusive features ownCloud offers only to premium users while all features are free with Nextcloud, the app marketplaces (Nextcloud’s one has more apps), and of course, the pricing plans if you want a managed instance.
223 ownCloud alternatives
Cost / License
Freemium
Open Source
Application types
Cloud Storage
File Sync
Origin
United States
Platforms
Mac
Windows
Linux
Android
iPhone
Blackberry
Android Tablet
iPad
Self-Hosted
Software as a Service (SaaS)
Raspberry Pi
Cloudron
+9
Is ownCloud a good alternative to Dropbox?

|
11comments
ownCloud vs Dropbox Comments

Top Positive Comment
Guest
Aug 12, 2016
8
Nice alternative where you keep control over your data.
Review by a new / low-activity user.
Top Negative Comment
Guest
Jun 13, 2016
-2
OwnCloud is self hosted, not a ready to use solution for everyone.
Review by a new / low-activity user.
KariLHegg
Positive commentMar 18, 2025
0
Use nextcloud, it's a fork with improvements.
3 of 11 comments
ownCloud is Freemium and Open SourceDropbox is Freemium and Proprietary
Syncthing
888 likes
Syncthing, an open-source alternative to Dropbox, uses peer-to-peer tech to keep your files private and decentralized. Unlike Dropbox's cloud sync and hosting, Syncthing offers self-hosted functionality with unlimited space, suiting those prioritizing data control and privacy.
141 Syncthing alternatives
Cost / License
Free
Open Source (MPL-2.0)
Application type
File Sync
Origin
Sweden
EU
Platforms
Mac
Windows
Linux
BSD
Self-Hosted
Cloudron
Termux
Terminal
Is Syncthing a good alternative to Dropbox?

|
11comments
Syncthing vs Dropbox Comments

Top Positive Comment
Mansampard01
Jan 2, 2019
5
Cool for syncing your machines.
axcqhsbsadoukciozt
Positive commentMar 25, 2024
0
Only fools are still using Dropbox. Syncthing is perfect and provides as many GB as your disk has for free. Free yourself form Dropbox scams such as their "double accountability of GB" where shared folders take away your GB.
LinuxDoge
Positive commentMar 9, 2022
0
Works pretty well on all OSses
3 of 11 comments
Syncthing is Free and Open SourceDropbox is Freemium and Proprietary
Syncthing is Decentralized, Lightweight and Privacy focusedDropbox is not according to our users
Ad
Internxt Drive
Open-source, privacy-focused cloud storage using zero-knowledge encryption and blockchain technology, provides secure file transfer, end-to-end encryption, free 10 GB plan, desktop and mobile support, full user control, and no da...

https://internxt.com
Learn More
Filen
145 likes
Filen is a cutting-edge cloud storage provider that offers client-side, end-to-end, zero-knowledge encryption. Headquartered and operated entirely in Germany, Filen is at the forefront of combining comprehensive features with uncompromising privacy and security.
73 Filen alternatives
Cost / License
Freemium
Open Source (AGPL-3.0)
Application types
Cloud Storage
File Sync
Origin
Germany
EU
Platforms
Mac
Windows
Linux
Online
Android
iPhone
Android Tablet
iPad
+9
Is Filen a good alternative to Dropbox?
Seafile
194 likes
Open source cloud platform for organizations with self-hosting, device file synchronization, sharing, versioning, secure encrypted storage, admin controls, web access, audit logging, and support for desktop and mobile clients for secure collaboration.
127 Seafile alternatives
Cost / License
Freemium
Open Source
Application types
Cloud Storage
File Sync
Origin
China
Platforms
Mac
Windows
Linux
Online
Android
iPhone
Android Tablet
iPad
Self-Hosted
Software as a Service (SaaS)
+4
Is Seafile a good alternative to Dropbox?

|
5comments
Seafile vs Dropbox Comments

Top Positive Comment
Guest
Nov 13, 2016
5
Although Seafile.de works with a slightly more complex client than does Dropbox, it also has more options. Importantly, it's open source, unlike Dropbox. Also, storing files using Seafile.de 's services mean your data is stored in Germany, which has stricter privacy laws. Note: Whilst Seafile does offer client-side encryption, at the time of writing this encrypts only file contents, not names or metadata. (Dropbox doesn't offer this at all, however.)
Review by a new / low-activity user.
Top Negative Comment
thickerfin
Jun 30, 2015
0
Nowhere to sign up for free account.
Review by a new / low-activity user.
Alexey Korepov
Positive commentMay 11, 2018
1
Free opensource with great useful features!
3 of 5 comments
Seafile is Freemium and Open SourceDropbox is Freemium and Proprietary
Seafile is Privacy focusedDropbox is not according to our users
Proton Drive
163 likes
Offering comprehensive privacy with end-to-end encryption, Proton Drive allows users to store, synchronize, and share files across various devices through web, desktop, and mobile apps. Free storage up to 5 GB, service remains open-source and audited, ensuring file content and access control.
75 Proton Drive alternatives
Cost / License
Freemium
Open Source (GPL-3.0)
Application types
Cloud Storage
Online Backup
Origin
Switzerland
Platforms
Mac
Windows
Online
Android
iPhone
Android Tablet
iPad
Tor
+7
Is Proton Drive a good alternative to Dropbox?
Koofr
145 likes
Koofr is a safe, secure and simple way to store, backup and share your documents, photos, videos and more. It offers up to 10 GB of free safe storage for your files with affordable upgrades and options to connect multiple cloud accounts.
Cost / License
Freemium
Open Source (MIT)
Application types
Cloud Storage
File Sync
Origin
Slovenia
EU
Platforms
Mac
Linux
Online
Android
iPhone
Android Tablet
Windows Phone
iPad
Linux Mobile
Google Chrome
Rust
F-Droid
Software as a Service (SaaS)
Docker
Chromium
Mozilla Firefox
+3
Is Koofr a good alternative to Dropbox?

|
2comments
Koofr vs Dropbox Comments

Ola Johansson
Positive commentApr 19, 2023
0
They had me at .syncignore, i.e you can use a .gitignore file to just ignore files in a synced folder, useful for node_modules and stuff.
Guest
Positive commentAug 11, 2015
1
It is a cloud storage service, which is not only an alternative to Dropbox, but also extends it, by enabling connection with Dropbox, Google Drive and OneDrive inside one application.
Review by a new / low-activity user.
Koofr is Freemium and Open SourceDropbox is Freemium and Proprietary
Koofr is Privacy focused and LightweightDropbox is not according to our users
Cozy Cloud
136 likes
Cozy makes the personal cloud more accessible. Respectful of the user's privacy, Cozy simplifies daily tasks: synchronize and backup photos, automate bills downloading, manage expenses, etc. Flexible and easy to use, their Open Source platform allows users to create and...
79 Cozy Cloud alternatives
Cost / License
Freemium
Open Source (AGPL-3.0)
Application types
Cloud Storage
File Sync
Origin
France
EU
Alerts
Discontinued
Platforms
Mac
Windows
Linux
Android
iPhone
Self-Hosted
Go (Programming Language)
+4
Is Cozy Cloud a good alternative to Dropbox?

|
4comments
Cozy Cloud vs Dropbox Comments

Guest
Positive commentDec 5, 2017
3
Free and open source software, great UX, can be self-hosted if you want. Can add apps on top to leverage personal data.
Review by a new / low-activity user.
Guest
Positive commentFeb 6, 2017
1
I can install it on my computer and access it via android cell phone or pad.
Review by a new / low-activity user.
Guest
Negative commentAug 12, 2017
1
NO Mention of open source app.
Review by a new / low-activity user.
3 of 4 comments
Cozy Cloud is Freemium and Open SourceDropbox is Freemium and Proprietary
Cozy Cloud is Privacy focusedDropbox is not according to our users
kDrive
70 likes
kDrive is a Swiss online storage service that respects its users' privacy and makes storing, sharing & collaborating on files a breeze.
Cost / License
Freemium
Open Source (GPL-3.0)
Application types
Cloud Storage
File Sync
Origin
Switzerland
Platforms
Mac
Windows
Linux
Online
Android
iPhone
Android Tablet
iPad
F-Droid
+9
Is kDrive a good alternative to Dropbox?
Pydio
130 likes
Pydio is the mature alternative to Dropbox and Box.com, to build your own box, on your own servers.
75 Pydio alternatives
Cost / License
Freemium
Open Source (AGPL-3.0)
Application types
Cloud Storage
File Sync
Origin
France
EU
Platforms
Mac
Windows
Linux
Online
Android
iPhone
Android Tablet
Self-Hosted
+5
Is Pydio a good alternative to Dropbox?

|
1comment
Pydio vs Dropbox Comments

Guest
Positive commentJul 8, 2015
4
Pydio is very similar to Owncloud, therefore if owncloud is deemed an alternative to Dropbox, so is Pydio
Review by a new / low-activity user.
Pydio is Freemium and Open SourceDropbox is Freemium and Proprietary
Sync-in
15 likes
Sync-in is a secure, open-source platform for file storage, synchronization, and team collaboration — designed to give organizations full control over their data and workflows, while remaining flexible enough for individual needs.
62 Sync-in alternatives
Cost / License
Free
Open Source (AGPL-3.0)
Application types
File Sync
Cloud Storage
Origin
France
EU
Platforms
Mac
Windows
Linux
Self-Hosted
Cloudron
Docker
Docker Hub
npm
YunoHost
+6
Is Sync-in a good alternative to Dropbox?
SparkleShare
110 likes
SparkleShare is a Free Open Source syncing tool. Its light, secure and easy to use. SparkleShare allows you to setup your own servers so you always keep control on your data.
83 SparkleShare alternatives
Cost / License
Free
Open Source
Application type
File Sync
Origin
United States
Alerts
Discontinued
Platforms
Mac
Windows
Linux
Self-Hosted
Is SparkleShare a good alternative to Dropbox?

12 of 18 Dropbox alternatives

Dropbox AlternativesOnly Open Source apps categorised as File Sync Tools for Mac

Alternatives list

Nextcloud

Cost / License

Application types

Origin

Platforms

Nextcloud vs Dropbox Comments

ownCloud

Cost / License

Application types

Origin

Platforms

ownCloud vs Dropbox Comments

Syncthing

Cost / License

Application type

Origin

Platforms

Syncthing vs Dropbox Comments

Filen

Cost / License

Application types

Origin

Platforms

Seafile

Cost / License

Application types

Origin

Platforms

Seafile vs Dropbox Comments

Proton Drive

Cost / License

Application types

Origin

Platforms

Koofr

Cost / License

Application types

Origin

Platforms

Koofr vs Dropbox Comments

Cozy Cloud

Cost / License

Application types

Origin

Alerts

Platforms

Cozy Cloud vs Dropbox Comments

kDrive

Cost / License

Application types

Origin

Platforms

Pydio

Cost / License

Application types

Origin

Platforms

Pydio vs Dropbox Comments

Sync-in

Cost / License

Application types

Origin

Platforms

SparkleShare

Cost / License

Application type

Origin

Alerts

Platforms