Nextcloud vs Proton Drive
Both are free/open-source alternatives to Dropbox. Here's how they stack up — verified facts, no spin.
Nextcloud
TOP PICKA full self-hosted cloud: files, sharing, and more.
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.
Proton Drive
End-to-end encrypted cloud storage from the Proton privacy suite.
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.
Side by side
| Nextcloud | Proton Drive | |
|---|---|---|
| Sovereignty Score | 90 | 60 |
| Open source | Yes | No |
| Self-hostable | Yes | No |
| Local-first | No | No |
| License | AGPL-3.0 | Proprietary hosted service (client apps open-source, audited) |
| Pricing | Free / open-source (self-host); paid support/hosting optional | Free tier (a few GB); paid from about $4/month (or bundled in Proton Unlimited) |
Nextcloud is Macrostack's recommended Dropbox alternative, so it's our pick here.
Nextcloud
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
Proton Drive
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
Facts verified 2026-07-04. Licenses and pricing change — spotted something out of date? That's a correction we want.