Nextcloud vs Syncthing
Nextcloud and Syncthing are both listed on Forkshelf as open source alternatives to Dropbox. This page sets their license and GitHub activity side by side. Every figure comes from the GitHub API, fetched on 8 Nov 2026 [S1].
Nextcloud vs Syncthing at a glance
| Nextcloud | Syncthing | |
|---|---|---|
| License | AGPL-3.0 [S1] | MPL-2.0 [S1] |
| GitHub stars | 37,439 on 8 Nov 2026 [S1] | 90,202 on 8 Nov 2026 [S1] |
| Last push | 8 Nov 2026 [S1] | 6 Nov 2026 [S1] |
| Latest release | v33.0.10 on 15 Oct 2026 [S1] | v2.1.7 on 21 Oct 2026 [S1] |
| Archived | No [S1] | No [S1] |
| Project site | nextcloud.com | syncthing.net |
| Repository | nextcloud/server | syncthing/syncthing |
What is Nextcloud?
Its makers describe the Nextcloud server as "a safe home for all your data." Its code is on GitHub at nextcloud/server [S1].
What is Syncthing?
Its makers describe Syncthing as open source continuous file synchronization. Its code is on GitHub at syncthing/syncthing [S1].
What Dropbox does
Our catalog sums it up as: Dropbox is hosted file sync and sharing for a team drive. [S2]
How we list Nextcloud and Syncthing
Our Dropbox alternatives page describes Nextcloud as: Nextcloud keeps your files and calendars on a server of your choosing, under AGPL-3.0. [S2] We list Nextcloud only as an alternative to Dropbox [S3].
Our Dropbox alternatives page describes Syncthing as: Syncthing is a continuous file synchronization program, and it leads this page on stars under MPL-2.0. [S2] We list Syncthing only as an alternative to Dropbox [S3].
Nextcloud vs Syncthing license
The Nextcloud repository is under AGPL-3.0 [S1].
The Syncthing repository is under MPL-2.0 [S1].
Activity
On 8 Nov 2026, Nextcloud had 37,439 GitHub stars. It is not archived, and its last push was on 8 Nov 2026 [S1].
On 8 Nov 2026, Syncthing had 90,202 GitHub stars. It is not archived, and its last push was on 6 Nov 2026 [S1].
Nextcloud's latest GitHub release is v33.0.10, from 15 Oct 2026 [S1].
Syncthing's latest GitHub release is v2.1.7, from 21 Oct 2026 [S1].
Which one fits
Syncthing has more GitHub stars than Nextcloud as of 8 Nov 2026 [S1]. Stars show interest, so check the issue tracker too.
Nextcloud had the more recent push, on 8 Nov 2026, against 6 Nov 2026 for Syncthing [S1].
Nextcloud uses AGPL-3.0 and Syncthing uses MPL-2.0 [S1]. If you plan to change the code and run it as a service for others or ship it, read both licences before you pick.
Other Dropbox alternatives
See the full list on the Dropbox alternatives page [S2].
Related comparisons
FAQ
Is Nextcloud open source?
Its repository is under AGPL-3.0, as of 8 Nov 2026 [S1].
Is Syncthing open source?
Its repository is under MPL-2.0, as of 8 Nov 2026 [S1].
Is the Nextcloud repository still active?
As of 8 Nov 2026, it is not archived and its last push was on 8 Nov 2026 [S1].
Is the Syncthing repository still active?
As of 8 Nov 2026, it is not archived and its last push was on 6 Nov 2026 [S1].
Self-host guides
Sources (all fetched 8 Nov 2026)
- [S1] https://api.github.com/repos/nextcloud/server, https://api.github.com/repos/syncthing/syncthing
- [S2] Forkshelf listing, https://forkshelf.com/alternative-to/dropbox
- [S3] Forkshelf catalog, https://forkshelf.com/alternatives