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Open source alternatives to Microsoft OneDrive

OneDrive is the cloud storage built into Windows and Microsoft 365. These open source platforms provide file sync, sharing and version history on your own server, and several connect to web office suites.

5 alternatives, sorted by GitHub stars as of 21 October 2026. Reviewed .

  1. Nextcloud

    Self-hosted file sync and sharing platform with hundreds of add-on apps

    37.2k starsAGPL-3.0-or-laterLast commit Self-hosted

  2. Seafile

    File sync and share server built around libraries, with delta sync and per-library encryption

    15.4k starsGPL-2.0Last commit Self-hosted

  3. ownCloud Classic

    The original PHP ownCloud server for file sync, sharing, WebDAV, CalDAV and CardDAV

    8.8k starsAGPL-3.0Last commit Self-hosted

  4. OpenCloud

    File sync, sharing and team spaces in Go, storing everything on the filesystem without a database

    6.2k starsApache-2.0Last commit Self-hosted

  5. ownCloud Infinite Scale

    ownCloud's Go-based file sync and share server, with spaces and no database

    2.2k starsApache-2.0Last commit Self-hosted

What OneDrive does

Microsoft OneDrive stores files and photos in Microsoft’s cloud and syncs them with Windows, macOS and mobile devices. On Windows, Files On-Demand lists every cloud file without downloading it until you open it. Version history lets you restore earlier versions of any file type, and Personal Vault is a protected folder that needs an extra verification step, such as a fingerprint or a code, before it opens. OneDrive is closely tied to Microsoft 365: storage grows with a subscription and Office files open directly in Microsoft’s apps.

Why people look for an alternative

  • A small shared free quota. A free Microsoft account includes 5 GB of cloud storage, shared between OneDrive files and photos, Outlook.com attachments and Microsoft 365 apps.
  • Strict over-quota rules. If you go over your storage, OneDrive files become read-only and you cannot send or receive Outlook.com email. After six months, Microsoft might delete your OneDrive and all files in it, and they cannot be recovered. Accounts can also be frozen after a long time without signing in.
  • Dependence on a subscription. Cancelling Microsoft 365 Basic or Personal brings the allowance back to 5 GB, and Microsoft is changing the storage included in Microsoft 365 plans for new subscribers from October 2026.
  • Short history on personal accounts. Version history for personal OneDrive is kept for 30 days.

What to compare in an alternative

  1. Windows integration. A desktop client with files on demand, so large libraries do not fill a laptop disk.
  2. Office documents. Integration with Collabora Online, OnlyOffice or Microsoft Office Online Server through WOPI, if you edit Office files in the browser.
  3. Retention. Version history and trash retention you set yourself, and no deletion tied to a quota.
  4. Security. Two-factor authentication, single sign-on with your directory, and what encryption protects.
  5. Running costs. Hardware, database and upgrade effort, or a hosting partner.

Which one to choose

Nextcloud has mature desktop and mobile clients, Nextcloud Office and a large app store, and many providers host it if you do not want to run a server. Seafile offers a virtual drive client with files on demand and is lighter to run for pure file sync. ownCloud Infinite Scale can connect Microsoft Office Online Server as well as Collabora Online and OnlyOffice, and OpenCloud offers desktop apps with files on demand, Collabora and team spaces, both without a database. ownCloud Classic suits existing ownCloud deployments.

Our file storage and sync guide compares these with lighter tools for home use.

Microsoft OneDrive is a product of Microsoft. OpenSourcePicks is not affiliated with Microsoft or with the projects listed. More tools in File Storage & Sync.