# Open Source Alternative to Dropbox

Open source alternatives · System

Dropbox charges US$11.99 a month for 2 TB. Nextcloud gives you a whole private cloud, free, on your own hardware.

**What the paid app costs:** US$11.99/mo

## Why switch?

Cloud storage is just someone else's computer. Nextcloud turns a cheap VPS or old PC into your private Dropbox plus calendar, contacts, and office apps. Syncthing skips servers entirely and syncs devices directly.

## Compare the alternatives

AlternativeLicensePlatformsBest for[Nextcloud](https://nextcloud.com/)AGPL-3.0Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, webThe self-hosted cloud[Syncthing](https://syncthing.net/)MPL-2.0Windows, macOS, Linux, AndroidFor serverless private sync

### [Nextcloud](https://nextcloud.com/)

Free forever AGPL-3.0 · Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, web

- File sync like Dropbox
- Calendar, contacts, office built in
- Self-host on any server

**The self-hosted cloud**

[Official site →](https://nextcloud.com/)

### [Syncthing](https://syncthing.net/)

Free forever MPL-2.0 · Windows, macOS, Linux, Android

- Peer-to-peer file sync
- No server needed at all
- Private by design

**For serverless private sync**

[Official site →](https://syncthing.net/)

## Which one should you pick?

- **Nextcloud:** The self-hosted cloud
- **Syncthing:** For serverless private sync

## Frequently asked questions

### How much does self-hosting cost?

A small VPS runs Nextcloud for a few dollars a month, or free on hardware you already own.

### Can I share files with links?

Yes, Nextcloud generates share links with passwords and expiry dates, like Dropbox.

### Is Syncthing hard to set up?

No, install on two devices, pair them with a code, and folders sync automatically.

## More open source alternatives

- [TeamViewer](/open-source-alternative-to-teamviewer/)
- [Zoom](/open-source-alternative-to-zoom/)
- [Minecraft](/open-source-alternative-to-minecraft/)
- [SketchUp](/open-source-alternative-to-sketchup/)

[← All open source alternatives](/open-source-alternatives/)