Self-Hosted Dropbox Alternatives for File Sync & Sharing

These self-hosted Dropbox alternatives sync and share files from storage you own. Dropbox lists Plus at $9.99 per month and Standard at $15 per user per month (Dropbox plans, checked 2026-10-26). Compare the picks below and choose between a full sync server and peer-to-peer sync.

Compare the top picks

Keep your files on hardware you control. These open-source tools cover full sync-and-share servers, peer-to-peer sync and web front ends for storage you already own. Every license below was checked against the project repo.

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Quick comparison

Name	License	Language	Docker?	Last commit
Nextcloud	AGPL-3.0	PHP	See docs	2026-10-26
ownCloud Infinite Scale	Apache-2.0	Go	Yes	2026-10-26
Seafile	AGPL-3.0	C	See docs	2026-10-20
Syncthing	MPL-2.0	Go	Yes	2026-10-26
Pydio Cells	AGPL-3.0	Go	See docs	2026-10-26
Filestash	AGPL-3.0	Go	See docs	2026-10-26

License, stars and last commit checked against the GitHub API and repo files on 2026-10-26.

Listings

Nextcloud

Self-hosted file sync, sharing and collaboration suite

AGPL-3.0 · OSIPHPHosted option★ 37,302 as of 2026-10-26

nextcloud/server is AGPL-3.0 per GitHub license metadata.

Pros

Most complete Dropbox/Drive replacement (files, calendar, office via apps)
Huge app ecosystem and community

Cons

PHP stack needs tuning for performance
Many moving parts to maintain

Website Source Deploy on RepoCloud

Last commit (default branch): 2026-10-26 · Last verified: 2026-10-26

ownCloud Infinite Scale

Go rewrite of ownCloud for file sync and sharing

Apache-2.0 · OSIGoDocker★ 2,168 as of 2026-10-26

Apache-2.0 per GitHub license metadata.

Pros

Single Go service, no PHP/database required by default
Apache-2.0 license

Cons

Smaller app ecosystem than Nextcloud
Docs split between oCIS and classic ownCloud

Website Source

Last commit (default branch): 2026-10-26 · Last verified: 2026-10-26

Seafile

Fast file sync and share with block-level syncing

AGPL-3.0 · OSICHosted option★ 548 as of 2026-10-26

Seafile server: AGPL-3.0 with an OpenSSL linking exception (python/ directory Apache-2.0), per LICENSE.txt. Desktop client repo haiwen/seafile is GPLv2. GitHub reports NOASSERTION.

Pros

Efficient sync for large libraries
Mature project with desktop and mobile clients

Cons

Pro edition features are paid
Fewer built-in collaboration apps than Nextcloud

Website Source

Last commit (default branch): 2026-10-20 · Last verified: 2026-10-26

Syncthing

Peer-to-peer continuous file synchronization

MPL-2.0 · OSIGoDocker★ 89,772 as of 2026-10-26

MPL-2.0 per GitHub license metadata.

Pros

No central server required
Very popular and actively developed

Cons

No web sharing links like Dropbox
Every device must run Syncthing

Website Source

Last commit (default branch): 2026-10-26 · Last verified: 2026-10-26

Pydio Cells

File sharing and collaboration platform written in Go

AGPL-3.0 · OSIGo★ 2,254 as of 2026-10-26

AGPL-3.0 per GitHub license metadata. Enterprise edition is commercial.

Pros

Granular sharing and permission controls
Go binary, cross-platform

Cons

Enterprise features are paid
Smaller community than Nextcloud

Website Source

Last commit (default branch): 2026-10-26 · Last verified: 2026-10-26

Filestash

Web file manager that fronts S3, SFTP, WebDAV and more

AGPL-3.0 · OSIGo★ 14,829 as of 2026-10-26

AGPL-3.0 per GitHub license metadata.

Pros

Puts a Dropbox-like web UI on storage you already have
Many storage backends

Cons

A web front end, not a desktop sync client
Plugin-based setup has a learning curve

Website Source Deploy on RepoCloud

Last commit (default branch): 2026-10-26 · Last verified: 2026-10-26

Not listed (and why)

File Browser: GitHub repo archived; README: archived on 2026-09-01, no further releases, bug fixes or security fixes.

How to choose

Want a full Dropbox + Google Drive replacement? Nextcloud has the widest app ecosystem; ownCloud Infinite Scale is a leaner Go service.
Only need folders synced between your own devices? Syncthing works peer to peer with no central server.
Already have S3, SFTP or WebDAV storage? Filestash puts a web UI on it; Seafile and Pydio Cells suit larger teams.

FAQ

What is the best self-hosted Dropbox alternative?

For most people who want sync, sharing links and mobile apps, Nextcloud or Seafile. For device-to-device sync with nothing to host, Syncthing.

Are these really open source?

Yes, all listed tools use OSI-approved licenses (AGPL-3.0, Apache-2.0 or MPL-2.0), though several vendors also sell paid enterprise editions with extra features.

Why is File Browser not listed?

Its GitHub repository was archived and its README says there will be no further releases, bug fixes or security fixes, so we do not recommend new deployments.

“Deploy on RepoCloud” buttons appear only where RepoCloud has a page for that app (2 of 6 listings here). “Website” and “Source” links are not affiliate links.