The Best Open Source Dropbox AlternativesTop Cloud Storage Services & File Sync Tools like Dropbox

The best open source alternative to Dropbox is Nextcloud. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 100 alternatives to Dropbox and loads of them is open source so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting open source alternatives to Dropbox are ownCloud, Syncthing, Ente Photos and Filen.

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Dropbox alternatives are mainly Cloud Storage Services, but if you're looking for File Sync Tools 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.
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Alternatives list

  1. Nextcloud icon

    Nextcloud

     1199 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.

    163 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
    Nextcloud vs Dropbox Comments
    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 is Free and Open SourceDropbox is Freemium and Proprietary
    • Nextcloud is Privacy focused, Security-focused, Customizable and DecentralizedDropbox is not according to our users
  2. ownCloud icon

    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

    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
    ownCloud vs Dropbox Comments
    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 is Freemium and Open SourceDropbox is Freemium and Proprietary
  4. Syncthing icon

    Syncthing

     887 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

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Self-Hosted
    • Cloudron
    • Termux
    • Terminal
    Syncthing screenshot 1
     
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    11
    Syncthing vs Dropbox Comments
    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 is Free and Open SourceDropbox is Freemium and Proprietary
    • Syncthing is Decentralized, Lightweight and Privacy focusedDropbox is not according to our users
  5. Ad
    Screenshot
    Filen icon
    Filen

    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 unc...

    https://filen.io
    Learn More
  6. Ente Photos icon

    Ente Photos

     170 likes

    Open-source, end-to-end encrypted backup and sharing for photos and videos, multi-platform sync, original quality preservation, privacy-first design, collaborative albums, family sharing, secure external sharing, robust data replication, and device imports.

    137 Ente Photos alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Flathub
    • F-Droid
    • Flatpak
    • Self-Hosted
    • Cloudron
    Ente Photos screenshot 1
     
  7. Filen icon

    Filen

     144 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.

    70 Filen alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    Filen screenshot 1
     
  8. Seafile icon

    Seafile

     193 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

    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
    Seafile vs Dropbox Comments
    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 is Freemium and Open SourceDropbox is Freemium and Proprietary
    • Seafile is Privacy focusedDropbox is not according to our users
  10. Proton Drive icon

    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.

    74 Proton Drive alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Tor
    Proton Drive screenshot 1
     
  11. CryptPad icon

    CryptPad

     185 likes

    CryptPad is a private-by-design alternative to popular office tools and cloud services. All the content stored on CryptPad is encrypted before being sent, which means nobody can access your data unless you give them the keys.

    92 CryptPad alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    • Self-Hosted
    • Cloudron
    Instance homepage
     
  12. Koofr icon

    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.

    199 Koofr alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Open Source (MIT)

    Application types

    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
    Koofr web app
     
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    2
    Koofr vs Dropbox Comments
    Ola Johansson
    Positive
    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
    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
  13. PixelUnion icon

    PixelUnion

     31 likes

    PixelUnion is a privacy-focused, EU-based photo storage service alternative to Google Photos. It offers lossless uploads, free 16 GB starter storage, AI-powered face recognition, and more.

    34 PixelUnion alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Online
    PixelUnion screenshot 1
     
  14. Cryptee icon

    Cryptee

     110 likes

    Encrypted, privacy-focused digital storage with zero-knowledge architecture supporting document editing, notes, journals, and photo storage with raw DSLR support, live sync, markdown, code, LaTeX, to-dos, audio, tables, EPUB, PDF, and cross-platform access.

    90 Cryptee alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    Cryptee screenshot 1
     
  15. Ente Locker icon

    Ente Locker

     25 likes

    Ente Locker is a secure vault for life’s essentials - your most important documents and credentials - protected with end-to-end encryption.

    33 Ente Locker alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • F-Droid
    Ente Locker screenshot 1
     
12 of 68 Dropbox alternatives