ownCloud

ownCloud is open-source software for synchronising and collaborating on files across devices. It is best suited to organisations that need control over deployment and shared access for teams. Its range of hosting options is compelling, but server choice affects which desktop client users can run.

Overview

Organisations can deploy ownCloud on-premises, in a cloud of their choice, or use ownCloud.online, hosted on servers in Germany. That flexibility serves companies, schools, institutions and government groups with different infrastructure requirements. The project began in 2010; the company was founded in 2011.

Infinite Scale is ownCloud’s cloud-native option: a Go-built microservices system for file sync, sharing and governance that does not require a relational database for its core. It offers a distinct architecture for teams planning their own deployment, but Server users face a client-version constraint: desktop client 7.0 and later connects only to Infinite Scale, so Server users must remain on a 6.x client.

Key features

Sharing covers internal and external recipients, guest users and file-drop folders for collecting uploads. Comments and real-time collaboration add ways to work around shared content. Collabora Online enables collaborative browser editing of documents, spreadsheets, presentations and diagrams, with live changes and revision history. Microsoft integrations support Office Online Server, Office 365 and Teams.

External storage mounts for services such as S3, Dropbox and SharePoint bring repositories together at a single access point. File versioning helps teams return to earlier file states. Zero-knowledge encryption is a product capability; ownCloud.online plans also include 256-bit AES and SSL/TLS encryption, multi-factor authentication, end-to-end encryption and a File Firewall.

The mobile apps support multiple accounts and offline access, with document-provider integration on Android and Share Sheet and Files integration on iOS. These options make mobile file access more practical for users working across accounts and apps.

Pricing

ownCloud uses a freemium model, with a free plan and a 30-day trial. Pricing is custom for the plans below, so the choice is primarily about deployment and scale rather than a published price comparison.

Community: Unlimited users. A fit for organisations that need an unrestricted user count and can choose this plan without a published price.

Standard: From 25 users, with 9×5 email support and a two-hour reaction time. It suits teams that need business support but not the broader support window.

Enterprise: From 25 users, with 12×5 global email and phone support and a two-hour reaction time. The stronger support coverage is relevant for organisations that need phone access and wider support hours.

ownCloud.online for teams: From 5 users, with 1,000GB storage and 200GB extra storage per additional user. This is the hosted option for teams that want Germany-based hosting rather than managing deployment themselves.

ownCloud.online for single users: 1 to 4 users and 500GB storage. It provides a smaller hosted option, though it is not sized for teams above four users.

Platforms

ownCloud supports Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, Windows and web access, as well as self-hosted deployment and an API. The desktop-client version split matters most to organisations choosing between ownCloud Server and Infinite Scale: Server users need a 6.x client, while version 7.0 and later is for Infinite Scale.

Who it's for

ownCloud is a strong candidate for organisations that want to decide where files are hosted while giving teams sharing, collaboration and external-storage access. Its hosted plans suit groups that prefer ownCloud.online, while on-premises and cloud-of-choice deployment are better aligned with organisations that manage their own infrastructure. The client constraint makes it a less straightforward choice for Server users who need to adopt the latest desktop client.

Pros and cons

Pro: On-premises, chosen-cloud and Germany-hosted deployment options let organisations align hosting with their infrastructure preferences.

Pro: Guest access, file drops, comments, real-time collaboration and browser editing support work that goes beyond basic file storage.

Pro: External storage mounts can bring S3, Dropbox and SharePoint into one access point.

Con: Desktop client compatibility depends on deployment: Server users must stay on version 6.x rather than use the current 7.0-and-later client.

Con: The team hosted plan starts at five users, while Standard and Enterprise start at 25, which may not fit smaller groups seeking those options.

Con: Plans have custom pricing, so buyers cannot compare their costs from a published price.

Alternatives

For a broader shortlist, see File Sharing Software and Cloud Storage Services.

Microsoft PowerPoint is worth considering when the priority is a freemium presentation tool with a one-person plan and 5 GB of cloud storage, rather than ownCloud’s deployment and file-sharing focus.

Nutstore may suit teams comparing per-member storage plans: its Standard and Advanced options have a five-member minimum and offer 50 GB or 100 GB per member.

pCloud is an alternative for users who want a free plan with 10 GB of storage and support across desktop and mobile platforms.

SugarSync is another freemium option with 100 GB and 250 GB personal plans.

Internxt Drive may appeal to users seeking a free 1 GB encrypted storage plan and publicly available code that has been externally audited.

Koofr offers a free 10 GB plan with seven-day deleted-file retention and up to 10 public links.

MEGA is a simpler comparison for users whose main requirement is free cloud storage: its free plan includes 20 GB.

FileCloud is an alternative for organisations looking for a paid, self-hosted-capable service; its Essentials plan is $7 a month, billed annually, with a 20-user minimum and unlimited file upload size.

Verdict

Choose ownCloud if your organisation needs file sharing and collaboration with a choice of self-managed or Germany-hosted deployment. Its strongest advantage is that flexibility, reinforced by collaboration tools and external-storage mounts. Look elsewhere if your deployment depends on ownCloud Server but you need the latest desktop client, or if you need a published price before evaluating plans.