Looking to move your files from Dropbox to ownCloud but don't want to deal with the hassle of downloading everything first? You're not alone. Many users switch between cloud storage platforms for better privacy, more control, or simply to save on subscription costs. In this guide, I'll show you exactly how to transfer your Dropbox files to ownCloud without having to download them to your device first, saving you time, bandwidth, and storage space.

Whether you're managing personal documents or migrating an entire organization's worth of data, these methods will help you make the switch smoothly. Let's get started with the most efficient ways to move your files directly from Dropbox to ownCloud.

Why Move from Dropbox to ownCloud?

Before diving into the transfer methods, let's quickly look at why you might be making this switch:

• Data privacy and control - ownCloud gives you complete ownership of your data
• Cost savings - especially for larger storage needs
• Customization options that Dropbox doesn't offer
• Integration with existing IT infrastructure
• Open-source benefits and community support

Direct Transfer Methods from Dropbox to ownCloud

Method 1: Using the WebDAV Protocol

WebDAV (Web Distributed Authoring and Versioning) is a protocol that allows you to connect different cloud services. This method works well for transferring files directly between Dropbox and ownCloud.

Step-by-Step Process:

1. Log in to your ownCloud account
2. Find your WebDAV URL (usually in Settings > Personal)
3. Install a WebDAV client like Cyberduck or WinSCP on your computer
4. Connect to your ownCloud using the WebDAV URL and your credentials
5. Connect to your Dropbox account in the same client
6. Select the files from Dropbox and transfer them to ownCloud

This method works because the files stream through the WebDAV client without fully downloading to your device. The client acts as an intermediary, pulling data from Dropbox and immediately pushing it to ownCloud.

Method 2: Using Rclone for Direct Cloud-to-Cloud Transfer

Rclone is a command-line program that can sync files between various cloud storage services. It's powerful and efficient for transferring large amounts of data.

Setting Up Rclone:

1. Download and install Rclone from the official website
2. Open a terminal or command prompt
3. Run rclone config to set up a new remote for Dropbox
4. Follow the prompts to authorize Rclone with your Dropbox account
5. Set up another remote for your ownCloud using WebDAV
6. Use the rclone copy command to transfer files directly

Here's an example command:

rclone copy dropbox:FolderName owncloud:DestinationFolder

This approach is particularly useful for large transfers as Rclone handles the process efficiently and can resume interrupted transfers.

Method 3: Using MultCloud as a Cloud Transfer Service

MultCloud is a web-based service specifically designed for cloud-to-cloud transfers without downloading.

How to Use MultCloud:

1. Create an account on MultCloud.com
2. Add both your Dropbox and ownCloud accounts to MultCloud
3. Go to "Cloud Transfer" in the MultCloud dashboard
4. Select Dropbox as the source and ownCloud as the destination
5. Choose the folders you want to transfer
6. Click "Transfer Now" to start the process

MultCloud handles everything on their servers, so you can even close your browser once the transfer starts. They offer a free tier with limited transfer amounts and paid plans for larger transfers.

Method 4: Using the ownCloud Desktop Client with Dropbox API

This method requires a bit more technical knowledge but offers a seamless experience.

Implementation Steps:

1. Install the ownCloud desktop client
2. Create a Dropbox app in the Dropbox Developer Console
3. Generate an access token for your Dropbox account
4. Use a script to pull files from Dropbox API and push to ownCloud
5. Set up the script to run on your local machine or server

While this method requires more setup, it gives you complete control over the transfer process and can be automated for regular syncing between services.

Handling Large File Transfers

When moving substantial amounts of data, you need to consider a few additional factors:

Chunking Large Files

Some methods like Rclone automatically handle large files by breaking them into smaller chunks for transfer. This helps prevent timeouts and makes it easier to resume interrupted transfers.

Setting Up Transfer Schedules

If you're transferring terabytes of data, consider scheduling transfers during off-peak hours:

• MultCloud allows you to schedule transfers
• Rclone can be set up with cron jobs (Linux) or Task Scheduler (Windows)
• Break up large transfers into smaller batches

Bandwidth Considerations

While you're not downloading files to your device, the transfer service or tool you're using will be using bandwidth. Some services like MultCloud offer options to limit bandwidth usage if needed.

Preserving File Structure and Metadata

When transferring files between cloud services, you'll want to maintain your folder organization and important file information.

Keeping Your Folder Organization

All the methods mentioned above can preserve your folder structure during transfer. With Rclone, you can use the --transfers flag to control how many files are transferred simultaneously, which helps maintain order.

Handling File Versions and Timestamps

Some metadata may change during transfer:

Metadata	Rclone	MultCloud	WebDAV
Creation Date	Preserved with flags	Usually preserved	May change
Last Modified	Preserved	Preserved	Preserved
Version History	Not preserved	Not preserved	Not preserved
Sharing Settings	Not preserved	Not preserved	Not preserved

If version history is critical, you may need to handle those files separately or accept that this information will be lost in the transfer.

Comparing Transfer Methods

Let's compare the different approaches to help you choose the best one for your situation:

Method	Ease of Use	Speed	Large Files	Cost	Automation
WebDAV Client	Medium	Medium	Good	Free	Limited
Rclone	Complex	Fast	Excellent	Free	Excellent
MultCloud	Easy	Medium	Good	Freemium	Good
API Integration	Very Complex	Fast	Excellent	Free	Excellent

Best For Different Scenarios

• Small personal transfers: MultCloud or WebDAV client
• Large business migrations: Rclone or API integration
• Regular syncing between services: Rclone with scheduled tasks
• One-time complete migration: MultCloud (paid tier) or Rclone

Troubleshooting Common Transfer Issues

Even with the best methods, you might encounter some challenges during the transfer process.

Handling Transfer Interruptions

If your transfer gets interrupted:

• Rclone can resume transfers with the --progress flag
• MultCloud automatically resumes interrupted transfers
• WebDAV clients may require you to restart the transfer of failed files

Dealing with File Size Limitations

ownCloud typically has a maximum file size limit that depends on your server configuration. Check your ownCloud settings before transferring very large files. If you encounter size limits:

• Adjust the PHP settings on your ownCloud server
• Split very large files before transfer
• Use Rclone with the --max-size flag to filter files by size

Resolving Permission Issues

Sometimes files won't transfer due to permission problems:

• Ensure your ownCloud account has write permissions for the destination folders
• Check that your Dropbox access token has the necessary permissions
• Verify that file paths don't contain special characters that might cause issues

Post-Transfer Verification

After completing the transfer, it's crucial to verify that everything moved correctly.

Checking File Integrity

To ensure your files transferred without corruption:

• Use Rclone's check command to compare source and destination
• Manually verify a sample of important files
• Check file sizes and counts in both locations

Setting Up ownCloud After Migration

Once your files are transferred, take these steps to fully set up your ownCloud environment:

• Configure sharing permissions for transferred files
• Set up user access if moving from a personal Dropbox to a multi-user ownCloud
• Install any necessary ownCloud apps that provide functionality you had in Dropbox
• Set up the ownCloud desktop and mobile clients for continued access

Security Considerations During Transfer

Security should be a priority when moving files between cloud services.

Using Encrypted Connections

All the methods discussed should use encrypted connections by default:

• Verify that your WebDAV connection uses HTTPS
• Rclone uses encrypted connections by default
• MultCloud uses SSL for all transfers

Protecting Access Credentials

When setting up transfers:

• Use temporary access tokens when possible
• Revoke access permissions after the transfer is complete
• Don't store passwords in plain text configuration files
• Use OAuth authentication rather than storing passwords

Advanced Transfer Techniques

For users with specific needs or technical expertise, here are some advanced approaches.

Using Docker Containers for Transfers

You can set up a temporary Docker container with Rclone to handle transfers without installing anything permanently:

docker run --rm -v /path/to/config:/config rclone/rclone copy dropbox:folder owncloud:folder --config=/config/rclone.conf

This approach is particularly useful for one-time transfers on systems where you don't want to install software permanently.

Server-Side Transfers with APIs

If you have programming experience, you can create a script that:

• Uses the Dropbox API to retrieve files
• Streams the data directly to ownCloud via its WebDAV interface
• Handles rate limiting and retries automatically
• Logs all transfer activities for verification

This approach gives you the most control but requires significant development effort.

Transfer Strategies for Different File Types

Different types of files may benefit from different transfer approaches.

Documents and Small Files

For office documents, text files, and other small files:

• Batch transfers work well - you can move many small files at once
• Use the --transfers parameter in Rclone to increase concurrent transfers
• MultCloud handles these efficiently with default settings

Media Files and Large Binaries

For photos, videos, and large files:

• Consider chunked transfers to prevent timeouts
• Rclone with --checkers flag can verify large files more efficiently
• For very large media libraries, breaking the transfer into collections helps manage the process

Shared Files and Collaboration Data

For files that were shared with others in Dropbox:

• Note that sharing permissions won't transfer automatically
• Create a list of shared files before migration to recreate sharing in ownCloud
• Consider notifying collaborators about the platform change

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Conclusion

Transferring your files from Dropbox to ownCloud without downloading them first is definitely possible with the right tools and approach. Whether you choose the simplicity of MultCloud, the power of Rclone, or another method depends on your specific needs and technical comfort level.

Remember that the key benefits of a direct transfer include saving bandwidth, reducing transfer time, and avoiding the need for extra local storage space. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can make a smooth transition to ownCloud while maintaining your file organization and integrity.

After completing your migration, take some time to explore ownCloud's features that might offer advantages over what you had with Dropbox. The effort of migration often pays off with better privacy, control, and potentially lower costs in the long run.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer shared Dropbox folders to ownCloud?

Yes, you can transfer the files from shared Dropbox folders to ownCloud, but the sharing permissions won't transfer automatically. You'll need to set up sharing again in ownCloud after the files are transferred. Make sure you have sufficient access rights to the shared folders in Dropbox before attempting to transfer them.

How long does it take to transfer a large Dropbox account to ownCloud?

The transfer time depends on several factors including the total data size, the number of files, your internet connection, and the method you're using. As a rough estimate, transferring 100GB might take anywhere from a few hours to a day. Services like MultCloud or Rclone transfer directly between cloud servers, which is typically faster than methods that route through your local device.

Will I lose any functionality when moving from Dropbox to ownCloud?

You might notice some differences in features. Dropbox offers Paper documents, Showcase, and some specific collaboration tools that may not have direct equivalents in ownCloud. However, ownCloud offers advantages like complete data ownership, customization options, and integration with existing systems. Many users find that ownCloud's core file storage and sharing features meet their needs, especially with additional apps from the ownCloud marketplace.

Can I keep using both Dropbox and ownCloud during the transition period?

Yes, you can continue using both services while transitioning. This approach actually works well for many organizations and individuals. You can gradually move files and test ownCloud's functionality with your workflow before completely switching over. Just be mindful that any new files added to Dropbox after your initial transfer will need to be moved separately.

Is there a way to automatically sync between Dropbox and ownCloud?

Yes, you can set up ongoing synchronization between Dropbox and ownCloud using tools like Rclone with scheduled tasks or cron jobs. This allows you to maintain copies of your files on both platforms. However, this is typically a temporary solution during migration rather than a permanent arrangement, as maintaining two cloud storage services long-term might create confusion about which version of a file is authoritative.