Alternatives to Seafile

Self-hosted file sync and share with optional client-side encryption. The listings below can replace it for an important use case. Each note says what changes if you switch.

Replacements

Listings that take over the same core job as Seafile.

  • Nextcloud

    A file sync and collaboration server you run yourself, with desktop and mobile clients that behave like Dropbox.

    FreemiumOpen sourceWindowsmacOSLinuxAndroidiOSSelf-hostedWeb

    Nextcloud is a GPL-2.0 self-hosted server that adds calendar, contacts and an app store, but performance depends heavily on database and PHP configuration.

  • ownCloud

    Self-hosted file sync and share platform for teams.

    FreemiumOpen sourceWindowsmacOSLinuxAndroidiOSWebSelf-hosted

    ownCloud offers self-hosted sync and share with external storage mounts, but it is split between the classic PHP server and the newer Infinite Scale rewrite.

  • ownCloud Infinite Scale

    Go rewrite of ownCloud built as microservices with no database.

    FreemiumOpen sourceLinuxWebSelf-hosted

    ownCloud Infinite Scale is an Apache-2.0 Go rewrite that needs no database, but it runs on Linux servers and its feature parity with classic ownCloud still differs.

  • Pydio Cells

    Self-hosted document sharing and management platform.

    FreemiumOpen sourceWindowsmacOSLinuxWebSelf-hosted

    Pydio Cells is an AGPL-3.0 single Go binary with granular permissions, workflows and audit trails, but it is heavier to operate than a simple sync server.

  • FileRun

    Self-hosted file manager and sync server that uses your existing folders.

    PaidProprietaryWindowsLinuxWebSelf-hosted

    FileRun serves your existing folder structure with previews, WebDAV and sync clients, but it needs a paid licence beyond a small free tier and is not open source.

  • Peergos

    Self-hostable encrypted storage that hides sharing metadata as well as content.

    FreemiumOpen sourceWebSelf-hosted

    Peergos is AGPL-3.0 self-hostable encrypted storage that also hides sharing metadata, but its client polish and performance trail larger options like Seafile.

  • Syncthing

    Keeps folders identical across your own machines, directly between them, with no cloud account in the middle.

    FreeOpen sourceWindowsmacOSLinuxCommand lineSelf-hosted

    Syncthing drops the central server entirely and syncs folders directly between your machines, so both devices must be online at the same time.

  • Dropbox

    The original file sync service, with clients on every platform.

    FreemiumProprietaryWindowsmacOSLinuxAndroidiOSWeb

    Dropbox is a hosted, closed-source service with clients on every platform and smart sync, but files are unencrypted from the provider's point of view.

Also worth comparing

These listings name Seafile as their own alternative, so the relationship runs both ways.

  • Box

    Enterprise content platform with governance and compliance controls.

    FreemiumProprietaryWindowsmacOSAndroidiOSWeb

    Seafile is self-hosted and open source, with block-level sync, deduplication and per-library client-side encryption, though some features require the paid Professional edition.

  • Cloudreve

    A self-hosted cloud storage and file sharing system that works with multiple storage backends.

    FreemiumOpen sourceWebSelf-hosted

    Seafile adds block-level sync, deduplication and per-library client-side encryption with native clients, though some features need the paid Professional edition.

  • OpenCloud

    An open-source, self-hosted platform for file management, sharing and collaboration from the Heinlein Group.

    FreemiumOpen sourceWebSelf-hosted

    Seafile uses block-level sync and per-library client-side encryption, but needs a database and some features are in the paid Professional edition.

  • Resilio Sync

    Peer-to-peer file sync with no cloud server in the middle.

    FreeProprietaryWindowsmacOSLinuxAndroidiOS

    Seafile uses a self-hosted server with block-level sync and optional per-library client-side encryption, which adds a database and upgrade handling to manage.

  • Synology Drive

    A file sync and sharing package for Synology NAS devices, with desktop and mobile clients.

    FreeProprietaryWindowsmacOSAndroidiOSWebSelf-hosted

    Seafile is open-source self-hosted sync with block-level deduplication and per-library client-side encryption, not tied to NAS hardware, though self-hosting requires a database.

Similar software

Related functionality, not a direct replacement.