Self-Hosted Alternatives to iCloud Drive

Why Replace iCloud Drive?

Cost. Apple gives you 5 GB free — barely enough for an iPhone backup. iCloud+ starts at $0.99/month for 50 GB and goes to $9.99/month for 2 TB. Over three years, 2 TB costs $360. A 4 TB NAS drive costs $80 one-time.

Platform lock-in. iCloud Drive works well in the Apple ecosystem but poorly outside it. The Windows client is unreliable, there’s no native Linux client, and web access at icloud.com is slow. If you use any non-Apple devices, iCloud becomes a limitation.

Storage limitations. iCloud storage is shared across backups, photos, mail, and files. That 200 GB plan fills up fast when your iPhone backup alone takes 50+ GB. Self-hosted storage is dedicated to files and limited only by your hardware.

Privacy. Apple stores iCloud data on its servers (and third-party servers including Google Cloud and Amazon). While Apple offers Advanced Data Protection (end-to-end encryption), it’s not enabled by default. Self-hosted storage gives you encryption you control.

Feature limitations. iCloud Drive lacks file versioning beyond recent changes, has limited sharing controls compared to Dropbox or Google Drive, and doesn’t support folder sharing with granular permissions. Self-hosted tools offer more control.

Best Alternatives

Nextcloud — Best for Apple Users

Nextcloud is the strongest iCloud Drive replacement for Apple users because it covers the most ground: file sync, sharing, calendar (CalDAV), and contacts (CardDAV). Apple’s built-in Calendar and Contacts apps work natively with CalDAV/CardDAV, so you can replace iCloud Calendar and Contacts at the same time.

What you get: iOS and macOS sync via the Nextcloud app. Web file browser. Sharing links. Collaborative editing. Calendar and contacts sync with Apple’s native apps via CalDAV/CardDAV. File versioning.

Best for: Apple users who want to replace iCloud Drive, iCloud Calendar, and iCloud Contacts together.

iOS experience: The Nextcloud iOS app supports automatic photo upload, file browsing, and offline access. It’s not as deeply integrated as iCloud (no Files app integration for on-demand access), but it covers the core use cases well.

[Read our full guide: How to Self-Host Nextcloud]

Seafile — Best for Speed

Seafile offers the fastest file sync available in a self-hosted solution. Block-level deduplication and delta sync make it 2-3x faster than Nextcloud. The iOS and Android apps work well for file access and photo upload.

What you get: Fast sync clients for macOS and Windows. iOS app with auto-upload. Web file browser. Sharing links. Client-side encryption per library.

Best for: Users who prioritize sync speed and don’t need calendar/contacts sync.

[Read our full guide: How to Self-Host Seafile]

Syncthing — Best for Privacy (Mac/Android Only)

Syncthing syncs files peer-to-peer with no central server. Perfect privacy — no data touches any server. However, there is no official iOS app, making it a poor choice for iPhone users who need sync on their phone.

What you get: Automatic sync between Mac, Windows, Linux, and Android devices. No server needed. Block-level delta sync.

Best for: Mac users with Android phones (or who don’t need mobile file sync).

Major limitation: No official iOS support. This makes Syncthing a non-starter for most Apple users. Consider Nextcloud or Seafile instead.

[Read our full guide: How to Self-Host Syncthing]

Migration Guide

Step 1: Download Your iCloud Drive Files

On macOS:

1. Open Finder → iCloud Drive
2. Ensure all files are downloaded (look for the cloud icon — click to download)
3. Select all files → Copy to a local folder outside iCloud Drive
4. Alternatively: Apple Menu → System Settings → Apple ID → iCloud → iCloud Drive → turn off “Sync this Mac” (this downloads all files locally first)

Via iCloud.com:

1. Go to icloud.com → Drive
2. Select files/folders → Download
3. Large libraries may need to be downloaded in batches

Step 2: Set Up Your Replacement

For Apple users, we recommend Nextcloud:

1. Follow our Nextcloud Docker guide
2. Configure SSL via reverse proxy
3. Set up CalDAV/CardDAV for calendar and contacts

Step 3: Migrate Calendar and Contacts (Optional)

If also replacing iCloud Calendar and Contacts:

1. On macOS: System Settings → Internet Accounts → Add CalDAV/CardDAV account
2. Enter your Nextcloud server URL, username, and password
3. Your calendars and contacts sync automatically
4. Once verified, disable iCloud Calendar and Contacts sync
5. On iOS: Settings → Calendar → Accounts → Add CalDAV Account

Step 4: Set Up File Sync

1. Install the Nextcloud desktop client on your Mac
2. Install the Nextcloud iOS app on your iPhone/iPad
3. Configure auto-photo-upload in the iOS app to replace iCloud Photos backup
4. Copy your iCloud Drive files to the Nextcloud sync folder
5. Verify sync across all devices

Step 5: Disable iCloud Drive

1. On Mac: System Settings → Apple ID → iCloud → turn off iCloud Drive
2. On iPhone: Settings → Apple ID → iCloud → turn off iCloud Drive
3. Keep iCloud enabled for Find My, Keychain, and other features you still want
4. Downgrade your iCloud+ plan to free

Cost Comparison

What You Give Up

• Deep iOS/macOS integration. iCloud Drive is built into Files app, Finder, and virtually every Apple app. Self-hosted solutions use separate apps and can’t replicate the seamless “it just works” experience.
• iCloud Photos. If you use iCloud Photos (not just Drive), replacing it requires Immich or a similar photo management solution in addition to file sync.
• Keychain sync. iCloud Keychain syncs passwords across Apple devices. Replace with Vaultwarden for a cross-platform password manager.
• Find My. This stays on iCloud regardless — no self-hosted alternative.
• Family Sharing simplicity. iCloud+ plans can be shared with up to 5 family members. Self-hosted solutions require creating user accounts for each person.
• Seamless backup. iPhone backups go to iCloud automatically. Self-hosted backup requires manual setup or third-party tools.
• Files app integration. The iOS Files app shows iCloud Drive as a first-class location. Self-hosted files are accessed through a separate app.

FAQ

Can I still use iCloud for some things?

Absolutely. Many self-hosters keep iCloud for Keychain, Find My, and iMessage while moving files and photos to self-hosted solutions. You can downgrade to the free 5 GB plan.

Will Nextcloud’s CalDAV work with Apple Calendar?

Yes. Apple Calendar and Contacts natively support CalDAV/CardDAV. Add your Nextcloud server as an account in System Settings → Internet Accounts, and calendars/contacts sync automatically.

Is Nextcloud’s iOS app as good as iCloud?

No. iCloud is deeply integrated into iOS — self-hosted solutions can’t match that level of integration. But Nextcloud’s iOS app handles file browsing, sharing, and auto photo upload well. It covers the core use cases.

What about Apple Photos?

iCloud Photos is separate from iCloud Drive. To replace it, look at Immich or PhotoPrism for self-hosted photo management with mobile auto-upload.

Related

• How to Self-Host Nextcloud
• How to Self-Host Seafile
• How to Self-Host Syncthing
• How to Self-Host Immich
• Nextcloud vs Seafile
• Self-Hosted Alternatives to Google Drive
• Self-Hosted Alternatives to Dropbox
• Self-Hosted Alternatives to Google Photos
• Best Self-Hosted File Sync Solutions
• Docker Compose Basics