Nextcloud Server nextcloud/server

Self-hosted file sync and share server with desktop and mobile clients, share links, file versions and an app store for calendar, contacts and more.

Creator kit + Compare GitHub ↗ Install guide (official) ↗

Nextcloud Server at a glance

Checked 16 Oct 2026

Nextcloud Server (37k stars, v33.0.10 Oct 2026) is a PHP server you run yourself, or rent from a provider, that syncs, shares and versions files across devices. Official desktop clients cover Windows, macOS and Linux, and Android and iOS apps can upload phone photos automatically. AGPL-3.0-or-later with no CLA. The server does not run on Windows (use Docker or a VM); the All-in-One Docker image is the easiest install. Nextcloud Enterprise is a paid support subscription, not required. Photo face search needs extra apps such as Memories and Recognize.

Cite this pageRepoQuarry. “Nextcloud Server.” Checked 16 Oct 2026. https://repoquarry.dev/projects/nextcloud-server

How much of Dropbox does it replace?

5 of 5 jobs. Covers sync, links, versions, web access and camera upload; you run and back up the server yourself.

Desktop folder sync across devices Full replacement

Share links and shared folders Full replacement

File version history and recovery Full replacement

Browse and manage files in a web app Full replacement

Mobile camera upload and backup Full replacement

How much of Google Photos does it replace?

1 of 4 jobs. Phone photo backup via the Nextcloud mobile apps; face search and timeline need extra apps like Memories.

Automatic phone photo and video backup Partial replacement

Search photos by faces Not covered

Shared albums and links Not covered

Timeline and map browsing Not covered

For search photos by faces, shared albums and links, timeline and map browsing, see other Google Photos alternatives. You may also need to build an interface, an API server and hosting yourself.

How much of Box does it replace?

3 of 3 jobs. File sync, sharing and browser access cover everyday file collaboration; Box governance, retention and enterprise workflow parity are not assumed.

Desktop file sync Partial replacement

File sharing links Partial replacement

Browser access to files Partial replacement

Facts, with sources

Every answer links to where we found it. We read the documentation; we did not install it.

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Runs on my machine? Self-hosted on your own server, or hosted by a Nextcloud provider You can store your files, contacts, calendars, and more on a server of your choosing. github.com · server#readme ↗ today

Code licence AGPL-3.0-or-later (copyleft) All contributions to this repository from June 16, 2016, and onward are considered to be licensed under the AGPLv3 or any later version. github.com · server#readme ↗ today

Model weights licence No separate model weights github.com · server#readme ↗ today

Commercial use Yes under AGPL-3.0 copyleft terms; modified network deployments must share source All contributions to this repository from June 16, 2016, and onward are considered to be licensed under the AGPLv3 or any later version. github.com · server#readme ↗ today

Paid services needed? None required; Nextcloud Enterprise (paid support) and hosted providers are optional Enterprise? Public Sector or Education user? You may want to have a look into Nextcloud Enterprise provided by Nextcloud GmbH. github.com · server#readme ↗ today

Hardware At least 128 MB RAM per PHP process, 512 MB recommended Nextcloud needs a minimum of 128MB RAM per process, and we recommend a minimum of 512MB RAM per process. docs.nextcloud.com · system_requirements.html ↗ today

Operating systems Server on Linux (Ubuntu recommended), not Windows; desktop clients for Windows, macOS, Linux; Android and iOS apps Nextcloud Server does not support Microsoft Windows. We recommend using a virtual machine or docker image on Windows Server. nextcloud.com · install ↗ today

Setup effort Medium; All-in-One Docker image, appliances, or manual PHP/web server/database install Nextcloud GmbH maintains an all-in-one Docker image that is easy to install and maintain. nextcloud.com · install ↗ today