Open source alternatives · System
Open Source Alternative to Dropbox
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
| Alternative | License | Platforms | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nextcloud | AGPL-3.0 | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, web | The self-hosted cloud |
| Syncthing | MPL-2.0 | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android | For serverless private sync |
Nextcloud
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
Syncthing
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
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.