Best open-source alternatives to Google Drive

Syncthing is a peer-to-peer file synchronization tool designed to keep files consistent across multiple computers without relying on a central cloud service. The README emphasizes safety, security, ease of use, and automatic operation, positioning the project for individual users who want reliable syncing with minimal manual intervention. The project provides guidance for getting started, building from source, and running in Docker, and it references GUI wrappers for Windows, macOS, and Linux. It also points users to a dedicated documentation site, a forum, and a GitHub issue tracker for support and bug reports. The software is released under the MPLv2 license and includes signed release binaries, with an automatic upgrade mechanism mentioned in the README.

Cloudreve is a self-hosted file management system designed for people or organizations that want to run their own cloud-style file platform. It focuses on managing files across multiple storage backends, including local storage, remote nodes, and several third-party object storage providers. The project provides a web-based interface with features for uploading, downloading, previewing, sharing, and organizing files. It also supports multi-user operation, WebDAV access, background downloads through Aria2/qBittorrent, and rich online preview/editing for common file types. The README positions it as an all-in-one package for both quick local testing and production deployment.

ownCloud Core is a self-hosted collaboration platform designed for people and organizations that want to store and manage their data on a server of their choice. It focuses on files, calendars, contacts, and related personal or team data, with synchronization across devices and sharing with others. The project emphasizes extensibility through additional apps such as Calendar, Contacts, Mail, and News. It also highlights security-oriented features like secure HTTPS transport and optional encryption at rest. The README points users to the official installation manual for deployment and provides separate notes for contributors who build the project locally.

Nextcloud Server is a self-hosted collaboration and file platform for individuals, teams, and organizations that want control over their data. It provides a central place to store files and also supports contacts, calendars, communication features, and sharing across devices. The project is designed for users who want cloud-like functionality on infrastructure they control, whether at home or in a company environment. It is extensible through a large app ecosystem, includes security features such as encryption and two-factor authentication, and can be deployed by self-installation, through hosting providers, or via appliances and preinstalled devices.

Seafile is an open source cloud storage and synchronization project aimed at users and teams that need private file storage, sharing, and collaboration. It organizes content into libraries that can be synced independently, and it supports encrypted libraries so users can protect data with passwords they choose themselves. The README positions it as a teamwork-oriented storage platform rather than a simple file sync utility. The project includes file sync capabilities such as selective sync, delta transfers, conflict handling, and resuming interrupted uploads. It also offers collaboration features like group sharing, upload and password-protected download links, version control, metadata management, multiple file views, and integrations with office suites, a built-in document editor, a wiki, and Excalidraw. The README also points to separate repositories for the server, web UI, desktop client, mobile apps, and WebDAV component.

Ente is a privacy-focused, fully open source platform built around end-to-end encrypted storage and authentication. The README presents it as a cloud-based service that lets users keep their data without trusting the provider, while also allowing self-hosting for those who want to run it themselves. The project bundles several client applications and a server in one monorepo, spanning mobile, desktop, web, and Linux platforms. It targets users who want encrypted photo management, secure document storage, and a TOTP authenticator alternative, with features such as private sharing, collaborative albums, family plans, semantic search, and background uploads.

File Browser is a self-hosted web application for managing files inside a chosen directory. It is intended for people who want a lightweight, browser-based way to access files on their own server rather than using a full cloud storage platform. The project positions itself as a single-binary tool that can be installed anywhere and pointed at a local path. Through its web interface, users can browse, upload, delete, preview, and edit files. The README also notes that the project is in maintenance-only mode, with no new features planned, and directs readers to hosted documentation for setup and configuration.