Thanks to IT technology and the Internet, anyone can start a business from the comfort of their home. Back in the day, regardless of the type of your product, you had to build on-premise infrastructure with hardware equipment that took up a lot of your space. Not only did you need enough storage to set up your servers, but you also needed a massive budget for maintenance and other unforeseen costs.
But today, all you need to start a business is an Internet connection. Every tool you need is available to you online no matter where you are. On-premise servers are the old and virtual servers are in play; safer, faster, and more flexible option to store every bit of your data.
Have you seen Fringe? Do you remember the data cubes? They could contain huge amounts of data and were stored in a safe place underground. Cloud solutions are like these data cubes, except they are 100% virtual and stored on the Internet, invisible data cubes if you will.
There are many companies that offer these invisible data cubes, and each has its own specific features. In this article, we want to cover Nextcloud vs. ownCloud because they have become so popular among users. Let’s dive in.
Nextcloud Vs. ownCloud: What Are They?
We need to cover the basics before choosing a winner between Nextcloud vs ownCloud.
What is Nextcloud?
Nextcloud is an open-source self-hosted software for storing data online. You can also use Nextcloud to share files with remote co-workers, other associations, etc. All stored files on Nextcloud are password protected, and no third-party services are involved. Anyone who has access to these files can view, edit, or delete them.
Nextcloud software is available for Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, and iOS. All you need to access the files are an Internet connection and a password.
What makes Nextcloud unique is that it eliminates the need to use third-party hosting services; the interface is so built that you can set up a virtual server and have 100% control over it. This means total data security. You can install Nextcloud on a VPS to add an extra level of security to your cloud solution. Then you won’t need to buy a VPN to encrypt your traffic to protect it from snooping eyes and ears.
So with Nextcloud, you are using a secure file-sharing platform that gives you total control over your data without paying hefty fees.
What is ownCloud?
The ownCloud vs Nextcloud debate wouldn’t have existed if it wasn’t for ownCloud.
ownCloud was launched in 2010 as an open-source platform for storing, , syncing, and sharing files. In 2016, one of owncloud’s founders decided to create a third-party software based on ownCloud’s source code, Nextcloud. Although both platforms are great for organizing and sharing documents but based on users’ feedback, it seems like ownCloud is the old-school version of Nextcloud. More on this in the next section.
What makes ownCloud unique is that its developers have created an app with encryption features for securing stored data. So if you need to store some files on FTP, WebDAV, Amazon S3, Dropbox and Google Drive, doing it through the ownCloud interface makes the whole process extremely secure.
Another feature that makes ownCloud so popular is that it has Google Drive and Dropbox as external storage. Meaning that you can share files from both platforms without having to create an account. (If you want to share a Dropbox file with someone, both of you must have an account, but with ownCloud, this obstacle has become obsolete.)
Nextcloud Vs. ownCloud: Differences
To get a clear answer to the ownCloud vs Nextcloud debate, we need to compare their differences, and what better way to do that than with a comparison table?
Features | Nextcloud | ownCloud |
Open-source | ✅ | ✅ |
Price | Nextcloud at Home (Free), Nextcloud Enterprise:
Basic ($38.26), Standard ($69.09), Premium ($101.50) |
Community (free), Standard ($5.31), Enterprise ($12.75) |
On-premise Support | ✅ | ✅ |
Third-party Software | ✅ | ❌ |
Zimbra Integration | ✅ | ✅ |
Audio & Video Communication | Nextcloud Talk | Spreedbox |
Brute Force Attacks Protection | ✅ | ❌ |
Second Generation of Server Encryption (E2EE) | ❌ | Available in Enterprise Edition |
Supported OS | Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, iOS | Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, iOS |
Support | The standard subscription: $3,600/50 users
The enterprise subscription: $9,000/50 users |
|
SAML/SSO authentication | Available in Enterprise Edition | |
File Firewall | ✅ | Available in Enterprise Edition |
Memory Requirements | Minimum of 512MB | Minimum of 128MB |
Server Monitoring | ✅ | ✅ |
Regular Updates | ✅ | ❌ |
Kanban Support | ✅ | ❌ |
Bug Detector | ✅ | ✅ |
Choosing the best option between Nextcloud vs ownCloud comes down to your specific needs. But it seems like Nextcloud is constantly adding new features and it’s not just a file-sharing platform anymore. One unique feature of Nextcloud is that it offers extensive keyboard accessibility, screen reader support, and dyslexia-friendly fonts for visually impaired users.
It’s clear that Nextcloud cares about each member of its community.
Nextcloud Vs. ownCloud: Top 10 Alternatives
For those that don’t think either of these cloud solutions is right for them, we prepared a list of ownCloud and Nextcloud alternatives.
Alternative | Open-source | Calendar Sharing | Group Messaging | Unique Feature | Supported OS | Price Range |
Cozy | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | Cozy Pass (Password manager) | Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, iOS | Free/+$3.18 |
Pydio | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | SmartForm (Intelligent form builder) | Windows, Linux, macOS | Free/+$3167.89 |
Seafile | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | Wiki feature (Knowledge Management
) |
Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, iOS | Free/+$16 |
IPFS | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | IPFS Cluster | Windows, Linux, macOS | Free |
Tonido | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | Portable with USB, no need for installation | Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, iOS | Free |
FileCloud | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | Encryption at Rest and in Transit | Windows, Linux, macOS, Blackberry,Android, iOS | +$6 |
SparkleShare | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | Advanced encryption to block spying | Windows, Linux, macOS | Free |
Tracim | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | Real-time and simultaneous collaboration | Linux | Free |
Nubo | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | Linux, macOS | Free | |
BooleBox | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | Two-factor authentication (2FA) | Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, iOS | +$8 |
Cozy is the front runner when it comes to ownCloud and Nextcloud alternatives, and it has received glowing reviews from radiofrance, franceinfo, and 01net.
Nextcloud Vs. ownCloud: Conclusion
When there is talk of cloud solutions, you will find two popular ones on the market: Nextcloud vs ownCloud. Both cloud solutions are open-source and packed with customization features for individual and enterprise use. But they have some key differences, such as security protocols and customizations features.
Nextcloud can be referred to as a modern and more advanced version of ownCloud.
ownCloud has a simple user interface and is more like an old-school cloud platform with a main focus on file collaboration. On the other hand, Nextcloud is constantly surprising its audience with state-of-the-art features, and is becoming the go-to cloud solution for big enterprises.
So to make the comparison of ownCloud vs Nextcloud easier, consider these two scenarios:
- Sophisticated enterprises such as marketing businesses, tech or legal companies, etc., with high budgets looking for an efficient and extremely secure cloud platform> Nextcloud is the perfect option.
- Small to medium-sized businesses with limited budgets looking for an easy-to-use cloud platform> ownCloud is the perfect choice.
Although both cloud solutions come from the same source code, they are not identical. So unless you test them yourself, you cannot be sure which suits you best. But remember that Nextcloud is mainly focused on creating the best user experience by offering new user apps in each update, but ownCloud focuses on improving its file-sharing features to integrate with popular applications.
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By using Nextcloud on a VPS, you will be doubling the security on all your files. Instead of paying for expensive antivirus solutions, trust Cloudzy VPS to protect your data from all cyber threats.
If you want to start an online business but are worried about the rising news of hackers attacking even big corporations, a VPS solution will put all your worries to rest. Feel free to talk to our support team if you have more questions.
FAQ
ownCloud Vs. Nextcloud; which one is more secure?
The Nextcloud team releases updates packed with advanced security features regularly. So if you handle sensitive data like legal, financial, or health documents, Nextcloud is the more secure option.
ownCloud Vs. Nextcloud; which is more user-friendly?
Both cloud solutions have a simple and easy-to-use interface. But if you are looking for a modern and feature-rich user interface, then go with Nextcloud.
ownCloud Vs. Nextcloud; which is the best choice for small businesses?
ownCloud is the perfect cloud solution for small businesses with limited funds. The good news is that ownCloud offers most of its productivity features in the free version.
What is the best alternative to ownCloud?
FileCloud is the best alternative to ownCloud because:
- It’s cheaper
- They have an excellent and responsive support team
- Easier and faster implementation
- It offers effective security features
- Supports on-premise hosting
What are the best Nextcloud alternatives?
Cozy, Pydio, and FileCloud are great options as a Nextcloud alternative. If you’re looking for the cheapest feature-rich Nextcloud alternative, go with Cozy. Cozy is super easy to use and offers exclusive features like Cozy Banks, Cozy Drive, Cozy Notes, and Cozy Pass.
Nextcloud Vs. ownCloud: Which is better for enterprises?
Security and support are two critical factors for big enterprises, and in these categories, the winner is Nextcloud. Nextcloud offers more advanced security features and is constantly updated. So as your business grows, you can depend on its security features to keep your data secure. As for support, the Nextcloud community is far more active than ownCloud. So in case of emergencies, you won’t have to wait days to receive helpful solutions.
ownCloud Vs. Nextcloud; which is cheaper?
Both cloud solutions have free erosion, but ownCloud’s premium plans are cheaper. ownCloud is the perfect cloud platform for individuals and small organizations with minimum budgets.
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