#1★ TOP PICK
Nextcloud
A full self-hosted cloud: files, sharing, and more.
90
OPEN SOURCEAGPL-3.0SELF-HOST★ 36k·updated 2 mo ago
Nextcloud is the most complete open-source Dropbox replacement — file sync and sharing plus calendars, contacts, and an app ecosystem — all on a server you control. It is the best all-round fit when you want Dropbox-style features without the cloud.
Strengths
- +Closest all-round Dropbox replacement
- +Sync, sharing, and an app ecosystem
- +You own 100% of the data
Trade-offs
- −You run and back up the server
- −Fuller stack than a pure sync tool
Free / open-source (self-host); paid support/hosting optional #2
CryptPad
End-to-end-encrypted collaborative documents where the server never sees your content.
92
OPEN SOURCEAGPL-3.0SELF-HOSTLOCAL-FIRST★ 7.8k·updated 2 mo ago
CryptPad is a privacy-first collaboration suite built around end-to-end encryption: documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and more are encrypted in your browser, so a self-hosted or public server stores only ciphertext and cannot read your content. It supports real-time co-editing, shared folders, and a range of app types, and it is AGPL-3.0 licensed and self-hostable via Docker or a Debian install. Developed by XWiki SAS with public-interest funding, it also runs a free public instance at cryptpad.fr. It is the strongest choice when confidentiality is the priority; the trade-off is that it is a distinct web workspace rather than a drop-in Microsoft-format editor.
Strengths
- +AGPL-3.0 licensed and self-hostable via Docker or Debian, so you can own the whole stack
- +End-to-end encryption means the server stores only encrypted data and cannot read your documents
- +Real-time collaborative documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and shared drives in the browser
- +A free public instance (cryptpad.fr) lets you try it with no setup
- +Actively maintained by XWiki SAS with sustained public-interest funding
Trade-offs
- −It is a browser-based encrypted workspace, not a full desktop suite or a drop-in Microsoft-format editor
- −Compatibility with complex Microsoft documents is more limited than ONLYOFFICE or LibreOffice
- −The encryption model means account recovery and some integrations work differently from conventional suites
- −Self-hosting requires running a server, and encrypted real-time editing is heavier than plain document storage
Free / self-host; free public instance at cryptpad.fr #3
Seafile
Fast, reliable self-hosted file sync and share.
86
OPEN SOURCEAGPL-3.0SELF-HOST★ 15k·updated 2 mo ago
Seafile is an open-source file-sync-and-share platform known for fast, reliable syncing and client-side encryption options. Its Community Edition is self-hostable and a strong choice when raw sync performance matters.
Strengths
- +Fast, reliable sync engine
- +Client-side encryption option
- +Mature clients
Trade-offs
- −Some features are Pro-only
- −Smaller app ecosystem than Nextcloud
Free self-host (Community Edition); paid Pro tier #4
Internxt
Open-source, zero-knowledge encrypted storage with lifetime plans.
68
OPEN SOURCEAGPL-3.0
Internxt is an open-source, zero-knowledge cloud storage service — every file is end-to-end encrypted with AES-256 (and, since 2026, post-quantum Kyber), and the code is public on GitHub. It's a hosted service rather than something you self-host, so it sits between Nextcloud's full ownership and Dropbox's convenience: open, encrypted, EU-based storage with zero setup. There's a 10GB free tier and one-time lifetime plans if you'd rather not pay monthly.
Strengths
- +Open-source apps; zero-knowledge AES-256 plus post-quantum encryption
- +EU-based (GDPR), privacy-first
- +Free tier and one-time lifetime options
Trade-offs
- −A hosted service — you don't self-host it
- −Newer and smaller than Dropbox; fewer integrations
- −Desktop sync less mature than the incumbents
10GB free; 200GB ~€3.49/mo; 2TB ~€8.99/mo; lifetime plans from ~€135 one-time #5
Proton Drive
End-to-end encrypted cloud storage from the Proton privacy suite.
60
SOURCE-AVAILABLEProprietary hosted service (client apps open-source, audited)
Proton Drive is hosted, end-to-end encrypted cloud storage and file sync from the Swiss privacy company Proton. Like the rest of Proton, its apps are open-source and audited, but the service is hosted on Proton's servers — not self-hostable. It's the easy private-cloud option for people who won't run Nextcloud or Syncthing themselves.
Strengths
- +End-to-end encrypted — Proton cannot read your files
- +Open-source, independently audited client apps
- +Zero setup — nothing to host or maintain
- +Swiss privacy jurisdiction
Trade-offs
- −Hosted on Proton's servers — not self-hostable
- −The service is proprietary; only the client apps are open
- −Files live in Proton's cloud, not on your own hardware
- −Less storage per dollar than raw self-hosting
Free tier (a few GB); paid from about $4/month (or bundled in Proton Unlimited) #6
pCloud
Swiss hosted storage with true lifetime plans — the commercial pick.
38
SOURCE-AVAILABLEProprietary
pCloud is a polished, proprietary cloud storage service from Switzerland, best known for genuine one-time lifetime plans — pay once, keep the storage for good. It's the honest “I just want reliable storage and hate subscriptions” pick. It's closed-source, and zero-knowledge encryption is a paid Crypto add-on rather than the default (files outside the Crypto folder use standard server-side encryption). If lifetime pricing and a slick app matter more to you than open-source, it's a strong commercial option below the open picks.
Strengths
- +True one-time lifetime plans (pay once)
- +Swiss jurisdiction; polished apps on every platform
- +Built-in media playback and easy file sharing
Trade-offs
- −Closed-source (proprietary)
- −Zero-knowledge encryption is a paid add-on, not the default
- −Best value locked behind a large upfront lifetime payment
Lifetime (one-time) list prices: 500 GB $279 · 2 TB $709 · 10 TB $2,799 — often discounted ($219 / $499 / $1,499 on 2026-09-17). Monthly and annual subscriptions also sold; zero-knowledge pCloud Encryption is a separate paid add-on