CryptPad vs ownCloud
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted file sync & storage options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
CryptPad
End-to-end encrypted collaboration suite
VS
ownCloud
Open-source file sync, share and content collaboration
| Feature | CryptPad | ownCloud |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Under-an-hour setup | Under-an-hour setup |
| Health score | 91 · Excellent | 92 · Excellent |
| Category | File Sync & Storage | File Sync & Storage |
| License | AGPL-3.0 | AGPL-3.0 |
| Language | JavaScript | PHP |
| Setup difficulty | Medium | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 512 MB | 512 MB |
| Deployment | docker, bare-metal | docker, bare-metal |
| GitHub stars | ★ 7,953 | ★ 8,830 |
| First released | 2015 | 2010 |
| Replaces | Google Drive, Microsoft 365 | Dropbox, Google Drive |
What are CryptPad and ownCloud?
CryptPad
CryptPad is an end-to-end encrypted collaboration suite with documents, spreadsheets, and a personal drive, where the server cannot read user data. It suits privacy-focused individuals and teams. It is deployed via Docker or a Node.js installation.
- Zero-knowledge end-to-end encryption
- Real-time collaborative editing
- Documents, sheets and forms
- Personal encrypted drive
ownCloud
ownCloud is a file sync and share server that lets organizations host their own cloud storage with sharing and collaboration features. It targets businesses and individuals wanting an established self-hosted alternative to commercial cloud storage. It is deployed via Docker or a traditional PHP stack.
- Established sync and share platform
- LDAP and enterprise integrations
- Newer ownCloud Infinite Scale rewrite
- Desktop and mobile clients
CryptPad vs ownCloud: key differences
CryptPad is written in JavaScript, while ownCloud is built with PHP. OwnCloud is the more established project (first released 2010), while CryptPad arrived in 2015.
Why pick each one
Choose CryptPad if…
- Strong privacy guarantees
- Real-time collaboration
- No account needed to start
Watch out for
- Encryption limits server-side search
- Heavier client than plain editors
Choose ownCloud if…
- Mature and stable
- Enterprise features available
- Good admin controls
Watch out for
- Nextcloud forked away most momentum
- Classic core in maintenance mode
Frequently asked questions
Is CryptPad or ownCloud better?
Neither is universally better. ownCloud has the larger community; both share a medium setup difficulty, so the decision comes down to features and licensing.
Are CryptPad and ownCloud free and open-source?
Yes. CryptPad is licensed under AGPL-3.0 and ownCloud under AGPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run CryptPad and ownCloud with Docker?
CryptPad: yes. ownCloud: yes.