OpenCloud

Self-Hosted

Open-source self-hosted file sync & transfer platform

Overview

OpenCloud is a self-hosted file synchronization and transfer solution built for privacy-conscious users and teams. It enables secure file sharing, real-time sync across desktops/mobile devices, and encrypted peer-to-peer transfers. Deploy via Docker containers (for quick setup) or traditional server configurations (supports Linux/BSD). Key features include user role management, file version history, folder-level permissions, and integration with S3-compatible storage. It eliminates reliance on third-party clouds, keeping your data under full control while maintaining essential sync/transfer functionality.

Self-Hosting Resources

Find Official Image on Docker Hub View Source & Docs

Below is a reference structure for docker-compose.yml. ⚠️ Do NOT run blindly. Replace placeholders with official values.

docker-compose.template.yml TEMPLATE


version: '3'
services:
  open_cloud:
    image: <OFFICIAL_IMAGE_NAME>:latest
    container_name: open-cloud
    ports:
      - "8080:<APP_INTERNAL_PORT>"
    volumes:
      - ./data:/app/data
    restart: unless-stopped

Key Features

Real-time cross-device file synchronization
End-to-end encryption for transfers and storage
Docker-friendly deployment & S3-compatible storage support

Frequently Asked Questions

? Is OpenCloud hard to install?

It’s straightforward for Docker users—pull the official image and run with minimal config. Traditional setups require configuring web servers (e.g., Nginx), databases, and dependencies, which may need basic technical skills.

? Is it a good alternative to Dropbox?

Yes—OpenCloud offers core sync/sharing features like Dropbox but lets you host data locally, ensuring full privacy. It lacks Dropbox’s advanced SaaS integrations but excels at secure, self-managed file workflows.

? Is it completely free?

Yes—OpenCloud is open-source (GPLv3 licensed) so it’s free to download, self-host, and modify. There are no paid tiers or hidden costs for core functionality.

Top Alternatives

Dropbox Compare

Google Drive Compare

Tool Info

Pricing Open Source

Category File Transfer & Synchronization

Platform Self-Hosted

Pros

⊕ Full data ownership (no third-party cloud reliance)
⊕ No subscription fees (open-source core)
⊕ Flexible deployment options (Docker/traditional)
⊕ Granular access controls for teams

Cons

⊖ Requires basic server administration knowledge
⊖ Limited third-party app integrations vs. SaaS tools
⊖ Manual updates needed for self-hosted instances
⊖ Lacks advanced collaborative editing features