Nextcloud vs. ownCloud - Cloud storage for your own server compared

A proprietary cloud software combined with private servers and reliable encryption provides maximum security for confidential data. With ownCloud and Nextcloud , two proven and versatile solutions are available, which can be used and customised for free thanks to their open-source licensing. Both excel in areas such as flexibility, security, support, and encryption - but what are the advantages, disadvantages, and differences between the competitors? In the following article, we will take a closer look at the topic of Nextcloud vs ownCloud:

Nextcloud and ownCloud - One Founder and Two Projects

When ownCloud was founded in 2010, the project was initially seen as visionary - at that time, offering services in the cloud was almost exclusively in the hands of commercial providers. These providers offered good support and affordable IT infrastructure for business customers, while security or encryption - compared to today - were relatively low priorities. One of the founders and leading developers was Frank Karlitschek, who designed ownCloud as a private alternative with a strict open-source licensing. Due to disputes over the project's direction and goals, he left the company in 2016 and created a fork based on the public code, named Nextcloud. Along with him, large parts of the responsible team moved to the new project.

Nextcloud evolved as an ownCloud alternative and quickly set new standards in the industry for open-source cloud solutions. The focus was always on enhanced security, user-friendliness, and integration of additional features, such as collaborative document editing or audio and video conferencing, highlighting the project's innovative approach. These new features significantly contributed to Nextcloud's rapid rise in popularity, establishing it as the preferred solution for many businesses and private users. Nextcloud greatly benefited from the team's realignment and drive for innovation. The continuous implementation of new features and the focus on security and user-friendliness made Nextcloud an innovative solution. The Nextcloud community is very active and regularly contributes to improving and expanding the platform.

ownCloud remained a significant player in the market as a Nextcloud alternative, focusing on continuing to develop and improve its services. The company aimed to provide a stable and reliable platform that was particularly suitable for larger enterprises and organisations. Through commercial support and various enterprise features, ownCloud was able to maintain its position and attract new customers. ownCloud prioritised the stability and reliability of its services. With years of experience and support from commercial partners, ownCloud continued to offer a solid and proven platform that is especially attractive to larger enterprises.

Common Features of ownCloud and Nextcloud

Given their shared origin and the general requirements of a cloud, it is not surprising that both services initially have a large number of similar features and characteristics. These include high security, optional support, encryption according to the latest standards, and the integration of an API along with other services and protocols for communication with external software. Some of the features include:

Integration, Protocols, and Services:

• File/Directory Storage and Sharing
• Support for large files
• Limitation of storage space for individual users
• Web interface
• Calendar, Contacts, and Notes
• Integrated audio and video player
• Gallery for images and photos
• PDF Viewer
• Full-text search

Security, Encryption, and Compatibility:

• Client for Microsoft Windows, Apple macOS, Linux, and smartphones
• Support for Two-Factor Authentication
• File encryption
• Detection, logging, and automatic blocking of certain attacks
• Hierarchical rights management
• Secure communication via TLS/SSL encryption
• Paid support available from the developers

Required System Environment:

Even in the technical system environment, ownCloud and Nextcloud largely overlap. Both cloud storage solutions can be operated on their own web hosting or a dedicated server. Recommended is a Linux VPS hosting with a database in MySQL or MariaDB, Apache web server, and PHP interpreter.

Advantages and Disadvantages of ownCloud

As one of the first solutions with an open-source license for use on private servers, ownCloud is well-documented, has a very high market share, and can rely on a very extensive and diverse community. The developers offer two different versions of ownCloud with their own support system - in the paid Enterprise Edition, users enjoy privileged support and can enhance security and functionality through exclusive modules that are subject to their own licensing.

Advantages:

• Large community and long-standing market presence
• Excellent documentation and many guides
• Low hardware requirements
• Modular expandability
• High user-friendliness
• Extensive enterprise features

Disadvantages:

• Many modules require payment
• Poor performance with many small files
• High costs for fast developer support

(Screenshot from https://owncloud.com/de/produkt/)

ownCloud offers a mature, stable, and customizable solution for file synchronization and sharing. With its long market presence, extensive enterprise features, and the ability to self-host the platform, ownCloud is particularly attractive to businesses seeking a proven and reliable solution. The comprehensive integration options and professional support make ownCloud a solid choice for organisations of any size that value data privacy and control.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Nextcloud

Unlike ownCloud, Nextcloud consistently relies on the open-source AGPLv3 license and provides all its modules and features to users free of charge. As many users switched to Nextcloud with the development team, it also has a large community with widespread adoption. However, existing guides and help mostly refer to older versions, and new features are not as well documented.

Advantages:

• Entire software free and open-source
• More features than ownCloud Community, e.g. chat or resource monitoring
• Requires only low performance
• Many modules available
• End-to-end encryption in the base version
• Quick updates for bugs and security vulnerabilities

Disadvantages:

• New features not always fully documented
• Guaranteed support from developers is chargeable
• Available in fewer languages
• Additional features increase complexity in terms of security

(Screenshot from https://nextcloud.com/de/files/)

Nextcloud offers a comprehensive, secure, and flexible solution for file synchronization and sharing. With a variety of security features, collaboration tools, and customization options, Nextcloud is suitable for both small teams and large enterprises. The ability to self-host the platform and maintain full control over one's data makes Nextcloud an attractive choice for users who value innovative features as well as high data security.

Conclusion: Nextcloud vs. ownCloud vs. commercial providers

There are numerous compelling reasons to opt for your own cloud hosting instead of relying on the offerings of large commercial companies - some of the key advantages include guaranteed reliable encryption of data and communication, security against unauthorized access to confidential information, and complete control over data and IT infrastructure. Additionally, the costs for web hosting are usually more affordable than the services of a commercial cloud storage provider. This is offset by only a few disadvantages such as optional paid support and potentially increased effort during initial setup.

Both Nextcloud and ownCloud offer powerful solutions for file synchronization and sharing. The decision between the two platforms should be based on the user's specific requirements and priorities:

Nextcloud is particularly suitable for businesses and users who value advanced security features, modern collaboration tools, and rapid implementation of new features. The active community and commercial support make Nextcloud a future-proof choice.

ownCloud is a solid choice for organisations seeking a stable and proven platform with comprehensive enterprise features and professional support. The extensive experience and the ability to seamlessly integrate into existing IT infrastructures make ownCloud particularly attractive for larger companies.

Ultimately, both platforms offer tailored solutions that enable the creation of a secure, private, and efficient cloud environment. The choice between Nextcloud and ownCloud depends on individual needs and the specific IT environment.

Our article is based on our own experiences and research, as well as information from external sources.

Article update:
Update 02.07.24: Content updated and comparison table added

Sources & further links on the topic:
https://nextcloud.com/ (official website of Nextcloud)
https://owncloud.com/ (official website of ownCloud)

Image credit:
BrianPenny from pixabay