NextCloud vs ownCloud – Which self-hosted Cloud solution?

NextCloud vs ownCloud, which one is the best solution for your needs? Let’s take a look at the two private cloud solutions and which one might be best for you in your home lab.

What is Nextcloud?

Nextcloud is a popular self-hosted cloud storage solution which many like to spin up on their own hardware. It allows you to have file storage, sharing, and communication/collab features. It is an open-source platform and it can do a lot of things that popular cloud platforms that ones use can do, like Google Drive and Dropbox and also storage like Microsoft OneDrive.

Many may not know, but it was actually a fork of the ownCloud project back in 2016. You can check out the official Nextcloud site here: Nextcloud – Online collaboration platform

What is ownCloud project?

Like NextCloud, ownCloud is a very similar type project that has as its purpose allowing home users to spin up their own private cloud like storage they can host on their own hardware. It is also open source and is very much a good option to proprietary cloud storage services. It allows you to have complete control over your data.

Check out the official ownCloud site here: ownCloud – share files and folders, easy and secure

ownCloud vs. Nextcloud: a comparison of open source clouds

ownCloud and Nextcloud are both open-source cloud storage platforms have a lot of file storage, sharing, and collaboration features.

Both of them are great solutions and platforms that serve as a base to build your own personal cloud or private cloud server. In this way you have complete control over your data and private data that you may not want to share inside a cloud storage service. They do have similarities but there are also differences to note between the two of them.

Features they have and pricing

Both of them have free solutions that are no cost so you can start trying out the features. Their pay for versions come with more features to note and support options. There are some differences that set each one apart from the other.

• File sharing: Nextcloud has more advanced file-sharing features. These features include such features as password-protected shares, expiration dates for your files, and file access control lists for better security.
• Mobile apps: Many like Nextcloud’s apps better than ownCloud since they seem to get more updates and more frequently.
• Security: Both have server encryption and two-factor authentication options. Nextcloud tends to have a better known bug bounty program that can lead to better security overall.
• Collaboration: Nextcloud’s collab tools are better integrated. ownCloud seems to rely on more third-party integrations to add features for collaboration.
• Enterprise pricing – Nextcloud’s enterprise subscription is less expensive than ownCloud’s for enterprise customers.

Enhanced Team and Client Communication

Nextcloud has built-in audio and video communication tools. This is something that has come to be expected these days post pandemic and with a large hybrid workforce. It allows users to have tools for chat, making calls, and holding video conferences if these are needed for work sessions.

ownCloud has third-party tools and apps that add things like communication and collaboration apps and tools. This may be less seamless for many as they would probably prefer a more integrated approach to apps and such.

Best alternatives to either Nextcloud or ownCloud

While Nextcloud and ownCloud are popular choices for self-hosted cloud storage solutions, other attractive and practical alternative solutions are available. These include:

1. FileCloud

2. Seafile

3. Syncthing

4. Pydio

5. Box

6. Dropbox

7. Google Drive

8. Microsoft OneDrive

9. Amazon S3

10. pCloud

Summary of differences between Nextcloud and ownCloud

In conclusion, both Nextcloud and ownCloud are powerful self-hosted cloud storage solutions that offer a range of features for file storage, sharing, and collaboration. The key differences between the two platforms include:

Interface – Nextcloud’s more user-friendly interface and frequent updates resulting in a smoother user experience.

Security and bug bounty program – Nextcloud’s stronger focus on security, with a more lucrative bug bounty program and a larger community of security researchers.

Native apps for communication and collaboration – Nextcloud’s natively integrated tools for communication and collaboration, as opposed to ownCloud’s reliance on third-party apps for similar functionality.

Enterprise edition – The more affordable enterprise subscription offered by Nextcloud, makes it a cost-effective option for businesses.

Ease of installation and setup

Both Nextcloud and ownCloud provide relatively straightforward installation processes. Some users find Nextcloud’s installation more streamlined, with clearer instructions and an easier-to-follow setup process. The below code installs the Nextcloud community edition. Keep in mind, there is a paid enterprise edition as well for business use cases.

However, both can easily be installed using a simple Docker Compose file shown in the next two sections.

Install Nextcloud using Docker Compose

Use the following Docker Compose code for installing Nextcloud. Using the file you can create Nextcloud installation with the required DB and Nextcloud containers.

version: '3'

services:
  db:
    image: mariadb
    container_name: nextcloud_db
    restart: always
    environment:
      MYSQL_ROOT_PASSWORD: root_password
      MYSQL_PASSWORD: nextcloud_password
      MYSQL_DATABASE: nextcloud
      MYSQL_USER: nextcloud
    volumes:
      - db_data:/var/lib/mysql

  nextcloud:
    image: nextcloud
    container_name: nextcloud
    restart: always
    depends_on:
      - db
    environment:
      NEXTCLOUD_ADMIN_USER: admin
      NEXTCLOUD_ADMIN_PASSWORD: admin_password
      NEXTCLOUD_TRUSTED_DOMAINS: "your_domain_or_ip"
    ports:
      - "8080:80"
    volumes:
      - nextcloud_data:/var/www/html

volumes:
  db_data:
  nextcloud_data:

Replace root_password, nextcloud_password, admin_password, and your_domain_or_ip with appropriate values.

Save this file as docker-compose.yml in a directory, and then run docker-compose up -d from within that directory to start the containers. Nextcloud will be accessible at http://your_domain_or_ip:8080.

To bring up the containers in the Docker Compose YAML file, use the command:

docker-compose up -d

You can see if your docker containers are up and running using the command:

docker-compose ps

Begin the installation after logging into the interface. Click Install.

Configuring Nextcloud and installing apps

Once you have installed the application, it will prompt you to install Nextcloud apps.

The Nextcloud dashboard after installing applications.

Install ownCloud using Docker Compose

Use the following basic Docker Compose file to install ownCloud:

version: '3'

services:
  db:
    image: mariadb
    container_name: owncloud_db
    restart: always
    environment:
      MYSQL_ROOT_PASSWORD: root_password
      MYSQL_USER: owncloud
      MYSQL_PASSWORD: owncloud_password
      MYSQL_DATABASE: owncloud
    volumes:
      - db_data:/var/lib/mysql

  owncloud:
    image: owncloud/server
    container_name: owncloud
    restart: always
    depends_on:
      - db
    environment:
      OWNCLOUD_DOMAIN: your_domain_or_ip
      OWNCLOUD_DB_TYPE: mysql
      OWNCLOUD_DB_NAME: owncloud
      OWNCLOUD_DB_USERNAME: owncloud
      OWNCLOUD_DB_PASSWORD: owncloud_password
      OWNCLOUD_DB_HOST: db
      OWNCLOUD_ADMIN_USERNAME: admin
      OWNCLOUD_ADMIN_PASSWORD: admin_password
    ports:
      - "8080:8080"
    volumes:
      - owncloud_data:/mnt/data

volumes:
  db_data:
  owncloud_data:

Replace root_password, owncloud_password, admin_password, and your_domain_or_ip with appropriate values.

Save this file as docker-compose.yml in a directory, and then run docker-compose up -d from within that directory to start the containers. ownCloud will be accessible at http://your_domain_or_ip:8080.

After creating the Docker Compose file, we issue:

docker-compose up -d

You can view the status of your Docker Compose-controlled containers using:

docker-compose ps

After just a few seconds, you can browse out to your Docker host, port 8080 and login with the configured credentials in the Docker Compose file.

You are greeted with the screen to download the mobile apps.

After closing the mobile app screen.

Below is a look at the Market where you can download apps for ownCloud server. You can find all sorts of apps, including document editing, and many other tools.

Nextcloud interface

Looking at the Nextcloud interface is extremely pleasing. It has a “glass-like” appearance.

A view of the files screen.

Nextcloud photos.

Activity feed in Nextcloud.

Conversations in Nextcloud interface.

Contacts view in Nextcloud interface.

Calendar app in Nextcloud interface.

Mobile apps and desktop clients

Both Nextcloud and ownCloud offer mobile apps for Android and iOS devices and desktop clients for Windows, macOS, and Linux. These apps and clients allow users to access their files, synchronize data across devices, and share files with others.

The Nextcloud app marketplace.

While the functionality of these apps and clients is generally similar between the two platforms, some users may prefer the design and user experience of one over the other.

Brief summary of differences that matter

Some key differences set them apart:

Exclusive enterprise features – Nextcloud’s enterprise version tends to be more affordable than ownCloud’s

Forked – Nextcloud was forked from ownCloud in 2016 and has since focused on delivering a more feature-rich, user-friendly experience.

Security focus – Nextcloud has a stronger focus on security, with a larger community of security researchers contributing

Native collaboration and communication tools – Nextcloud provides native collaboration and communication tools

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Wrapping up

Both of the solutions are going to allow you to store files on your own hardware and in your own private cloud at home or wherever you choose. However, just comparing the two, it seems like Nextcloud has the advantage in terms of features and security, as well as experience. But, let me know which you are using in the comments and why you chose the solution you use.