Dropbox vs Google Drive

Self-host either: open-source alternatives compared. · Category: files, photos & sync

Both Dropbox and Google Drive are in the files, photos & sync category. Nextcloud self-hosts as a replacement for both — listed below alongside the picks unique to each.

	Dropbox	Google Drive
Category	File sync + sharing	Cloud file sync + sharing for teams
SaaS pricing anchor	$11.99/user/mo on Plus tier (2TB)	$6/user/mo (Workspace Business Starter, 30GB) up to $18/user/mo (Business Plus, 5TB)
Self-host options listed	3	3

Replaces both — 1 shared open-source pick

These open-source projects appear on both /dropbox/ and /google-drive/ — picking one solves the migration off either SaaS.

Nextcloud nextcloud/serveralivereplaces both

GitHub: ★ 34.9k · last commit today
License: AGPL-3.0
Setup time: 20min docker-compose (or AIO image)
Monthly cost: $5-10 VPS plus disk for whatever you store; Hetzner storage box pairs well.

Picks unique to each

Dropbox only

Seafilealive
AGPL-3.0 (Community Edition)20min docker-compose$5 VPS — efficient sync engine, low overhead.
Syncthingalive
MPL-2.05min (binary on each device)$0 — peer-to-peer; no central server needed (relay is optional).

Google Drive only

Seafilealive
AGPL-3.020min docker-compose (Seafile + MariaDB + Memcached)$5-10/mo VPS for the app; storage is whatever block volume you mount (or S3 with the CE plugin).
OwnCloud Infinite Scalealive
Apache-2.020min single-binary or docker-compose$10/mo VPS for the app; storage attached separately.

In a terminal? npx os-alt dropbox or npx os-alt google-drive prints either side — how the CLI works →

FAQ

Which open-source self-host alternatives replace both Dropbox and Google Drive?

1 open-source project appears on both /dropbox/ and /google-drive/: Nextcloud.

How many self-host alternatives are listed for Dropbox and Google Drive?

3 for Dropbox, 3 for Google Drive.

Are all the self-host alternatives free?

Yes — every listed option is open source. Your cost is the VPS or hardware that runs it.