Seafile vs Nextcloud
Self-host pick — both replace Google Drive (Cloud file sync + sharing for teams).
Both Seafile and Nextcloud self-host as a replacement for Google Drive (Cloud file sync + sharing for teams). Pick Seafile if you want teams whose Drive use is dominated by sync — fast desktop client, very efficient on bandwidth, predictable performance at scale; pick Nextcloud if you want teams that want the full suite — files, calendar, contacts, talk, docs co-edit — under one login. Both are AGPL-family licensed and similar to set up.
| Seafileopen-source | Nextcloudopen-source | |
|---|---|---|
| License | AGPL-3.0 | AGPL-3.0 |
| Setup time | 20min docker-compose (Seafile + MariaDB + Memcached) | 30min docker-compose (Nextcloud AIO image bundles app + Postgres + Redis) |
| Monthly cost | $5-10/mo VPS for the app; storage is whatever block volume you mount (or S3 with the CE plugin). | $10-20/mo VPS for 10-50 users; storage scales with attached block storage (~$10/TB-mo on Hetzner). |
| GitHub | haiwen/seafile | nextcloud/server |
| Replaces | Google Drive | Google Drive + 1 other |
Good fit for
Seafile
Teams whose Drive use is dominated by sync — fast desktop client, very efficient on bandwidth, predictable performance at scale.
Weak at:Web preview / co-edit story — Seafile leans on file sync rather than browser editing; integrates with OnlyOffice but less polished than Nextcloud.
Nextcloud
Teams that want the full suite — files, calendar, contacts, talk, docs co-edit — under one login.
Weak at:Performance with very large libraries (>1M files) — needs Redis tuning + APCu and tends to feel sluggish vs. native Drive at scale.
In a terminal? npx -y github:SolvoHQ/os-alt-cli google-drive prints Google Drive's self-host options including both —
how the CLI works →
FAQ
Which is easier to self-host, Seafile or Nextcloud?
Seafile: 20min docker-compose (Seafile + MariaDB + Memcached). Nextcloud: 30min docker-compose (Nextcloud AIO image bundles app + Postgres + Redis).
What does each cost to run?
Seafile: $5-10/mo VPS for the app; storage is whatever block volume you mount (or S3 with the CE plugin).. Nextcloud: $10-20/mo VPS for 10-50 users; storage scales with attached block storage (~$10/TB-mo on Hetzner).. Both projects are free and open source.
Do Seafile and Nextcloud replace the same SaaS?
Yes — both are open-source alternatives to Google Drive.