Self-Hosted Google Drive Alternatives in 2026: Nextcloud, Seafile, Syncthing

Replace Google Drive with software you run yourself: Nextcloud for the full suite, Seafile for fast sync, Syncthing for serverless device sync — licences, trade-offs, and one to avoid.

Short version: Nextcloud if you want Drive plus Docs, Seafile if you only need fast file sync, Syncthing if you just want your devices in step without a server. Stars, licences and maintenance status are from the GitHub API on 18 September 2026, which is how we know one popular option is now archived.

Self-hosted Google Drive alternatives by GitHub stars

Nextcloud: the full suite

Nextcloud (about 37,000 stars, AGPL-3.0) covers files, sharing, calendars, contacts and collaborative documents through add-ons. The most complete replacement for Google Workspace, and the most maintenance.

Seafile: fast, focused sync

Seafile (about 15,000 stars) does file sync and sharing and does it efficiently, including large libraries with many small files. Lighter to run than Nextcloud.

Syncthing: no server at all

Syncthing (about 89,000 stars, MPL-2.0) syncs folders directly between your devices, peer to peer. No account, no central server, no web interface.

Also worth knowing

**ownCloud Infinite Scale** (owncloud/ocis, Apache-2.0) is a newer, Go-based rewrite of ownCloud for file sync and sharing. For moving files between nearby devices, LocalSend is the simplest option.

One to avoid

File Browser was archived in July 2026. A web-facing file manager with no security updates is a poor choice for new setups.

Which Google Drive alternative fits your setup

Sync is not backup

Turn on versioning.

- So an accidental delete can be rolled back.

Keep a separate backup.

- Sync spreads deletions and ransomware to every device.

Keep one copy off-site.

- A single house is a single point of failure.

Test a restore.

- An untested backup is a hope, not a backup.

Pair it with a photo library: our Immich guide covers the Google Photos side.

Frequently asked questions

What is the closest self-hosted alternative to Google Drive?+

Nextcloud. It covers file sync and sharing, calendars, contacts and collaborative document editing through add-ons, all on your own server, under AGPL-3.0. It is the most complete replacement for the whole Google Workspace shape, at the cost of more maintenance than a single-purpose tool. If you only need files, Seafile is lighter and faster.

Do I need a server to replace Google Drive?+

Not necessarily. Syncthing syncs folders directly between your own devices, peer to peer, with no central server and no account. It is ideal for keeping a laptop, desktop and home server in step. What it does not give you is a web interface, share links or online document editing; for those you need a server-based tool such as Nextcloud or Seafile.

Is Nextcloud or Seafile better?+

Nextcloud if you want the suite: files plus calendars, contacts and online documents. Seafile if file sync is the job: it is focused, efficient with large libraries and many small files, and generally lighter to run. Both run well on a small home server or VPS. Try the desktop sync client of each with your real folders before choosing.

Why avoid File Browser?+

File Browser was a popular lightweight web file manager, but its GitHub repository was archived in July 2026, which means no further updates, including security fixes. A web-facing file manager is exactly the kind of software that needs patches. Existing installs keep working for now, but new setups should choose a maintained option.

How do I keep self-hosted files safe?+

Sync is not backup. If a file is deleted or encrypted by ransomware on one device, sync faithfully spreads that to every other device. Keep separate, versioned backups with at least one copy off-site, test a restore occasionally, and enable file versioning in your sync tool so you can roll back mistakes.