Nextcloud
An open-source content-collaboration platform and a self-hostable alternative to Google Drive, Dropbox, and Microsoft 365. Nextcloud combines file sync and share with calendar, contacts, mail, video calls, and collaborative document editing, keeping every file on infrastructure you control.
Overview
Description
Nextcloud is an open-source content-collaboration platform and a self-hostable alternative to Google Drive, Dropbox, and Microsoft 365. It starts with file sync and share and extends into calendar, contacts, mail, chat, video calls, and collaborative office documents, so a team can replace a stack of SaaS tools with one platform running on hardware they control. A large app ecosystem and granular administration make it suitable for home labs and regulated enterprises alike.
Features
- File sync and share: Desktop, mobile, and web clients with versioning, shared links, expiry dates, and end-to-end encryption.
- Groupware: Calendar, contacts, and mail with CalDAV/CardDAV, plus Deck for kanban boards.
- Real-time collaboration: Edit documents together with the built-in Nextcloud Office (Collabora / OnlyOffice).
- Talk: Private audio and video calls, screen sharing, and webinars with no third-party server.
- App ecosystem: Hundreds of apps for workflows, security, automation, and integrations.
- Data sovereignty: All data stays on your servers; supports external storage back-ends like S3 and SMB.
Technology Stack
- PHP server with a Vue.js front end
- MySQL / MariaDB or PostgreSQL database
- Redis for caching and file locking
- Apache or Nginx reverse proxy
- Docker, Nextcloud All-in-One, or bare-metal deployment
Requirements
- A Linux server (2 CPU cores and 4 GB RAM recommended)
- PHP 8.1+ and a supported database
- TLS certificate and a reverse proxy for production
Learning resources
How to Self-Host Nextcloud and take control of your data!
Step-by-step video guide to deploying Nextcloud, connecting clients, and securing the instance for day-to-day use as a private cloud.
By Techno Tim · Invalid Date
ArticleI think I found a Dropbox replacement with Nextcloud...
A walkthrough of running Nextcloud with Docker and Kubernetes: core features, installing apps, exposing it publicly, and enabling two-factor authentication.
By Techno Tim · 11/7/2020
