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File Sync & Storage comparison

Nextcloud vs ownCloud: which should you self-host in 2026?

Pick Nextcloud for a full collaboration suite with a large app ecosystem; pick ownCloud if you want a focused file-sync server, especially its newer Go-based Infinite Scale edition.

Both are open source and run on your own server. Below: a side-by-side of license, stack and features, live GitHub activity, and our verdict on who should pick which.

Nextcloud

nextcloud/server

37k GitHub starsLast commit Oct 6, 2026

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

  • AGPL-3.0
  • PHP
  • Actively maintained
Nextcloud detailsDeploy guide

ownCloud

owncloud/core

8.8k GitHub starsLast commit Oct 5, 2026

All-in-one solution for saving, synchronizing, viewing, editing and sharing files, calendars, address books and more.

  • AGPL-3.0
  • PHP
  • Docker
  • Actively maintained
ownCloud details

Head-to-head

Nextcloud vs ownCloud, side by side

Hand-checked differences first, then live numbers from GitHub, refreshed with every catalog update.

Nextcloud compared with ownCloud
AspectNextcloudownCloud
LicenseAGPL-3.0.ownCloud Server (core) is AGPL-3.0; ownCloud Infinite Scale is Apache-2.0.
HistoryFork of ownCloud started in 2016 by ownCloud's founder and core developers.The original project, now owned by Kiteworks.
Language/stackPHP with MySQL/MariaDB, PostgreSQL or SQLite.Classic server is PHP; Infinite Scale is a rewrite in Go.
ScopeFiles plus Calendar, Contacts, Talk, Office, Mail and an app store.Primarily file sync and sharing, with a smaller set of extensions.
Mobile appsOfficial Files, Talk and other apps for iOS and Android.Official iOS and Android file apps.
GitHub stars37,0038,833
Commits, last 12 months7,289331
Last commitOct 6, 2026Oct 5, 2026
Latest releasev35.0.1Sep 24, 2026v11.0.1Sep 25, 2026
Main languagePHPPHP
Official Docker imageNoYes
Repositorynextcloud/serverowncloud/core

Swipe the table sideways to see both apps. GitHub figures come from the public API. Highlighted values are the higher of the two.

Verdict

Nextcloud forked from ownCloud in 2016 and grew into a broad platform with files, calendar, contacts, Talk, office editing and hundreds of apps, which makes it the default choice for most self-hosters. ownCloud concentrates on file sync and share; the classic PHP server listed here is maintained, while new deployments are steered toward ownCloud Infinite Scale.

Best for

Choose Nextcloud for

An all-in-one self-hosted replacement for Google Workspace.

Best for

Choose ownCloud for

Focused enterprise file sync and share.

Deploy either in minutes

Not sure yet? Spin up a small VPS or a managed instance, try both for a week, and keep the one that fits.

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FAQ

Nextcloud vs ownCloud: FAQ

Still curious? Email info@appsgit.com.

Is Nextcloud a fork of ownCloud?

Yes. Nextcloud was forked from ownCloud in 2016 and has developed independently since then.

Can I migrate from ownCloud to Nextcloud?

Nextcloud documents a migration path from ownCloud classic servers, but it supports only specific version combinations. Check the Nextcloud admin manual for the matching versions before you start.

What is ownCloud Infinite Scale?

It is ownCloud's next-generation server, rewritten in Go and released under Apache-2.0. It stores files without a relational database and is the recommended base for new ownCloud deployments.

Which is more popular on GitHub, Nextcloud or ownCloud?

Nextcloud has 37,003 GitHub stars against 8,833 for ownCloud. Over the last twelve months Nextcloud received 7,289 commits and ownCloud received 331, so Nextcloud is the more actively developed of the two right now. Stars measure interest, not fit, so weigh them against the differences above.

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