Seafile vs Proton Drive
Both are free/open-source alternatives to Dropbox. Here's how they stack up — verified facts, no spin.
Seafile
Fast, reliable self-hosted file sync and share.
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.
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
| Seafile | Proton Drive | |
|---|---|---|
| Sovereignty Score | 86 | 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 self-host (Community Edition); paid Pro tier | Free tier (a few GB); paid from about $4/month (or bundled in Proton Unlimited) |
Seafile edges it on the Sovereignty Score, but the right pick depends on the trade-offs below.
Seafile
Strengths
- +Fast, reliable sync engine
- +Client-side encryption option
- +Mature clients
Trade-offs
- −Some features are Pro-only
- −Smaller app ecosystem than Nextcloud
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 Licenses and pricing change — spotted something out of date?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.