Nextcloud

Access and share your files, calendars, contacts, mail and more from any device, on your terms.

GitHub stars: 37,081
License: AGPL-3.0
Latest release: v35.0.2rc2
8 October 2026
Last commit: 13 October 2026
Runs on: PHP, Debian packages

Commits per month, last 12 months

7,578 commits

Replaces

Paid products Nextcloud can stand in for.

BoxCloud storage and file sharing for companies.DropboxCloud storage and file sync.Google CalendarGoogle's online calendar.Google ContactsGoogle's address book.Google DriveCloud storage from Google.Google WorkspaceGoogle's office, mail and storage bundle.iCloud DriveApple's cloud storage for files.Microsoft 365Microsoft's office suite with cloud storage.

How to self-host Nextcloud

Nextcloud runs on PHP and Debian packages. The project's own install guide is the place to start; most people put it on a small server with Docker and a reverse proxy for HTTPS.

Get a server: a home server, a VPS, or a managed app host.
Install it the way the project's docs describe, usually with Docker Compose.
Put it behind HTTPS and set up backups before you add real data.
Update it regularly. Watch the project's releases.

New to self-hosting? Start with the beginner's guide.

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Guides that cover it

Self-hosted Dropbox alternatives: 6 open-source options

Nextcloud, Seafile, OpenCloud, Syncthing, Pydio Cells and FileBrowser Quantum compared: sync clients, office editing and how much server each one needs.

Nextcloud vs OpenCloud vs Seafile: which file cloud to host?

Nextcloud, OpenCloud and Seafile side by side: architecture, how files are stored, office editing, mobile apps, server needs and licenses, with a clear pick.

Self-hosting for beginners: what it is and how to start

What self-hosting means, why people run their own apps, the three ways to do it, what you need to know about backups and updates, and good first apps.

Questions

Is Nextcloud free?

Yes. Nextcloud is open source under the AGPL-3.0 license, so you can use it without paying for a license. You pay only for the server it runs on.

Can I self-host Nextcloud?

Yes. Nextcloud runs on PHP and Debian packages. Follow the install guide in the project's documentation, or use a host that installs it for you.

What does Nextcloud replace?

People use Nextcloud instead of Box, Dropbox, Google Calendar or Google Contacts.

Is Nextcloud still maintained?

The last change to Nextcloud's code was on 13 October 2026, with 7578 commits in the last 12 months.

Topics

App data from awesome-selfhosted (CC BY-SA 3.0), stars and activity from GitHub.