Nextcloud features

Discover all features of Nextcloud, self-hosted collaboration platform designed to empower your productivity and collaboration.

Filter through all features:

We aim to list all Nextcloud features here, but there are a lot. Let us know if something is missing.

AI

Nextcloud Assistant

On-premise LLM integrated as Assistant in Nextcloud

Accessible using the Assistant button on the top-right, it can be be called up to use with any team collaboration tools. Allows users to execute pre-defined operations (summarize, create a headline etc) or give a free prompt. Self-hosted or cloud-based, you choose the AI model to power your assistant. Several local large language models are supported meaning users can access the full power of large language models without fearing data leaks
  • Text: AI text processing. Integration of the assistant in Text (and apps that use Text, like Notes, Deck, Collectives and more) allows users to select a piece of text, request an AI operation (summarize, reword, create headline and more) and insert the results once the operation has finished
  • Mail: summarize email threads. Integration of the Assistant in Mail allows users to request the Assistant to summarize a email thread
  • Assistant talk bot: Assistant integrated in Talk as a bot users can talk to

Automation

All-in-one deployments

To ease deployment for small and medium business, Nextcloud offers an All-in-one Docker and VM image and direct deployments in a number of cloud environments like Azure and AWS.

Clients

Android app

The Nextcloud Android app makes accessing, syncing and sharing your files easy with its modern and intuitive interface. It naturally integrates with your self-hosted team collaboration tool to deliver excellent on-the-go experience. The client supports Android 4.0 and later and works with a wide variety of screen sizes and Android features.
  • Display documents, photos, videos, audio files, as a list or thumbnails, sorted as you like.
  • Stream media files (needs at least Nextcloud 14)
  • Edit files on the phone built in or using other apps installed on your Android device.
  • Local and server-side search
  • Add, rename, copy, move and delete files and folders
  • Keep your favorite files available offline
  • Restore deleted files
  • Share files with others
  • Shared files view
  • Simple contacts backup & restore
  • Auto-configuration of Contacts and Calendar integration through DAVDroid
  • Client-side, End-to-end encryption
  • Support for server push notifications and file activity feed
  • View and reply to comments on files
  • Real-time collaborative document editing
  • TalkBack screenreader support
  • Multi-account support
  • Fingerprint locking
  • Adjusts to Nextcloud server theming preferences
  • Auto-upload of any type of data including photos and videos with custom file naming and folder sorting, wifi-only upload, differential handling of photos and videos
  • monitor any number of folders for any file type so you can upload Whatsapp images, documents and anything else
  • Quick configuration with a QR code
  • Image editing capabilities
  • Enhance image preview view / detail

Customization

Branding & Theming

Easy, integrated branding support for enterprise customers

In order to provide a seamless enterprise user experience, Nextcloud offers branded clients to their customers. As part of this we support deployment technologies like MSI for desktops and MDM for mobile platforms.
  • Logo, colors, login graphics and name
  • Add custom links for privacy policy, imprint and terms of service
  • Default / example files every user gets on first login can be modified
  • Mobile apps and web interface adjust to theme settings, except app icon on mobile)

Security

Brute force protection

Brute Force Protection logs invalid login attempts and slows down multiple attempts from a single IP address (or IPv6 range). This feature is enabled by default and protects your self-hosted collaboration platform against an attacker who tries to guess a password from one or more users.
Password reset tokens are invalidated when critical information like user email has been changed to protect against phishing attacks.
Nextcloud will ask system administrators for password confirmation on security critical actions.

Collaboration

Collaboration features

Work, share, collaborate, enjoy

Share images, documents or music with colleagues on your server, send password protected public links to friends and get notifications on your phone when a user on another Nextcloud server shares files directly with you. Use File Drop to let customers upload files to you in a easy and secure way!
You can trust that when you share, Nextcloud makes sure you stay in control over your data. You can easily see a list of shares, remove or change permissions and restore older versions of files.
  • Real-time push notifications on comments, mentions and new shares
  • Edit documents with others using real-time document editors like Collabora Online or ONLYOFFICE.
  • Smoothly transition between commenting on files to chat or video calls
  • Transfer ownership of files and folders to other users
  • Lock files so others know you are working with them
  • Add a description to public links so you can keep them apart
  • Tag and comment on files, and see tags and comments by others
  • Search by file name, tags, comments or file content (with the full-text search app)
  • See what is happening with your data in the Activity feed, get notified by mail or RSS feed
  • Previous versions of files you modified are retained and can be brought back
  • Share with individual users, groups or create custom groups with the Circles app.
  • Share photo galleries
  • Share public links read-only, secure view (no download/print/copy-paste) or with editing capabilities
  • Attach notes to a share, either to a Nextcloud user or to a public link
  • Choose to automatically accept all incoming shares, or choose to accept them on a case by case basis

Security

Data retention

Define rules for data retention, allowing regular cleanup of files or ensurances that data stays put for a set amount of time.

Clients

Desktop client

Sync and collaborate on your desktop or laptop

The Nextcloud desktop client keeps photos and documents always up to date, enabling you to work like you always did.
Any file you add, modify or delete in the synced folders on your desktop or laptop will show up, change or disappear on the server and all other connected devices.
  • Protect your files with client side, End-to-end encryption
  • Set up multiple accounts with different servers
  • Sync and collaborate on your desktop or laptop
  • Select any number of local folders to keep in sync with specified remote folders
  • Exempt any number of subfolders in a synced folder from being synced
  • Optional warning in case a very big new subfolder was added
  • Easily pause and resume syncing
  • Remote wipe to clean data and accounts from the client
  • Receive notifications of server events like a new share or audio/video call
  • Use the activity feed to track what happens to your data
  • Immediately reply to notifications to join a call or accept a share
  • Protect your files with client side, End-to-end encryption (version 2.7.0+)
  • Easily configure a proxy or set bandwidth throttling
  • Enjoy convenient file manager integration for easy sharing
  • Set up multiple accounts with different servers
  • Allow automatic locking for Office files

Accessibility

Dyslexia font

To ensure Nextcloud is accessible to users with visual impairments, Nextcloud has extensive keyboard accessibility and screen reader support.

Encryption

End-to-end encryption

Protecting data from source to destination

Nextcloud features an enterprise-grade, seamlessly integrated solution for end-to-end encryption. It enables users to pick one or more folders on their desktop or mobile client for end-to-end encryption. Folders can be shared with other users and synced between devices but are not readable by the server.
  • E2EE file sharing
  • Store E2EE key on hardware token
  • Any number of folders can be end to end encrypted.
  • Easily add a new device with a strong passcode consisting of 12 dictionary words.
  • Secure sharing with other users without the need to enter passwords.
  • Efficient sharing and revoking shares without the need to re-encrypt large files.
  • Design supports a Hardware Security Module for enterprise environments which enables securely issuing new keys to users.
  • Supports an offline administrator recovery key to be kept in a physically separated location. Users get warned when this key is enabled.
  • Supports a complete audit log without compromising end to end security.
  • Can be combined with our File Access Control to block specific file types or files by specific user groups from uploading unless they are end-to-end encrypted.

Security

Cryptographic Identity Protection

Every user gets a unique public/private key combination when they first enable end-to-end encryption. The public key is sent to the server and signed into a certificate. The certificate is checked by the users’ other clients and used by other users to share encrypted files with the first user, based on Trust On First Use.
  • Each device of the user can aid in recovering their private key. Only if a key is lost on all devices AND the 12 secure key words are lost, the user loses access to his/her data. The optional offline administrator recovery key can still be used to re-gain access.
  • By default, keys can’t change so as to protect the identity of users from hacking if the server is compromised. If the key could change, a hacker could issue a ‘new’ certificate for the user and have clients respond by re-encrypting data with the new, compromised key.
  • The process enables a complete audit log, crucial for enterprise use.
  • The certificate can optionally be issued by a Hardware Security Module so it is possible to issue new certificates for existing users in a secure way.

Storage

External storage

Securely access your data anywhere

Access existing storage silos like FTP, Windows Network Drives, SharePoint and Samba shares seamlessly through Nextcloud. Protect and optimize data usage in line with compliance and company policy by controlling sharing and performance for each external storage system.
  • Consistent file system view with Nextcloud and IBM Spectrum Scale – More in the announcement blog
  • Deploy multiple data storage systems in the public cloud or hosted with a trusted provider or on-premise
  • Advanced capabilities and additional tools to enhance performance on large instances

Security, Sharing

File Drop – Secure file exchange

Convenient and secure file exchange for enterprises

The File Drop feature in Nextcloud Files enables customers, patients, clients or partners to upload files for you in a secure cloud folder you shared through a hyperlink.
  • Easy creation of secure upload point
  • Activity tracker notifies sender about file uploads/downloads
  • Integrated anti-virus scanning
  • Unlimited shares and upload folders
  • Unique links for each customer
  • Edit/rename without link change
  • Read only/write permissions
  • Password protection
  • Expiration date

Data Loss Prevention

File versioning, restore and retention control

File retention and deletion can also be controlled based on tags set manually or automatically, ensuring legal or practical requirements for the longevity of data lifespans can be enforced.

Architecture

Global Scale

Extreme scalability at commodity cost

Nextcloud Global Scale delivers a true globally scalable solution for deployments with hundreds of millions of users, giving unprecedented control over the locality of data and delivering dramatic cost reduction

Accessibility

High contrast mode

To ensure Nextcloud is accessible to users with visual impairments, Nextcloud has extensive keyboard accessibility and screen reader support.

Clients

iOS app

The Nextcloud iOS app provides a way for users to access and sync files on the go in a easy and intuitive interface. The client is kept always up to date with the latest iOS versions and designed for both smaller and newer iPhones, iPhone X and iPad.
  • Document scanner in action
  • Display documents, photos, videos, audio files, as a list or thumbnails, sorted as you like.
  • Edit files on the phone built in or using other apps installed on your iPhone or iPad.
  • Add, rename, copy, move and delete files and folders
  • Keep your favorite files available offline
  • Real-time collaborative document editing
  • Quick configuration with a QR code
  • Share files with others
  • Client-side, End-to-end encryption
  • Local and server-side search
  • Support for server notifications and file activity feed
  • 3D Touch peek&pop and homescreen quick actions
  • Scan-to-PDF with rotation and quality level control
  • Multi-account support
  • Adjusts to Nextcloud server theming preferences
  • Auto-upload of photos and videos with custom file naming and folder sorting, wifi-only upload and HEIC support
  • iOS 11 Files Integration
  • Trash and versions integration
  • Remote wipe to clean data and accounts from the client
  • Image editing capabilities
  • Enhance image preview view / detail

Administration

LDAP/Active Directory user management

Integrated account management

Nextcloud features integration with external user directories like LDAP, Active Directory or others as well as built-in account management, two-factor authentication and Single-sign-on support.
  • Group admins
  • Guest accounts
  • Password security enforcement – More on the blog
  • Add accounts easily with a QR code
  • User-defined group management – Users can define their own, custom groups, named Circles.
  • Automated or manual provisioning
  • Multi-factor authentication
  • Single-sign-on – Nextcloud features an SSO & SAML app for easy Single-sign-on integration
  • Remote wipe

Accessibility

Light/Dark theme support

To ensure Nextcloud is accessible to users with visual impairments, Nextcloud has extensive keyboard accessibility and screen reader support.

Collaboration

Locking files

File locking helps users prevent conflicts with colleagues who are trying to edit the same files. While office documents and notes can be edited in real time in the browser, some files have to be downloaded to make changes. Lock the file and collisions are avoided! Other users can easily contact you in chat or by a comment to ask what is going on.
  • Automatic locking for files while they are being edited locally on the desktop clients
  • Server locks files in use on the server (editing in text or office)
  • Administration can configure lock time-out

Security, AI

Machine learning based suspicious login detection

Nextcloud includes a machine learning technology which trains a neural network on successful logins on the instance and uses it to classify login attempts. Should it detect a login classified as suspicious by the trained model, it will notify the user and store an entry in the log for the system administrator.

Integrations

Microsoft integrations

Nextcloud Enterprise is designed to integrate well in Microsoft environments, with file storage, user directory, Outlook, Sharepoint, Windows Desktop, MS Office online server and Teams integrations available.
  • Outlook integration (Files Sharing)
  • Outlook integration (Exchange Connector)
  • Teams integration
  • WND & Sharepoint integration
  • Office Online Integration
  • Secure email box (prevent leaking of email content and attachments with Outlook integration)

Administration, Security

Monitoring and auditing

Nextcloud has your back with our Server Information, Activities and Auditing apps.

With your file sync and share solution central to the productivity of hundreds, thousands or even millions of users it is crucial to have an overview of its performance and service. Your users want to know what is happening to their files. And last but not least, so does your legal department!
  • Built-in App for monitoring
  • Monitoring API endpoint integration
  • Protect and retire data
  • Advanced file access control and retention capabilities

Administration, Security

Auditing logs

Nextcloud logs data in the nextcloud.log file provided in the root of its data directory. You can optionally record a full audit trail in a separate audit log file. This can be used by Data Loss Prevention and Mobile Device Management tools as user agent information is available alongside extensive user, IP and date/time logs.
Audit logs provided include user session information, file handling, user management, sharing and other actions.

Administration, Security

Track file activity

The Nextcloud Activity app gives users a clear view on what is happening with their files. It provides users with an overview of recent changes like:
  • New or deleted files in shared folders
  • File modifications
  • Download of shared files
  • New comments or tags
  • Calendar invitations
  • Incoming calls or chat requests

Collaboration

Nextcloud Dashboard

A great way to start your day

The Nextcloud Dashboard is your starting point of the day, giving you an overview of your upcoming appointments, urgent emails, chat messages, incoming tickets, latest tweets and much more! Users can add the widgets they like and change the background to their liking.
  • Configurable dashboard widgets
  • Widgets for social media apps
  • Move the widgets where you want them
  • View and edit files directly from the dashboard
  • Change the background

Collaboration, Security

Nextcloud Workflow

Automate, control and secure the flow of data on your Nextcloud server

Flow makes it easy to automate repetitive, boring tasks. For example, let’s say you are a sales person and send quotes as PDF. You set up a flow that turns documents into a PDF when you add a tag, say ‚to-pdf‘. Or, say you want to put a message in your teams‘ chat room when a partner uploads files in a specific folder.
Apps can include flow elements like triggers or actions, and separate flow apps can be build. If you are interested in building for flow, check our Developer documentation.
  • Get work approved and documents digitally signed
  • Build automated flows
  • Protect and retire data
  • Advanced file access control and retention capabilities enable IT to block unauthorized access and ensure files are retired in time.
  • File retention and deletion can also be controlled based on tags set manually or automatically

Integrations

ONLYOFFICE integration

Self-host secure office document collaboration with ONLYOFFICE

ONLYOFFICE integration in Nextcloud empowers your users to collaborate on office documents with team members in real time.
Compatibility with Microsoft Office formats means perfect documents, every time.

Data Loss Prevention

Remote Wipe

Clean data and accounts from the client

While Nextcloud supports Mobile Device Management solutions, thanks to built-in support, remote wipe will work on systems not under management of the company. This is useful for home users but also large universities and of course in a scenario where guest accounts were handed to a third party.

Accessibility

Screen reader support

To ensure Nextcloud is accessible to users with visual impairments, Nextcloud has extensive keyboard accessibility and screen reader support.

Security

Secure view

With secure view, our online office solutions can be configured to open PDF files, images and text files, making these files available in a watermark-protected way, while downloads and other apps are disabled using File Access Control. This setup is useful when data has to be protected from leaking but still has to be made available for review, as in a virtual data room scenario.

Encryption

Server-side encryption with flexible key handling

Nextcloud supports pluggable encryption key handling. If you have an external key server or Hardware Security Module, these can be made to work with Nextcloud.
Our default encryption key handling enables administrators to set a system wide recovery key for encrypted files,. This ensures that, even when users lose their password, files can always be decrypted. Encrypted files can be shared but after changing encryption settings, shares will have to be re-shared. Using our command line tools, data can be encrypted, decrypted or re-encrypted when needed.

Collaboration

Set your status

🥘 Having Lunch 🏠 Working from home 📞 Calls all day

On top of the dashboard, users can set their status, to show to colleagues what they are up to – traveling, working from home, concentrating, and so on. This status is then visible in Talk and other apps and it can automatically clear after a set time, so your colleagues do not think you are commuting for a whole day!

Sharing

Share across Nextclouds (Federation)

Sharing files across Nextcloud servers is as easy as sending an email from a Gmail address to a Yahoo account! Instead of an email address, you use a Federated Cloud ID.
To share a file, enter the Federated Cloud ID in the ‘share’ dialog. A notification will pop up on the Nextcloud server of the recipient.
You can find your own Federated Cloud ID in your user settings. Give it to your friends so they can share files with you!

Sharing, Security

Sharing permissions

Securely sharing and collaborating on documents requires strong access control mechanisms. Nextcloud features a variety of sharing mechanisms and associated control solutions like ACLs and sharing permissions.
The basic sharing model in Nextcloud follows a flat model where users are in control of the sharing. Any file or folder can be individually shared and access permissions can be configured. New files show up in the home of users whom you share with. They can rename these folders if they like, or put them where they want to optimize their own productivity.
  • Separate read, create, edit rights
  • Control resharing
  • Hide content on public upload links (file drop)
  • Block downloading of content on shared links (secure view)
  • Fully enable or disable sharing
  • Disable public link sharing
  • Disable uploading on public links
  • Enforce passwords and expiration dates
  • Block resharing
  • Block sharing with groups
  • Block sharing outside own group
  • Set default sharing permissions
  • Control sharing between Nextcloud servers (federation)
  • Read, Write, Create, Delete and Share permissions
  • ‘inherit’ (default), ‘allow’ or ‘deny’
  • Each property of each file can be configured for any number of users or groups
  • Control can be delegated to group administrators
  • Passwords for public link shares
  • Expiration date in internal or public link shares
  • File-drop hides existing files, providing just an upload target
  • Hide Download (Secure View)
  • Ultimate protection for email shares with Video Verification

Usability

Smart picker

The Smart picker allows inserting a huge variety of content in many places like documents, tasks, emails or chat rooms. Examples include tables, links to chat rooms, youtube videos, gifs and more. The Smart Pickers also include abilities like dictation, translation and more. The selection of Smart Pickers continues to expand.
  • Sketch Picker allows users to draw a sketch or draw on other people’s sketches or images
  • Add formatting Smartpicker (in Text and Text components like in Deck or Notes only)
  • Create Deck card from smart picke
  • Insert an interactive table or a view on a table in a document

Compliance

Support for GDPR, CCPA, HIPAA, FERPA, COPPA

The GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) makes organizations liable for any violations of user privacy and deviations from a high data security standard. Legislation like the CCPA (California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018), HIPAA, FERPA, COPPA bring privacy regulation to other countries. The self-hosted Nextcloud Enterprise platform simplifies compliance, decreasing business risk and costs
  • Configurable imprint and privacy links for your login page
  • Data Request app to allow users to request data deletion or modification from their user settings
  • Delete Account app to allow users to delete their account
  • Terms of Service app that only gives access to Nextcloud after users read and agreed to terms (handles updated terms as well)
  • Export of data

Security

Two-factor authentication

Nextcloud includes a variety of second factors like TOTP, U2F and SMS gateways. 2-factor authentication can be enforced and user sessions and devices can be managed.
Nextcloud is also among the first in the industry to provide support for the WebAuthn standard, enabling password-less authentication and support for Windows Hello, various FIDO2 keys and other standards-compliant authentication devices.

Security

Video verification

In situations where extreme security is warranted and the identity of a recipient has to be verified with absolute certainty before they are granted access, Nextcloud includes the industry-first implementation of Video Verification.

Video Verification enforces a Nextcloud Talk video call before access is given to a share, making sure the identity of the recipient is properly checked. The call can be picked up through the Nextcloud Talk Mobile apps as well as the web interface.

Security

Virtual data room

Keep your data close

M&A transactions, loan syndication, private equity and venture capital transactions require the utmost confidentiality. And all that without any data leaving your organization.
Forget about SAAS and outsourcing: an on-premises Nextcloud VDR offers the ease of use that speeds up deal making while strict control over access and fine grained auditing ensure sensitive data remains secure.
  • Activity tracking and audit log, real-time reporting
  • Built in secure communication with comments and audio/video chat
  • Secure email box (prevent leaking of email content and attachments with Outlook integration)
  • Advanced search within the whole VDR
  • Extensive file compatibility
  • Unlimited data and accounts
  • Easy, familiar interface
  • Document versioning
  • Extensive security capabilites including:
  • Multi-layer, military-grade encryption
  • Advanced digital rights management
  • multi-factor authentication
  • Video Verification to ensure identity proof
  • Extensive file access control mechanisms
  • Watermarking of files
  • Remote wipe

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