Nextcloud vs ownCloud
Nextcloud and ownCloud are free apps you can use instead of Dropbox and Google Drive. Nextcloud is the fork. This ownCloud listing is the classic server, not Infinite Scale.
A full score means it matches our checklist. It is not a drop-in replacement. How this works
Instead of Dropbox
Last checked October 25, 2026
Nextcloud is #1 (91). ownCloud is #3 (88).
Nextcloud
#1 · Closest
10 of 10 checked features. A full score means it matches our checklist. It is not a drop-in replacement.What you give up: rewind a whole folder to one day.
ownCloud
#3
9 of 10 checked features. A full score means it matches our checklist. It is not a drop-in replacement.You only get part of: collaborative editing.
Scroll sideways to see both apps.
| Feature | Nextcloud#1 · 9110 of 10 checked features | ownCloud#3 · 889 of 10 checked features |
|---|---|---|
| Desktop syncCounts for 10 | Full | Full |
| Web accessCounts for 7 | Full | Full |
| Share linksCounts for 8 | Full | Full |
| Version historyCounts for 6 | Full | Full |
| Selective syncCounts for 6 | Full | Full |
| Collaborative editingCounts for 4 | FullNeeds Collabora or ONLYOFFICE in addition to the files app. | Partial |
| Mobile appsCounts for 5 | Full | Full |
| Self-hosted storageCounts for 8 | Full | Full |
| Large filesCounts for 5 | Full | Full |
| Rewind a whole folder to one dayCounts for 6 | MissingNextcloud's manual restores one file from the Versions tab. It does not rewind a whole folder to one day. | Not checkedNot found in the project's public docs during this check. |
Where they differ
Collaborative editing
Worth 4 points. Nextcloud does all of it. Needs Collabora or ONLYOFFICE in addition to the files app. ownCloud does part of it.
Rewind a whole folder to one day
Worth 6 points. Nextcloud does none of it. Nextcloud's manual restores one file from the Versions tab. It does not rewind a whole folder to one day. ownCloud was not checked. Not found in the project's public docs during this check.
Both do all of these: desktop sync, web access, share links, version history, selective sync, mobile apps, self-hosted storage, and large files.
Also ranked: Seafile is #2 (88). Syncthing is #4 (53).
Instead of Google Drive
Last checked October 24, 2026
Nextcloud is #1 (90). ownCloud is #2 (83).
Nextcloud
#1 · Closest
5 of 5 checked features. A full score means it matches our checklist. It is not a drop-in replacement.You only get part of: edit a document in the browser.
ownCloud
#2
5 of 5 checked features. A full score means it matches our checklist. It is not a drop-in replacement.You only get part of: edit a document in the browser and previous versions.
Scroll sideways to see both apps.
| Feature | Nextcloud#1 · 905 of 5 checked features | ownCloud#2 · 835 of 5 checked features |
|---|---|---|
| Store filesCounts for 10 | Full | Full |
| A desktop sync clientCounts for 8 | Full | Full |
| Share links and permissionsCounts for 8 | Full | Full |
| Edit a document in the browserCounts for 8 | Partial | Partial |
| Previous versionsCounts for 6 | Full | Partial |
Where they differ
Previous versions
Worth 6 points. Nextcloud does all of it. ownCloud does part of it.
Both do all of these: store files, a desktop sync client, and share links and permissions.
Also ranked: Pydio Cells is #3 (83). Seafile is #4 (80). Syncthing is #5 (60).
ownCloud (#2) and Pydio Cells (#3) score 83 with the same share of the checklist checked. The order follows that tie.
The facts on file
Nextcloud
Dropbox you run yourself, plus the apps you turn on.
- Rules
- Open source. AGPL-3.0
- Run it yourself
- Setup: medium. A small team fits in Docker or a snap. Backups, upgrades, and the office suite are the ongoing work.
- Free plan
- The server is free to host. Nextcloud GmbH sells enterprise support. Many hosting companies sell managed Nextcloud.
- They host it
- No hosted price on file.
- Where it runs
- Mac, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Web, Run it yourself
Last checked October 29, 2026
ownCloud
The file-sync project Nextcloud forked from.
- Rules
- Open source. AGPL-3.0 (ownCloud server 10) Not checked.
- Infinite Scale is a separate product. Verify its license in the oCIS repository if that is what you plan to run.
- Run it yourself
- Setup: medium. Similar operational weight to Nextcloud. Know which edition you are installing before you start.
- Free plan
- The community server is free to host. Enterprise features are commercial.
- They host it
- No hosted price on file.
- Where it runs
- Mac, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Web, Run it yourself
Last checked October 25, 2026
Which one to pick
Nextcloud
Pick Nextcloud if you want collaborative editing marked full, with Collabora or ONLYOFFICE added to the files app. Previous versions are full on the Google Drive list. Rewinding a whole folder to one day is missing. The license is AGPL-3.0. Setup is medium.
ownCloud
Pick ownCloud if you are staying on the classic server this listing describes. Collaborative editing is partial. Previous versions are partial. Infinite Scale is a separate product. The license on file is AGPL-3.0 for ownCloud server 10, and it was not checked. Setup is medium.