# ownCloud vs Nextcloud, how do the two cloud solutions compare?

A comparison of ownCloud and Nextcloud shows that both solutions let you run your own cloud and manage data independently of major providers. However, while ownCloud mainly focuses on file management, Nextcloud has developed into a more comprehensive collaboration platform.

## Overview of OwnCloud vs Nextcloud

<table>
  <thead>
    <tr>
      <th></th>
      <th>ownCloud</th>
      <th>Nextcloud</th>
    </tr>
  </thead>
  <tbody>
    <tr>
      <td><strong>Website</strong></td>
      <td>[ownCloud.com](https://owncloud.com/ "Official ownCloud website")</td>
      <td>[nextcloud.com](https://nextcloud.com/ "Official Nextcloud website")</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td><strong>Developer</strong></td>
      <td>ownCloud GmbH</td>
      <td>Nextcloud GmbH</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td><strong>Year of release</strong></td>
      <td>2010</td>
      <td>2016</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td><strong>Licence models</strong></td>
      <td>Open source, plus enterprise offerings</td>
      <td>Open source, plus enterprise support and enterprise packages</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td><strong>Clients for cloud access</strong></td>
      <td>Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android</td>
      <td>Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td><strong>Self-hosting possible</strong></td>
      <td></td>
      <td></td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td><strong>Focus</strong></td>
      <td>File sharing, enterprise file platform</td>
      <td>File sharing, collaboration, office, communication, AI</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td><strong>Integrated AI features</strong></td>
      <td>no comparably broad native AI package in the core product</td>
      <td>Nextcloud Assistant with text, audio, and action features</td>
    </tr>
  </tbody>
</table>

Last updated: March 2026.

## What are the differences and similarities between ownCloud and Nextcloud?

On June 2, 2016, Frank Karlitschek, the founder of ownCloud, left the financially struggling project along with much of the development team. Later that year, the group released its own [cloud](https://www.ionos.com/en-ie/digitalguide/server/know-how/what-is-the-cloud/) solution called Nextcloud, with a stronger focus on collaboration. Since then, the two solutions have evolved in different directions:

- **ownCloud** positions itself more strongly as a file platform for businesses.
- **Nextcloud** combines file sharing, office integrations, communication, and now also AI features.

An important difference also lies in the **product structure**. With ownCloud, you now have to distinguish between the classic ownCloud Server and ownCloud Infinite Scale, which differ significantly from each other in their architecture and system requirements. In contrast to ownCloud, Nextcloud continues to rely on a unified server platform that is expanded modularly with additional apps and features.

### ownCloud

<table>
  <thead>
    <tr>
      <th>ownCloud advantages</th>
      <th>ownCloud disadvantages</th>
    </tr>
  </thead>
  <tbody>
    <tr>
      <td>Desktop clients and mobile apps available for all common platforms</td>
      <td>Product landscape is more complex because ownCloud Server and Infinite Scale exist in parallel</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Minimal system requirements (hardware and software)</td>
      <td>Some advanced enterprise features are tied to Enterprise offerings</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Modular expandability and professional enterprise focus</td>
      <td>Collaboration features are less broadly integrated than in Nextcloud</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>ownCloud Infinite Scale is modern, scalable, and cloud-native by design</td>
      <td>For smaller teams, the distinction between the product lines is not always intuitive</td>
    </tr>
  </tbody>
</table>

The ownCloud project was launched in 2010 by Frank Karlitschek and aimed to provide users with a **free alternative to commercial cloud services**. Today, the ownCloud ecosystem mainly includes two lines, the classic [ownCloud Server 10](https://owncloud.com/product/ "ownCloud Server 10") and [ownCloud Infinite Scale](https://owncloud.com/infinite-scale/ "ownCloud Infinite Scale"). For new installations and modern, scalable setups, ownCloud Infinite Scale has become the primary focus. ownCloud describes this platform as a cloud-native solution with a unified data access layer that runs without PHP or a traditional database.

The ownCloud product lines require the following technical prerequisites:

<table>
  <thead>
    <tr>
      <th></th>
      <th>ownCloud Server 10</th>
      <th>ownCloud Infinite Scale</th>
    </tr>
  </thead>
  <tbody>
    <tr>
      <td><strong>Architecture</strong></td>
      <td>classic server application</td>
      <td>cloud-native platform</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td><strong>PHP required</strong></td>
      <td></td>
      <td></td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td><strong>Database required</strong></td>
      <td></td>
      <td></td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td><strong>Usage profile</strong></td>
      <td>classic installations, existing environments</td>
      <td>modern, scalable deployments</td>
    </tr>
  </tbody>
</table>

Once the ownCloud server is installed and set up, files can be uploaded to it using the desktop client. ownCloud also provides clients for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. The platform thus continues to reliably cover typical requirements for **file synchronisation, sharing, and mobile access**.

[![Image: ownCloud website](https://www.ionos.com/en-ie/digitalguide/fileadmin/_processed_/c/4/csm_owncloud-homepage_273fb2a592.webp "ownCloud website")](https://www.ionos.com/en-ie/digitalguide/fileadmin/DigitalGuide/Screenshots_2026/owncloud-homepage.jpg) The ownCloud website; source: https://owncloud.com/ For businesses, ownCloud offers paid Enterprise packages starting at 25 users, which include additional features, support, and a commercial licence. The platform also includes a range of features designed to improve usability:

<table>
  <thead>
    <tr>
      <th>Feature</th>
      <th>ownCloud Infinite Scale</th>
      <th>ownCloud Server</th>
    </tr>
  </thead>
  <tbody>
    <tr>
      <td><strong>File synchronisation and sharing</strong></td>
      <td>Files can be synchronised across devices and shared via links or within teams.</td>
      <td>Files can be synchronised across devices and shared internally or externally.</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td><strong>Group and permissions management</strong></td>
      <td>Granular management of users, groups, and access rights.</td>
      <td>Fine-grained permissions management for users and teams.</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td><strong>Versioning</strong></td>
      <td>File versions are supported in ownCloud Infinite Scale.</td>
      <td>Previous file versions can be stored and restored.</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td><strong>Office integration</strong></td>
      <td>Possible via integrations such as Collabora Online or ONLYOFFICE.</td>
      <td>Collaboration on documents via Collabora Online or ONLYOFFICE.</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td><strong>Enterprise features</strong></td>
      <td>Advanced features such as branding, additional security features, and enterprise support.</td>
      <td>Advanced features depending on the Enterprise package.</td>
    </tr>
  </tbody>
</table>

The ownCloud offerings are completed by various **security features**:

<table>
  <thead>
    <tr>
      <th>Security feature</th>
      <th>ownCloud Infinite Scale</th>
      <th>ownCloud Server</th>
    </tr>
  </thead>
  <tbody>
    <tr>
      <td><strong>Server-side encryption</strong></td>
      <td>Data can be stored with server-side encryption, in addition to encrypted data transfer via [TLS](https://www.ionos.com/en-ie/digitalguide/server/security/tls-transport-layer-security/).</td>
      <td>Server-side encryption with AES-256 is possible for stored files.</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td><strong>End-to-end encryption</strong></td>
      <td>only available to a limited extent or depending on integrations</td>
      <td>Available optionally via corresponding encryption apps.</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td><strong>Brute-force protection</strong></td>
      <td>Protection mechanisms against login attacks can be implemented via security policies and authentication services.</td>
      <td>Protection against brute-force attacks is possible via login protection mechanisms and security apps.</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td><strong>2FA and SSO</strong></td>
      <td>Support for multi-factor authentication as well as SAML and OpenID-based single sign-on solutions.</td>
      <td>Two-factor authentication and SAML/SSO integration available.</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td><strong>Password policies</strong></td>
      <td>Administrators can define policies for password strength and access rules.</td>
      <td>Password policies for user accounts and shares can be configured.</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td><strong>Security and compliance focus</strong></td>
      <td>Enterprise features such as audit logs, compliance controls, and advanced security policies available.</td>
      <td>Security features such as audit logs, virus scanner integration, and enterprise compliance tools available.</td>
    </tr>
  </tbody>
</table>

### Nextcloud

<table>
  <thead>
    <tr>
      <th>Nextcloud advantages</th>
      <th>Nextcloud disadvantages</th>
    </tr>
  </thead>
  <tbody>
    <tr>
      <td>Very broad range of features for file sharing, office, communication, and collaboration</td>
      <td>For SMBs, only recommended with an external hosting provider</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Brute-force protection enabled by default and various other security features</td>
      <td>Not every app in the ecosystem is at the same quality level</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Highly extensible via integrated app store</td>
      <td>Performance issues with many small files</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Significantly expanded AI offering with Nextcloud Assistant</td>
      <td>Professional support is subject to a fee</td>
    </tr>
  </tbody>
</table>

When Nextcloud launched in 2016 as an independent fork of ownCloud, it was largely based on the open-source version of ownCloud at the time, with an updated design. Since then, it has developed into a comprehensive **open source platform for file management and collaboration**. Alongside file sharing, it now includes features such as office integration, video conferencing, calendar, email, tasks, and AI-powered capabilities.

The core application is called [Nextcloud Server](https://nextcloud.com/install/ "Download and install Nextcloud") and can be run on traditional servers as well as in container environments. The following system requirements must be met to use Nextcloud:

<table>
  <thead>
    <tr>
      <th></th>
      <th>System requirements for Nextcloud</th>
    </tr>
  </thead>
  <tbody>
    <tr>
      <td><strong>Architecture</strong></td>
      <td>64-bit CPU, 64-bit operating system, and 64-bit PHP recommended</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td><strong>Memory</strong></td>
      <td>at least 128 MB RAM per process, minimum 512 MB per process recommended</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td><strong>Databases</strong></td>
      <td>e.g., MySQL 8.0/8.4, MariaDB 10.6/10.11/11.4, PostgreSQL 13 to 17, SQLite for small or test instances</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td><strong>Web server</strong></td>
      <td>Apache 2.4 or NGINX</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td><strong>PHP</strong></td>
      <td>PHP 8.1 or higher recommended</td>
    </tr>
  </tbody>
</table>

Desktop clients for Windows, macOS, and Linux, as well as mobile apps for Android and iOS, are available for accessing the server. The clients synchronise local folders with the server and make it easier to share files via internal shares or public links.

[![Image: Nextcloud website](https://www.ionos.com/en-ie/digitalguide/fileadmin/_processed_/6/0/csm_nextcloud-homepage_08615c7a97.webp "Nextcloud website")](https://www.ionos.com/en-ie/digitalguide/fileadmin/DigitalGuide/Screenshots_2026/nextcloud-homepage.jpg) The Nextcloud website; source: https://nextcloud.com/ Nextcloud remains completely open source, but offers companies **paid enterprise packages with support, maintenance, and additional services**. The current pricing page lists three packages: Standard, Premium, and Ultimate (each available starting from 100 users). Nextcloud is not limited to simply uploading and downloading files, but comes equipped with a variety of features.

<table>
  <thead>
    <tr>
      <th></th>
      <th>Nextcloud features</th>
    </tr>
  </thead>
  <tbody>
    <tr>
      <td><strong>File sharing and synchronisation</strong></td>
      <td>Files can be synchronised, organised, and shared across devices.</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td><strong>Office integration</strong></td>
      <td>Collaborative work on documents is possible via Nextcloud Office, Collabora Online, or ONLYOFFICE.</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td><strong>Talk and collaboration</strong></td>
      <td>Chats, audio and video conferences, as well as team collaboration, are tightly integrated into the platform.</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td><strong>Workflow and automation features</strong></td>
      <td>Rules for file access, processing, and administrative procedures can be configured.</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td><strong>Branding and extensions</strong></td>
      <td>The interface and range of functions can be customised via apps.</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td><strong>All-in-one deployment</strong></td>
      <td>Simplified deployment models are available for easier installations.</td>
    </tr>
  </tbody>
</table>

One of the platform’s key strengths is its modular design, which allows for a **high level of extensibility**. A wide range of features from areas such as integration, office tools, and authentication can be added through Nextcloud apps. Nextcloud provides a full list of officially supported extensions in its [Nextcloud App Store](https://apps.nextcloud.com/ "Nextcloud App"), where you can find download links as well as resources for developing your own modules.

[![Image: Nextcloud App Store](https://www.ionos.com/en-ie/digitalguide/fileadmin/_processed_/d/e/csm_nextcloud-app-store-en_df11d7d67a.webp "Nextcloud App Store")](https://www.ionos.com/en-ie/digitalguide/fileadmin/DigitalGuide/Screenshots_2026/nextcloud-app-store-en.jpg) The Nextcloud App Store; source: https://apps.nextcloud.com Data security is just as important as a broad feature set. In this area, Nextcloud now goes well beyond a simple file synchronisation service:

<table>
  <thead>
    <tr>
      <th></th>
      <th>Nextcloud security features</th>
    </tr>
  </thead>
  <tbody>
    <tr>
      <td><strong>Server-side encryption</strong></td>
      <td>In addition to secure transmission, data can be stored in encrypted form on the server.</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td><strong>End-to-end encryption</strong></td>
      <td>For specific use cases, Nextcloud supports end-to-end encrypted file storage and sharing.</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td><strong>Brute-force protection</strong></td>
      <td>Protection mechanisms against brute-force attacks are available by default.</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td><strong>2FA and SSO</strong></td>
      <td>Two-factor authentication as well as SAML/SSO are supported.</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td><strong>Password policies</strong></td>
      <td>Administrators can define rules for passwords and sharing.</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td><strong>Security and compliance focus</strong></td>
      <td>Nextcloud emphasizes its use as a privacy-focused, private collaboration platform.</td>
    </tr>
  </tbody>
</table>

Since 2025, Nextcloud has **significantly expanded its AI features**. With the [Nextcloud Assistant](https://nextcloud.com/assistant/ "Nextcloud Assistant"), the platform now offers its own AI ecosystem, which is integrated modularly via Assistant and AI apps. The officially described features include, among others:

- Generate, rephrase, correct, and translate text
- Summarise content in context
- Transcribe audio
- Generate images
- Answer questions about your own content in a dialogue interface
- Trigger actions in other Nextcloud apps

Nextcloud now also includes [agentic capabilities](https://www.ionos.com/en-ie/digitalguide/websites/web-development/ai-agent/). Its Assistant can bring together information from different apps and carry out tasks such as creating calendar events, reading or sending messages in Nextcloud Talk, and sending emails. This gives Nextcloud a clear functional advantage over traditional cloud file platforms.

## Comparing the differences between ownCloud and Nextcloud

Both solutions can be used to build a private or company-owned cloud, but the differences between them are now more pronounced than in the past.

**ownCloud** remains a solid choice for controlled file sharing in business environments. It’s important to distinguish between ownCloud Server 10 and ownCloud Infinite Scale, with Infinite Scale representing the more modern, cloud-native approach.

**Nextcloud** takes a broader approach. It combines file storage, office tools, communication, and collaboration in a single platform, and has significantly expanded its AI capabilities since 2025. It’s also a strong option for organisations looking for a privacy-focused alternative to major collaboration suites.

**In short**, ownCloud is a good fit if you need an enterprise file platform with a clear focus on file sharing. If you’re looking for a more comprehensive solution that includes collaboration, office tools, communication, and modern AI features, Nextcloud is now the more versatile option.

## Nextcloud solutions from IONOS

As a Nextcloud partner, IONOS provides several ways to run the open-source cloud within your organisation. Freelancers as well as small and mid-sized businesses can, for example, install the software on an IONOS server with just one click and start using it right away.

This gives you a reliable **hardware and software foundation along with a simplified setup process**, while also helping you stay up to date with security requirements and [GDPR](https://www.ionos.com/en-ie/digitalguide/websites/digital-law/general-data-protection-regulation/) compliance.

If you plan to run your own server with a Nextcloud-based cloud, IONOS also offers a particularly convenient option with Managed Nextcloud Hosting. With this solution, IONOS takes care of much of the technical operation, including maintenance and updates. The software is provided automatically and can be set up with a one-click installation.


This is a markdown version of: [https://www.ionos.com/en-ie/digitalguide/server/tools/owncloud-vs-nextcloud-a-comparison/](https://www.ionos.com/en-ie/digitalguide/server/tools/owncloud-vs-nextcloud-a-comparison/) for AI/LLM consumption.