Alternatives to Nextcloud
A file sync and collaboration server you run yourself, with desktop and mobile clients that behave like Dropbox. The listings below can replace it for an important use case. Each note says what changes if you switch.
The original
Nextcloud
A file sync and collaboration server you run yourself, with desktop and mobile clients that behave like Dropbox.
Replacements
Listings that take over the same core job as Nextcloud.
ownCloud
Self-hosted file sync and share platform for teams.
ownCloud is a related self-hosted sync and share platform with clients for every major platform and external storage mounts, now split between the classic server and Infinite Scale.
Seafile
Self-hosted file sync and share with optional client-side encryption.
Seafile focuses on file sync with block-level transfer, deduplication and per-library client-side encryption instead of calendar, contacts and an app store, with some features in a paid edition.
ownCloud Infinite Scale
Go rewrite of ownCloud built as microservices with no database.
ownCloud Infinite Scale is an Apache-2.0 Go rewrite that needs no database and deploys as a single binary or container, though parity with classic ownCloud still differs.
Pydio Cells
Self-hosted document sharing and management platform.
Pydio Cells is an AGPL-3.0 Go binary centred on document sharing with granular permissions, workflows and audit trails, but it is heavier to operate than simple sync.
FileRun
Self-hosted file manager and sync server that uses your existing folders.
FileRun works on your existing folder structure with previews, WebDAV and sync clients, but it is closed source and needs a paid licence beyond a small free tier.
Peergos
Self-hostable encrypted storage that hides sharing metadata as well as content.
Peergos is AGPL-3.0 self-hostable storage that encrypts content and hides sharing metadata, but it has a smaller ecosystem, less polished clients and modest performance.
Dropbox
The original file sync service, with clients on every platform.
Dropbox removes the need to run a server and has a mature sync engine with smart sync, but files sit on its servers unencrypted from its point of view.
Google Drive
Google's cloud storage and file sharing service with desktop sync and mobile apps.
Google Drive is hosted with 15 GB free and Docs, Sheets and Slides integration, but it needs a Google account and has no official Linux desktop client.
Also worth comparing
These listings name Nextcloud as their own alternative, so the relationship runs both ways.
Syncthing
Keeps folders identical across your own machines, directly between them, with no cloud account in the middle.
Nextcloud replaces device-to-device sync with a self-hosted server and clients for all platforms including iOS, so you must maintain the server's updates and backups.
Box
Enterprise content platform with governance and compliance controls.
Nextcloud is open source under GPL-2.0 and runs on your own server, so data stays on your hardware, but updates, backups and certificates become your job.
Filen
German end-to-end encrypted cloud storage with open-source clients.
Nextcloud swaps a hosted encrypted service for an open-source server you run yourself, so storage is limited only by your own disk and maintenance is yours.
iCloud Drive
Apple's cloud storage, integrated across macOS, iOS and Windows.
Nextcloud is open-source software you host yourself with clients for all major platforms, so storage is your own disk but server maintenance is yours.
Internxt
Open-source, end-to-end encrypted cloud storage and photo backup.
Nextcloud moves your files onto a GPL-2.0 server you run yourself, removing hosted storage limits, but adds the work of updates, backups and certificates.
Microsoft OneDrive
Microsoft's cloud storage, built into Windows and Microsoft 365.
Nextcloud is an open-source GPL-2.0 server you run yourself, with Linux clients and virtual files, so storage is your own disk and maintenance is yours.
Resilio Sync
Peer-to-peer file sync with no cloud server in the middle.
Nextcloud replaces peer-to-peer sync with a self-hosted GPL-2.0 server, so devices need not be online together, but you maintain updates, backups and certificates.
Tresorit
Swiss zero-knowledge encrypted storage aimed at businesses.
Nextcloud lets a business self-host GPL-2.0 file sync on its own hardware for full data control, but the team takes on running and upgrading the server.
Similar software
Related functionality, not a direct replacement.
Rclone
A command line tool that syncs, copies and mounts files across more than seventy cloud storage services.
Immich
A self-hosted photo and video backup platform with mobile apps, aimed at replacing Google Photos.
FreeFileSync
Compares two folders, shows exactly what differs, and copies only what changed.
Garage
Distributed S3-compatible object store built for unreliable hardware.
