- The three ways to use Nextcloud
- What you need to self-host Nextcloud for free
- What comes free with self-hosted Nextcloud
- Nextcloud Enterprise prices, as of October 2026
- Under 100 users? There's a managed option
- Is self-hosting Nextcloud right for you?
- Free Nextcloud versus paying for cloud storage
- My verdict on whether Nextcloud is free
- Frequently asked questions
Yes, Nextcloud is free. The server software is free and open source under the AGPL, so you can run it on your own server or NAS without paying, and the Nextcloud-branded desktop and mobile apps are free too. Paid Nextcloud Enterprise subscriptions exist for larger organisations and start at 100 users.
So the real question isn't whether Nextcloud is free, it's whether you want to run it yourself. Below is what Nextcloud's own pricing, install and home-user pages say, checked as of October 2026.
The three ways to use Nextcloud
| Option | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Self-host the free server | Free (you supply the hardware or hosting) | Home users, homelabs, small teams with IT skills |
| A Nextcloud hosting provider | Depends on the provider; Nextcloud lists a free Simple Sign-up account | People who don't want to run a server |
| Nextcloud Enterprise subscription | From 100 users, per user per year | Larger organisations needing support and enterprise features |
Nextcloud's home page for individuals says you can store documents, photos, contacts and calendars on your own server or a hosting service you choose, using the free and open source Nextcloud. It's developed by Nextcloud GmbH, based in Germany, with a large open source community.
What you need to self-host Nextcloud for free
The software is free; the hardware isn't, unless you already own it. Nextcloud gives a useful range for memory: from a minimum of 512MB for the most basic single-user setup to 8GB for a full Nextcloud Hub install with multiple users.
- Choose where it runs: your own Linux server, a NAS, or a cloud server.
- For the easiest route, use Nextcloud All-in-One, a Docker image Nextcloud GmbH maintains for home or cloud use.
- If you'd rather run it in VirtualBox, Nextcloud offers the AIO-VM, though it says the VM isn't suitable behind a reverse proxy.
- Install the free desktop client to sync files with your computer.
- Add the free mobile apps from your app store.
- Keep it updated, because you're the one responsible for security.
What comes free with self-hosted Nextcloud
The free server is the start of a whole suite, and Nextcloud's install page lists the free pieces around it:
- Desktop sync client to keep files in step between your Nextcloud server and your computer, and to edit locally and save changes back.
- Talk desktop client to reach your Nextcloud conversations without a browser.
- Mobile apps in the app stores, plus separate apps for Deck, News, Passwords and more.
- Linux packages for the desktop client in openSUSE Tumbleweed, Arch Linux, Fedora, Debian and Ubuntu. Nextcloud notes those are community-maintained, and that it only provides the AppImage itself.
You can also try Nextcloud Enterprise free before buying, which Nextcloud offers from the same install page.
Nextcloud Enterprise prices, as of October 2026
If you want support, hardening and enterprise features, Nextcloud sells subscriptions. These are the starting prices on its pricing page, in euros, per user per year, starting at 100 users.
| Plan | From 100 users | From 200 users |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | €71.29 per user/year | €53.17 per user/year |
| Premium | €104.99 per user/year | €81.99 per user/year |
| Ultimate | €204.75 per user/year | €183.75 per user/year |
Enterprise adds features such as SAML authentication, Windows Network Drive support, password policies and audit-ready logging. Installation review and configuration support come with Standard and Premium, and Premium customers also get free upgrade and migration support, subject to limitations.
Under 100 users? There's a managed option
This is the detail most small businesses miss. Nextcloud's subscriptions only start at 100 users, so a 10-person firm can't buy Enterprise. Instead, Nextcloud points smaller teams to Nextcloud One, a fully managed service hosted in Germany, with hosting, maintenance and management of a dedicated instance, 24/7 support, 30 days of backups and GDPR compliance. Nextcloud doesn't list its price on the pricing page, so ask before you commit.
Is self-hosting Nextcloud right for you?
Free software still asks for your time. Before you install it, I'd run through these questions honestly:
- Do you, or someone on your team, already look after a Linux server, NAS or Docker setup?
- Can you commit to installing updates promptly, since a file server facing the internet is a target?
- Do you have a second copy of your data somewhere else, so one failed drive doesn't wipe your files?
- Do you need access from outside your home or office, and are you comfortable setting that up securely?
If the answer to most of those is yes, the free version gives you a private cloud with no per-user fees. If it's mostly no, Nextcloud's own Simple Sign-up with a provider is the safer free starting point.
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Free Nextcloud versus paying for cloud storage
With a free self-hosted Nextcloud, you avoid per-user fees but take on the work: updates, backups and uptime. With a hosted storage service, you pay to make that someone else's job. If privacy and control are the point, Nextcloud's own pitch is that your data stays where you want it, at home or on a server you trust.
My verdict on whether Nextcloud is free
Nextcloud is free in full for anyone willing to host it, and that's a rare thing for a file sync and collaboration suite. For a home or a technical small team, it's an easy yes. For a business without IT help, the free version can cost you in time, so compare it with Google Drive alternatives and Dropbox alternatives, or see whether ONLYOFFICE is free if you want document editing alongside it.
Frequently asked questions
Is Nextcloud free for personal use?
Yes. Nextcloud says you can run the free and open source software on your own Linux server or NAS, or use a hosting provider.
Is Nextcloud free for businesses?
The software is free for anyone to self-host. Nextcloud Enterprise subscriptions, which add support and enterprise features, start at 100 users.
Are the Nextcloud apps free?
Yes. Nextcloud's pricing page says Nextcloud-branded iOS, Android and desktop apps are free.
Can I try Nextcloud Enterprise for free?
Yes. Nextcloud's install page offers a free Nextcloud Enterprise trial.
Is there a Nextcloud plan for fewer than 100 users?
Enterprise subscriptions start at 100 users. For smaller teams, Nextcloud points to Nextcloud One, a fully managed service hosted in Germany.
What licence does Nextcloud use?
Nextcloud uses the AGPL, which its pricing page says provides legal certainty for customers and users.
How much RAM does Nextcloud need?
Nextcloud says from a minimum of 512MB for a basic single-user setup to 8GB for a full Nextcloud Hub install with multiple users.
