Nextcloud vs. Syncthing
Side by side, with sources. Checked Oct 3, 2026.
Price
The software is free and open source. Free 2–5 GB accounts come from partner providers; the paid Enterprise subscription starts at 100 users.Source: nextcloud.com
Free open-source software with no paid plans; the project is funded by donations.Source: syncthing.net
Pricing model
Open source · Free plan available
Open source · Free plan available
License
Open source · AGPL-3.0The server is AGPL-3.0 and the desktop client GPL-2.0.
Open source · MPL-2.0Mozilla Public License 2.0.
Works on
- ✓ Windows
- ✓ Mac
- ✓ Linux
- ✓ iPhone & iPad
- ✓ Android
- ✓ Web browser
- ✓ Your own server
- ✓ Windows
- ✓ Mac
- ✓ Linux
- – iPhone & iPad
- – Android
- – Web browser
- – Your own server
Where your data lives
On whichever Nextcloud server you use: the provider you signed up with, or your own.
Only on your own devices; there is no central server.
Getting started
Difficulty: Medium No server is needed if you sign up with a provider, but you pick one and connect the apps to its address. Running your own server means Docker.
Difficulty: Medium Installers and apps exist, but you must pair every device by exchanging device IDs, and with no cloud copy, devices only sync with each other.
Hosted version
Nextcloud Simple Signup (partner providers)Partner providers run free single-user accounts of 2–5 GB; bigger plans cost extra and are run by the provider, not Nextcloud GmbH.
NoneThere is no cloud service by design: your data is only ever stored on your own devices.