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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, Seafile and IPFS.

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.
This page was last updated Jun 7, 2022
Dropbox
  5477
  • Freemium • Proprietary
  • Mac
  • Windows
  • Linux
  • Online
  • Android
  • iPhone
  • Blackberry
  • Chrome OS
  • Windows S
  • Windows Phone
  • iPad
  • Kindle Fire

Put your files into your Dropbox on one computer, and they'll be instantly available on any of your other computers...

Learn more about Dropbox

  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.

    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.

    Top positive comment  over 5 years ago
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    21
    Paour

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

    Top positive comment  over 5 years ago
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    15

    Not remote storage, which is the point of dropbox.

    Top negative comment  over 1 year ago
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    -3
    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

    Positive comment • 4 months ago
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    0

    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 • over 1 year ago
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    1

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

    Positive comment • over 1 year ago
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    1

    free and opensource what else do you want

    Positive comment • over 1 year ago
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    0
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    7 of 53 comments

  2. ownCloud

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    • Freemium • Open Source
    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Blackberry
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    • Raspberry Pi
    • Cloudron

    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.

    ownCloud vs Dropbox opinions
    Most users think ownCloud is a great alternative to Dropbox.
     all • positive • negative      relevance • date

    Nice alternative where you keep control over your data.

    Top positive comment  almost 6 years ago
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    8

    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.

    Top positive comment  about 5 years ago
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    6

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

    Top negative comment  about 6 years ago
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    -1
    riveravaldez

    Same functionality with transparency and control.

    Positive comment • over 4 years ago
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    2

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

    Positive comment • over 4 years ago
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    4
    TristisOris

    it's a selfhosted service.

    Negative comment • almost 5 years ago
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    0

    Self hosted - YOU control your data.

    Positive comment • about 5 years ago
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    7 of 10 comments

  4. Syncthing

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    • Free • Open Source
    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    • BSD
    • Self-Hosted
    • F-Droid
    • Cloudron

    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
    MasteLrugarius

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

    Top positive comment  almost 6 years ago
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    3
    LinuxDoge

    Works pretty well on all OSses

    Top positive comment  4 months ago
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    0
    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 4 years ago
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    -1

    Perfect alternative, and secure one.

    Positive comment • over 2 years ago
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    0

    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

    Positive comment • almost 3 years ago
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    2

    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 • about 3 years ago
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    -1
    Mansampard01

    Cool for syncing your machines.

    Positive comment • over 3 years ago
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    5
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  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.

    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  over 5 years ago
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    5
    Murz

    Free opensource with great useful features!

    Top positive comment  about 4 years ago
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    1
    thickerfin

    Nowhere to sign up for free account.

    Top negative comment  about 7 years ago
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    0
    beatrupp

    Open source, self-hosting capabilites

    Positive comment • over 5 years ago
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    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 • over 5 years ago
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    2

  6. IPFS

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    • Free • Open Source
    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Self-Hosted

    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.

    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.

    Negative comment • 12 months ago
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    0
    poppabearten

    This is peer to peer not cloud storage.

    Negative comment • about 1 year ago
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    0

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

    Negative comment • over 6 years ago
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    0
    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 • about 3 years ago
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    9

  8. Cozy

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    • Freemium • Open Source
    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Self-Hosted
    • CouchDB
    • Go (Programming Language)

    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.

    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 • over 4 years ago
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    3

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

    Positive comment • over 5 years ago
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    1

    NO Mention of open source app.

    Negative comment • almost 5 years ago
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    0

    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 • almost 4 years ago
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    0

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

    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 • almost 7 years ago
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    4

  10. SparkleShare

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    • Free • Open Source
    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Self-Hosted

    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.

    Most users think SparkleShare is a great alternative to Dropbox.

  11. Tonido

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    • Freemium • Proprietary
    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Blackberry
    • Android Tablet
    • Windows Phone
    • iPad
    • Self-Hosted
    • Google Chrome
    • Raspberry Pi
    • Firefox

    Private File Sharing, Sync and Mobile Access for Home and Business. Access, Sync and Share ALL docs, photos, music and videos from anywhere. No Storage Limits. No Security Worries. No Uploading.

    Some users think Tonido is a great alternative to Dropbox, some don't.

  12. A Dropbox-like file manager that connect to your existing storage: FTP, SFTP, WebDAV, Git, S3, Minio, Dropbox, Google Drive.

Showing 10 of 35 alternatives