Nextclouds

Nextclouds are multiple deployments of Nextcloud, an open-source, self-hosted cloud storage and collaboration platform that individuals and organizations can host on their own servers. Nextcloud originated in 2016 as a fork of ownCloud, created by Frank Karlitschek and is now developed and maintained by Nextcloud GmbH with community involvement. The platform consists of a server component, written primarily in PHP, and various client applications for desktop and mobile, enabling users to access and synchronize files across devices. Data can be stored on the local server or connected to external storage backends, and databases such as MySQL/MariaDB, PostgreSQL, or SQLite are used to manage metadata.

Key features include file synchronization and sharing with version history, offline access, and file access through a web interface or clients. Additional functionality is provided via apps, including calendars, contacts, mail, and collaborative editing through integrations with Collabora Online or OnlyOffice. The platform also supports video communication through Nextcloud Talk and can be extended with LDAP/Active Directory integration, single sign-on, and external storage connectors.

Security and privacy are central responsibilities of Nextclouds, offering options like server-side encryption, optional client-side (end-to-end) encryption, two-factor authentication, and regular security updates. As a self-hosted solution, control over data location and compliance is a primary advantage, though it requires administrative maintenance and appropriate hosting. Nextclouds compete with centralized cloud services by emphasizing data sovereignty and extensibility.