Nextcloud vs Owncloud: A Comprehensive Comparison and Guide

Nextcloud and Owncloud are two popular open-source cloud storage solutions that have been gaining traction in recent years. Nextcloud has a more user-friendly interface and is easier to set up than Owncloud.

Nextcloud has a stronger focus on security, with features like two-factor authentication and encryption. This makes it a more secure option for storing sensitive data.

Both Nextcloud and Owncloud offer a range of integrations with popular third-party apps, making it easy to customize your cloud storage experience. Nextcloud's integration with calendar and contact apps is particularly seamless.

Nextcloud's development team is actively involved in the community, releasing new features and updates regularly.

Both Nextcloud and ownCloud share a common lineage and have striking similarities that make them a great choice for users seeking a self-hosted cloud storage solution.

They offer a seamless file-syncing and sharing experience across various devices, including desktop clients for Windows, macOS, and Linux, as well as mobile apps for Android and iOS devices.

Their collaborative tools are also quite similar, allowing users to manage tasks, upload files, and access a calendar.

Both platforms have robust security features, including data encryption, two-factor authentication, and granular access controls, making them a secure choice for storing and sharing sensitive data.

They also provide a wide range of features designed to protect your data from unauthorized access and potential threats, including support for external key management systems and hardware security modules (HSM).

By taking security very seriously, both Nextcloud and ownCloud have become a trusted choice for users who need a secure cloud storage solution.

Cross-platform support is also a key similarity between the two platforms, offering support for desktop clients and mobile apps (iOS & Android) to enhance the convenience of collaboration activities.

Their pricing and features are also comparable, making it a tough choice between the two platforms for users who need a powerful base for enterprise file sharing and support for add-on apps and customer service.

Nextcloud and ownCloud are similar solutions, but they have some key differences that set them apart. Nextcloud has been seeing more growth in the past few years compared to ownCloud, making it a strong contender in the file sharing world.

Both platforms offer free community versions for personal use, but ownCloud's standard plan costs €5 per user/month, while Nextcloud's mobile apps are free. Nextcloud's community-driven development has resulted in a slightly higher volume of third-party apps and integrations.

Here's a quick comparison of some of the key differences between the two platforms:

Ultimately, the choice between Nextcloud and ownCloud depends on your specific needs and preferences.

Nextcloud was born as a fork of ownCloud in 2016 after Frank Karlitschek, the creator of ownCloud, left the company due to concerns about the balance between the open-source project and its commercial interests.

Frank Karlitschek launched Nextcloud with a focus on transparency, collaboration, and keeping its codebase 100% open-source.

Many former ownCloud developers joined the Nextcloud project, rapidly evolving the platform with improvements and innovations that set it apart from ownCloud.

Nextcloud's philosophy of transparency and community-driven development resonated with the open-source community, quickly gaining traction as an ownCloud alternative.

The core platform of Nextcloud remains entirely open-source, with no proprietary components or restrictions, unlike ownCloud.

Both ownCloud and Nextcloud prioritize security, with features like data encryption and two-factor authentication providing a robust layer of protection for your files.

Data encryption is available on both platforms, with server-side encryption ensuring that your files are protected before they leave your device.

Two-factor authentication (2FA) is a crucial security feature offered by both platforms, adding an extra layer of protection to user accounts.

By requiring a unique code generated by an authenticator app or sent via SMS, 2FA significantly reduces the risk of unsanctioned access to your cloud storage.

Both platforms provide robust access controls, enabling administrators to define and enforce user and group-based permissions, which helps ensure that sensitive data is only accessible to authorized individuals.

Nextcloud's commitment to remaining 100% open-source allows it to benefit from the collective expertise of the open-source community, which helps identify and address potential security vulnerabilities more effectively.

Nextcloud has a slight edge due to its attractive bug bounty program, which offers a reward of $10,000 for uncovering vulnerabilities.

However, ownCloud's Enterprise edition offers second-generation server encryption (E2EE), which is a significant security feature, but it's only available for users who try out the Enterprise version for 30 days at no cost.

ownCloud and Nextcloud both offer advanced offline sync functionality, allowing you to control exactly which local folders are synced to which remote folders and in which direction.

With ownCloud and Nextcloud, you can sync files from a local file server to the cloud using ServerSync, an extra-cost feature.

Nextcloud's offline sync functionality is more robust, with built-in ransomware protection, a feature that's not available with ownCloud.

You can also use Nextcloud's ServerLink feature for multi-site replication, another extra-cost feature.

Here's a comparison of the offline sync features of ownCloud and Nextcloud:

ownCloud offers unlimited storage, a feature that's also available with Nextcloud.

In terms of compatibility, both ownCloud and Nextcloud offer desktop clients for Windows, macOS, and Linux, as well as mobile apps for Android and iOS devices.

As we've explored the similarities between ownCloud and Nextcloud, it's time to uncover the subtle differences that set these two platforms apart. Nextcloud has been seeing more growth in the past few years compared to ownCloud.

One key difference is in their licensing and commitment to open-source. Nextcloud is a fork of ownCloud, and it has remained steadfast in its commitment to keeping its core platform entirely open-source, with no proprietary components or restrictions.

Nextcloud has a slight edge in security due to its commitment to remaining 100% open-source. By making its entire codebase available for scrutiny, Nextcloud can benefit from the collective expertise of the open-source community.

In terms of pricing, both platforms have a powerful base for enterprise file sharing, but Nextcloud has taken a strong lead in growth. Nextcloud offers support and services for businesses looking to deploy a self-hosted cloud storage solution.

Nextcloud's user interface is similar to ownCloud's, but it has evolved to incorporate improvements and innovations that set it apart. Nextcloud's philosophy resonated with the open-source community, and it quickly gained traction as an ownCloud alternative.

The two platforms also have different approaches to enterprise features. Nextcloud's Enterprise edition offers additional features, such as second-generation server encryption (E2EE), but users can try out the Enterprise version for 30 days at no cost to determine if these features are essential.

Here's a comparison of some key differences:

In terms of collaboration features, both platforms allow users to manage tasks, upload files, and have a calendar. However, Nextcloud's focus on transparency, collaboration, and community-driven development has set it apart from ownCloud.

Nextcloud and ownCloud may seem like identical twins, but they have some key differences that set them apart. Nextcloud remains entirely open-source with no proprietary components, whereas ownCloud has a dual-licensing model.

One of the main differences is in their pricing models. Nextcloud offers free personal cloud and Enterprise support services starting at €3 per user per month, while ownCloud's enterprise edition comes with a subscription-based pricing model, including premium support, advanced security features, and access to enterprise-focused apps.

Nextcloud's licensing is more straightforward, with both its enterprise and community editions coming under the AGPLv3 license. In contrast, ownCloud's standard edition comes under the AGPLv3 license, but its enterprise edition is under ownCloud's commercial license.

A key factor in choosing between Nextcloud and ownCloud is their commitment to open-source principles. Nextcloud was born as a fork of ownCloud, with a focus on transparency, collaboration, and keeping its codebase 100% open-source.

Here's a comparison of Nextcloud and ownCloud's pricing models:

Nextcloud's commitment to open-source principles has resonated with the community, and it has quickly gained traction as an ownCloud alternative.

Your goals and requirements will determine the best cloud storage solution for your organization. If you need a simple file storage and sharing platform, ownCloud may be the more straightforward option.

Both ownCloud and Nextcloud offer free, open-source versions that you can self-host, but their enterprise offerings differ. OwnCloud has a subscription-based model for its enterprise edition, while Nextcloud offers a pay-per-use model based on the number of users.

If you're on a tight budget, starting with the open-source versions and later upgrading to an enterprise plan when needed might be a sensible approach. Nextcloud generally has a broader selection of integrated apps, making it better suited for those seeking a comprehensive suite of tools.

Your team's technical expertise is also a crucial factor to consider. Nextcloud is often considered easier to install and manage, particularly for non-technical users. However, if your team has the necessary skills, ownCloud's flexibility and customizability might be more appealing.

Here's a brief comparison of the technical requirements for each platform:

This table highlights the technical requirements for each platform, with ownCloud requiring higher technical expertise and Nextcloud being more accessible to non-technical users.

Consider your organization's size and needs when choosing between ownCloud and Nextcloud. If you have a small team, Nextcloud's ease of use and scalability might be a better fit. However, if you have a large team with complex needs, ownCloud's customizability and flexibility might be more suitable.

You can deploy Nextcloud or ownCloud on your server using a cloud service like Linode or DigitalOcean, which even offers a one-click installer option to deploy a full-fledged server in minutes.

To set up your server, make sure you're running a modern and up-to-date Linux distribution like Ubuntu 20.04, RHEL 8, Debian 10, or CentOS 8.

For the database, you'll need to install MySQL, MariaDB, Oracle Database, or PostgreSQL - NoSQL databases aren't supported.

You should also have a modern version of PHP installed on your server, and it's recommended to use Apache as your web server, although nginx is also supported.

Here are the specific Linux distributions that are compatible with Nextcloud:

Having a robust administration system is crucial for any organization. Utilize an extensive administrative dashboard to manage your setup efficiently.

Admins can have full control over user groups, which allows for easy management of team members. This control also extends to file and folder access, enabling you to assign permissions or restrictions as needed.

Detailed audit logs provide valuable insights into system activity, helping you track changes and identify potential issues. Advanced reports can also be generated to provide a clear understanding of system performance.

Assigning permissions or restrictions is a breeze with the ability to do so whenever the need arises. This level of control ensures that your system is secure and running smoothly.

You can deploy Nextcloud or ownCloud on your server without opting for enterprise services, and it's actually quite easy. Just use a cloud service like Linode or DigitalOcean, and they even have a one-click installer option to deploy a full-fledged Nextcloud or ownCloud server in minutes.

To set up your server, you'll need to use a modern and up-to-date Linux distribution like Ubuntu 20.04, RHEL 8, Debian 10, or CentOS 8. This is the bare minimum, and you'll need to install a database like MySQL, MariaDB, or PostgreSQL, as well as a web server like Apache or nginx.

Nextcloud has a slightly more streamlined setup experience than ownCloud, thanks to its clear documentation and user-friendly installation scripts. This makes it easier for users to get up and running with their self-hosted cloud storage solution.

Here are the system requirements you'll need to meet:

FileCloud's security features are a significant advantage over other alternatives.

FileCloud offers a more customizable solution compared to Nextcloud and ownCloud.

In terms of pricing, FileCloud's enterprise edition is competitively priced with Nextcloud and ownCloud.

FileCloud's pricing and features are detailed in a chart that shows a clear advantage over the other two alternatives.

Nextcloud has a more active and engaged community contributing to its development and providing support to fellow users.

This vibrant community has fostered a more collaborative environment, which has helped Nextcloud innovate and grow at a faster pace than ownCloud.

Nextcloud was founded with a community-driven approach in mind, actively encouraging community development to allow the software to progress faster and integrate a wider range of apps and features.

Siemens, Deutsche Telecom, the Republic of Serbia, and Swedish government organizations are just a few examples of Nextcloud's large organization customers.

Nextcloud has a paid enterprise offering designed to be more stable, secure, compliant, and supported than its home edition.

Nextcloud and ownCloud both offer free, open-source solutions, but their pricing and licensing models differ significantly. Nextcloud remains entirely open-source with no proprietary components, offering free personal cloud and Enterprise support services starting at €3 per user per month.

Nextcloud's pricing plans are more geared towards larger teams, with premium services starting at €95.50 per user per year for a team of 100 users. In contrast, ownCloud's enterprise services start at €12 per user per month for a team of 25 users.

Both platforms offer enterprise-focused plans, but ownCloud's pricing model is more flexible, with lower prices for larger teams. Here's a brief comparison of their pricing plans:

Ultimately, the choice between Nextcloud and ownCloud depends on your specific needs and budget.

Nextcloud and ownCloud are both open-source solutions, but they have different licensing and pricing models. Nextcloud remains entirely open-source with no proprietary components, while ownCloud has a dual-licensing model.

Nextcloud offers free personal cloud and Enterprise support services starting at €3 per user per month, whereas ownCloud's enterprise edition costs €12 per user per month. ownCloud also offers a standard plan for €5 per user per month.

Nextcloud's pricing model is subscription-based, with separate subscriptions for support and enterprise services. This ensures that its core platform remains fully open-source and accessible to all users. ownCloud's enterprise edition, on the other hand, includes premium support, advanced security features, and access to enterprise-focused apps.

Here's a comparison of the pricing plans for Nextcloud and ownCloud:

As you can see, Nextcloud's pricing is more straightforward, with a single pricing tier for enterprise support. ownCloud, on the other hand, has a more complex pricing model with multiple tiers.

ownCloud has evolved to cater to the needs of bigger organizations, evident in its partnerships with big players like CERN and the European Commission.

ownCloud's marketing material now places a strong emphasis on compliance and scalability.

It's cautious when implementing community-suggested changes to maintain security and stability.

The software boasts fast responses from its support team, which is a significant advantage for enterprise users.

ownCloud also offers format certifications for its partners and a dedicated QA team to ensure the highest quality.

A suite of professional services is available to support enterprise users.

Despite its enterprise focus, ownCloud still has a standard edition that contains most of its features, making it accessible to home users.

ownCloud also has a Dockerized version for easy setup, which is a great option for those who want a hassle-free experience.

Both ownCloud and Nextcloud offer free community versions for personal use, but if you're looking for customer support, additional security features, and custom branding, ownCloud's standard plan costs €5 per user/month and €0.79 for the Android app.

ownCloud's integrations are more likely to be thoughtful and high-quality, but Nextcloud's community-driven development has generally resulted in a slightly higher volume of third-party apps and integrations.

Here's a brief comparison of the two solutions:

Nextcloud or ownCloud, which one do you choose? The decision depends on your specific needs. Nextcloud is more than just a cloud storage solution, it's a full-fledged cooperative workspace.

Nextcloud offers software components like Nextcloud Talk and Nextcloud Groupware, which can be a game-changer for teams. ownCloud, on the other hand, is focused on working with files only, with a range of tools for seamless document, photo, and presentation sharing.

Nextcloud's feature set is more extensive, including services like Nexcloud Hub, which ownCloud lacks. ownCloud, however, has a distinguished API that allows for powerful plugins and customization.

Nextcloud's tech support can take up to 2 days to respond, whereas ownCloud's tech support responds within 2 hours. ownCloud also boasts freely available documentation, community edition Windows Desktop Client, and Storage certification.

To deploy Nextcloud, you can use Hostman's one-click-deploy service, which costs $19 per month. Hostman offers a 7-day free trial, allowing you to try out Nextcloud without any restrictions.

When deciding between Nextcloud and ownCloud, it's essential to consider their core features. Both platforms offer unlimited storage, sync, and backup features, but Nextcloud has been growing in popularity over the past few years. This is likely due to its extensive range of features and services, including Nextcloud Talk and Nextcloud Groupware.

Nextcloud has a more comprehensive set of tools, including file sharing, coediting, and version control. It also offers a more powerful software ecosystem, making it a better choice for teams that need a full-fledged cooperative workspace. ownCloud, on the other hand, is focused on file sharing and collaborative editing.

Both platforms offer customization options, including custom branding and white-labeling. They also support integration with existing file systems and have robust security features, including data at rest encryption and two-factor authentication.

Here's a comparison of the two platforms in terms of their core features:

Nextcloud also offers a more extensive range of integrations, including Zapier, Chrome Browser Extensions, and Sharepoint plugin. ownCloud, on the other hand, has a more open-source API, making it easier to create custom plugins.

In terms of support, ownCloud boasts faster tech support, with responses within two hours, compared to Nextcloud's two-day wait. However, Nextcloud has a more comprehensive marketplace, including a one-click-deploy service for easy setup.