Nextcloud review — self-hosted cloud for files, calendar and more
Nextcloud is an open-source platform that lets you replace Google Drive, Google Calendar and Google Contacts on your own server. Fully under your control.
Nextcloud review
Nextcloud is an open-source cloud platform you run on your own server. It replaces Google Drive (files), Google Calendar (calendar), Google Contacts (contacts) and more — without your data sitting at an American tech giant.
What Nextcloud offers
Nextcloud Files: File synchronisation and storage. Desktop sync client for Windows, macOS and Linux. Mobile apps for Android and iOS. Files directly accessible via the web interface.
Nextcloud Calendar: CalDAV server. Sync your calendar with Thunderbird, Apple Calendar, Android apps (DAVx⁵).
Nextcloud Contacts: CardDAV server. Sync contacts with your phone and email client.
Nextcloud Talk: Video calls and messages — built-in, no Zoom or Google Meet needed for simple calls.
Nextcloud Notes: Markdown notes synchronised across devices.
Nextcloud Deck: Kanban board for task management (similar to Trello).
Hosting options
VPS (Virtual Private Server): The most flexible option. Rent a small VPS (€3–8/month at Hetzner, DigitalOcean, Vultr). Install Nextcloud via Docker or the official installer. Accessible everywhere.
Raspberry Pi or home server: No monthly costs, but dependent on home internet (uptime, bandwidth) and requires opening a port or using Tailscale for external access.
Nextcloud AIO (All-in-One): Docker Compose installation that automatically configures everything including TLS. The fastest way to run a production Nextcloud.
docker run -it \
--name nextcloud-aio-mastercontainer \
--restart always \
-p 80:80 -p 8080:8080 -p 8443:8443 \
nextcloud/all-in-one:latestSpecifications
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Type | Self-hosted cloud |
| Open-source | Yes (AGPLv3) |
| Hosting | VPS, NAS, Raspberry Pi, home server |
| Clients | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS |
| Encryption | In transit (TLS) + optional server-side encryption |
| End-to-end encryption | Limited (via E2EE app, experimental) |
| CalDAV/CardDAV | Yes |
| Free | Yes — self-hosting only costs server |
Comparison with cloud options
| Nextcloud | Proton Drive | Google Drive | Tresorit | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Control | Full | Provider | Provider | |
| End-to-end encryption | Limited (experimental) | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Calendar/Contacts | ✅ built-in | Via Proton Calendar | ✅ | ❌ |
| Self-hosting | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Monthly cost | VPS (~€5) | €4–10 | €2.99 | €10 |
| Technical knowledge | Medium-high | Low | Low | Low |
Proton Drive vs Nextcloud: Proton Drive has stronger encryption (zero-knowledge, E2E). Nextcloud gives more features (calendar, contacts, video, notes) but the file encryption is weaker. Choice depends on priority: encryption or feature breadth.
Encryption — honest about limitations
Nextcloud encrypts files in transit (HTTPS). Server-side encryption encrypts files on your server’s disk — but the server has the keys, so if your server is compromised, the files are readable.
The E2EE app (end-to-end encryption for selected folders) is available but still experimental. For complete zero-knowledge cloud storage, Proton Drive or Cryptomator + Nextcloud is the better choice.
Conclusion: The privacy benefit of Nextcloud lies in control (you manage the server, not Google), not in encryption architecture.
Caveats
Technical knowledge required: Setting up a server, running updates, configuring TLS — not for everyone. Nextcloud AIO simplifies this, but you need to know what Docker is.
Uptime responsibility: If your server goes offline, your files are not accessible. With VPS hosting uptime is good; with home server dependent on your internet connection.
Updates: Nextcloud has active development — updates come regularly. Automatic updates via AIO, but you need to keep up with them.
Conclusion
Nextcloud is the most complete open-source replacement for Google Workspace. Files, calendar, contacts, notes, video calls — all under your control on your own server.
The price: you manage the infrastructure yourself. For those who want that, there is no better alternative. For those who don’t, Proton Drive + Proton Calendar is a simpler privacy-friendly option.
See also:
- Proton Drive review — zero-knowledge alternative without own server
- Tailscale guide — making Nextcloud accessible without opening ports
- Secure laptop guide — Nextcloud as part of a privacy-friendly desktop