Best Self Hosted Alternatives to Proton Drive

AList is a web-based file listing and sharing application that unifies many storage providers behind a single interface. It provides browser access and WebDAV access, with rich previews and optional protection per path.

Key Features

• Connect multiple storage backends (local storage and many cloud and network providers)
• WebDAV server support for accessing files via standard clients
• File previews for common formats (images, audio, video, office documents, PDF, Markdown, code, plain text)
• Protected routes with password protection and authentication
• Web-based file operations such as upload, delete, create folders, rename, move, and copy
• Cross-storage copy and offline download support (including torrent-based offline download)
• Package/batch download support and download acceleration options
• Dark mode, internationalization, and permalink/direct download features

Use Cases

• Create a unified portal to browse and share files from multiple storage providers
• Provide WebDAV access to cloud drives for desktop and mobile file managers
• Publish media and documents with previews and optional per-folder access control

Limitations and Considerations

• Some storage providers may impose rate limits or account restrictions that can affect performance or reliability
• Feature availability can vary depending on the capabilities and APIs of each configured storage backend

AList is a practical choice when you need a lightweight, deployable file portal that aggregates many backends and exposes them through a modern web UI and WebDAV-compatible access. It is especially useful for homelabs and teams that want a single, consistent way to browse and download files across different storage services.

copyparty is a lightweight, portable file server you can run on almost any device. It provides a fast web interface for browsing and uploading files, plus multiple optional network protocols for interoperability with many clients.

Key Features

• High-performance, resumable uploads and downloads optimized for browsers
• Web-based file browser with drag-and-drop uploads and folder uploads
• Optional deduplication for uploads to reduce duplicate storage
• Built-in media indexing and search, plus thumbnail generation
• Multi-protocol access including HTTP/HTTPS, WebDAV, SFTP, FTP/FTPS, TFTP, and optional SMB/CIFS
• Share links and access controls with per-user and per-folder permissions
• Event hooks for automations on uploads, renames, and other filesystem events
• Optional Prometheus metrics export

Use Cases

• Personal or home lab file drop and “NAS frontend” with a simple web UI
• Fast LAN file transfers between devices and platforms using WebDAV/SFTP/FTP
• Temporary sharing of files or folders via time-limited links

Limitations and Considerations

• Some protocols and features depend on optional components and platform support; not all environments provide the same capabilities
• SMB/CIFS support is described as unsafe/slow and is generally not recommended for WAN use

copyparty is a practical choice when you want a single, easy-to-run file server with strong browser uploads, rich browsing features, and broad protocol support. Its modular approach lets you keep deployments minimal while enabling advanced capabilities when needed.

Puter is an open-source “internet operating system” that runs in your browser, combining a web desktop with personal cloud storage and an extensible app platform. It can be used as an alternative to services like Dropbox/Google Drive and as a remote desktop-style environment for servers and workstations.

Key Features

• Web-based desktop environment with file manager and app-style UX
• Personal cloud storage for organizing and accessing files from anywhere
• Extensible platform for building and publishing web apps, websites, and games
• App distribution model via an integrated app store concept
• Designed to be self-hosted for privacy-first deployments

Use Cases

• Replace proprietary cloud drives with a self-managed personal cloud
• Provide a browser-accessible workspace for a home server or NAS
• Host internal web apps and tools behind a unified web desktop interface

Limitations and Considerations

• Requires a modern Node.js runtime (the project targets recent Node.js versions)
• Resource usage and responsiveness depend on server hardware and the number of active users/apps

Puter fits teams and individuals who want a web-native desktop experience paired with file storage and a flexible app platform. It is especially useful for homelabs and private cloud setups where you want a single, browser-accessible workspace.

Cloudreve is a self-hosted file management and sharing system designed to run as a personal or team cloud drive. It supports multiple storage backends (local and third-party/object storage) while providing a unified web interface for uploads, organization, and sharing.

Key Features

• Multiple storage providers, including local storage and S3-compatible object storage
• Multi-user and group support for team and organization use
• File and folder sharing via public links with expiration controls
• WebDAV access across supported storage backends
• Drag-and-drop uploads with parallel and resumable transfer support
• Archive preview, batch download, and compress/extract operations
• Media preview (video, audio, images) and online preview/editing for common document types
• Metadata extraction and search by tags/metadata

Use Cases

• Personal cloud drive as an alternative to hosted file sync and sharing services
• Team file portal with controlled sharing links and group-based access
• Unified front-end for managing files across local and object storage backends

Limitations and Considerations

• Some advanced capabilities (for example online document editing or background download integrations) may depend on integrating external components.

Cloudreve fits well for users who want a polished, web-based drive with sharing and WebDAV access while keeping control of data placement across different storage backends. Its multi-user features make it suitable for both personal setups and small teams.

Seafile is an open source file sync and sharing platform designed for private cloud storage and team collaboration. It organizes content into libraries that can be synced independently, with an emphasis on performance, reliability, and privacy.

Key Features

• Library-based storage with per-library syncing and selective sync
• File history and versioning, including conflict handling based on history
• Efficient syncing with content-delta transfer and resumable uploads/downloads
• Sharing and collaboration via shared folders, groups, and upload/download links (including password protection)
• Optional client-side encrypted libraries protected by a user-chosen password
• Drive-style desktop access (virtual drive) with on-demand syncing
• Built-in knowledge management features such as wiki mode, file labels, related documents, and Markdown editing

Use Cases

• Private cloud file sync and sharing for teams with granular library organization
• Secure collaboration on sensitive documents using encrypted libraries
• Internal documentation and lightweight knowledge base using wiki mode and Markdown

Limitations and Considerations

• The full platform is composed of multiple components (server core, web UI, sync clients), which may increase deployment and upgrade complexity compared to single-binary solutions

Seafile is a strong fit for organizations and individuals who want a performant, self-managed alternative to commercial cloud drives, with flexible sharing and optional client-side encryption. Its library model and built-in collaboration features make it well-suited for both personal and team file workflows.

Filestash is a self-hosted, web-based file manager and file sharing portal that provides a unified interface over many storage systems and protocols. It aims to deliver a modern “cloud drive” experience while keeping data in your existing infrastructure through backend connectors.

Key Features

• Unified web UI for multiple backends (including SFTP, S3-compatible storage, FTP/FTPS, WebDAV, SMB, NFS, and Git)
• Share links for files and folders, designed for convenient external access
• Plugin-based architecture for extending storage backends, authentication, UI, and capabilities
• SSO integration options via enterprise identity systems (LDAP, SAML, and OIDC)
• Built-in viewers for common media types (images, audio, video), with optional transcoding support
• Built-in API and gateway-style options to expose underlying storage via protocols such as SFTP and S3

Use Cases

• Provide a web portal for SFTP/S3/WebDAV/SMB/NFS storage without migrating data
• Enable secure file sharing and collaboration over existing network or object storage
• Offer a branded, single entry point to multiple storage systems for teams or customers

Limitations and Considerations

• Some advanced capabilities (connectors, viewers, automation, and integrations) depend on the available plugin set and configuration

Filestash is a good fit when you want a polished, extensible file browser and sharing layer on top of heterogeneous storage. Its plugin system and broad protocol support make it adaptable to both homelab and enterprise environments.

Unison is a file-synchronization tool for POSIX systems (Linux, BSD, macOS) and Windows. It keeps two replicas of a set of files and directories synchronized, allowing changes to be made independently on each side and then propagated in both directions.

Key Features

• Bidirectional synchronization (not one-way mirroring) with automatic propagation of non-conflicting changes
• Conflict detection and presentation when both replicas are modified
• Works locally (different disks) or across networks between hosts
• Communication over SSH or direct TCP connections
• Efficient transfers over slow links, optimizing small updates to large files with an rsync-like delta/compression approach
• Offline-friendly behavior since data is copied rather than accessed via a network filesystem
• Resilient to failures, aiming to keep replicas and internal state consistent after interruptions
• Repeat mode with filesystem monitoring to sync changes soon after they happen

Use Cases

• Keeping a laptop and a server directory synchronized across SSH
• Syncing personal work folders between multiple computers without relying on a centralized cloud drive
• Maintaining consistent configuration or project directories across machines while handling occasional conflicts

Limitations and Considerations

• Designed for synchronizing exactly two replicas at a time; it is not a multi-node distributed filesystem
• Conflicts require user resolution when both sides change the same file or structure

Unison is a mature, long-used synchronizer focused on correctness, cross-platform support, and reliable two-way syncing. It fits best where you want direct control over replication behavior and a robust tool that works well over real-world networks.

OpenCloud is an open source platform for file management, sharing, and collaboration designed for organizations that need control over their data. It focuses on simple operation, strong security, and integration into existing IT environments.

Key Features

• File management with sharing links and permission controls
• Real-time collaboration features and integration with an office suite
• OpenID Connect authentication with support for external identity providers and an embedded identity provider
• Security features such as encryption, two-factor authentication, and versioning to help recover from unwanted changes
• Designed for on-premises operation and environments with strict compliance requirements

Use Cases

• Internal file sharing and collaboration for teams in companies and public institutions
• Secure data rooms for projects, research groups, or cross-department collaboration
• Replacement for proprietary EFSS solutions in sovereignty-focused IT stacks

Limitations and Considerations

• The backend stores data on the filesystem and does not rely on a traditional database, which may influence scaling and backup approaches depending on your deployment model

OpenCloud is a strong fit for organizations seeking a modern, open source EFSS and collaboration solution with OIDC-based authentication and enterprise-oriented security controls. It is particularly suited to deployments that prioritize data sovereignty and straightforward integration.

myDrive is an open source cloud file storage server that provides a Google Drive-like experience in a web browser. It stores file and folder metadata in MongoDB and can store file chunks in different backends such as the local filesystem or Amazon S3-compatible storage.

Key Features

• Upload and download files and folders (folder downloads exported as ZIP)
• File sharing features for distributing content
• Photo and video viewing with a media gallery
• Generated photo and video thumbnails (video thumbnails optional)
• Progressive Web App (PWA) support with a service worker
• AES-256 encryption for stored data
• User authentication with JWT access and refresh tokens
• Email verification support
• Docker and Docker Compose deployment options

Use Cases

• Personal or family cloud drive to store and access files from a browser
• Small team file sharing with a simple web-based UI
• Media-focused storage for photos and videos with thumbnail previews

Limitations and Considerations

• Video streaming may be unreliable in some browsers (notably Safari)
• Folder uploads can fail on complex folder structures
• Video thumbnail generation may require temporary local storage and can fail depending on configuration

myDrive is a practical option for running a lightweight, Drive-style file manager with media browsing and sharing. Its pluggable storage backends and container-friendly deployment make it suitable for homelabs and small deployments.

PicoShare is a minimalist, open-source service for uploading and sharing files. It provides direct download links for uploaded files, preserves original filenames and metadata, and avoids re-encoding or resizing media.

Key Features

• Direct download links for uploaded files, with no ads or required signups for recipients
• Supports arbitrary file types and sizes; no automatic re-encoding or resizing of media
• Simple admin interface protected by a shared secret for managing uploads and links
• Multiple deployment options: run from source or run an official container image
• Optional data replication support using a WAL-based replication tool for cloud backups
• Uses an embedded SQL database for file metadata and storage index to minimize operational complexity

Use Cases

• Quick one-off file sharing between collaborators without creating accounts
• Private media distribution where original file fidelity must be preserved (images, audio, video)
• Lightweight internal file drop service for small teams or personal servers

Limitations and Considerations

• Not designed for multi-writer clustered deployments: concurrent writes across multiple instances are not synchronized
• Maintained as a hobby/open-source project; scope is intentionally limited and some feature requests may be declined due to maintainer bandwidth
• For large-scale or enterprise use, additional monitoring, backup planning, and storage provisioning will be required

PicoShare is best suited where a simple, privacy-conscious, and low-overhead file sharing service is needed. It is straightforward to deploy and integrates into standard container-based workflows for small-scale production or personal use.

Peergos is a peer-to-peer encrypted global filesystem designed to keep user data private by default, with cryptographic access control and minimal metadata leakage. It combines secure storage and sharing with a private social layer and a platform for running web apps against user-controlled data.

Key Features

• End-to-end encrypted storage with client-side keys and signed writes
• Fine-grained access control and secure sharing with users and capability links
• Metadata-resistant design intended to reduce visibility into file structure, sizes, and relationships
• Private social features designed to minimize exposure of friendship graphs
• Web interface plus alternative access options such as CLI and filesystem bindings

Use Cases

• Private personal or team file storage with cryptographic sharing controls
• Hosting a user-controlled “private web” workspace for documents and media
• Building or running web apps that operate on user-owned data with constrained permissions

Limitations and Considerations

• Does not provide anonymity by default; privacy goals differ from network-level anonymity
• Some advanced privacy goals (e.g., stronger friend-graph resistance) depend on additional routing approaches

Peergos is suited for users who want a secure-by-default storage and sharing system built on peer-to-peer principles. It emphasizes user-controlled identity, encrypted data, and minimizing server trust for private collaboration and communication.

ownCloud Infinite Scale (oCIS) is a cloud-native file sync and share platform designed as the foundation for an enterprise data management layer. It provides unified access to files and “spaces” across deployments while focusing on performance, scalability, and modern authentication.

Key Features

• File sync and sharing with a scalable, microservices-based backend
• Open, well-defined APIs including WebDAV and CS3 for interoperability
• Authentication via OpenID Connect with support for external identity providers and an embedded IdP option
• Integrations for web office suites (for example via WOPI gateways) to enable collaborative editing scenarios
• Flexible deployment as containers or a single binary, suitable from small servers to Kubernetes
• Configuration via environment variables and optional configuration files

Use Cases

• Replace or modernize an on-prem file sharing system with a cloud-native architecture
• Provide unified file access for teams across mixed on-prem and cloud storage environments
• Integrate file access into existing identity and collaboration ecosystems using standard APIs

Limitations and Considerations

• Some office integrations and collaborative editing depend on external components (for example WOPI gateway and office suite)
• Advanced identity and enterprise setups typically rely on an external IdP for full-featured deployments

Overall, oCIS targets organizations that need a modern, scalable alternative to traditional PHP-based sync-and-share stacks. It is best suited when standards-based APIs, OIDC authentication, and flexible deployment topologies are key requirements.

bewCloud is an open-source personal cloud platform designed as a simpler, lighter alternative to Nextcloud and ownCloud. It provides a modern web UI for keeping your personal files and everyday cloud features under your control, with a focus on low resource usage and minimal complexity.

Key Features

• Web-based file storage and browsing
• Built-in apps for photos, notes, and news/feeds
• Optional CalDAV/CardDAV support for calendars and contacts (via Radicale integration)
• Database migrations and background cron jobs for maintenance tasks
• Containerized deployment support for straightforward hosting

Use Cases

• Replace a heavier all-in-one cloud suite for a personal or family cloud
• Centralize files, notes, photos, and feeds on a private server
• Run a lightweight home server cloud with optional calendar/contact sync

Limitations and Considerations

• Admin hardening is required: the first signup can become an admin even if signups are disabled
• CalDAV/CardDAV functionality depends on additional Radicale configuration

bewCloud is a strong fit if you want a modern, streamlined web cloud with fewer moving parts than traditional suites. It prioritizes simplicity and efficiency while still covering common personal cloud needs.

Hoodik is a lightweight, secure cloud storage drive you can run on your own infrastructure. It focuses on end-to-end encryption, with encryption and decryption performed on the client to protect files and metadata from server-side exposure.

Key Features

• End-to-end encryption using a hybrid approach (per-user RSA keys and per-file AES keys)
• Chunked storage with per-chunk encryption for efficient parallel uploads/downloads
• Secure file sharing with public links that do not reveal the underlying file key to recipients
• Privacy-preserving search via tokenization and hashing of searchable metadata
• Web-based interface for file management, upload, download, and sharing
• Supports SQLite (default) or PostgreSQL as the backing database

Use Cases

• Personal or family private cloud drive with strong client-side encryption
• Small teams needing secure file sharing with link-based access
• Hosting sensitive documents where server operators should not see plaintext metadata

Limitations and Considerations

• Switching between SQLite and PostgreSQL after initial use can cause data loss because databases are not interchangeable
• Server-side encryption/decryption exists as a fallback for low-power clients, but reduces the end-to-end security model

Hoodik is well-suited for users who want a simple, fast, self-managed storage drive while retaining control over encryption keys and minimizing plaintext exposure. Its combination of E2EE, chunked transfers, and secure sharing makes it a practical option for privacy-focused file storage and distribution.

FileRise is a modern, lightweight web-based file manager you can run on your own server. It combines a fast file portal UI with granular per-folder access control, sharing, and WebDAV for mounting as a drive.

Key Features

• Granular per-folder ACLs (view, upload, create, edit, rename, move/copy, delete, extract, share) enforced across UI, API, and WebDAV
• Drag-and-drop uploads with chunked/resumable transfers, pause/resume, and progress tracking
• Optional folder-level encryption at rest with automatic disabling of incompatible features for safety
• WebDAV access (ACL-aware) for macOS/Windows/Linux drive mounts and common clients
• File sharing and shared uploads, plus Trash with retention for recovery
• Built-in previews and an in-browser editor for quick edits
• Tags and search for organizing and finding content
• Multi-user auth with optional TOTP 2FA and OIDC SSO (with optional auto-provisioning)
• Optional OnlyOffice integration for editing office documents with your own Document Server

Use Cases

• Personal or family “cloud drive” with permissions and easy sharing
• Team file portal with controlled uploads/downloads and WebDAV drive mapping
• Client-facing delivery and collection workflows using share links and upload-focused access

Limitations and Considerations

• When folder-level encryption is enabled, certain features (notably WebDAV and sharing) are intentionally disabled for compatibility and security.

FileRise aims to stay lightweight while providing enterprise-style permission control and practical usability features like resumable uploads and WebDAV. It is suitable for self-hosters who want a polished file portal without requiring an external database.

Sync-in is an open-source platform for storing, sharing, synchronizing, and collaboratively editing files on infrastructure you control. It provides a web interface, desktop/CLI clients, and native WebDAV access for seamless integration with user workflows.

(sync-in.com)

Key Features

• Full web interface with advanced file manager, collaborative spaces, and granular role-based permissions.
• Native WebDAV implementation (written in TypeScript) for mounting spaces as remote drives and direct file access across platforms.
• Desktop clients and CLI for Windows, macOS, and Linux with one-way and two-way sync modes, scheduling, and transfer logs.
• Server-side full-text indexing and incremental indexing to search document content (PDF, Office, HTML, plain text, etc.).
• Configurable persistence and runtime options (MySQL-compatible database and optional Redis-based caching/websocket adapter).

(sync-in.com)

Use Cases

• Enterprise or institutional file hosting where data sovereignty and compliance require self-hosting.
• Teams needing shared collaborative spaces with fine-grained access, activity tracking, and real-time editing integrations.
• Personal or automated sync workflows using desktop clients, CLI, or WebDAV for backups, remote editing, or integration with local tools.

(github.com)

Limitations and Considerations

• Full-text indexing is incremental (not strictly real-time); indexing cadence and resource use should be planned for large archives.
• Default production deployments expect a MySQL-compatible database; administrators should review configuration for scale and high-availability.

(sync-in.com)

Sync-in is focused on data ownership, secure collaboration, and interoperability with existing tools. The project provides Docker and NPM deployment paths, desktop clients, and an online demo for evaluation.

(github.com)

QuickShare is a cross-platform file sharing and file management service designed for quick transfers between devices. It provides a web interface for managing files and folders, with multi-user support and sharing options for both authenticated and anonymous access.

Key Features

• Browser-based file and folder management (upload, download, create, delete, move)
• Resumable uploads and downloads
• Bulk uploads (hundreds of files at once)
• Fuzzy search for files and folders
• Directory sharing, including anonymous shares
• QR-code scanning to open shared folders on other devices
• Multi-user accounts with roles (admin/user)
• Per-user home directories, storage quotas, and upload/download speed limits
• Adaptive UI with internationalization support
• Can run as a single binary or via Docker

Use Cases

• Sharing files quickly across phones, laptops, and desktops on a local network
• Providing temporary or anonymous folder shares for teams or guests
• Hosting a simple personal file drop and download portal with user quotas

Limitations and Considerations

• The project is under active development and may not guarantee full backward compatibility

QuickShare is a good fit when you want a straightforward, fast file-sharing portal with practical management features and basic user controls. Its resumable transfers, QR-based access, and cross-platform deployment options make it especially convenient for everyday device-to-device sharing.

YeetFile is a privacy-focused file sending service and personal vault that encrypts content client-side so the server cannot decrypt stored or transferred data. It provides both a web UI and a CLI client, and is designed for easy self-hosting with Docker and standard infrastructure components.

Key Features

• Client-side end-to-end encryption for files and text so servers cannot decrypt content
• "Send" mode: create shareable links with configurable expiration and limited download counts
• "Vault" mode: file and password storage, folder organization, and per-user read/write sharing
• Optional password protection on shared links and text transfers (text up to 2000 characters)
• Multiple storage backends supported: local filesystem, S3-compatible object stores, and Backblaze B2
• Official CLI with parity to web client and a browser-based web UI
• Deployable via docker-compose or systemd; requires PostgreSQL for metadata
• Admin features for instance management, user administration, and logging suggestions

Use Cases

• Securely send sensitive files or one-off secrets with expiring, limited-download links
• Host a personal/team vault for encrypted file and password storage with folder-level sharing
• Run a privacy-preserving file transfer service for an organization that must retain control of storage

Limitations and Considerations

• Send transfers have configurable limits: maximum expiration is 30 days and maximum downloads per link is 10
• Server-side metadata (file size, owner ID, timestamps) is visible even though file contents and filenames are encrypted
• Some features (paid upgrades, payment recycling) rely on external payment providers and require additional configuration

YeetFile is well suited for users and teams that need a self-hosted, privacy-first file transfer and vault solution. It emphasizes strong client-side encryption and flexible deployment, while requiring a PostgreSQL database and standard container tooling for production deployments.

PlikShare is a self-hosted file sharing and collaboration platform that organizes files into workspaces and "boxes" to control external access. It provides user management, granular permissions, and flexible storage backends for on-prem or S3-compatible object stores.

Key Features

• Box-based sharing model with invite, anonymous links, upload-only and read-only modes
• Unlimited users and workspaces with role- and permission-based access control
• Flexible storage: local disk or S3-compatible object stores (Cloudflare R2, AWS S3, DigitalOcean Spaces, Backblaze B2)
• File previews for video, audio, text, PDFs, markdown (with Mermaid) and ZIP archive browsing
• Built-in file encryption and per-box access controls
• Embeddable box widget (JavaScript/CSS) to collect or present files on other websites
• Integrations: OCR via AWS Textract and preliminary ChatGPT integration for querying text files
• Docker-ready deployment and CLI/config tooling; email configuration for notifications and user confirmations

Use Cases

• Centralized team file sharing and project workspaces with controlled external collaboration
• Collecting files from customers or partners via embeddable upload widgets on public sites
• Hosting large media or archival files on S3-compatible storage while retaining fine-grained access control

Limitations and Considerations

• OCR via Textract requires AWS S3 as intermediate storage and appropriate AWS credentials
• ChatGPT/AI integrations are early-stage and require external API/configuration; not a full RAG/LLM platform
• Only markdown files are editable in-browser; general file editing is not provided
• No official desktop sync client; functionality is primarily web-first

PlikShare is focused on secure, configurable file sharing with embeddable workflows and S3 support, suitable for teams that need on-prem control or S3-backed storage. It is deployable via containers and emphasizes fine-grained access controls and preview capabilities.

slcl is a simple and lightweight “cloud storage” web file server focused on portability, minimalism, and efficiency. It provides a private, authenticated directory for uploads and a separate read-only public sharing area, aiming to be a low-resource alternative to heavier file platforms.

Key Features

• Private user area with authentication, file uploads, and configurable per-user quota
• Read-only public file sharing via a dedicated public directory (implemented with symlinks)
• Download folders as ZIP archives
• No client-side JavaScript requirement
• Stateless authentication using signed JSON Web Tokens (no server-side session storage)
• Optional thumbnail support via an external helper process using a named pipe

Use Cases

• Lightweight personal or family “Dropbox-like” web file access on low-end hardware
• Simple authenticated upload portal with quotas for small teams or labs
• Public distribution of selected files with a separate read-only share area

Limitations and Considerations

• TLS is intentionally not implemented; it must be provided by a reverse proxy
• Uploads are not end-to-end encrypted; encryption must be done before uploading if needed

slcl is a good fit when you want a small, fast, and simple web file server with basic sharing and uploads, without the overhead of full collaboration suites. It is especially suitable for environments where resource usage, simplicity, and minimal dependencies matter most.