6 ways Nextcloud beats Microsoft 365 entirely for free

With a suite of productivity tools, cloud storage, and integration on Windows 11, Microsoft 365 has become the de facto choice for many. However, users are increasingly turning away due to the burden of ever-increasing subscription prices and a lack of control over their personal data. While there is no shortage of Microsoft 365 alternatives, Nextcloud stands out due several reasons.

It’s a free and open-source platform that offers a compelling package and allows users to break free from vendor lock-in, all without a monthly bill. Here are the key areas where Nextcloud not only matches but often surpasses Microsoft 365.

6

Data ownership and control

Self-hosting advantages

The core difference between Nextcloud and Microsoft 365 is data ownership and control. At its core, self-hosting means running the Nextcloud software on your own server. You can run it on a dedicated physical server, a virtual private server (VPS), a Raspberry Pi, and even a NAS device. The company provides detailed installation documentation for various operating systems.

Suppose you run a small design agency with 10 employees. You handle sensitive client data, including design files, contracts, and confidential communications. If you want to avoid subscription fees and are concerned about storing essential data on third-party cloud services, self-host Nextcloud on a dedicated server in the office.

5

Vast and robust app ecosystem

You won’t miss your Microsoft 365 apps

Nextcloud’s vast ecosystem of apps transforms it from a simple file-sharing platform into a powerful productivity and collaboration suite. By default, it already comes with all the essentials like Mail, Contacts, Calendar, Tasks, and Deck (project management). You can create a text document, spreadsheet, presentation, diagram, and more. They are not as feature-rich as their Microsoft counterparts, but get the job done. Nextcloud has partnered with Collabora (based on LibreOffice) to provide office solutions.

You can always head to the Nextcloud App Store to unlock a wide range of apps that extend its core capabilities. From productivity and communication to security and multimedia, you have ample apps to choose from. All these core apps have received a nice feature boost with the recent Nextcloud update.

For example, you can now upload files other than images to whiteboards to level up your brainstorming sessions. Nextcloud Desk (a project management tool) now supports link preview for cards, Markdown support in comments, and the ability to clone boards with or without cards and their data. You can check out all the improvements from the company’s official page.

4

A productive and customizable dashboard

Tailor Nextcloud experience

Nextcloud offers a highly customizable user experience. You can combine information from various apps into a single customizable dashboard and create a central productivity hub. These widgets can display calendar events, tasks, recent files, emails, notes, and even external RSS feeds. There is also an option to change the dashboard background.

Nextcloud also supports a dark theme and custom fonts to take personalization to the next level. On the flip side, the Microsoft 365 Home dashboard primarily focuses on providing quick access to recent files. While this is useful, it lacks the broader productivity features offered by Nextcloud.

Users must navigate to separate applications (Outlook, Calendar, To-Do) to access their emails, calendars, and tasks. It’s surely not as efficient and more time-consuming than Nextcloud.

Related

How to migrate your files from Google Drive to a self-hosted cloud

If you have a self-hosted cloud like Nextcloud and want to migrate your Google Drive to it, it’s really easy to.

Manage your uploaded photos and videos like a pro

Nextcloud’s media management was basic at best. However, it has evolved significantly in the last few years. You can create albums, use collaborative albums, add folders, and even mark several of them as favorites for easy access.

You can also apply tags to media files to quickly review them. There is a Places tab to review your photos and videos by location. Overall, Nextcloud has covered all the basics in terms of media management, and you surely won’t miss your OneDrive account.

2

Open-source nature

Review Nextcloud source code

Nextcloud’s open-source nature is a fundamental aspect of its identity. Unlike Microsoft 365, Nextcloud source code is available to the public. Any researcher or security expert can review the code and verify the company’s privacy claims. Nextcloud’s open-source nature also unlocks a vibrant and active community of developers, contributors, and passionate users.

Overall, by switching from Microsoft 365 to Nextcloud, you are not locked into a proprietary ecosystem and can customize the software to your needs.

1

Collaboration and sharing

Share your essential files like a pro

Like Microsoft 365, Nextcloud also scores high on collaboration. You can easily share files and folders with both internal and external users. You can set granular permissions and control who can view, edit, or download shared content. What’s more? There is an option to set a password and expiry date to keep prying eyes away from confidential shared content.

My favorite add-on is the Activity tab. It provides a detailed overview of recent actions and changes within Nextcloud. It displays information about file uploads, downloads, edits, shares, and comments. It is very handy for audit trails and tracking changes to important documents.

Nextcloud crushes Microsoft 365

Overall, the choice between Nextcloud and Microsoft 365 hinges on your individual needs and priorities. If you value data ownership, privacy, customization, and cost-effectiveness, Nextcloud presents a compelling alternative. Though Microsoft 365 provides ease of use and seamless integration, Nextcloud delivers unparalleled control over your digital environment.

What are you waiting for? Ditch your usual subscription and build a personalized cloud ecosystem that truly serves your needs. If you have an old PC lying around, check out this guide to turn it into a private cloud using Nextcloud.