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Self-host Dropbox
File sync + sharing ·
Category: files, photos & sync
Dropbox owns 'a folder that syncs.' Self-hostable replacements cover sync + sharing + mobile clients; the polish gap is in the LAN-sync + selective-sync features.
Dropbox pricing anchor: $11.99/user/mo on Plus tier (2TB).
- GitHub
- ★ 34.9k · last commit today · 3356 open issues
- License
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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.
Migration sketch. Dropbox → Account → Settings → Export account data → download .zip. In Nextcloud, use the Files app to drag the unzipped folder in, or rclone copy from a mounted Dropbox remote. Shared-link expirations need to be re-set.
Good fit forTeams that also want calendar / contacts / talk in the same stack.
Weak atDefault install can feel slow; needs Redis + APCu tuning to feel snappy.
- GitHub
- ★ 532 · last commit 4d ago · 112 open issues
- License
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AGPL-3.0 (Community Edition) - Setup time
- 20min docker-compose
- Monthly cost
- $5 VPS — efficient sync engine, low overhead.
Migration sketch. Dropbox export → unzip → drag folders into a Seafile library via the desktop client. Library = one Dropbox folder. File versions reset (Seafile starts its own history).
Good fit forTeams that prioritize raw sync speed over feature breadth.
Weak atWeb UI is plainer; CE lacks some advanced collab features.
- GitHub
- ★ 83.8k · last commit 1d ago · 384 open issues
- License
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MPL-2.0 - Setup time
- 5min (binary on each device)
- Monthly cost
- $0 — peer-to-peer; no central server needed (relay is optional).
Migration sketch. Install on each device, share folder IDs, point at a local copy of your Dropbox export. Files sync directly device-to-device.
Good fit forSolo / family use where you don't want a server at all.
Weak atNo web UI for end-users; no built-in sharing links.
In a terminal? npx os-alt dropbox prints this table —
how the CLI works →