What is Nextcloud used for?

Nextcloud is a self-hosted file sync, sharing and collaboration platform that stores files, contacts and calendars on a server you choose, extensible with hundreds of apps. It is a good fit for replacing Dropbox or Google Drive, private calendars and contacts for a team, and institutional file sharing under local control.

Is Nextcloud open source?

Yes. Nextcloud is open source under the AGPL-3.0 licence. Its source code is on GitHub at nextcloud/server and is written mainly in PHP.

Yes. Nextcloud is open source, so the software itself is free to use. A managed cloud version is also available, with paid plans from €42 per seat per year.

Can I self-host Nextcloud?

Yes. Nextcloud can be self-hosted on your own server or infrastructure.

What is Nextcloud an alternative to?

Nextcloud is an open-source alternative to Dropbox, Box, Google Workspace and iCloud. Other open-source alternatives to Dropbox include Seafile, ownCloud and Nextcloud All-in-One.

Is Nextcloud actively maintained?

Yes. The most recent commit to Nextcloud was on 2 October 2026, and the latest release is v35.0.1, published on 24 September 2026. The project has 37k stars on GitHub.

Nextcloud: open-source alternative to Dropbox, Box

About Nextcloud

Nextcloud Server is a platform for keeping your files, contacts, calendars and other data on a server of your choosing. Content is synchronized across your devices, can be shared with other people for viewing or collaboration, and stays under your control rather than with a large cloud provider. It grew out of the ownCloud lineage.

Functionality can be expanded through hundreds of apps in its App Store, including Calendar, Contacts, Mail and Video Chat. Security measures include encryption mechanisms, a public bug bounty program and two-factor authentication. There are several ways to get a Nextcloud: sign up with a provider, install the server yourself on your own hardware or with a ready-to-use appliance, buy a device that comes with it preinstalled, or find a service provider to host it for you.

The server is written in PHP and JavaScript under the AGPL-3.0 license. Nextcloud GmbH also offers an Enterprise edition aimed at public sector, education and company users. It suits households, schools and organizations that want to replace commercial cloud storage and office suites with something they run themselves.

Key features

File storage and sync across devices
Contacts and calendar hosting
Sharing and collaboration controls
App Store with hundreds of apps
Two-factor authentication and encryption
Self-install, appliance or provider-hosted options

Good fit for

→Replacing Dropbox or Google Drive
→Private calendars and contacts for a team
→Institutional file sharing under local control

Built with: PHP; JavaScript
Tags: file-sharing; cloud-storage; collaboration; self-hosted; calendar; contacts; owncloud-alternative; privacy; php

Nextcloud: questions and answers

What is Nextcloud used for?: Nextcloud is a self-hosted file sync, sharing and collaboration platform that stores files, contacts and calendars on a server you choose, extensible with hundreds of apps. It is a good fit for replacing Dropbox or Google Drive, private calendars and contacts for a team, and institutional file sharing under local control.
Is Nextcloud open source?: Yes. Nextcloud is open source under the AGPL-3.0 licence. Its source code is on GitHub at nextcloud/server and is written mainly in PHP.
Is Nextcloud free?: Yes. Nextcloud is open source, so the software itself is free to use. A managed cloud version is also available, with paid plans from €42 per seat per year.
Can I self-host Nextcloud?: Yes. Nextcloud can be self-hosted on your own server or infrastructure.
What is Nextcloud an alternative to?: Nextcloud is an open-source alternative to Dropbox, Box, Google Workspace and iCloud. Other open-source alternatives to Dropbox include Seafile, ownCloud and Nextcloud All-in-One.
Is Nextcloud actively maintained?: Yes. The most recent commit to Nextcloud was on 2 October 2026, and the latest release is v35.0.1, published on 24 September 2026. The project has 37k stars on GitHub.