Free Alternative to Dropbox

Syncthing is a decentralized file synchronization solution that syncs files directly between your devices without any central cloud server. Your data never touches a third-party server. With the 2.0 release in August 2025, it offers 30% faster syncing speeds and improved reliability thanks to a new SQLite database backend.

Unlimited storage based only on your own device capacity. The architecture eliminates monthly fees entirely while providing complete data sovereignty. Perfect for users who distrust cloud providers or need absolute privacy for legal, medical, or confidential business documents. The peer-to-peer model ensures no single point of failure and no company can ever access, scan, or monetize your files.

Nextcloud is an all-in-one self-hosted platform that goes beyond file storage to include calendars, email, video calls, and thousands of apps. Version 30 introduced AI-powered search and enhanced mobile notifications. Perfect for users who want Dropbox-like convenience while hosting their own data. HIPAA and GDPR compliant with enterprise-grade security.

The platform transforms from a simple file sync tool into a complete collaboration workspace rivaling Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace. Deploy on your own hardware, a VPS, or specialized NAS devices from Synology and QNAP that offer one-click installation. The ecosystem includes apps for password management, note-taking, project management, CRM systems, and even e-commerce integrations.

Google Drive gives you 15GB free—shared across Gmail, Photos, and Drive itself. For Mac users who aren't deep in the Apple ecosystem, it's often the best choice. The web apps for Docs, Sheets, and Slides are excellent, and real-time collaboration rivals anything Dropbox offers. Advanced search powered by Google's algorithms makes finding files effortless, and integration with the entire Google Workspace ecosystem provides seamless workflows.

MEGA offers the most generous free tier if security matters to you—20GB with end-to-end encryption by default. That's 10 times what Dropbox gives for free. Every file is encrypted before leaving your device, meaning even MEGA's servers can't see your data. The Mac app works well and the sync is reliable. Founded by Kim Dotcom, MEGA emphasizes privacy and security above all else with zero-knowledge architecture.

If you're all-in on Apple, iCloud Drive is already built into your Mac. The free 5GB isn't much, but the integration is unmatched—Desktop and Documents folders sync automatically, and everything works seamlessly between Mac, iPhone, and iPad. No third-party app needed. Files appear instantly across devices, and the system-level integration means apps can save directly to iCloud without manual intervention.

pCloud offers 10GB free and stands out for two reasons: it's based in Switzerland (strong privacy laws), and they offer lifetime plans instead of monthly subscriptions. The Mac app is solid, with built-in music and video streaming so you can play media directly from the cloud. Swiss data protection laws provide additional legal safeguards, and the one-time payment model eliminates ongoing subscription fatigue.

OneDrive provides 5GB free storage with deep integration into Microsoft Office applications. For users already in the Microsoft ecosystem or those with Office 365 subscriptions, OneDrive becomes the obvious choice. The Mac app integrates well with Finder and supports Files On-Demand to save local storage. Seamless collaboration through Office Online makes it ideal for document-centric workflows.

Resilio Sync uses BitTorrent technology to sync files directly between devices without any cloud storage. Unlike Syncthing, it supports selective sync where you can choose which folders appear on which devices. The commercial backing provides polish and reliability, with mobile apps that work better than Syncthing's iOS implementation.

Ideal for syncing large media libraries or working with massive datasets. The BitTorrent protocol enables blazing-fast transfers by utilizing all available bandwidth and syncing from multiple peers simultaneously. Photographers, videographers, and content creators particularly appreciate the ability to sync multi-gigabyte projects across workstations without uploading to any cloud service.

Seafile is a self-hosted file sync and share platform designed for high performance and reliability. Unlike Nextcloud's all-in-one approach, Seafile focuses exclusively on file syncing and does it exceptionally well. It organizes files into libraries (encrypted repositories) that can be selectively synced to devices.

The architecture uses block-level deduplication and delta sync for efficient storage and bandwidth usage. Popular in academic institutions and enterprises for handling large datasets and numerous simultaneous users. Version 11 introduced improved performance for large files and better mobile offline support.

Box provides 10GB of free storage with a focus on business collaboration and enterprise security. While primarily targeting businesses, the free personal plan offers 5x more storage than Dropbox with excellent security features including granular permissions, password-protected sharing, and detailed activity logs. The platform excels at document workflows with built-in e-signature support and integration with over 1,500 enterprise applications.

Box's compliance certifications (HIPAA, FINRA, FedRAMP) make it suitable for regulated industries. The Mac app provides reliable syncing with support for large files up to 5GB on the free tier.

Tresorit is a Swiss-based encrypted cloud storage service designed for security-conscious businesses and professionals. Every file is encrypted on your device before upload using AES-256 encryption, ensuring zero-knowledge privacy where even Tresorit cannot access your data. While there's no permanent free tier, Tresorit offers trials and competitive pricing for those who prioritize security above all else.

The platform is popular among lawyers, accountants, healthcare providers, and journalists who handle highly sensitive information. Swiss jurisdiction provides strong data protection laws, and Tresorit's security has been validated by independent penetration testing competitions.

Internxt Drive is a privacy-focused cloud storage service built on principles of data sovereignty and user privacy. Offering 10GB free with client-side encryption, Internxt uses a distributed architecture where your files are fragmented, encrypted, and stored across multiple nodes—ensuring no single server contains complete files. The open-source clients allow security auditing, and the service is GDPR compliant with servers in Europe.

Founded with a mission to combat big tech surveillance, Internxt provides a user-friendly alternative for those who want privacy without complexity. The lifetime plan option eliminates recurring subscription costs.