Alternatives / Dropbox
Looking for an open source Dropbox alternative? We compared 14 open source file sync, sharing, and cloud storage tools by license, self-hosting, encryption, collaboration, and pricing. They range from full collaboration suites to encrypted drives and file managers for existing storage.
Written by Maxime DERAME
Last updated:
| Alternative | Best for | License |
|---|---|---|
| Puter | Browser-based personal cloud OS | AGPL-3.0 |
| Nextcloud | File sync and team collaboration | AGPL-3.0-or-later |
| Spacedrive | Unified file manager across devices | FSL-1.1-ALv2 |
| Ente | Encrypted photos and videos | AGPL-3.0 |
| Filestash | Web interface for existing storage | AGPL-3.0 |
| Seafile | Fast file sync and sharing | AGPL-3.0 server / GPL-2.0 client / Apache-2.0 components |
| OpenCloud | GDPR-focused organizations | Apache-2.0 backend / AGPL-3.0 web components |
| Papra | Document archiving | AGPL-3.0 |
| Sync-in | Data sovereignty and WebDAV | AGPL-3.0-or-later |
| Peergos | Peer-to-peer encrypted storage | AGPL-3.0 core |
| ownCloud | Enterprise file sync and share | Apache-2.0 backend / AGPL-3.0 web client |
| Hoodik | Lightweight encrypted drive | CC BY-NC 4.0 |
| Twake Drive | Private business file storage | AGPL-3.0 |
| Firefiles | S3 bucket file manager | AGPL-3.0 |
We looked for projects that cover Dropbox's core: storing, syncing, and sharing files across devices. We verified each project's license, recent activity, stars, and self-hosting options in its GitHub repository. Dropbox is a hosted service, so the list mixes full sync platforms, encrypted drives, document archives, and web file managers that sit on top of storage you already have. We flag projects that are source available or use non-commercial licenses. See our methodology for the full criteria.
Spacedrive uses the Functional Source License (FSL-1.1-ALv2), which is source available and converts to Apache-2.0 after two years. Hoodik uses CC BY-NC 4.0, a non-commercial license that is not OSI-approved open source, so it is unsuitable for business use. Seafile, OpenCloud, and ownCloud mix licenses across components, and Peergos is AGPL-3.0 at its core.
Nextcloud, Seafile, OpenCloud, ownCloud, Sync-in, and Twake Drive are full sync-and-share platforms with desktop and mobile clients. Filestash and Firefiles are web interfaces over storage you already have, such as S3, SFTP, or WebDAV, and do not provide storage themselves. Papra archives documents, and Spacedrive unifies files across devices.
Ente, Peergos, and Hoodik encrypt files on the client before upload. Peergos adds a peer-to-peer architecture, and Ente focuses on photos and videos rather than general files. Nextcloud, Seafile, and Twake Drive offer encryption options with different trade-offs for features such as search and web editing.
Nextcloud adds calendars, chat, video calls, and real-time document editing. OpenCloud, ownCloud, Sync-in, and Twake Drive integrate office suites such as OnlyOffice or Collabora, while Seafile offers real-time co-editing and file properties. Choose a full suite if you want to replace Dropbox Paper or Microsoft 365 integrations as well.
Firefiles has had no commits since November 2025, so check it against your needs. Most other projects, including Nextcloud, Puter, Ente, Filestash, Sync-in, OpenCloud, and ownCloud, were updated within days of this update.
Dropbox is a proprietary cloud storage service whose data lives on its servers and whose storage and features depend on paid plans. Open-source alternatives let you host your own files, choose where data is stored, encrypt it end to end, and avoid per-seat pricing, at the cost of running and maintaining the service yourself.
| Alternative | Type | License | Self-hosted | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Puter | Cloud OS | AGPL-3.0 | Yes | Personal web desktop |
| Nextcloud | Sync and collaboration | AGPL-3.0-or-later | Yes | Teams and organizations |
| Spacedrive | File manager | FSL-1.1-ALv2 | Yes | Cross-device file access |
| Ente | Encrypted photo storage | AGPL-3.0 | Yes | Private photos and videos |
| Filestash | Storage frontend | AGPL-3.0 | Yes | Multi-backend file access |
| Seafile | Sync and share | AGPL-3.0 server / GPL-2.0 client | Yes | Team file sync |
| OpenCloud | Sync and collaboration | Apache-2.0 / AGPL-3.0 | Yes | Public sector and research |
| Papra | Document archive | AGPL-3.0 | Yes | Document workflows |
| Sync-in | Sync and collaboration | AGPL-3.0-or-later | Yes | Data sovereignty |
| Peergos | P2P encrypted storage | AGPL-3.0 core | Yes | Privacy-first users |
| ownCloud | Sync and share | Apache-2.0 / AGPL-3.0 | Yes | Regulated enterprises |
| Hoodik | Encrypted drive | CC BY-NC 4.0 | Yes | Personal use only |
| Twake Drive | Storage and sharing | AGPL-3.0 | Yes | Private business storage |
| Firefiles | S3 file manager | AGPL-3.0 | Yes | Existing S3 buckets |
Want the most complete Dropbox replacement
Nextcloud combines file sync, sharing, version history, real-time editing, calendar, chat, and video calls with a large app ecosystem.
Want fast, reliable file sync
Seafile focuses on file synchronization with libraries, version history, permissions, and collaborative features.
Want an enterprise platform with compliance
ownCloud Infinite Scale offers spaces, granular sharing, multi-factor authentication, and office integrations for regulated organizations.
Want a modern, cloud-native platform
OpenCloud combines spaces, sync, sharing, and office integrations with a cloud-native Apache-2.0 backend.
Want end-to-end encrypted photos and videos
Ente encrypts photos and videos with automatic backup and sharing, and it can be self-hosted.
Want a web UI for your S3 or SFTP storage
Filestash connects to S3, SFTP, FTP, WebDAV, and Samba with previews, SSO, and plugins.
Want decentralized encrypted storage
Peergos encrypts on the client with peer-to-peer sharing, versioning, and user-controlled data.
Want to archive and search documents
Papra ingests documents by email, organizes them with tags, and provides search, but it is not a sync tool.