Syncthing
Open Source Continuous File Synchronization.
89.9k GitHub stars · MPL-2.0 · last code push Oct 29, 2026 · GitHub · Website
Open-source and self-hosted alternatives to Dropbox
Own your file storage. Nextcloud and Seafile run on your server; Syncthing syncs directly between your devices with no central server.
Category: File storage & sync · GitHub data as of Oct 29, 2026 · FAQ · Cost & self-hosting
| Project | What it is | License | GitHub stars | Last release | Runs as | Hosted plan |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Syncthing Active MPL-2.0 | Open Source Continuous File Synchronization. | MPL-2.0 | 89.9k | Oct 21, 2026 | Desktop app | Not confirmed |
| Nextcloud Active AGPL-3.0 | Nextcloud, a self-hosted platform for file sync and sharing, with add-on apps for calendar, contacts and more. | AGPL-3.0 | 37.3k | Oct 15, 2026 | Self-hosted web app | Not confirmed |
| Seafile Active Mixed or custom | Beyond file syncing and sharing, a new way to organize your files with extensible file properties and flexible views. | Mixed or custom | 15.4k | Oct 10, 2026 | Self-hosted web app | Not confirmed |
| ownCloud Infinite Scale Active Apache-2.0 | ownCloud Infinite Scale: a file sync and sharing server, rewritten in Go as the successor to classic ownCloud. | Apache-2.0 | 2.2k | Oct 21, 2026 | Self-hosted web app | Not confirmed |
Are they still maintained?
4 of 4 Dropbox alternatives here had a code push or release in the last 180 days (checked Oct 29, 2026).
- Syncthing: active, last activity Oct 29, 2026 (0 days ago)
- Nextcloud: active, last activity Oct 29, 2026 (0 days ago)
- Seafile: active, last activity Oct 16, 2026 (13 days ago)
- ownCloud Infinite Scale: active, last activity Oct 29, 2026 (0 days ago)
See every project in the "Is it still maintained?" tracker →
What switching from Dropbox costs
Dropbox: current plans and prices are on Dropbox's pricing page.
| Alternative | How you run it | Software cost | What you pay for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Syncthing | Desktop app | $0 (MPL-2.0) | Nothing to host. Install it on your own device. |
| Nextcloud | Your server | $0 (AGPL-3.0) | A server you rent or own, plus your time for updates and backups. |
| Seafile | Your server | $0 (Mixed or custom, check terms) | A server you rent or own, plus your time for updates and backups. |
| ownCloud Infinite Scale | Your server | $0 (Apache-2.0) | A server you rent or own, plus your time for updates and backups. |
Self-hosting basics: Nextcloud, Seafile and ownCloud Infinite Scale need a server, which can be a small cloud server or a spare machine at home. For a sense of scale, DigitalOcean's price list shows a 1 GiB server at $6/month and 2 GiB at $12/month (checked Oct 29, 2026). Check each project's documented requirements before choosing a size, and budget time for updates and backups.
Nothing to host: Syncthing runs on your own computer.
License check: Seafile does not use a single standard open-source license that GitHub can detect. Read the license before using it in a business.
The options in more detail
Nextcloud
Nextcloud, a self-hosted platform for file sync and sharing, with add-on apps for calendar, contacts and more.
37.3k GitHub stars · AGPL-3.0 · last code push Oct 29, 2026 · GitHub · Website
Seafile
Beyond file syncing and sharing, a new way to organize your files with extensible file properties and flexible views.
15.4k GitHub stars · Mixed or custom · last code push Oct 16, 2026 · GitHub · Website
ownCloud Infinite Scale
ownCloud Infinite Scale: a file sync and sharing server, rewritten in Go as the successor to classic ownCloud.
2.2k GitHub stars · Apache-2.0 · last code push Oct 29, 2026 · GitHub · Website
Dropbox alternatives: common questions
What is the best open-source alternative to Dropbox?
It depends on how you use Dropbox. Of the 4 options here, Syncthing is the most followed on GitHub (89.9k stars) and is actively maintained, with its latest release on Oct 21, 2026. If you want an app on your own computer, look at Syncthing. If you need something your whole team can log into, look at Nextcloud, Seafile and ownCloud Infinite Scale.
Is there a self-hosted Dropbox alternative?
Yes. Nextcloud, Seafile and ownCloud Infinite Scale run on a server you control, so your data stays with you. We have not confirmed an official hosted plan for these, so plan on running them yourself or using a third-party host.
Is there a free alternative to Dropbox?
Yes. Every project on this page can be downloaded and used at no cost from its public repository. Syncthing installs on your own device, so it costs nothing to run. Server apps are free software, but you pay for the server they run on. Check the license of Seafile before using it in a business.
Are these Dropbox alternatives still maintained?
As of Oct 29, 2026, 4 of 4 had a code push or release in the last 180 days. None are flagged as inactive or archived. We re-check every project weekly.
How much does it cost to switch from Dropbox?
The software itself is free. Desktop and device apps (Syncthing) cost nothing to run. For server apps, the main cost is hosting: as a reference point, DigitalOcean lists a 1 GiB server at $6/month and a 2 GiB server at $12/month (checked Oct 29, 2026). Check each project's documented requirements before choosing a size. The hidden cost is time: moving your data and, for self-hosted apps, keeping up with updates and backups.
Are all of these really open source?
Not all under a standard license. Seafile: GitHub could not identify a single standard license for this repository (often a mix of open-source and commercial parts). Read the LICENSE file before using it. The others use OSI-approved open-source licenses.
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