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 Google Drive
Keep your files on storage you control. Nextcloud, OpenCloud, Seafile and ownCloud Infinite Scale give you a Drive-style web interface, sharing links and desktop sync on your own server. Syncthing skips the server entirely and syncs folders directly between your devices.
Category: File storage & sync · GitHub data as of Oct 29, 2026 · FAQ · Cost & self-hosting
Google Drive price change: Business Standard went from $12 to $14 per user per month when Gemini AI was bundled into the plan. (effective Jan 16, 2025, details and sources)
| 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 |
| OpenCloud Active Apache-2.0 | A self-hosted platform for file storage, sharing and collaboration, with web, desktop and mobile apps. | Apache-2.0 | 6.3k | Oct 28, 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?
5 of 5 Google Drive 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)
- OpenCloud: active, last activity Oct 29, 2026 (0 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 Google Drive costs
Google Drive: current plans and prices are on Google Drive's pricing page. Its most recent price change we track took effect on Jan 16, 2025 (see the price tracker).
| 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. |
| OpenCloud | Your server | $0 (Apache-2.0) | 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, OpenCloud 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
OpenCloud
A self-hosted platform for file storage, sharing and collaboration, with web, desktop and mobile apps.
6.3k GitHub stars · Apache-2.0 · last code push Oct 29, 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
Google Drive alternatives: common questions
What is the best open-source alternative to Google Drive?
It depends on how you use Google Drive. Of the 5 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, OpenCloud and ownCloud Infinite Scale.
Is there a self-hosted Google Drive alternative?
Yes. Nextcloud, Seafile, OpenCloud 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 Google Drive?
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 Google Drive alternatives still maintained?
As of Oct 29, 2026, 5 of 5 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 Google Drive?
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.
Related swaps
Know a project we missed, or maintain one listed here? Tell us. Maintainers can add a live status badge to their README.
Get new open-source swaps by email
One short email a week: newly listed projects, big releases, and projects that went quiet. No spam.