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Nextcloud

Nextcloud is a self-hosted productivity platform — "your own Google Workspace / Dropbox." It provides file sync & share, calendar, contacts, notes, and (via apps) office document editing, all on infrastructure you control. A fork of ownCloud started in 2016 by Frank Karlitschek.

Why it matters for sovereignty

It's the broadest single swap for the Google/Microsoft cloud bundle. One install replaces file storage, calendar, and contacts sync. Powerful, but heavier than single-purpose apps — a better second or third pick than a nervous beginner's first. See self-hosting-cost-savings.

Key facts

  • Core: file sync/share across desktop + mobile clients (Dropbox-like).
  • Groupware: Calendar, Contacts (CalDAV/CardDAV), Mail, Notes, Tasks.
  • Huge app ecosystem (office suite via Collabora/OnlyOffice, Talk video calls, etc.).
  • Runs via docker-compose; wants a real database (Postgres/MySQL) — more moving parts.
  • Fronted by caddy for HTTPS.

What it replaces

Dropbox / Google Workspace / Microsoft 365 (~$12/mo per user and up). Replaced by disk + VPS cost.