2 Best Nextcloud Alternatives in 2025
Last updated: February 2026 • 7 min read
Nextcloud is a popular tool for organizations wanting self-hosted cloud storage. While it offers a free tier (Free (self-hosted)), its paid plans start at Free. Whether you're looking for a cheaper option, better features, or an open-source solution, we've compiled the 2 best Nextcloud alternatives to help you find the right fit.
📋 Quick Summary
- Total alternatives: 2
- Free alternatives: 2 (Dropbox, Google Drive)
- Best overall: Dropbox
- Best free: Dropbox
Why Look for Nextcloud Alternatives?
People commonly look for Nextcloud alternatives for several reasons:
- Cost: While Nextcloud has a free tier, its paid plans starting at Free can add up quickly for growing teams.
- Feature gaps: Requires hosting and setup complexity are common complaints.
- Simplicity: Some users find Nextcloud overly complex for their needs and prefer simpler solutions.
- Better fit: Different tools excel at different use cases — you may find a tool that's specifically built for your workflow.
📊 Quick Comparison Table
| Tool | Free Tier | Starting Price | Rating | Open Source | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nextcloud | ✓ Free (self-hosted) | Free | ⭐ 4.2 | ✓ Yes | Organizations wanting self-hosted cloud storage |
| Dropbox | ✓ 2 GB storage | $11.99/mo | ⭐ 4.2 | No | Individuals and teams needing reliable file sync |
| Google Drive | ✓ 15 GB free | $1.99/mo (100 GB) | ⭐ 4.4 | No | Google Workspace users |
Detailed Reviews of Each Alternative
Dropbox
Cloud storage and file synchronization service.
Dropbox is one of the original cloud storage services, offering file syncing, sharing, and collaboration features. While it pioneered the cloud storage category, Dropbox has evolved into a broader collaboration platform with features like Paper, Transfer, and Replay.
Pros
- ✓ Reliable sync
- ✓ Great desktop app
- ✓ Widely used
- ✓ Good sharing features
Cons
- ✗ Expensive for storage
- ✗ Small free tier
- ✗ Privacy concerns
- ✗ Limited editing tools
Google Drive
Cloud storage service integrated with Google Workspace.
Google Drive is a cloud storage service that's part of the Google Workspace ecosystem. It offers 15 GB of free storage shared across Gmail, Drive, and Photos. With tight integration with Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides, it's the default storage solution for the Google ecosystem.
Pros
- ✓ 15 GB free
- ✓ Google ecosystem integration
- ✓ Real-time collaboration
- ✓ Powerful search
Cons
- ✗ Privacy concerns
- ✗ Confusing organization
- ✗ Limited offline
- ✗ Google ecosystem lock-in
🏆 Our Recommendations
❓ FAQ
What is the best free alternative to Nextcloud?
The best free alternative to Nextcloud is Dropbox, which offers 2 GB storage.
Is there an open-source alternative to Nextcloud?
There are no widely-used open-source alternatives to Nextcloud at this time, but several affordable options exist.
What is the cheapest alternative to Nextcloud?
The cheapest alternatives are the free options: Dropbox, Google Drive. For paid alternatives, prices start from as low as $1.991/mo.
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