Overview

Nextcloud is the ultimate Google replacement—a self-hosted platform that can replace Drive, Docs, Calendar, Photos, and more. You control where your data lives, whether on your own server or with a trusted provider.

Originally forked from ownCloud in 2016, Nextcloud has grown into the leading self-hosted cloud solution with millions of users.

Key Features

Complete Google Replacement

Nextcloud can replace Google Drive (files), Docs (office), Calendar, Contacts, Photos, Keep (notes), Meet (video calls), and more—all in one platform.

Data Sovereignty

Your data lives where you choose—on your own hardware, a VPS, or with a Nextcloud hosting provider. No Big Tech company has access.

App Ecosystem

Hundreds of apps extend Nextcloud’s functionality: password managers, task boards, recipe managers, and more.

Privacy & Security

Nextcloud offers end-to-end encryption for files, brute force protection, two-factor authentication, and detailed audit logs. Being self-hosted means you control all access.

Getting Started

For Self-Hosting:

Set up a server (VPS, NAS, or home server)
Install Nextcloud via snap, Docker, or manual install
Configure SSL and backup
Install desktop and mobile sync clients

For Managed Hosting:

Sign up with a Nextcloud provider (Hetzner, etc.)
Import data from Google Takeout
Install sync clients on your devices

Who Is It Best For?

Nextcloud is ideal for privacy enthusiasts willing to invest time in setup, organizations wanting data control, and anyone who wants to truly own their digital life.

Final Verdict

Nextcloud is the most comprehensive Google replacement available. It requires effort to set up but rewards you with complete data sovereignty and a feature set that rivals Google Workspace.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Complete data sovereignty
Replaces multiple Google services
Fully open source
End-to-end encryption available
Huge app ecosystem

Cons

Requires technical setup or hosting provider
Self-hosting requires maintenance
Can be resource-intensive

Nextcloud