The Best Self-Hosted Cloud Storage Software in 2026
Nextcloud Files leads with open-source hosting that keeps files aligned on browsers, computers and phones, while offering federated sharing, recoverable versions and administrative controls. Nextcloud Files is also the best free option; the cheapest paid option is Seafile's cloud Team Plan at $8 per user a month, for at least three users. For organizations needing mature, feature-rich open-source storage, Nextcloud Files combines external-storage connections with granular administration, making it a practical fit for larger teams despite a 100-user minimum on enterprise subscriptions. Seafile suits groups wanting a self-managed collaboration hub, with virtual-drive access, permissioned public links and document wikis for everyday teamwork. FileRun targets buyers seeking self-hosted file sharing, adding expiring password links, desktop folder synchronization, mobile access and OCR-powered document search. ProjectSend is the focused choice for client deliverables: separate client accounts, quotas, upload returns, expiration settings and activity records support controlled handoffs. OpenCloud works for teams wanting synchronized, recoverable workspaces, pairing shared spaces with offline access and version recovery. ZPan is especially suitable for image-focused teams because it handles custom-domain image hosting and browser-to-S3 transfers, but it needs S3-compatible storage.
Our top picks
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Top ranked
Nextcloud Files#1 of 309.3/10Open-source file sync and sharing with self-hosting and organizational controls.
Free plan
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Runner-up
Seafile#2 of 309.1/10Self-hosted sync and collaboration with desktop, mobile, and virtual-drive access.
Free plan
-
Top-ranked free plan
ownCloud#3 of 309.0/10A flexible file platform with self-hosted and hosted options for organizations.
Free plan · 30-day trial
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
The full ranking 30 tools, best first
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Best forTeams wanting a mature, full-featured open-source cloud
Open-source file sync and sharing with self-hosting and organizational controls.
- File versioning
9.3/10★★★★★Visit Nextcloud -
Best forTeams needing self-hosted sync and collaboration
Self-hosted sync and collaboration with desktop, mobile, and virtual-drive access.
- File versioning
9.1/10★★★★★Visit Seafile -
Best forOrganizations seeking flexible file access and control
A flexible file platform with self-hosted and hosted options for organizations.
- File versioning
Free plan · 30-day trial Our ownCloud verdict → Visit ownCloudFor vendors Sponsor this spot · #3 · $79/mo →9.0/10★★★★☆Visit ownCloud -
Best forOrganizations needing governed file collaboration
Open-source, self-hosted file collaboration with plans that add identity and governance controls.
- File versioning
8.8/10★★★★☆Visit Pydio Cells -
Best forBusinesses needing security and admin controls
FileCloud combines self-hosting options with business sharing, sync, and admin controls.
- File versioning
8.7/10★★★★☆Visit FileCloud -
Best forTeams wanting affordable self-hosted file sharing
FileRun pairs self-hosted storage with sharing, sync and guest access for teams.
8.6/10★★★★☆Visit FileRun -
Best forBusinesses using existing network file repositories
A self-hosted access layer for business file repositories across browser, desktop and mobile.
- Collaborative editing
- File versioning
8.4/10★★★★☆Visit MyWorkDrive -
Best forTeams sharing deliverables through a client portal
A free, open-source portal for controlled file delivery and client uploads.
8.1/10★★★★☆Visit ProjectSend -
Best forTeams seeking self-hosted sync and collaboration
Open-source self-hosted storage with sync, recovery and collaboration across four plans.
- Collaborative editing
- File versioning
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit OpenCloud -
Best forTeams needing flexible backends and Windows sync
A self-hosted file hub with broad storage options and Windows sync.
- Collaborative editing
- File versioning
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit Cloudreve -
Best forSmall teams wanting self-hosted document collaboration
A self-hostable drive for small teams that need shared files and collaborative Office editing.
- Collaborative editing
- File versioning
7.7/10★★★★☆Visit Cozy Drive -
Best forPersonal users prioritizing encryption and file versions
A focused, open-source storage option for people who want to manage their own file infrastructure.
- File versioning
7.6/10★★★★☆Visit Cotton Cloud -
Best forTechnical users with diverse storage and protocol needs
A self-hosted file hub for teams that need varied storage backends and protocols.
- Collaborative editing
- File versioning
7.5/10★★★★☆Visit FileX -
Best forHouseholds and small teams wanting a self-hosted drive
An open-source file server for small groups who want storage on hardware they control.
- File versioning
7.4/10★★★★☆Visit Local Drive -
Best forTeams wanting desktop sync and collaborative workspaces
An open-source file platform for teams that want self-hosted storage and desktop sync.
- Collaborative editing
7.3/10★★★★☆Visit Sync-in -
Best forPrivacy-focused users wanting encrypted self-hosting
A flexible encrypted storage choice for people who want hosted or self-managed deployment.
7.2/10★★★★☆Visit Peergos -
Best forSmall groups managing files on self-hosted storage
A lightweight web file manager with permissions, storage adapters, and resumable uploads.
7.1/10★★★★☆Visit FileGator -
Best forTeams managing files across many storage protocols
Filestash brings browsing, transfers, editing and sharing together for existing storage.
7.0/10★★★★☆Visit Filestash -
Best forPrivacy-conscious macOS users with S3 storage
A self-hosted sync service for privacy-conscious macOS users with S3 storage.
6.9/10★★★☆☆Visit Hex Citadel -
Best forSmall teams focused on controlled file sharing
A free, self-hosted sharing platform with workspaces, granular permissions and encrypted storage options.
6.8/10★★★☆☆Visit PlikShare -
Best forUsers needing a web portal with external storage sources
A self-hosted file portal with broad storage options and a free open-source core.
- Collaborative editing
6.7/10★★★☆☆Visit FileRise -
Best forTeams needing flexible storage-backed file workspaces
A flexible file workspace for teams willing to manage their own hosting and storage.
6.6/10★★★☆☆Visit Locker -
Best forSmall groups wanting self-hosted sync and backups
A free, open-source drive for self-hosted sync, sharing and file recovery.
- File versioning
6.5/10★★★☆☆Visit ShellX -
Best forPersonal users wanting a free, simple file manager
A free, open-source file manager for personal self-hosting, with Telegram-backed storage.
6.4/10★★★☆☆Visit TCloud -
Best forSolo users and small teams running their own infrastructure
A self-hosted drive with file search, sharing, DAV access, and browser editing.
- Collaborative editing
6.3/10★★★☆☆Visit OxiCloud -
Best forTeams focused on image hosting and object storage
A focused web drive for image hosting, sharing, and S3-compatible storage.
6.2/10★★★☆☆Visit ZPan -
Best forPersonal users wanting a minimal open-source deployment
A free, open-source storage option for people comfortable managing a Docker Compose deployment.
6.1/10★★★☆☆Visit bewCloud -
Best forHouseholds wanting a simple private file and photo hub
A self-hosted household file and photo hub with browser tools and mobile apps in testing.
6.0/10★★★☆☆Visit Quark -
Best forOrganizations wanting self-hosted team document editing
Self-hosted team drives and OnlyOffice editing, with mobile support still in alpha.
- Collaborative editing
- File versioning
6.0/10★★★☆☆Visit Twake Drive -
Best forPHP developers using PHPUnit
A PHP testing library, not self-hosted cloud storage software.
6.0/10★★★☆☆Visit Eris
No tools match those filters.
Compare at a glance
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Deployment options | File versioning | Collaborative editing | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nextcloud Files | Yes | €53.17/user/yr | Yes | 9.3 | ||
| 2 | Seafile | Yes | Yes | 9.1 | |||
| 3 | ownCloud | Yes | Yes | 9.0 | |||
| 4 | Pydio Cells | Yes | Yes | 8.8 | |||
| 5 | FileCloud | No | $7/user/mo | Yes | 8.7 | ||
| 6 | FileRun | No | €9.90/user/yr | 8.6 | |||
| 7 | MyWorkDrive | No | $1,200/yr | Both | Yes | Yes | 8.4 |
| 8 | ProjectSend | Yes | Free | 8.1 | |||
| 9 | OpenCloud | Yes | €2/user/mo | Self-hosted | Yes | Yes | 7.9 |
| 10 | Cloudreve | Yes | Self-hosted | Yes | Yes | 7.8 | |
| 11 | Cozy Drive | Yes | Both | Yes | Yes | 7.7 | |
| 12 | Cotton Cloud | Yes | Free | Self-hosted | Yes | No | 7.6 |
| 13 | FileX | Yes | Free | Self-hosted | Yes | Yes | 7.5 |
| 14 | Local Drive | Yes | Free | Self-hosted | Yes | 7.4 | |
| 15 | Sync-in | Yes | Free | Self-hosted | Yes | 7.3 | |
| 16 | Peergos | Yes | 7.2 | ||||
| 17 | FileGator | Yes | Free | Self-hosted | No | 7.1 | |
| 18 | Filestash | Yes | $50/mo | 7.0 | |||
| 19 | Hex Citadel | Yes | Free | 6.9 | |||
| 20 | PlikShare | Yes | Free | Self-hosted | No | 6.8 | |
| 21 | FileRise | Yes | $49.99/unit one-time | Self-hosted | No | Yes | 6.7 |
| 22 | Locker | Yes | Free | Self-hosted | 6.6 | ||
| 23 | ShellX Drive | Yes | Free | Self-hosted | Yes | No | 6.5 |
| 24 | TCloud | Yes | Free | Self-hosted | No | 6.4 | |
| 25 | OxiCloud | Yes | Free | Self-hosted | Yes | 6.3 | |
| 26 | ZPan | Yes | $29/mo | Both | No | 6.2 | |
| 27 | bewCloud | Yes | Free | Self-hosted | 6.1 | ||
| 28 | Quark | Yes | Free | Self-hosted | No | 6.0 | |
| 29 | Twake Drive | Both | Yes | Yes | 6.0 | ||
| 30 | Eris | Yes | Free | 6.0 |
Head-to-head All 25 comparisons →
- Nextcloud Files vs Pydio Cells
- Nextcloud Files vs FileCloud
- Nextcloud Files vs FileRun
- Nextcloud Files vs MyWorkDrive
- Nextcloud Files vs ProjectSend
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- Seafile vs FileRun
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How we rank Self-Hosted cloud storage software
Every tool on this page was researched by iTechGuides Editors from its official website — pricing pages, plan tables and product documentation. We rank on how well each one does this category's core job, what the free or entry plan includes, and where it falls short. Where we have enough verified facts, the score out of 10 is a rubric — job fit, value and how much we could verify — shown with its breakdown on every tool's page; a tool we have not verified enough to score yet shows its rank without a number. Scores are re-checked when a product changes its plans. Read the full editorial policy, or submit a tool we missed.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update