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ownCloud

ownCloud

Overview

What is ownCloud?

ownCloud is a self-hosted open source file syncing and sharing option, from the Boston-based company of the same name.

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Recent Reviews

TrustRadius Insights

One key use case of ownCloud is its ability to facilitate easy collaboration on documents, solving the problem of exchanging files only …
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Popular Features

View all 13 features
  • Reliability (13)
    9.1
    91%
  • Performance (13)
    8.8
    88%
  • File organization (13)
    8.7
    87%
  • Document collaboration (12)
    7.8
    78%
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Pricing

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Standard

$5

Cloud
per month

Enterprise

$12

Cloud
per month

For Teams

$13

Cloud
per month

Entry-level set up fee?

  • No setup fee

Offerings

  • Free Trial
  • Free/Freemium Version
  • Premium Consulting/Integration Services
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Product Demos

ownCloud Demo (Dropbox alternative) Cloud file sharing with data hosted in Canada

YouTube

demo IBM cloud Object storage with owncloud

YouTube

利用 QNAP NAS 及 ownCloud 打造高彈性檔案同步與共享系統

YouTube

Configuración de Owncloud en Servidor de Hosting Gratuito

YouTube

介紹與基本功能|利用 QNAP NAS 及 ownCloud 打造檔案同步與共享系統

YouTube

OpenTodoList for ownCloud - Early Demo

YouTube
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Features

File Sharing & Management

Features that allow collaborators to view, work on, and organize files.

8.5
Avg 8.4

Cloud Storage Security & Administration

Features related to security and administration for cloud storage platforms

8.5
Avg 8.6

Cloud Storage Platform

Features around the functionality of the cloud storage platform.

8.8
Avg 8.5
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Product Details

What is ownCloud?

ownCloud Technical Details

Deployment TypesSoftware as a Service (SaaS), Cloud, or Web-Based
Operating SystemsUnspecified
Mobile ApplicationNo

Frequently Asked Questions

ownCloud is a self-hosted open source file syncing and sharing option, from the Boston-based company of the same name.

Reviewers rate Access control highest, with a score of 9.5.

The most common users of ownCloud are from Small Businesses (1-50 employees).
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Comparisons

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Reviews and Ratings

(36)

Community Insights

TrustRadius Insights are summaries of user sentiment data from TrustRadius reviews and, when necessary, 3rd-party data sources. Have feedback on this content? Let us know!

One key use case of ownCloud is its ability to facilitate easy collaboration on documents, solving the problem of exchanging files only via email. Users in organizations can access and share documents across different departments through the ownCloud desktop sync apps. With virtual users having different main folders that can be shared with groups for read-only or read-write access, teams can collaborate seamlessly within their respective areas of expertise.

Additionally, ownCloud offers a secure and convenient way for users to access files on the go through its mobile app. This feature is especially beneficial for IT contractors and business professionals who need to access business information anywhere with an internet connection, even with limited functionality offline. The software's auto-backup feature also ensures that all company data is securely stored on a remote server, providing peace of mind for businesses.

For small to medium enterprises, ownCloud is considered a great fit due to its enterprise features and ease of setup. It allows businesses to manage file sharing securely with employees, partners, and customers through a private cloud infrastructure based on ownCloud. This makes it ideal for sharing work with clients, providing full control over file usage and the ability to set up individual folders for clients. Moreover, ownCloud provides full control over data, eliminating concerns about information misuse or industrial espionage.

In educational districts and research groups, ownCloud serves as a reliable solution for uploading, managing, and accessing documents across different locations. Its cloud services, file syncing capabilities, and the ability to share large files among team members make it an indispensable tool for collaboration. Additionally, web design companies utilize ownCloud to store and transfer design assets and large files, especially in photography projects. The software's easy sharing of files through sharable links and secure browsing of online pictures make it a versatile solution for various industries.

Personal users also find value in ownCloud due to its storage capacity, offering more space compared to free solutions like Gdrive. They appreciate the ease of file exchange with no password issues and the ability to set expiration dates for shared links. Furthermore, ownCloud serves as an access point for mobile users to connect with the corporate office, ensuring seamless integration of personal and corporate data while enjoying enterprise-level features for personal needs.

In conclusion, ownCloud offers a wide range of use cases across different industries. Whether it's facilitating collaboration within organizations, providing secure access to files on the go, or managing file sharing with clients and partners, ownCloud has proven to be a valuable solution. Its enterprise features, ease of setup, and full control over

High Scalability: Many users have praised ownCloud for its high scalability, with several reviewers mentioning that the software is suitable for businesses of various sizes. This indicates that ownCloud can efficiently handle a large number of users and adapt to different environments.

Cross-Platform Compatibility: Numerous reviewers appreciate ownCloud's sync clients for all major platforms, including Windows, Mac OS X, GNU/Linux, Android, and iOS. This allows users to seamlessly access their files across different devices and operating systems.

User-Friendly Interface: Several users have mentioned that setting up the environment in ownCloud is easy and quick. They found it simple to create user groups, assign folder ownership, and manage user permissions. This suggests that ownCloud offers a user-friendly interface for managing user access and organizing files.

Inefficient Collaborative Editing: Some users have expressed that the collaborative editing feature in ownCloud is not as efficient as other platforms like Office365 or desktop online Office editing. They feel that the integration with Collabora Libreoffice online is still sub-par, impacting their productivity.

Absence of Calendar and Contacts Apps: Several reviewers have mentioned that the absence of Calendar and Contacts apps in the basic core of ownCloud makes it difficult to deploy them in common email clients such as Outlook or Thunderbird. They point out that separate CalDAV and CardDAV plugins need to be installed, adding complexity to the setup process.

Accidental Data Movement: There have been reports from users about accidentally moving important folders or files to another location through random drag-and-drop actions on Windows. This can break public links that cannot be restored, causing inconvenience for both users and recipients of shared content.

Users commonly recommend Owncloud for several reasons. Firstly, they suggest using Owncloud for home cloud storage and file sharing, as well as for companies with a system administrator or programmer with basic Unix skills. Additionally, users appreciate Owncloud's cross-platform compatibility, stability, reliability, and support for various file formats. Another common recommendation is due to the simplicity and ease of use of Owncloud. Users find it simple to set up and navigate, making it suitable for both personal and professional use. Furthermore, Owncloud is often praised for its affordable pricing, good backup services, and bulk file sharing capabilities. Lastly, users highlight Owncloud's secure and low-cost cloud file management. They find its user-friendly interface convenient for file storage and sharing purposes. Many users recommend integrating Owncloud into a company's internal cloud infrastructure to ensure data security. Similarly, freelancers can benefit from Owncloud if they have a reliable server with unlimited storage capacity. While recommending Owncloud, some users also suggest considering Nextcloud as an alternative option. They advise making regular backups and ensuring sufficient space on the web server when using Owncloud. Overall, users recommend Owncloud for its reliability, efficiency, and easy functionality in hosting files on-premises.

Attribute Ratings

Reviews

(1-2 of 2)
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Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
I currently use ownCloud for cloud services such as file syncing, centralized calendar and contacts, as well as file sharing—even large files—with others. As an IT contractor, ownCloud has been great for enabling my access to business information anywhere I have access to the Internet (with limited functionality offline as well). I'm able to use my mobile device so I can schedule events that appear on my phone's calendar, as well as on my desktop/laptop machines. I don't need to worry about forgetting files, because I can always reach out over the net to retrieve them. If I save files on my laptop while with a client, I can access them on my office computer effortlessly. ownCloud is an elegant solution for much of my vital digital resources.
  • File Synchronization
  • Synchronized Contacts
  • Synchronized Calendar
  • File Sharing
  • Online Document Editor (new feature)
  • Web Media Player (new feature)
I'd easily recommend ownCloud to small businesses or teams within organizations. I've not used ownCloud in large deployments, so I'd hesitate before suggesting it in a situation where more than 10 users need support. That said, ownCloud is easy to set up and multiple instances could be used to service a large user base.
File Sharing & Management (7)
71.42857142857143%
7.1
Versioning
90%
9.0
Video files
70%
7.0
Audio files
70%
7.0
Document collaboration
40%
4.0
Access control
80%
8.0
File search
50%
5.0
Device sync
100%
10.0
Cloud Storage Security & Administration (3)
56.66666666666667%
5.7
User and role management
80%
8.0
File organization
90%
9.0
Device management
N/A
N/A
Cloud Storage Platform (3)
83.33333333333334%
8.3
Performance
80%
8.0
Reliability
90%
9.0
Storage Reports
80%
8.0
  • Increased Productivity
  • Better Customer Service
  • Enhanced Organization
ownCloud is better than Google Drive and Microsoft's OneDrive. I have not used Google Drive in some time now, so it may have improved. OneDrive has become better over time too, but my go-to is still ownCloud. Firstly, I prefer to have my data under my control. No other service can offer the level of control that ownCloud does. Setting that aside, in my experience Google Drive never quite got syncing right. Unless you have a very small collection of files and you're not synced across many devices, Google Drive fails to achieve a complete sync. The icon is always showing that Drive is syncing (and not up to date). I've had similar issues with OneDrive, but these days on Windows 10 OneDrive usually can achieve a complete sync across multiple devices, but it often hogs CPU and Network resources to do so, and it's still slower than OneDrive.
Compared with other cloud services, ownCloud has been the most efficient. It doesn't create a noticeable drain on resources and very quickly syncs across all my devices. I'm usually able to save a file on my laptop and by the time I walk over and sit down at my desktop machine, it's already there. I don't need to wait as often as I have with services like OneDrive.
OwnCloud is easy for me to use, and I believe it would be for others too. The barrier for most people will be the set up. For a technology professional like myself, ownCloud's set up is pretty straightforward, but it's not the sort of thing most casual users will be able to handle. Also, it's on the user to maintain the service. These can be taken care of by paying someone to do it for you.
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
I own a computer service and support company, and I also own a Photography business. OwnCloud -- now NextCloud -- has been an indispensable suite of applications that has allowed me to continue to serve my customers on both business fronts, and has allowed me to grow my business by being able to offer real-time sync and file shares as needed. I absolutely love ownCloud, and am very grateful that this project exists.
OwnCloud has enabled me to increase my services and my offerings, therefore increasing my bottom line without substantial cost increases and without monthly subscription charges. In my opinion, there are more features and more value in ownCloud than there are on paid cloud storage/collaboration platforms.
  • Attention and dedication to making the product a world class product with continual product updates.
  • Ease of use from an administration standpoint, and a very Clear UI.
  • The price -- you can't beat free!
  • Mobile applications are great.
  • Integration with public S3 cloud providers like AWS S3 and Wasabi S3.
  • 2FA authentication is supported and works great!
  • Marketplace Add-Ons: I love this! For example, I can install an add-on that natively opens raw images. I am a photographer as well, and being able to quickly view the CR2 Raw Files direct from the camera is fantastic! This was made possible by a marketplace add-in.
  • Embedded Media Players: Photos, Music, and Video files can be viewed and played right in the browser window.
  • Sync application to keep local files on a computer updated with the files on the server.
  • Access control and permissions -- shareable links!
  • Backup and redundancy -- I wish there was a method right in the interface to completely back up the entire system. I use it on a VM, so I can snapshot and backup the VM, but there is nothing directly in the ownCloud interface to be able to do.
  • Docker/Container/MVM Function. I would love to see ownCloud natively support docker or virtualizations where it could host and spin up a VM or run containerized applications.
OwnCloud/Nextcloud is a great application for cloud storage of files, and makes sharing specific files or folders easy and fast. It also makes a great tool for real-time collaboration, including real-time chat and simultaneous editing of documents or spreadsheets. I have used ownCloud to assist clients in sending large files that could not be emailed -- for example, one of my clients is a Video Production agency. They produced a commercial to air, but could not email the file as it was 400MB. OwncCloud came to the rescue. I set up a temporary share and allowed him access to upload into that folder. Once the file was in the folder, I generated a share link that was then forwarded to TV stations for instant viewing in a browser. Each TV station then downloaded it and was able to add it to their scheduling system quickly.
From the Photography side... I am able to deliver large amounts of files quickly and easily to my clients, and they can download or view on mobile devices easily.
Since I use ownCloud on a daily basis, I cannot think of any reason why I would not use this software.
File Sharing & Management (7)
100%
10.0
Versioning
100%
10.0
Video files
100%
10.0
Audio files
100%
10.0
Document collaboration
100%
10.0
Access control
100%
10.0
File search
100%
10.0
Device sync
100%
10.0
Cloud Storage Security & Administration (3)
100%
10.0
User and role management
100%
10.0
File organization
100%
10.0
Device management
100%
10.0
Cloud Storage Platform (3)
100%
10.0
Performance
100%
10.0
Reliability
100%
10.0
Storage Reports
100%
10.0
  • The ability to offer more services and faster delivery of files -- this has given me the ability to sell my photography, as well as to provide a secure and easy way to share files. This results in a higher bottom line.
  • Cost Effective -- ownCloud is free, and therefore is not costing me a bunch of money each month to offer file sharing and collaboration services.
  • It runs on my own equipment -- I know the data is safe, and can use this as a selling point when bidding on a job.
  • Dropbox Business, Amazon S3 (Simple Storage Service), Google Drive and FreeNAS
I have a very similar experience between Google Drive and Dropbox. Both offer real-time sharing and collaboration. Google Drive limits external access and requires the recipient of shared files to have a Google account. In the case of both Dropbox and GoogleDrive, they limit the amount of storage on the free plan. OwnCloud offers as much storage as my server will allow, and this can be increased as needed. Right now, I have 2TB of storage without the cost or subscription.
FreeNAS is great as far as storing files and sharing the files locally on the network. It is possible to share files through FreeNAS as well, but there really isn't much in the way of collaboration. So while storage is great, working as a team is not really possible.
Amazon S3 is great for reliable and secure data storage. But, by itself, it isn't great for collaboration either. And there is substantial cost involved with large amounts of data storage. The AWS S3 power is truly unlocked when paired with ownCloud-- then it's like magic!
ScreenCloud Signage, JW Player, Webroot SecureAnywhere, Accounting by Wave, Square for Retail, Comodo Advanced Endpoint Protection (AEP), Pinnacle Studio, Oracle VM VirtualBox, Ubuntu Linux, Concrete5, Hesk, Canon PIXMA-PRO, Jive Hosted VoIP, GoToMeeting, Vimeo Pro, Loom, ConnectWise Control (formerly ScreenConnect), Apache OpenOffice
My instance of ownCloud is running on a Virtual Machine. I have it running on a host with 24 Cores and 64GB of RAM. This took a little bit to set up and get it working as expected, but it mapped to a subdomain nicely and, using the LetsEncrypt script, connects on an HTTPS connection. I have 2FA set up to secure the data.
I have used this almost every day since it was spun up. Pages load quickly and files are easily accessible. If I am on the same network as the ownCloud instance, file transfers -- even huge multi-gig files-- are quick. Over the internet, file transfers are still quick but subject to internet speeds.
I installed ownCloud and since upgraded it to NextCloud. The mobile apps are great and let me share files and collaborate even when away from my computer.
The Windows Sync client lets me easily and quickly sync what I need across computers and devices.
User management is also great! I can create a new user quickly to allow a full experience, or I can share just folders or files as needed.
Marketplace plugins just add value to an already great product! I can't recommend it enough!
From the server management side, there are numerous command line parameters and some of the commands and functions require a check through the ownCloud manual. Since this is a command line driven environment, it is great to have a full documentation package like what is provided by ownCloud.
From the web interface or mobile app side, it's extremely easy to use and manage. I am able to quickly add users, create file shares and grant permissions. I can access files anywhere and they come up quickly, even from a mobile device. I can temporarily grant a user access to a file and automatically expire the links.
From the Sync application, it works extremely well and is one of the fastest sync clients out there, and gets my recommendation. It makes ownCloud truly an enterprise-ready application.
Lastly, the ability to integrate with public cloud providers, like Amazon S3 or Wasabi S3. You now have the safety and data security offered by the cloud storage providers, in an easy interface, and it is even easier if using Sync with the public cloud.
I would like an integrated full backup option to perform a full replicated backup from within NextCloud though.
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