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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, Syncthing, Seafile and CryptPad.

Dropbox alternatives are mainly Cloud Storage Services but may also be File Sync Tools or Online Backup Tools. Filter by these if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of Dropbox.
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  1. Nextcloud icon

    Nextcloud

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    • Mac
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    • Online
    • Android
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    • Self-Hosted
    • F-Droid
    • Cloudron
    135 alternatives to Nextcloud 

    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.

     Suggest and vote on features
    Features
    1.  Privacy focusedNextcloud is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
    2.  Calendar IntegrationNextcloud lets you sync your tasks and events with your calendar application.
    3.  Ad-freeNextcloud doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
    4.  Two-factor AuthenticationNextcloud supports two-factor authentication (2FA).
    5.  Cloud SyncSync your data (notes, documents, bookmarks, etc.) across your different devices and to the cloud.
    6.  End-to-End EncryptionNextcloud has E2E Encryption, for entire or parts of the app.
    7.  Extensible by Plugins/ExtensionsNextcloud can be extended with add-ons, plugins and extensions.
    8.  FIDO U2F (2FA) supportNextcloud supports FIDO U2F / passwordless / multi-factor authentication.
    9.  Support for ActivityPubNextcloud support ActivityPub, a open and decentralized social network protocol.
    Simple and powerful file sync & share
    Simple upload even for people who don’t have Nextcloud
    Great Android & iOS apps to sync your files.
    Nextcloud vs Dropbox opinions
    Almost everyone thinks Nextcloud is a great alternative to Dropbox.
     all • positive • negative      relevance • date
    JohnFastman

    If you don't mind setting up your own server, NextCloud is a great Dropbox alternative because: 1) it's open source, 2) you control your data, 3) the limit of your storage is determined only by the limit of your hard drive. Alternatively, you can get services to host a NextCloud install on their servers for you, but then you give that service access to your data. Unless you encrypt client side with something like Cryptomator first.

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    Paour

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

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    Guest

    Not remote storage, which is the point of dropbox.

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    -2
    LinuxDoge

    You can use your own server or buy one. You can encrypt everything so its totally private. It has great functions, works on Linux and has FDroid apps

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    Guest

    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.

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    Guest

    Much more features. Independent from Microsoft. Ability to selfhost.

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    Guest

    free and opensource what else do you want

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  2. ownCloud icon

    ownCloud

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    • Self-Hosted
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    • Raspberry Pi
    • Cloudron
    223 alternatives to ownCloud 

    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.

     Suggest and vote on features
    Features
    1.  Calendar IntegrationownCloud lets you sync your tasks and events with your calendar application.
    Screenshot
    Screenshot
    Screenshot
    ownCloud vs Dropbox opinions
    Most users think ownCloud is a great alternative to Dropbox.
     all • positive • negative      relevance • date
    Guest

    Nice alternative where you keep control over your data.

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    Guest

    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.

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    Guest

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

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    riveravaldez

    Same functionality with transparency and control.

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    2
    Guest

    Self-hosted and high quality, you control your data.

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    TristisOris

    it's a selfhosted service.

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    Guest

    Self hosted - YOU control your data.

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    7 of 10 comments
  4. Syncthing icon

    Syncthing

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    • Linux
    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    • BSD
    • Self-Hosted
    • F-Droid
    • Cloudron
    113 alternatives to Syncthing 

    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.

     Suggest and vote on features
    Features
    1.  DecentralizedSyncthing is based on a decentralized infrastructure with no single entity controlling it.
    2.  End-to-End EncryptionSyncthing has E2E Encryption, for entire or parts of the app.
    3.  LightweightSyncthing consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
    4.  Dark ModeSyncthing supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
    5.  Command line interfaceSyncthing either have CLI support or is a CLI-only app.
    Screenshot
    Syncthing vs Dropbox opinions
    Most users think Syncthing is a great alternative to Dropbox.
     all • positive • negative      relevance • date
    MasteLrugarius

    It doesnt need any install on linux... thats cool!

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    LinuxDoge

    Works pretty well on all OSses

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    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• ago
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    -2
    Guest

    Perfect alternative, and secure one.

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    0
    Guest

    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

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    Guest

    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.

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    -1
    Mansampard01

    Cool for syncing your machines.

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  5. Seafile icon

    Seafile

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    • Self-Hosted
    120 alternatives to Seafile 

    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.

     Suggest and vote on features
    Features
    1.  File VersioningSeafile has a version system that lets you view and go back to older versions of the project/file/document.
    Screenshot
    Screenshot
    Screenshot
    Seafile vs Dropbox opinions
    Most users think Seafile is a great alternative to Dropbox.
    Guest

    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.)

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    Murz

    Free opensource with great useful features!

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    1
    thickerfin

    Nowhere to sign up for free account.

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    0
    beatrupp

    Open source, self-hosting capabilites

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    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.

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  6. CryptPad icon

    CryptPad

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    • Self-Hosted
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    58 alternatives to CryptPad 

    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.

     Suggest and vote on features
    Features
    1.  End-to-End EncryptionCryptPad has E2E Encryption, for entire or parts of the app.
    2.  Real time collaborationMultiple users can work together in CryptPad simultaneously.
    3.  No registration requiredYou can use most of the features in CryptPad without registration.
    4.  Privacy focusedCryptPad is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
    5.  Kanban BoardCryptPad allows you to organize your workflow by moving cards with drag-and-drop functionality between multiple columns.
    6.  WYSIWYG HTML EditorCryptPad allows you to make and preview changes to an application or website in real time, without needing to know code.
    7.  No TrackingCryptPad will not track you or use your personal data.
    8.  WYSIWYG SupportCryptPad integrates a WYSIWYG editor to edit the look and content of a document, page, or file.
    9.  Support for MarkDownCryptPad supports MarkDown for document formatting.
    Instance homepage
    Markdown slides app
  8. IPFS icon

    IPFS

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    • Self-Hosted
    72 alternatives to IPFS 

    IPFS is a global, versioned, peer-to-peer filesystem. It combines 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.

     Suggest and vote on features
    Features
    1.  DecentralizedIPFS is based on a decentralized infrastructure with no single entity controlling it.
    Screenshot
    Screenshot
    IPFS Peers Map
    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.
    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.

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    poppabearten

    This is peer to peer not cloud storage.

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    Guest

    IPFS is sort of P2P communication network, and Dropbox is a cloud provider.

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    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.

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    9
  9. Cozy icon

    Cozy

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    • Self-Hosted
    • CouchDB
    • Go (Programming Language)
    76 alternatives to Cozy 

    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.

     Suggest and vote on features
    Features
    1.  Cloud SyncSync your data (notes, documents, bookmarks, etc.) across your different devices and to the cloud.
    Automate the synchronisation of your files on your PC with your Cozy.
    Save your mobile pictures, they will be available on your PC and tablet.
    Share your photos and files with your friends and family.
    Cozy vs Dropbox opinions
    Most users think Cozy is a great alternative to Dropbox.
    Guest

    Free and open source software, great UX, can be self-hosted if you want. Can add apps on top to leverage personal data.

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    Guest

    I can install it on my computer and access it via android cell phone or pad.

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    1
    Guest

    NO Mention of open source app.

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    Guest

    efficient background replication across computers and mobile devices. Also, hosted in Europe, good to avoid prying eyes of USA providers and national agencies

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  10. Filen icon

    Filen

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    42 alternatives to Filen 

    Everybody can claim to be the most secure cloud storage service. We at Filen like to be transparent. So how does everything really work under the hood? Well, it's quite simple. When you upload a file to Filen's cloud storage, you actually don't upload a file, you...

     Suggest and vote on features
    Features
    1.  End-to-End EncryptionFilen has E2E Encryption, for entire or parts of the app.
    2.  Two-factor AuthenticationFilen supports two-factor authentication (2FA).
    3.  Cloud SyncSync your data (notes, documents, bookmarks, etc.) across your different devices and to the cloud.
    Screenshot
    Screenshot
  11. Pydio icon

    Pydio

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    • Online
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    • Android Tablet
    • Self-Hosted
    76 alternatives to Pydio 

    Pydio is the mature alternative to Dropbox and Box.com, to build your own box, on your own servers.

     Suggest and vote on features
    Features
    1.  Dark ModePydio supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
    Secure login
    Nice UX
    Screenshot
    Pydio vs Dropbox opinions
    Most users think Pydio is a great alternative to Dropbox.
    Guest

    Pydio is very similar to Owncloud, therefore if owncloud is deemed an alternative to Dropbox, so is Pydio

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  12. Lufi icon

    Lufi

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    • Linux
    • Self-Hosted
    93 alternatives to Lufi 

    It stores files, encrypts them in the browser and allows you to download them.

     Suggest and vote on features
    Features
    1.  End-to-End EncryptionLufi has E2E Encryption, for entire or parts of the app.
    Screenshot
Showing 10 of 52 alternatives
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