Community
Free
No subscription
Self-managed community edition with unlimited users, file sync and share, community apps, desktop and mobile apps, and community support.
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ownCloud
ownCloud is open-source software for secure file storage, synchronization, sharing and content collaboration across self-hosted and hosted deployments.
Editorial overview
Aggregated Overview
ownCloud provides extensive file sharing, synchronization, security, storage, collaboration and integration capabilities. Its free community edition improves value, while enterprise pricing and deployment complexity can require technical planning. Independent review averages are positive, but reviewers commonly identify setup and interface limitations.
This profile combines documented product information and independent evidence where available. It is not a hands-on test unless TechZella explicitly identifies one.
Overview
ownCloud is an open-source file server for storing, synchronizing, sharing and collaborating on files. Organizations can deploy it on their own infrastructure, use a hosted service, or select a hybrid model.
The platform includes ownCloud Classic and ownCloud Infinite Scale. Infinite Scale uses a cloud-native architecture, while the Classic server provides a mature application and extension ecosystem.
ownCloud is designed for organizations that need greater control over data location, access policies and integrations. Common deployments support internal collaboration, external sharing and regulated information workflows.
ownCloud Decision Snapshot
A quick way to understand who this product may suit, where its limits matter, and which facts are most relevant before you compare alternatives.
Platforms
Android, API, iOS, Linux, macOS, Web
TechZella assessment
8.3/10
ownCloud Pros & Cons
Pros
- Community edition supports self-managed file synchronization and sharing.
- Organizations can control infrastructure, storage location and access policies.
- Supports desktop, mobile and browser-based access.
- Provides standards-based APIs including WebDAV and OCS.
- Integrates with LDAP, Active Directory, office editors and external storage.
- Offers both self-hosted and hosted deployment models.
Cons
- Commercial pricing is not publicly itemized for most plans.
- Self-hosted deployments require infrastructure and administrative expertise.
- Feature availability varies between Community, Standard, Enterprise and hosted editions.
- Some independent reviewers report a steeper setup process than mainstream hosted storage services.
- The product has multiple server generations, which can complicate edition and architecture selection.
ownCloud Pricing & Plans
Standard
Contact sales
Annual
Self-managed deployment from 25 users with enterprise features, commercial licensing and 9u00d75 email support.
Check current pricing →Enterprise
Contact sales
Annual
On-premises or custom subscription from 25 users with enterprise features, customer portal access and 12u00d75 global email and phone support.
Check current pricing →ownCloud.online for single users
Contact sales
Subscription
Hosted service for one to four users with 500 GB of storage, desktop and mobile apps, encryption and a 14-day trial.
Check current pricing →ownCloud.online for teams
Contact sales
Subscription
Hosted service from five users with 1,000 GB of storage, additional storage per user, encryption, recovery and a 14-day trial.
Check current pricing →Large deployments and education
From €1.85/user/year
Annual
Special pricing advertised for large deployments and educational institutions. Final pricing depends on the organization and deployment.
Check current pricing →Pricing may change. Verify current plans on the vendor's website.
ownCloud Competitors & Alternatives
Compare similar products directly, then see which alternatives may make more sense when your requirements differ.
Direct competitors
These products address broadly similar requirements. The descriptions focus on documented reasons a buyer might compare them with ownCloud.
ownCloud Features
File Management
- File upload and download
- Browser-based file management
- File versioning
- Deleted-file recovery
- File locking
- Full-text search
- Unlimited file size support
Synchronization and Access
- Windows desktop client
- macOS desktop client
- Linux desktop client
- Android application
- iOS application
- Virtual file system
- WebDAV access
Sharing and Collaboration
- Public link sharing
- Password-protected links
- Link expiry dates
- Guest users
- Federated cloud sharing
- Comments
- Activity stream
- File drop folders
Security and Administration
- Encryption features
- Multi-factor authentication
- OpenID Connect
- OAuth2
- Auditing
- File firewall
- Ransomware protection
- LDAP and Active Directory integration
Office and Business Integrations
- Collabora Online
- OnlyOffice
- Microsoft 365
- Microsoft Teams
- Outlook plugin
- eM Client plugin
- Splunk integration
- External storage connectors
Developer and Integration Tools
- WebDAV API
- OCS API
- Sharing API
- Capability API
- Provisioning APIs
- Storage API
- Public server core API
- Marketplace applications
ownCloud Specifications
| Deployment models | On-premises, hybrid, hosted |
|---|---|
| License options | AGPLv3 Community edition and commercial enterprise licenses |
| Hosted region | ownCloud.online is hosted in Germany according to the official pricing page |
| Desktop support | Windows, macOS and Linux |
| Mobile support | Android and iOS |
| Identity integrations | LDAP, Active Directory, OAuth2 and OpenID Connect |
| Office integrations | Collabora Online, OnlyOffice and Microsoft 365 |
| Storage integrations | S3, Dropbox, SharePoint, Windows network drives and custom backends |
| API support | WebDAV, OCS, sharing, capability, provisioning and storage APIs |
| Free trial | 30 days for Enterprise; 14 days for ownCloud.online |
| Company status | OwnCloud GmbH is a Kiteworks company |
Our evidence-based assessment
TechZella Score
A proprietary editorial score based on product capabilities, usability, value, performance, support and user sentiment evidence.
8.3/10Moderate confidence
ownCloud provides extensive file sharing, synchronization, security, storage, collaboration and integration capabilities. Its free community edition improves value, while enterprise pricing and deployment complexity can require technical planning. Independent review averages are positive, but reviewers commonly identify setup and interface limitations.
Methodology v1.0. The assessment weighs feature coverage (25%), ease of use (15%), value for money (20%), performance (15%), support (10%) and user sentiment (15%), using researched product evidence and verified review evidence where available. It is a TechZella editorial assessment, not a direct user-review average.
ownCloud FAQs
Answers begin with the clearest available response, followed by the context that helps you act on it.
Is ownCloud free?
Yes. The Community edition is available without a software subscription for self-managed deployments. Commercial editions and hosted services require paid plans or sales quotations.
Can ownCloud run on private infrastructure?
Yes. ownCloud supports on-premises, hybrid and hosted deployment models, depending on the edition and service.
Does ownCloud provide an API?
Yes. Supported interfaces include WebDAV, OCS, sharing, capability, provisioning, storage and application APIs.
Does ownCloud offer a free trial?
Enterprise subscriptions include a 30-day trial, while ownCloud.online offers a 14-day trial according to the official pricing page.
Which office integrations are available?
ownCloud documents integrations with Collabora Online, OnlyOffice and Microsoft 365. Availability can vary by product edition and deployment.
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