OneDrive Alternatives for Linux: Clients and Replacements

Short answer: Linux has no official OneDrive client, so you have two paths. To keep OneDrive, use the open-source abraunegg client for two-way sync, onedriver for a mount that downloads files when you open them, or rclone for scripts. To leave OneDrive, Nextcloud, Syncthing and Seafile all run on Linux, at the cost of hosting or managing something yourself.

What matters for OneDrive on Linux

Four things decide this. First, sync or mount: sync keeps a local copy and uses disk space, while a mount fetches files on demand and needs a connection. Second, which account you have: Personal, Business or SharePoint libraries. Third, setup effort: command line or GUI. Fourth, whether you are staying on OneDrive at all.

A University of Washington iSchool help article says Linux has no official OneDrive client and points to the abraunegg project. A 2023 ExpanDrive post frames the choice as sync versus mount. It is a vendor article, so treat its product comparisons with care.

In a November 2024 Tildes thread, someone asked about moving a partner off Windows while keeping OneDrive sync reliable. Replies suggested rclone mounts, the abraunegg client and a paid client, and most advised staying on Windows with native OneDrive if the setup has to just work.

OneDrive Client for Linux (abraunegg)

This is a free, open-source command-line OneDrive client. According to its README, it supports OneDrive Personal, OneDrive for Business, Microsoft 365 and SharePoint document libraries, and is licensed GPL-3.0. Two-way sync is the default.

It is independently maintained, not by Microsoft. It does not support Windows-style Files On-Demand and has no on-the-fly file encryption. A GUI is needed only for Intune single sign-on, desktop notifications and file manager sidebar integration.

Pick it if you want a local copy that syncs in both directions. Skip it if your disk cannot hold the files you sync.

onedriver

onedriver is a native Linux filesystem for OneDrive. According to its README, files download only when a program uses them, previously opened files stay readable offline, and the mount turns read-only when you are offline. It is GPL-3.0 and lets you add accounts through a GUI.

The README also lists limits: no symbolic links, very large files load into memory (the README suggests rclone for multi-gigabyte files), and it advises against using it as a backup target. It does not state support for Business or SharePoint.

Pick it for personal accounts when you want OneDrive to behave like a folder without a full sync.

rclone

rclone is a command-line tool that copies, syncs and mounts many cloud services, with a dedicated OneDrive backend. According to rclone's OneDrive page, it covers Personal, Business and SharePoint document libraries, with a maximum file size of 250 GiB and full paths under 400 characters.

The same page lists caveats: refresh tokens expire after 90 days of non-use, every change creates a file version, and Microsoft provides no API to permanently delete files unless you set hard_delete.

Pick rclone for scripted backups and mounts. Skip it if you want a point-and-click setup.

Nextcloud

Nextcloud is a self-hosted file sync and share server, so it replaces OneDrive rather than connecting to it. According to Nextcloud's install page, you can run the server from an All-in-One Docker image, a VM image, a web installer or a Snap package, and the Linux desktop client is offered as an AppImage, with distribution packages community-maintained. The server is AGPL-3.0.

The install page lists no price for the Community edition, and you pay for the server or hosting. Pick it if you want full control and will maintain it.

Syncthing

Syncthing keeps folders in sync between your own computers with no central server. According to its site, it syncs files between computers with no central server and works on Linux. The code is MPL-2.0.

It syncs between your own computers rather than acting as a hosted drive. A commenter in the Tildes thread named it as an option. Pick it for private device-to-device sync.

Seafile

Seafile is open-source file sync and share software. According to its pricing page, Community Edition is free and open source, and Professional Edition needs no license for up to 3 users. Professional costs $48 per user per year at 10 to 249 users.

The Seafile site mentions online Office editing, and its download page lists a server for generic Linux and a desktop client that runs on Ubuntu, Debian and Fedora. Pick it for a small team that wants self-hosted sync with Office editing.

Comparison

How to choose

You just need your OneDrive files on Linux. Start with the abraunegg client if you want a local copy, or onedriver if you want files downloaded only when opened.

You use Business or SharePoint. The abraunegg client and rclone list support for both. Test a small library first.

You want to stop using OneDrive. Syncthing is the lightest option, Nextcloud is the broadest, and Seafile suits a small team. Our open-source cloud storage and free cloud storage pages compare more, and the Dropbox alternatives and Google Drive alternatives guides cover hosted choices.