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Dropbox vs Syncthing
Dropbox vs Syncthing
A side-by-side look at Dropbox (the paid SaaS) and Syncthing (the open source alternative). Use this page to decide if the switch fits your team and workflow.
| Dropbox | Syncthing | |
|---|---|---|
| Tagline | File sync and sharing. | Peer-to-peer file sync with no central server. |
| License | Proprietary SaaS | MPL-2.0 |
| Pricing | Free 2 GB; Plus from $11.99/month for 2 TB. | Free to self-host |
| Self-host option | No | Yes — difficulty 1/5 |
| Hosted cloud available | Yes (only option) | No |
| Desktop apps | Varies by product | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Mobile apps | Official apps typically available | Android |
Ad slot — between tables
Best for
Peer-to-peer sync with no server at all.
Syncthing strengths
- True peer-to-peer, no vendor cloud.
- End-to-end encrypted between devices.
- Simple to install on any machine.
Syncthing weaknesses
- No shared team workflow — device-to-device.
- iOS support is limited to a third-party app.
- Requires all paired devices online for fastest sync.
What's the catch with Dropbox?
- Expensive compared to self-hosted storage at scale.
- Desktop client resource usage.
- File history and version retention limits.
Still unsure?
Check the full list of alternatives to Dropbox: see Dropbox alternatives, or learn more about Syncthing on its project page.
Recommended reading
When self-hosting goes wrong: seven failure modes and how to avoid them
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Will the open source project you depend on still exist in three years?
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From SaaS to self-hosted: a 30-day migration playbook
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