Dropbox AlternativesOnly Self-Hosted apps categorised as Online Backup Tools

Dropbox is not available as a self-hosted solution but there are some alternatives for power users and business that want to host a solution on-premise. The best Self-Hosted Online Backup Tool alternative is Nextcloud, which is both free and Open Source. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 100 alternatives to Dropbox and nine of them are Online Backup Tools available as a self-hosted solution so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting Self-Hosted Online Backup Tool alternatives to Dropbox are ownCloud, Syncthing, Seafile and Cozy Cloud.

filter to find the best alternatives

Dropbox alternatives are mainly File Sync Tools, but if you're looking for Online Backup Tools or Cloud Storage Services you can filter on that. Other popular filters include Open Source, Self-Hosted, Linux, Cloud Storage, EU, Self-Hosted + Open Source and Apple Watch. 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.
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Alternatives list

  1. Nextcloud icon

    Nextcloud

     1180 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.

    154 Nextcloud alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • Snapcraft
    • F-Droid
    • Raspberry Pi
    • Cloudron
    • Docker Hub
    • HUAWEI AppGallery
    • Flathub
    Simple and powerful file sync & share
     
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    54
    Comments about Nextcloud as an Alternative to Dropbox
    Top Positive Comment
    Paour
    15

    Open-sourced, easy to install and maintain, close to feature parity with Dropbox (except Paper).

    James
    Positive
    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
    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 icon
    Nextcloud icon
    • Nextcloud is Free and Open SourceDropbox is Freemium and Proprietary
    • Nextcloud is Privacy focused, Security-focused and CustomizableDropbox is not according to our users
  2. ownCloud icon

    ownCloud

     866 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.

    220 ownCloud alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Blackberry
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    • Raspberry Pi
    • Cloudron
    ownCloud screenshot 1
     
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    11
    Comments about ownCloud as an Alternative to Dropbox
    Top Positive Comment
    Guest
    8

    Nice alternative where you keep control over your data.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Top Negative Comment
    Guest
    -2

    OwnCloud is self hosted, not a ready to use solution for everyone.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    KariLHegg
    Positive
    0

    Use nextcloud, it's a fork with improvements.

    3 of 11 comments
    ownCloud icon
    ownCloud icon
    • ownCloud is Freemium and Open SourceDropbox is Freemium and Proprietary
  4. Syncthing icon

    Syncthing

     876 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.

    132 Syncthing alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Self-Hosted
    • Cloudron
    • Termux
    • Terminal
    Syncthing screenshot 1
     
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    11
    Comments about Syncthing as an Alternative to Dropbox
    Top Positive Comment
    Mansampard01
    5

    Cool for syncing your machines.

    axcqhsbsadoukciozt
    Positive
    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
    0

    Works pretty well on all OSses

    3 of 11 comments
    Syncthing icon
    Syncthing icon
    • Syncthing is Free and Open SourceDropbox is Freemium and Proprietary
    • Syncthing is Lightweight and Privacy focusedDropbox is not according to our users
  5. Seafile icon

    Seafile

     192 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.

    125 Seafile alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    Seafile screenshot 1
     
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    5
    Comments about Seafile as an Alternative to Dropbox
    Top Positive Comment
    Guest
    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
    0

    Nowhere to sign up for free account.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Alexey Korepov
    Positive
    1

    Free opensource with great useful features!

    3 of 5 comments
    Seafile icon
    Seafile icon
    • Seafile is Freemium and Open SourceDropbox is Freemium and Proprietary
    • Seafile is Privacy focusedDropbox is not according to our users
  6. Cozy Cloud icon

    Cozy Cloud

     136 likes

    Choose simplicity, get Cozy. We all have a life and a digital life. Cozy gathers them. In your Cozy, you have all your personal data: pictures, health, bank, holidays, accessible only by you. Welcome to your new digital home.

    80 Cozy Cloud alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Self-Hosted
    • Go (Programming Language)
    Automate the synchronisation of your files on your PC with your Cozy.
     
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    4
    Comments about Cozy Cloud as an Alternative to Dropbox
    Guest
    Positive
    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
    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
    1

    NO Mention of open source app.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    3 of 4 comments
    Cozy Cloud icon
    Cozy Cloud icon
    • Cozy Cloud is Freemium and Open SourceDropbox is Freemium and Proprietary
    • Cozy Cloud is Privacy focusedDropbox is not according to our users
  7. Pydio icon

    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

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • Self-Hosted
    Secure login
     
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    1
    Comments about Pydio as an Alternative to Dropbox
    Guest
    Positive
    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 icon
    Pydio icon
    • Pydio is Freemium and Open SourceDropbox is Freemium and Proprietary
  9. Puter icon

    Puter

     65 likes

    Puter is a privacy-first personal cloud that houses all your files, apps, and games in one private and secure place, accessible from anywhere at any time.

    47 Puter alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Docker
    • Self-Hosted
    Puter screenshot 1
     
  10. FileRun icon

    FileRun

     14 likes

    FileRun is a full featured PHP web based file manager with a very easy to use user interface.

    51 FileRun alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • Unraid
    • OpenMediaVault
    • PHP
    • Docker
    FileRun features a premium user interface which rises to the level of quality usually found only with solutions provided by global companies, such as Google.
     
  11. arXshare icon

    arXshare

     5 likes

    arXshare is a secure and lightweight private file sync and sharing software solution. It allows anyone to easily host a private file cloud, and securely collaborate with family members, friends, colleges, or customers over the internet.

    Cost / License

    • Free Personal
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Self-Hosted
     
9 of 9 Dropbox alternatives