# Nextcloud vs Syncthing

> Pick Nextcloud for a central server with web access, sharing links and collaboration apps; pick Syncthing to keep folders in sync directly between your own devices with no server.

## Verdict

Nextcloud and Syncthing solve different problems. Nextcloud is a cloud server you log into from any browser, with share links, calendars and office editing. Syncthing is peer-to-peer folder sync between devices you own, with no central server or web file access, which makes it simpler and very private but not a Dropbox-style sharing platform.

- Best for Nextcloud: A self-hosted cloud with web access and sharing
- Best for Syncthing: Private peer-to-peer folder sync between your own devices

## Key differences

| Aspect | Nextcloud | Syncthing |
|---|---|---|
| License | AGPL-3.0. | MPL-2.0. |
| Architecture | Central PHP server with a database; clients sync through it. | Peer-to-peer: each device runs Syncthing and syncs directly, no central server. |
| Language/stack | PHP with MySQL/MariaDB, PostgreSQL or SQLite. | Go, a single binary per device. |
| Sharing | Public links, user and group shares, and a full web UI for files. | Shares folders between trusted devices only; no public links or web file browser. |
| Mobile apps | Official iOS and Android apps. | No official mobile app since syncthing-android was archived in 2024; community apps include Syncthing-Fork and Synctrain. |
| Learning curve | Needs a server, database, domain and HTTPS. | Install on each device and pair them by device ID. |

## GitHub numbers

| Metric | Nextcloud | Syncthing |
|---|---|---|
| GitHub stars | 37,003 | 89,175 |
| Forks | 5,258 | 5,503 |
| Commits, last 12 months | 7,289 | 223 |
| Last commit | Oct 6, 2026 | Oct 6, 2026 |
| Latest release | v35.0.1 | v2.1.6 |
| License | AGPL-3.0 | MPL-2.0 |
| License type | Open source | Open source |
| Language | PHP | Go |
| Docker image | No | Yes |
| Repository | https://github.com/nextcloud/server | https://github.com/syncthing/syncthing |

App pages: [Nextcloud](https://appsgit.com/apps/nextcloud), [Syncthing](https://appsgit.com/apps/syncthing)

## FAQ

### Can Syncthing replace Nextcloud?

Only for file sync between your own devices. Syncthing has no web interface for files, no public share links and no calendar or contacts, which Nextcloud provides.

### Can I use Nextcloud and Syncthing together?

Yes. Some people use Syncthing to sync folders between machines and Nextcloud to share and access those files from the web, though you should avoid two tools writing to the same folder at once.

### Does Syncthing need a server?

No. Devices connect directly to each other; public relay and discovery servers only help them find each other and never see unencrypted data.

---

Canonical page: https://appsgit.com/compare/nextcloud-vs-syncthing
Source: appsgit (https://appsgit.com), the app store for github. Data from the GitHub API, refreshed nightly.
Machine access: JSON API https://appsgit.com/api/v1/apps (OpenAPI: https://appsgit.com/openapi.json), MCP server https://mcp.appsgit.com/mcp, full index https://appsgit.com/llms-full.txt.