Self-Hosted Dropbox Alternatives

Dropbox is not available as a self-hosted solution but there are plenty of alternatives for power users and business that want to host a solution on-premise. The best Self-Hosted 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 many of them are available as a self-hosted solution so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting Self-Hosted alternatives to Dropbox are ownCloud, Syncthing, Ente Photos and Seafile.

filter to find the best alternatives

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

     1188 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.

    158 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 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.

    222 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

     881 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.

    135 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 Lightweight and Privacy focusedDropbox is not according to our users
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    Virola Messenger

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  6. Ente Photos icon

    Ente Photos

     164 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.

    133 Ente Photos alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

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

    126 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
  8. CryptPad icon

    CryptPad

     180 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.

    83 CryptPad alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    • Self-Hosted
    • Cloudron
    Instance homepage
     
  10. Cozy Cloud icon

    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...

    80 Cozy Cloud alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    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
    Cozy Cloud vs Dropbox Comments
    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 is Freemium and Open SourceDropbox is Freemium and Proprietary
    • Cozy Cloud is Privacy focusedDropbox is not according to our users
  11. IPFS icon

    IPFS

     176 likes

    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.

    69 IPFS alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Self-Hosted
    • Firefox
    IPFS screenshot 1
     
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    4
    IPFS vs Dropbox Comments
    Gea-Suan Lin
    Negative
    9

    It's totally different concept between IPFS and Dropbox. IPFS focuses on distributed web system (protocol), and Dropbox is a sync and storage service.

    Benjamin Lupton
    Negative
    0

    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.

    poppabearten
    Negative
    0

    This is peer to peer not cloud storage.

    3 of 4 comments
    • IPFS is Free and Open SourceDropbox is Freemium and Proprietary
  12. Hoodik icon

    Hoodik

     25 likes

    Hoodik is a lightweight, secure, and self-hosted cloud storage solution. It's designed and built with Rust and Vue, focusing on end-to-end encryption that shields your data from prying eyes and hackers.

    97 Hoodik alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Self-Hosted
    • Docker
    Hoodik screenshot 1
     
  13. Pydio icon

    Pydio

     130 likes

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

    76 Pydio alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • Self-Hosted
    Secure login
     
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    1
    Pydio vs Dropbox Comments
    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 is Freemium and Open SourceDropbox is Freemium and Proprietary
  14. Sync-in icon

    Sync-in

     12 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.

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Self-Hosted
    • Cloudron
    • Docker
    • Docker Hub
    • npm
    • YunoHost
    Server app dark
     
  15. 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.

    48 Puter alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Docker
    • Self-Hosted
    Puter screenshot 1
     
12 of 48 Dropbox alternatives