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Box alternatives: 7 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 25, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave Box: tiny per-file upload limit on the free plan, and business plans need several seats. We ranked 7 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Box, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. Dropbox currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1Dropbox logoDropboxFree plan + paidNoWeb, Windows, macOS +34 of 466.5
2Nextcloud logoNextcloudOpen sourceYesWeb, Windows, macOS +44 of 453.6
  1. Dropbox logo

    1. DropboxTop pick

    Best for: Freelancers and teams who need sync that just works across every OS

    Free plan + paidWeb, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android

    66.5

    score / 100

    Why switch from Box

    Simpler and friendlier for small creative teams.

    Pros

    • Very reliable desktop sync, including Linux
    • Easy sharing and file requests with non-users
    • Version history and deleted-file recovery on every plan

    Cons

    • Free plan is only 2 GB
    • Paid plans cost more per TB than most rivals
    • Not end-to-end encrypted by default
    Visit Dropbox Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.3100
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Dropbox a good Box alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Free plan
    2 GB
    Checked Oct 25, 2026dropbox.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Free trial
    30 days
    Checked Oct 25, 2026dropbox.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Plus storage
    2 TB for one person
    Checked Oct 25, 2026dropbox.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Founded
    2007
    Checked Oct 25, 2026dropbox.com(opens source in a new tab)
  2. Nextcloud logo

    2. Nextcloud

    Best for: Organisations and tinkerers who want Google Drive features on their own server

    Open sourceSelf-hostableWeb, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Self-hosted

    53.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Box

    Self-hosted alternative that keeps sensitive files on your own servers.

    Pros

    • Free, open source and fully self-hostable
    • Large app ecosystem beyond files
    • Data stays wherever you choose to run it

    Cons

    • You handle updates, backups and performance
    • Can feel slow on modest hardware
    • Quality varies across community apps
    Visit Nextcloud Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.357
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Nextcloud a good Box alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Open source
    Yes
    Checked Oct 25, 2026nextcloud.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Self-hosting
    Yes
    Checked Oct 25, 2026nextcloud.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Enterprise price
    From €71.29 per user/year (100 users)
    Checked Oct 25, 2026nextcloud.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Client apps
    Free
    Checked Oct 25, 2026nextcloud.com(opens source in a new tab)

The best Box alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

Dropbox logo

Best Box alternative for most people

Dropbox

Simpler and friendlier for small creative teams.

Nextcloud logo

Best Box alternative for a free option

Nextcloud

Self-hosted alternative that keeps sensitive files on your own servers.

Microsoft OneDrive logo

Best Box alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

Microsoft OneDrive

Comes with Microsoft 365 and SharePoint if the company already pays for them.

Nextcloud logo

Best Box alternative for open source

Nextcloud

Self-hosted alternative that keeps sensitive files on your own servers.

Nextcloud logo

Best Box alternative for self-hosting

Nextcloud

Self-hosted alternative that keeps sensitive files on your own servers.

Egnyte logo

Best Box alternative for Mac

Egnyte

Hybrid cloud and on-premises file sharing for regulated businesses.

ShareFile logo

Best Box alternative for Windows

ShareFile

Client-facing file exchange and portals for professional services firms.

Dropbox logo

Best Box alternative for Linux

Dropbox

Simpler and friendlier for small creative teams.

Google Drive logo

Best Box alternative for iPhone and Android

Google Drive

Cheaper pooled storage for teams on Google Workspace.

Hightail logo

Best Box alternative for working in the browser

Hightail

Large-file delivery with built-in creative review and approvals for agencies.

Box alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Box?

Dropbox ranks first right now. Simpler and friendlier for small creative teams. Egnyte and ShareFile follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to Box?

Yes. Dropbox (free plan + paid), Microsoft OneDrive (free plan + paid), Google Drive (free plan + paid) and Nextcloud (open source) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to Box?

Yes: Nextcloud. Nextcloud can also be self-hosted.

Which Box alternatives work on Linux?

Dropbox and Nextcloud run on Linux.

Why do people switch from Box?

The complaints we hear most: tiny per-file upload limit on the free plan; business plans need several seats; overkill for personal use.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces Box, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.