# Open-source alternatives to Dropbox

> Open-source alternatives to Dropbox that run locally, allow commercial use and need no paid API include Syncthing (desktop folder sync across devices and file version history and recovery; MPL-2.0), FileBrowser Quantum (share links and shared folders and browse and manage files in a web app; Apache-2.0; runs on CPU) and OpenCloud (desktop folder sync across devices, share links and shared folders and browse and manage files in a web app; Apache-2.0; runs on CPU). Nextcloud Server covers all 5 Dropbox jobs.

Dropbox: Hosted cloud storage with desktop and mobile apps that keep a folder in sync across devices, plus share links, file version history and recovery, camera uploads and team folders. Storage space, history length and transfer limits grow with paid plans. Pricing: See pricing page (checked 2026-10-16). Facts checked 2026-10-16.

## Projects

| Project | Jobs | Runs locally | Commercial use | Paid services | Hardware |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| [Immich](https://repoquarry.dev/projects/immich) | mobile-photo-backup, photo-face-object-search, shared-albums, photo-timeline-map | Self-hosted with Docker Compose | AGPL code is fine commercially, but the default InsightFace face models are non-commercial; FUTO also sets commercial guidelines | None; optional one-time product key supports development and unlocks nothing | Minimum 6 GB RAM and 2 cores (8 GB, 4 cores recommended); 4 GB works with machine learning disabled |
| [Nextcloud Server](https://repoquarry.dev/projects/nextcloud-server) | desktop-file-sync, file-share-links, file-version-history, web-file-access, mobile-photo-backup | Self-hosted on your own server, or hosted by a Nextcloud provider | Yes under AGPL-3.0 copyleft terms; modified network deployments must share source | None required; Nextcloud Enterprise (paid support) and hosted providers are optional | At least 128 MB RAM per PHP process, 512 MB recommended |
| [Syncthing](https://repoquarry.dev/projects/syncthing) | desktop-file-sync, file-version-history | Yes, runs on each of your devices; no server or cloud | Yes; MPL-2.0 allows commercial use, changes to MPL files must stay open | None; no paid tier or cloud service involved | Not documented |
| [Seafile](https://repoquarry.dev/projects/seafile) | desktop-file-sync, file-share-links, file-version-history, web-file-access | Self-hosted server with Docker; desktop and mobile clients | Community Edition under AGPL/GPL/Apache terms; Professional Edition is proprietary and needs a paid licence above three users | None for Community Edition; Professional Edition (clustering, SeaSearch) is paid beyond three users | Community Edition with Docker - 2 cores, 2 GB RAM, 10 GB disk (50 GB+ recommended) |
| [Ente Photos](https://repoquarry.dev/projects/ente-photos) | mobile-photo-backup, photo-face-object-search, shared-albums | Self-hosted server with Docker Compose, or Ente's hosted service | AGPL-3.0; network copyleft applies to modified servers | None when self-hosting; Ente's hosted storage is paid beyond 10 GB free | Self-hosted server needs at least 1 GB RAM and 1 CPU core, plus object storage |
| [FileBrowser Quantum](https://repoquarry.dev/projects/filebrowser-quantum) | web-file-access, file-share-links | Self-hosted binary or Docker container | Yes, Apache-2.0 | None; the project says it will stay free | About 512 MB minimum memory (README comparison chart); Docker image ~180 MB with ffmpeg |
| [OpenCloud](https://repoquarry.dev/projects/opencloud) | desktop-file-sync, file-share-links, web-file-access | Self-hosted single binary or Docker Compose | Yes, Apache-2.0 | None required; OpenCloud GmbH sells enterprise support separately | Minimum 1 GHz single core and 512 MB RAM for up to 10 users; dual core and 8 GB RAM for up to 1,000 users |
| [Pydio Cells](https://repoquarry.dev/projects/pydio-cells) | desktop-file-sync, file-share-links, web-file-access | Self-hosted binary or Docker, with a MySQL/MariaDB database | Home edition usable under AGPLv3; Connect/Enterprise editions are paid | None for Home; Connect/Enterprise add support, security and compliance features (e.g. audit service) | 64-bit AMD or ARM CPU, 2+ cores recommended, 4 GB RAM |
| [ownCloud Infinite Scale (oCIS)](https://repoquarry.dev/projects/owncloud-ocis) | desktop-file-sync, file-share-links, web-file-access | Self-hosted single binary or Docker container | Source is Apache-2.0, but the EULA on official builds forbids commercial use (e.g. SaaS); private and in-house business use allowed | None required for private or in-house use | 512 MB RAM for testing (e.g. Raspberry Pi 4); multicore with 4 GB RAM recommended for heavier testing |
| [FileRise](https://repoquarry.dev/projects/filerise) | web-file-access, file-share-links | Self-hosted with Docker or on a Linux PHP web server | Yes, MIT Core | None for Core; FileRise Pro adds user groups, client portals, extra storage sources, automation, audit logs and AI | Not documented |

## Common questions

### Is there a free, open-source alternative to Dropbox?

Yes. Nextcloud Server, Seafile, OpenCloud, Pydio Cells and ownCloud Infinite Scale (oCIS) are free to download and run on your own computer without paid API keys. Nextcloud Server covers every job we list for Dropbox; the others cover only part of it, so check which job you need.

### Can I do desktop folder sync across devices locally without a Dropbox subscription?

Yes, with Nextcloud Server (AGPL-3.0-or-later), Seafile (AGPL-3.0-only) and OpenCloud (Apache-2.0). Check the hardware notes and licence conditions on each page before you start.

### Can I do share links and shared folders locally without a Dropbox subscription?

Yes, with Nextcloud Server (AGPL-3.0-or-later), Seafile (AGPL-3.0-only) and FileBrowser Quantum (Apache-2.0). Check the hardware notes and licence conditions on each page before you start.

### Which Dropbox alternatives can I use commercially?

Confirmed: FileBrowser Quantum, FileRise, OpenCloud and Syncthing. With conditions: Ente Photos, Nextcloud Server, ownCloud Infinite Scale (oCIS), Pydio Cells and Seafile. Not for commercial use: Immich, usually because the model weights are non-commercial. This is not legal advice; read each licence.

### Does any open-source project replace all of Dropbox?

Nextcloud Server covers every job we list for Dropbox.

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Source: RepoQuarry (https://repoquarry.dev/alternatives/dropbox). Data licence: CC BY 4.0. Quotes are from project documentation and belong to their authors.