Dropbox alternatives
Top Cloud Storage & File Sharing like Dropbox
The most popular alternative to Dropbox is Google Drive, which has a free version. Other great alternatives to Dropbox are OneDrive, Box, pCloud, and WeTransfer.
Most alternatives to Dropbox are in the Cloud Storage & File Sharing category, compared here by price, platform and features.
All Dropbox alternatives
Google Drive is Google's file storage and sync service, included with every Google account and shared with Gmail and Google Photos. Files can be shared by link or with specific people, and documents open directly in Google Docs, Sheets and Slides for real-time co-editing. Desktop apps for Windows and Mac can mirror folders or stream files on demand.
12 Google Drive alternativesPros
- Real-time co-editing in Google Docs, Sheets and Slides
- Free storage included with every Google account
- Strong search across files, including text inside PDFs and images
Cons
- Free storage is shared with Gmail and Google Photos
- No official desktop client for Linux
- No end-to-end encryption for personal accounts
Cost / LicenseFreemiumProprietaryCategoriesOneDrive is Microsoft's file storage service, built into Windows and included with Microsoft 365 subscriptions. It syncs folders across devices, can back up the Desktop, Documents and Pictures folders, and lets several people edit Word, Excel and PowerPoint files at the same time. A Personal Vault adds an extra verification step for sensitive files.
12 OneDrive alternativesPros
- Built into Windows and File Explorer, with files on demand
- Real-time co-editing of Word, Excel and PowerPoint files
- Storage comes bundled with Microsoft 365 subscriptions
Cons
- Windows nudges you into folder backup, which can relocate files unexpectedly
- No official Linux client
- The free plan offers little storage
Cost / LicenseFreemiumProprietaryCategoriesBox is a cloud storage and file sharing platform aimed at companies that need control over their documents. It offers granular permissions, version history, single sign-on, compliance tooling and integrations with Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, Slack and many business apps, plus Box AI for asking questions about stored content. A free individual plan is available.
10 Box alternativesPros
- Granular permissions and compliance tools for regulated companies
- Integrates with Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, Slack and many business apps
- Box AI answers questions about stored documents
Cons
- The free plan is limited in storage and file upload size
- Aimed at businesses, less appealing for personal use
- Many admin and security features sit in higher-tier plans
Cost / LicenseFreemiumProprietaryCategoriespCloud is a Swiss cloud storage service that mounts your storage as a virtual drive on Windows, macOS and Linux, so files stay online until you open them. It includes link sharing, automatic phone photo backup, file history and a built-in media player. The paid pCloud Encryption add-on provides client-side encryption, and storage is sold as a subscription or a one-time lifetime plan.
12 pCloud alternativesPros
- Virtual drive saves local disk space on Windows, macOS and Linux
- One-time lifetime plans as an alternative to subscriptions
- Swiss provider with a built-in player for music and video
Cons
- Client-side encryption is a paid add-on
- Collaboration and office editing are limited next to Google Drive or OneDrive
Cost / LicenseFreemiumProprietaryCategoriesWeTransfer is a file transfer service for sending large files and folders by email or with a download link that expires after a set period. Recipients do not need an account to download. The free plan has size and transfer limits, while paid plans raise them and add password protection, longer storage and customizable transfer pages.
8 WeTransfer alternativesPros
- Send large files without the recipient needing an account
- Very simple interface: a transfer takes a few clicks
- Paid plans add passwords and customizable transfer pages
Cons
- Free transfers expire quickly and have size limits
- Not a sync or storage service for ongoing file management
- The free plan shows ads
Cost / LicenseFreemiumProprietaryCategoriesiCloud Drive stores files in Apple's cloud and keeps them in sync across Mac, iPhone and iPad, with access from Windows and from a browser on icloud.com. It is built into the Finder and the Files app, can sync the Mac Desktop and Documents folders, and supports shared folders. Optional Advanced Data Protection extends end-to-end encryption to iCloud Drive.
8 iCloud Drive alternativesPros
- Built into Finder and Files, with seamless sync across Apple devices
- Desktop and Documents folders can sync automatically
- Advanced Data Protection adds end-to-end encryption
Cons
- Small free storage, quickly filled by device backups and photos
- No Android or Linux app, and Windows support is more basic
Cost / LicenseFreemiumProprietaryCategoriesSyncthing continuously synchronizes folders directly between your computers and servers, without storing anything on a third-party cloud. Connections are encrypted and authenticated, devices find each other on the local network or through relays, and per-folder versioning keeps old copies of changed files. It is free, open source and configured through a local web interface.
8 Syncthing alternativesPros
- Syncs directly between your devices with no third-party cloud
- Free and open source, with encrypted connections
- Per-folder versioning keeps copies of changed files
Cons
- Configuration through a web interface is less approachable for non-technical users
- Devices must be online at the same time to sync
- No official mobile apps
Cost / LicenseFreeOpen sourceCategoriesPlatformsMEGA is a cloud storage service from New Zealand that encrypts files on your device before upload, with keys derived from your password. It offers sync clients for Windows, macOS and Linux, mobile apps with camera uploads, encrypted share links and built-in chat and video meetings. A free plan is available alongside paid plans with more storage and transfer quota.
11 MEGA alternativesPros
- Files are encrypted on your device before upload
- Clients for every major desktop and mobile platform
- Built-in encrypted chat and video meetings
Cons
- Transfer quotas can slow down downloads on free accounts
- Losing both your password and recovery key means losing your data
Cost / LicenseFreemiumProprietaryCategoriesNextcloud is an open source platform you install on your own server to sync and share files, keeping data under your control instead of with a third-party cloud. Beyond file storage with desktop and mobile clients, its app store adds calendars, contacts, video calls (Talk), online office editing and many other extensions. Self-hosting is free, and Nextcloud GmbH sells enterprise support.
12 Nextcloud alternativesPros
- Keeps files on your own server instead of a third-party cloud
- App store adds calendars, contacts, Talk calls and office editing
- Desktop and mobile clients for every major platform
Cons
- Installing, securing and updating the server is your responsibility
- Performance can be sluggish without careful server tuning
- Quality varies across third-party apps
Cost / LicenseFreemiumOpen sourceCategoriesSync.com is a Canadian cloud storage service with end-to-end encryption, which means the company cannot read the files you store. It syncs folders on Windows and macOS, backs up photos from iOS and Android, keeps previous file versions and offers share links with optional passwords and expiry dates. Business plans add team folders and admin controls.
11 Sync.com alternativesPros
- Zero-knowledge encryption means the provider cannot read your files
- Share links with optional passwords and expiry dates
- Version history and photo backup from iOS and Android
Cons
- No desktop client for Linux
- Syncing and uploads can be slower than with mainstream services
- Few integrations with third-party apps
Cost / LicenseFreemiumProprietaryCategoriesProton Drive is the encrypted cloud storage service of Proton, the Swiss company behind Proton Mail. Files and file names are end-to-end encrypted, the apps are open source and files can be shared through password-protected links. It offers desktop sync on Windows and macOS, mobile photo backup and a free plan, with more space in Proton's paid bundles.
12 Proton Drive alternativesPros
- Files and file names are end-to-end encrypted
- Open source apps from a Swiss privacy-focused company
- Password-protected share links and mobile photo backup
Cons
- No desktop app for Linux
- Fewer third-party app integrations than mainstream clouds
- The free plan offers limited storage
Cost / LicenseFreemiumOpen sourceCategoriesKoofr is a privacy-focused cloud storage service from Slovenia that keeps data in the EU. Besides its own storage, it can connect Dropbox, Google Drive and OneDrive accounts so you can browse and move files between them in one place. It has desktop sync apps, mobile photo backup, share links and Koofr Vault, an open source end-to-end encrypted folder.
9 Koofr alternativesPros
- Data stays in the EU with a privacy-focused European provider
- Connects Dropbox, Google Drive and OneDrive in one interface
- Koofr Vault adds an open source end-to-end encrypted folder
Cons
- Standard storage is not end-to-end encrypted outside Vault
- Fewer collaboration features than the big cloud providers
Cost / LicenseFreemiumProprietaryCategories
Dropbox vs its alternatives at a glance
Pricing, platforms and the key features of Dropbox, compared with its most popular alternatives.
| App | Pricing | Platforms | File sync | File versioning | Integrations | Large file transfer | Link sharing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Dropbox | Freemium | Web, Windows, Mac, Linux, iPhone, Android | |||||
 Google Drive | Freemium | Web, Windows, Mac, iPhone, Android | |||||
 OneDrive | Freemium | Web, Windows, Mac, iPhone, Android | |||||
 Box | Freemium | Web, Windows, Mac, iPhone, Android | |||||
 pCloud | Freemium | Web, Windows, Mac, Linux, iPhone, Android | |||||
 WeTransfer | Freemium | Web, iPhone, Android |
Dropbox alternatives: frequently asked questions
What is the best alternative to Dropbox?
The most popular alternative to Dropbox is Google Drive: Cloud storage tied to Google Docs, Sheets and Gmail. Other great alternatives are OneDrive, Box, pCloud, and WeTransfer.
Is there a free alternative to Dropbox?
Yes, 12 alternatives are free or have a free plan, including Google Drive, OneDrive, Box, and pCloud.
Is there an open source alternative to Dropbox?
Yes, 3 open source alternatives are listed, including Syncthing, Nextcloud, and Proton Drive.
Is Dropbox free?
Dropbox has a free plan, with paid plans that unlock more features.
Compare Dropbox with its alternatives
Sponsored listings and products made by the publisher of this site are always labeled. How we rank · Know a good alternative? Submit it