Instead of Dropbox

File sync, sharing links and a folder that is everywhere.

Swap it

Sync is a solved problem and Syncthing solves it without a server at all. Nextcloud is the answer if you want the web interface and the sharing links too.

You lose: Selective sync done well, and the papercut-free sharing links.

Start here

Syncthing

MPL-2.0a containeractive

Peer to peer, so there is no web drive and no link to send. Devices must be online.

github.com/syncthing/syncthing syncthing.net

One container, no domain needed.

Also worth a look

NextcloudAGPL-3.0an eveningactive
The web UI and sharing are good; the desktop client is slower than Dropbox's.
github.com/nextcloud/server nextcloud.com
SeafileAGPL-3.0 (open core)an eveningactive
Fast and reliable sync, thinner app ecosystem.
github.com/haiwen/seafile seafile.com

Head to head

Nextcloud vs SeafileNextcloud does everything adequately. Seafile does sync properly and nothing else.

What the desk has written

Facts checked 8 November 2026. Licences, activity and archive status come from each project's own repository; the verdict and the cost lines are the desk's.