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Nextcloud alternatives

Top Cloud Storage & File Sharing like Nextcloud

The most popular alternative to Nextcloud is Syncthing, which has a free version. Other great alternatives to Nextcloud are Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, and Proton Drive.

Most alternatives to Nextcloud are in the Cloud Storage & File Sharing category, compared here by price, platform and features.

Nextcloud alternatives
AllFreeOpen source
12 apps

All Nextcloud alternatives

  1. Syncthing 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 alternatives

    Pros

    • 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 / License
    FreeOpen source
  2. 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 alternatives

    Pros

    • 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 / License
    FreemiumProprietary
  3. Dropbox keeps a folder in sync across your devices and lets you share files or folders with a link, including with people who have no account. It runs on Windows, macOS and Linux as well as mobile, keeps previous versions of files and can back up phone photos automatically. Paid plans add more storage, large file transfers and team administration.

    12 Dropbox alternatives

    Pros

    • Reliable, fast sync across Windows, macOS, Linux and mobile
    • Share files by link, even with people who have no account
    • Version history and automatic photo backup included

    Cons

    • The free plan offers little storage and limits linked devices
    • Files are not end-to-end encrypted on standard plans
    Cost / License
    FreemiumProprietary
  4. OneDrive 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 alternatives

    Pros

    • 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 / License
    FreemiumProprietary
  5. Proton 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 alternatives

    Pros

    • 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 / License
    FreemiumOpen source
  6. pCloud 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 alternatives

    Pros

    • 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 / License
    FreemiumProprietary
  7. Collabora Online is an open source office suite from Collabora Productivity that runs LibreOffice technology in the browser, on your own server or through a hosting partner. It plugs into Nextcloud, ownCloud, Seafile and similar platforms for co-editing Office and OpenDocument files on infrastructure you control. A free development edition sits alongside paid supported versions and Collabora Office apps.

    9 Collabora Online alternatives

    Pros

    • Open source online office suite you can host on your own servers
    • Integrates with Nextcloud, ownCloud and Seafile for co-editing
    • Keeps documents on infrastructure you control

    Cons

    • Interface feels dated next to Google Docs or Microsoft 365
    • Self-hosting requires server setup and maintenance
    • Supported production versions are paid
    Cost / License
    FreemiumOpen source
  8. Box 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 alternatives

    Pros

    • 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 / License
    FreemiumProprietary
  9. Koofr 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 alternatives

    Pros

    • 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 / License
    FreemiumProprietary
  10. Sync.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 alternatives

    Pros

    • 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 / License
    FreemiumProprietary
  11. Google Workspace groups Gmail, Calendar, Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slides and Meet into a browser-based suite built around real-time collaboration. The apps are free with a personal Google account, while paid business plans add custom-domain email, more storage, admin controls and Gemini AI features. Documents can be edited offline and exported to Microsoft Office formats.

    11 Google Workspace alternatives

    Pros

    • Smooth real-time co-editing in Docs, Sheets and Slides
    • Free to use with a personal Google account
    • Gmail, Drive, Calendar and Meet are tightly integrated

    Cons

    • Fewer advanced features than desktop Office apps
    • Complex Office files may lose formatting on import
    • Custom-domain email and admin tools require paid plans
    Cost / License
    FreemiumProprietary
  12. ONLYOFFICE is an office suite from Ascensio System with editors for documents, spreadsheets, presentations, PDFs and forms, built around Microsoft Office formats. The desktop and mobile apps are free, and the online editors can be self-hosted or integrated into Nextcloud and other platforms, with paid cloud and enterprise editions. It supports real-time co-editing, plugins and AI assistants.

    12 ONLYOFFICE alternatives

    Pros

    • Strong compatibility with Microsoft Office formats
    • Free desktop and mobile apps, plus self-hostable online editors
    • Real-time co-editing and Nextcloud integration

    Cons

    • A self-hosted server needs technical setup
    • Enterprise features and support require paid editions
    • Fewer advanced features than Microsoft Office
    Cost / License
    FreemiumOpen source

Nextcloud vs its alternatives at a glance

Pricing, platforms and the key features of Nextcloud, compared with its most popular alternatives.

Nextcloud vs its alternatives at a glance
AppPricingPlatformsFile syncFile versioningLink sharingPhoto backupPlugins & extensions
NextcloudFreemiumOpen sourceWeb, Windows, Mac, Linux, iPhone, Android, Self-hosted
SyncthingFreeOpen sourceWindows, Mac, Linux, Self-hosted
Google DriveFreemiumWeb, Windows, Mac, iPhone, Android
DropboxFreemiumWeb, Windows, Mac, Linux, iPhone, Android
OneDriveFreemiumWeb, Windows, Mac, iPhone, Android
Proton DriveFreemiumOpen sourceWeb, Windows, Mac, iPhone, Android

Nextcloud alternatives: frequently asked questions

What is the best alternative to Nextcloud?

The most popular alternative to Nextcloud is Syncthing: Open source peer-to-peer file sync between your own devices. Other great alternatives are Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, and Proton Drive.

Is there a free alternative to Nextcloud?

Yes, 12 alternatives are free or have a free plan, including Syncthing, Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive.

Is there an open source alternative to Nextcloud?

Yes, 4 open source alternatives are listed, including Syncthing, Proton Drive, Collabora Online, and ONLYOFFICE.

Is Nextcloud free?

Nextcloud has a free plan, with paid plans that unlock more features.

Compare Nextcloud with its alternatives

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