Open Source Dropbox Alternatives

    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 (Freemium, Open Source), Syncthing (Free, Open Source), Seafile (Freemium, Open Source) and IPFS (Free, Open Source).

    This page was last updated Nov 22, 2021
    1. 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.
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      Nextcloud vs Dropbox opinions
      Almost everyone thinks Nextcloud is a great alternative to Dropbox.
       all • positive • negative      relevance • date
      Paour Open-sourced, easy to install and maintain, close to feature parity with Dropbox (except Paper).
      Top positive comment  almost 5 years ago

      14
      Nextcloud is totally private with a great variety of additional apps, to customize the server fully to your personal needs. And it's all free (if you host it yourself). And there is even no limitations for storage space. They even offer free apps/ clients for Android, iOS and Windows (Phone). Contacts, (shared) Calendars, internal Chat, live collaboration on office documents and soon to come end-to-end encryption - what else would you need?!
      Top positive comment  about 4 years ago

      12
      Not remote storage, which is the point of dropbox.
      Top negative comment  12 months ago

      -1
      I have been using Nextcloud for years. I use it to share calendars, contacts and files among all my computers and devices, and with my family members. I use the Deck module (Trello alternative) to manage my work and children activities, Talk module (Zoom alternative) for video conferencing, and others. Nextcloud is simple and powerful, keep the data with myself, yet it is free. I really love it.
      Positive comment • 12 months ago

      0
      Much more features. Independent from Microsoft. Ability to selfhost.
      Positive comment • 12 months ago

      0
      free and opensource what else do you want
      Positive comment • 12 months ago

      0
      It is free, open source, you can either self-host it or use an external provider. Plus, it's got way more than Dropbox by now thanks to external applications.
      Positive comment • over 1 year ago

      0
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      7 of 52 comments
    2. 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.
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      ownCloud vs Dropbox opinions
      Most users think ownCloud is a great alternative to Dropbox.
       all • positive • negative      relevance • date
      Self-hosted and high quality, you control your data.
      Top positive comment  about 4 years ago

      4
      Nice alternative where you keep control over your data.
      Top positive comment  over 5 years ago

      8
      OwnCloud is self hosted, not a ready to use solution for everyone.
      Top negative comment  over 5 years ago

      0
      riveravaldez Same functionality with transparency and control.
      Positive comment • about 4 years ago

      2
      TristisOris it's a selfhosted service.
      Negative comment • over 4 years ago

      0
      Self hosted - YOU control your data.
      Positive comment • over 4 years ago

      0
      Requires self-hosting, which can be a limit for many. Since a good knowledge of security related matters is mandatory, think twice before using it. However is the best alternative for those not looking for have their data hosted on a NSA server.
      Positive comment • over 4 years ago

      6
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      7 of 10 comments
    4. Syncthing is an open source software that allows you to synchronize your files and folders from multiple devices across the Internet using a secure P2P connection. It's a kind of like ownCloud/Nextcloud, but working with the Peer-to-Peer protocol without a "central" server. All communications are encrypted by the TLS protocol and each device is clearly identified with a unique identifier. This allows you to create your own cloud, and share files between your devices (Windows, Linux, macOS, BSD and Android are supported so far) without using servers hosted by third parties. And since everything is hosted on your machines, there are no hosting plans with more storage or more features, Syncthing is completely free.
      Syncthing vs Dropbox opinions
      Most users think Syncthing is a great alternative to Dropbox.
       all • positive • negative      relevance • date
      Mansampard01 Cool for syncing your machines.
      Top positive comment  almost 3 years ago

      5
      If you use Dropbox to sync files across devices Syncthing is probably more secure and you don't have to trust a central authority. Still you do not need to set up a server
      Top positive comment  over 2 years ago

      2
      jadethornton Syncthing is a service for syncing files between devices, it does not host files like Dropbox. This is not an alternative.
      Top negative comment  over 3 years ago

      -1
      Perfect alternative, and secure one.
      Positive comment • over 1 year ago

      0
      Syncthing is free, open-source, being developed actively. It allows 100%secure synchronization of files between without quota. It does not host files on an external server, which is a good or a bad thing depending on your preference.
      Positive comment • over 2 years ago

      -1
      Not a Dropbox alternative. Does not host files.
      Negative comment • over 4 years ago

      -4
      JohnFastman Syncthing isn't hosted by a company. It connects two computers with INCREDIBLE speeds. Syncing speeds of 60 MB/s or more aren't unusual. Your files are only ever on your computers and the connection is encrypted for privacy. Interface is in the browser and needs a little work, and the computers can take a minute or two to discover each other. Good for sending files from one computer to another every now and again.
      Positive comment • about 5 years ago

      0
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      7 of 9 comments
    5. Seafile is a professional open source cloud storage platform for organizations. It has complete file syncing and sharing features, reliable file storage and advanced privacy protection feature.
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      Seafile vs Dropbox opinions
      Most users think Seafile is a great alternative to Dropbox.
      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.)
      Top positive comment  about 5 years ago

      5
      Murz Free opensource with great useful features!
      Top positive comment  over 3 years ago

      1
      thickerfin Nowhere to sign up for free account.
      Top negative comment  over 6 years ago

      1
      beatrupp Open source, self-hosting capabilites
      Positive comment • over 4 years ago

      0
      JohnFastman Accessing your files via the website is very similar to Dropbox. Low prices, European privacy laws and open source clients compatible with Mac, Windows and Linux. Within Europe, upload speeds of the order of 1-2MB/s, download speeds 1-6MB/s depending on number of files. I got similar speeds with Dropbox in UK. Use together with Cryptomator for max privacy.
      Positive comment • about 5 years ago

      2
    6. IPFS is a global, versioned, peer-to-peer filesystem. It combines good ideas from Git, BitTorrent, Kademlia, SFS, and the web. It is like a single bittorrent swarm, exchanging git objects. IPFS provides an interface as simple as the HTTP web, but with permanence built in.
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      IPFS vs Dropbox opinions
      This alternative is disputed. IPFS is still a legitimate alternative to Dropbox, but it might have issues that some users think are important.
      gslin It's totally different concept between IPFS and Dropbox. IPFS focuses on distributed web system (protocol), and Dropbox is a sync and storage service.
      Negative comment • over 2 years ago

      9
      poppabearten This is peer to peer not cloud storage.
      Negative comment • 8 months ago

      0
      balupton IPFS is all VC-backed marketing hype that doesn't deliver. Also, it is not an alternative to Dropbox. IPFS is a protocol, Dropbox is a service and app. Apps use protocols, protocols don't use apps.
      Negative comment • 4 months ago

      0
      IPFS is sort of P2P communication network, and Dropbox is a cloud provider.
      Negative comment • almost 6 years ago

      0
    8. 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.
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      Cozy vs Dropbox opinions
      Most users think Cozy is a great alternative to Dropbox.
      Free and open source software, great UX, can be self-hosted if you want. Can add apps on top to leverage personal data.
      Positive comment • almost 4 years ago

      3
      efficient background replication across computers and mobile devices. Also, hosted in Europe, good to avoid prying eyes of USA providers and national agencies
      Positive comment • over 3 years ago

      0
      I can install it on my computer and access it via android cell phone or pad.
      Positive comment • almost 5 years ago

      1
      NO Mention of open source app.
      Negative comment • over 4 years ago

      0
    9. Pydio is the mature alternative to Dropbox and Box.com, to build your own box, on your own servers.
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      Pydio vs Dropbox opinions
      Most users think Pydio is a great alternative to Dropbox.
      Pydio is very similar to Owncloud, therefore if owncloud is deemed an alternative to Dropbox, so is Pydio
      Positive comment • over 6 years ago

      4
    10. Sia is a new decentralized cloud storage platform aimed at giving users control of their data. Data is split into hundreds of erasure coded pieces and encrypted locally, and then each piece is uploaded to a separate host.
      Sia vs Dropbox opinions
      pros, cons and recent comments
      Much more cost effective; dev team is doing well and very devoted.
      Positive comment • about 4 years ago

      0
    11. 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.
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      Most users think SparkleShare is a great alternative to Dropbox.
    12. Storj DCS is an Amazon S3 compatible, distributed, encrypted, object storage. It is aimed at developers and well suited to serve as storage backend for use cases like: Data storage and backup, multimedia storage and streaming or large file transfer.
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      Storj vs Dropbox opinions
      pros, cons and recent comments
      beatrupp Open Source, decentralized, encrypted.
      Positive comment • over 4 years ago

      -1
    Showing 10 of 50 alternatives