Seafile vs Google Drive
Self-host swap-in for Google Drive. · Self-host Google Drive · Seafile on os-alt
Seafile is one of the open-source self-host replacements for Google Drive — license AGPL-3.0, 20min docker-compose (Seafile + MariaDB + Memcached) to stand up, and $5-10/mo vps for the app; storage is whatever block volume you mount (or s3 with the ce plugin). Compare against Google Drive's $6/user/mo (Workspace Business Starter, 30GB) up to $18/user/mo (Business Plus, 5TB) below.
| Seafileopen-source | Google Drivepaid SaaS | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Cloud file sync + sharing for teams | Cloud file sync + sharing for teams |
| License / pricing | AGPL-3.0 | $6/user/mo (Workspace Business Starter, 30GB) up to $18/user/mo (Business Plus, 5TB) |
| Starting price | $0 self-host | $6/user/mo |
| GitHub | haiwen/seafile | closed source |
| Setup time | 20min docker-compose (Seafile + MariaDB + Memcached) | SaaS — sign up + bill |
| Monthly cost | $5-10/mo VPS for the app; storage is whatever block volume you mount (or S3 with the CE plugin). | from $6/user/mo ($6/user/mo (Workspace Business Starter, 30GB) up to $18/user/mo (Business Plus, 5TB)) |
Switching from Google Drive to Seafile
Deploy via the official `docker-compose.yml` from manual.seafile.com; create a library per Google Drive folder, install the Seafile desktop client, and drop the Takeout-exported tree under the local sync root. Seafile's killer feature is its block-level sync — it stores file deltas in librarys with content-addressed chunking, so re-uploads are fast and disk usage is low.
- Good fit for
- Teams whose Drive use is dominated by sync — fast desktop client, very efficient on bandwidth, predictable performance at scale.
- Weak at
- Web preview / co-edit story — Seafile leans on file sync rather than browser editing; integrates with OnlyOffice but less polished than Nextcloud.
- License note
- Community Edition is AGPL-3.0; Pro Edition adds search, audit, and S3 backend under a commercial license.
Other open-source self-host alternatives to Google Drive
In a terminal? npx os-alt google-drive prints Google Drive's self-host options —
how the CLI works →
FAQ
Is Seafile a free alternative to Google Drive?
Yes — Seafile is open source under AGPL-3.0. Self-host cost: $5-10/mo VPS for the app; storage is whatever block volume you mount (or S3 with the CE plugin).. Google Drive starts at $6/user/mo ($6/user/mo (Workspace Business Starter, 30GB) up to $18/user/mo (Business Plus, 5TB)).
How long does Seafile take to set up vs Google Drive?
Self-hosting Seafile: 20min docker-compose (Seafile + MariaDB + Memcached). Google Drive is a hosted SaaS — sign up and you're in.
What is Seafile good at, and what is it weak at?
Good fit for: Teams whose Drive use is dominated by sync — fast desktop client, very efficient on bandwidth, predictable performance at scale.. Weak at: Web preview / co-edit story — Seafile leans on file sync rather than browser editing; integrates with OnlyOffice but less polished than Nextcloud..