Sustainable Substitutes for Dropbox

A cloud storage provider with a history of security breaches.

Reasons to avoid Dropbox

Dropbox raises significant concerns regarding privacy and data security. The platform has experienced notable data breaches, such as the 2024 incident involving Dropbox Sign, where sensitive user information (including emails, usernames, phone numbers and authentication details) was exposed due to unauthorised access.

As a major player in cloud storage, Dropbox’s market position can limit user choice and stifle competition. Opt for a more sustainable and secure alternative.

Ethical and Sustainable Dropbox Alternatives

Copied!
  • Feasibility: How easily can the average user switch to this substitute? Higher feasibility results in a higher ranking.
  • Editor's Rating: How sustainable is the substitute? The more sustainability attributes it fulfils, the higher it is ranked.

Nextcloud

Nextcloud is a German self-hostable, open-source cloud storage and collaboration platform.

Nextcloud became the first cloud software platform to earn the Blauer Engel ecolabel, emphasizing environmental responsibility.
Nextcloud does not track users or sell personal data, ensuring a private and secure experience with optional end-to-end encryption.
Nextcloud’s core software is fully open-source, allowing for independent audits and community-driven development.
Nextcloud is based in Germany, ensuring compliance with strong European privacy laws.
Nextcloud is designed to be self-hosted, giving users full control over their data and infrastructure.
Some third party providers offer free plans with up to 5GB of storage. The self-hostable community edition is free and without licensing costs.
Nextcloud allows for real-time same-document collaboration.
Nextcloud syncs files to your device. You can edit files offline and changes will sync automatically once you reconnect to the internet.
Nextcloud is fully compatible with Microsoft Office and OpenDocument formats.
Nextcloud is ad free and does not monetise user-data.
Website
tresorit logo

Tresorit

Tresorit is a Swiss end-to-end encrypted cloud storage service with a focus on security.

Tresorit uses end-to-end encryption (zero-knowledge), meaning files are encrypted locally before upload and only the user holds the decryption keys.
Tresorit is based in Switzerland, ensuring compliance with strong European privacy laws.
Tresorit avoids unnecessary data consumption, focusing on efficient and secure file storage without AI-driven bloat.
Tresorit offers a free, basic plan with up to 3GB of encrypted storage.
Website
pcloud logo

pCloud

pCloud is a Swiss secure cloud storage service with lifetime plans.

pCloud does not track users unnecessarily and its optional zero-knowledge encryption ensures that files are encrypted locally before being uploaded to the cloud.
pCloud is based in Switzerland, ensuring compliance with strong European privacy laws.
pCloud offers 10GB of unencrypted storage with a free account and promises that it will be free forever.
pCloud offers affordable plans that allow users to pay for storage once and use it forever (or as long as the company exists).
Website

The 2 main issues with Dropbox

Monopoly - Market dominance that stifles competition and limits user choice.

Dropbox is a major player in cloud storage. Its market position can limit user choice and hinder innovation of sustainability and privacy practices.Soruce: BackLinko: Dropbox Usage and Revenue Stats (2025)

Privacy Concerns - User data is likely to be stored and used against users' best interest.

Dropbox has experienced significant security incidents, including a 2024 breach where unauthorised access to its Dropbox Sign (formerly HelloSign) service exposed sensitive user data such as emails, usernames, phone numbers and authentication information.Sources: Heise: Digital signature: Data leak from Dropbox Sign (2024)Have I Been Pwned: Dropbox Data Breach (2012)

Suggestions and Feedback

If you have suggestions for more alternatives or general feedback, please contact me via email or create an issue over on Codeberg. Suggest Substitute on Codeberg Write an Email