# Nextcloud Server

> 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.

- Repository: https://github.com/nextcloud/server
- Official docs: https://docs.nextcloud.com/server/latest/admin_manual/
- Checked: 2026-10-16

## What it replaces
- Dropbox: Desktop folder sync across devices, Share links and shared folders, File version history and recovery, Browse and manage files in a web app, Mobile camera upload and backup (full). Covers sync, links, versions, web access and camera upload; you run and back up the server yourself.
- Google Photos: Automatic phone photo and video backup (partial). Phone photo backup via the Nextcloud mobile apps; face search and timeline need extra apps like Memories.
- Box: Desktop file sync, File sharing links, Browser access to files (partial). File sync, sharing and browser access cover everyday file collaboration; Box governance, retention and enterprise workflow parity are not assumed.

## Facts, with sources

| Question | Status | Answer | Source | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Runs on my machine? | Confirmed | Self-hosted on your own server, or hosted by a Nextcloud provider | https://github.com/nextcloud/server#readme | 2026-10-16 |
| Code licence | Partial | AGPL-3.0-or-later (copyleft) | https://github.com/nextcloud/server#readme | 2026-10-16 |
| Model weights licence | Confirmed | No separate model weights | https://github.com/nextcloud/server#readme | 2026-10-16 |
| Commercial use | Partial | Yes under AGPL-3.0 copyleft terms; modified network deployments must share source | https://github.com/nextcloud/server#readme | 2026-10-16 |
| Paid services needed? | Partial | None required; Nextcloud Enterprise (paid support) and hosted providers are optional | https://github.com/nextcloud/server#readme | 2026-10-16 |
| Hardware | Confirmed | At least 128 MB RAM per PHP process, 512 MB recommended | https://docs.nextcloud.com/server/latest/admin_manual/installation/system_requirements.html | 2026-10-16 |
| Operating systems | Confirmed | Server on Linux (Ubuntu recommended), not Windows; desktop clients for Windows, macOS, Linux; Android and iOS apps | https://nextcloud.com/install/ | 2026-10-16 |
| Setup effort | Confirmed | Medium; All-in-One Docker image, appliances, or manual PHP/web server/database install | https://nextcloud.com/install/ | 2026-10-16 |

GitHub: 37132 stars, 5282 forks, last push 2026-10-16, archived: no.
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Source: RepoQuarry (https://repoquarry.dev/projects/nextcloud-server). Data licence: CC BY 4.0. Quotes are from project documentation and belong to their authors.