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Synology Drive can make sense if you already own a compatible NAS and want to avoid per-seat software fees. But Reddit users report concerns ranging from drive compatibility and pricing to slow startup and heavy syncing; other users say Drive works well for them. The alternatives below suit different priorities, including self-hosting, encrypted sharing and business workflows. The published details do not establish any of them as a drop-in match for Synology’s NAS-based syncing or on-demand access.
01Why people leave Synology Drive
Drive behavior varies by user
One Reddit thread reports slow startup and high CPU use during syncing; commenters say they have not experienced those problems.
Drive compatibility and cost concerns
A Reddit thread describes concern about branded-drive requirements and the price of Synology-labeled disks versus other enterprise drives.
Questions about directory integration
A Reddit poster said Synology lacked native direct Entra ID connectivity. Check current documentation before treating that as a present-day limitation.
02The alternatives, ranked by fit
- Self-hosted control
NextcloudNextcloudNextcloud is the closest fit here if leaving Synology Drive does not mean giving up control of where your files live: it is aimed at organizations with self-hosting expertise and combines files and collaboration. The listed starting price is $3.50, with a free plan. That makes it worth comparing if platform control matters more than a turnkey setup.
Trade-off: Setup and upgrade complaints are a real caution; self-hosting expertise is expected.
6.3/10from
€3.50/mofree plan - Private file sharing
MEGAMEGAMEGA suits people who want private file sharing and storage, rather than keeping the decision tied to a compatible Synology NAS. Its listed starting price is $3.33, with a free plan, and its stated fit includes folder access controls and VPN. Consider it if those extras match your needs, but check transfer limits and overages before moving a large library.
Trade-off: Transfer limits and overages can complicate the cost.
8.0/10from
€3.33/mofree plan - Encrypted team drive
SyncSyncSync is aimed at teams needing encrypted file sharing, per-user storage and branded client portals. That makes it a candidate if you are replacing Synology Drive for team access and client sharing, not just looking for a different NAS sync client. The listed starting price is $4.50; the source does not specify its billing period.
Trade-off: The three-seat minimum may rule it out for small teams.
7.4/10from
$4.50/mo - Business content workflows
BoxBoxBox is a better match if your reason for leaving is a need for secure content collaboration or document workflows, rather than NAS-based file syncing. Its stated fit also includes organizations using AI on business content. The listed starting price is $4.50, with a free plan, but the source does not specify the billing period.
Trade-off: Seat minimums and unpublished add-on prices make total cost harder to judge.
7.4/10from
€4.50/mofree plan - Private personal storage
Proton DriveProton DriveProton Drive is worth considering if privacy and encrypted personal storage matter more than reproducing Synology Drive’s full everyday-drive experience. Its stated fit includes a free encrypted tier and secure file sharing for Proton users. The listed starting price is $3.99, with a free plan; the published details do not establish feature parity with Synology Drive.
Trade-off: It is less convincing as a full-featured everyday drive.
6.2/10from
$3.99/mofree plan - Governed business content
EgnyteEgnyteEgnyte targets teams with complex content governance, large project files and AI workflow controls. That is a different reason to switch from Synology Drive: choose it when governance and project workflows are the priority, not simply to find another NAS sync tool. The listed starting price is $22; the source does not specify the billing period.
Trade-off: Scrutinize the per-user bill before committing.
7.2/10from
$22/mo
03Side by side
| Tool | Score | From | Free plan | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Synology Drive Synology Drive (current) | 5.6 | Free | Yes | Existing compatible Synology NAS owners |
| Nextcloud Nextcloud | 6.3 | €3.50/mo | Yes | Organizations with self-hosting expertise |
| MEGA MEGA | 8.0 | €3.33/mo | Yes | Privacy-minded file sharing |
| Sync Sync | 7.4 | $4.50/mo | No | Teams that need encrypted file sharing |
| Box Box | 7.4 | €4.50/mo | Yes | Teams needing secure content collaboration |
| Proton Drive Proton Drive | 6.2 | $3.99/mo | Yes | Privacy-minded personal file storage |
| Egnyte Egnyte | 7.2 | $22/mo | No | Teams with complex content governance |
Questions people ask
Which Synology Drive alternative is closest to a self-hosted setup?
Nextcloud is the clearest fit in this list for organizations with self-hosting expertise and admins who value platform control. Its stated offering combines files and collaboration. The published details do not confirm that it reproduces Synology Drive’s sync behavior or on-demand file access, so verify those requirements before switching.
How much do Synology Drive alternatives cost?
The listed starting prices range from $3.33 for MEGA to $22 for Egnyte. Nextcloud, MEGA, Box and Proton Drive are listed with free plans. Billing periods, plan caps and full plan details are not published on the vendor's site, so treat these as starting figures, not a complete cost comparison.
Will these alternatives fix Synology Drive sync problems?
Not necessarily. One Reddit thread reports slow startup and high CPU use, while commenters say Drive works normally for them. The published details do not establish that any listed alternative matches Synology’s NAS syncing or on-demand access. Compare the exact behavior you rely on and test your migration requirements before moving files.