Google Workspace is almost unbeatable. All its instruments—Docs, Drive, Meet, Calendar—really feel seamless to the purpose that you just really feel you may justify the month-to-month invoice. However I arrange Nextcloud by myself server, and I am starting to really feel that I wasted cash on a number of Workspace’s “premium” perks. Nextcloud provides you a similar instruments, and in some instances even higher ones. It makes me ponder whether Big Tech promises much more than they can deliver.
I am not attempting to argue “open supply is free, due to this fact good.” However I really found options that, in some sense, outdo Google Workspace in usability. The added management and privateness are the icing on the cake. These options make you rethink why you paid for them within the first place.
Nextcloud Workplace
That is rather more than LibreOffice On-line
For years, my expertise with open supply Workplace instruments was restricted to LibreOffice, which is not designed for collaboration. So I wasn’t fairly certain of what to anticipate from the Nextcloud Workplace instruments. I used to be shocked to see that Nextcloud had a full collaborative suite that feels acquainted in case you’ve used Google Docs. It means that you can co-edit in actual time; you see teammates’ cursor actions and might monitor adjustments as they occur.
Moreover, it’s surprisingly correct in dealing with Phrase, Excel, and PowerPoint codecs. I had a .docx file whose formatting broke in Google Docs however rendered completely in Nextcloud. This cross-compatibility turns out to be useful whenever you trade recordsdata with Microsoft Phrase customers.
You’ll be able to select between Collabora, which relies on LibreOffice and provides a extra conventional, document-first interface, or OnlyOffice, which mimics Microsoft Workplace’s ribbon-style design. As a result of Nextcloud is open supply, you do not have to depend on exterior servers; you may audit and retailer your paperwork.
The e-mail expertise
Nextcloud Mail turns e mail into a strong workspace
On Gmail, emails really feel scattered. You open a number of tabs to have entry to linked companies. Electronic mail attachments are in Drive, occasions are on the Calendar, and video calls are pushed to Meet. Nextcloud has a distinct method that feels extra cohesive. For emails requesting a doc, you may pull the doc out of your Nextcloud recordsdata reasonably than downloading or re-uploading something. It feels extra pure than the Google course of.
It additionally handles managing a number of accounts rather well. I’ve two inboxes aspect by aspect; it is very handy, and naturally, there are not any adverts upselling a paid tier. Entry-level Gmail is free, however Workspace’s enterprise mannequin is obvious; you pay to take away the distractions. Nextcloud Mail focuses on rising productiveness when emailing.
Nonetheless, what stands out probably the most is the seamless integration with Calendar and Contacts. All assembly invitations in my e mail seem on my calendar, and my contact information is synced throughout the suite. Proper from an e mail thread, I can schedule a name in Discuss—no have to open a brand new tab.
Discuss (Constructed-In Video Chat)
The Google Meet model with out closing dates
For those who’ve hosted conferences on Google Meet with three or extra individuals, you get a most of 60 minutes of name time on the free plan. Nextcloud Discuss would not have these name restrictions, making it very precious for lengthy workshops, lessons, or shopper calls.
I used to be additionally shocked by the tight integration with Nextcloud Calendar and Information. I can schedule calls immediately from Nextcloud Calendar and share recordsdata from my storage throughout conferences. I can solely obtain this on Google Meet if I am on a paid Workspace plan.
It additionally contains extras you’d anticipate: group chat, display screen sharing, and SIP gateway help for connecting to conventional telephone programs.
The dashboard expertise
An interface that turns into a private command heart
Nextcloud permits a completely customizable workspace, and it isn’t simply beauty—your workspace adapts to your workflow. I can add, take away, or rearrange widgets to floor the data I really use, reasonably than a set interface.
Nextcloud e mail, calendar, duties, and notes all stay on one dashboard. This offers me a unified view of apps. That is very completely different from Google’s fragmented method, the place, for instance, Gmail is separate from Calendar and Hold. The Nextcloud method reduces context switching and saves time.
Nextcloud’s dashboard additionally has dynamic widgets. The calendar occasions replace in actual time. Process standing adjustments are mirrored instantly, and you may open file previews immediately. The dashboard may also host further app widgets, corresponding to Kanban boards and music gamers.
Superior file entry
Entry management goes past “Share With Hyperlink”
Nextcloud is open-source and constructed with privateness baked in, so its superior file sharing and entry management options aren’t shocking. Nonetheless, it is a characteristic value highlighting. It means that you can append expiration dates to shared recordsdata or generate one-time entry hyperlinks. I discover this helpful for sharing delicate paperwork. It is the form of management missing in Google’s fundamental “share with hyperlink.”
The automated watermarking of PDFs or pictures is one other characteristic that stands out. However there’s extra. You can even disable downloads for view-only sharing. If it’s worthwhile to defend mental property, these are options chances are you’ll need to apply.
A Nextcloud server admin can configure conditional entry guidelines. A few of my favorites are implementing 2FA earlier than opening shared recordsdata and proscribing entry by IP vary or group membership. You do not want a Workspace Enterprise plan for this degree of compliance management.
Premium-level instruments may be free
Nextcloud options usually are not a one-for-one copy of Google Workspace. It implements sure options otherwise, demonstrating that premium options do not should be reserved for subscribers. After years in Google’s ecosystem, and now experiencing Nextcloud, I get the sensation that the comfort of Google Workspace could be good advertising.
There are a number of methods to make use of Nextcloud. You’ll be able to build your own Raspberry Pi cloud server with it, and even host your own note-taking app on it. It provides you absolute management and a degree of flexibility you will not discover in proprietary software program.
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