Dufs 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.
ownCloud
Open-source file sync, share and content collaboration
| Feature | Dufs | ownCloud |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Under-an-hour setup | Under-an-hour setup |
| Health score | 86 · Excellent | 92 · Excellent |
| Category | File Sync & Storage | File Sync & Storage |
| License | Apache-2.0 | AGPL-3.0 |
| Language | Rust | PHP |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 32 MB | 512 MB |
| Deployment | docker, binary | docker, bare-metal |
| GitHub stars | ★ 10,778 | ★ 8,830 |
| First released | 2022 | 2010 |
| Replaces | Dropbox, Google Drive | Dropbox, Google Drive |
What are Dufs and ownCloud?
Dufs
Dufs is a lightweight single-binary file server that supports static serving, uploading, searching, and WebDAV. It offers access control, resumable uploads, and a clean web UI.
- Single-binary file server
- WebDAV support
- Access control and resumable uploads
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
Dufs vs ownCloud: key differences
Dufs is written in Rust, while ownCloud is built with PHP. Licensing differs — Apache-2.0 for Dufs versus AGPL-3.0 for ownCloud. Dufs is the lighter option, starting around 32 MB of RAM against 512 MB for ownCloud. OwnCloud is the more established project (first released 2010), while Dufs arrived in 2022.
Why pick each one
Choose Dufs if…
- Released under the Apache-2.0 license
- Easy to set up — beginner-friendly
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- Mature project with 10.8k GitHub stars
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 Dufs or ownCloud better?
Dufs is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler easy setup. Consider ownCloud if its specific feature set fits your needs better.
Are Dufs and ownCloud free and open-source?
Yes. Dufs is licensed under Apache-2.0 and ownCloud under AGPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Dufs and ownCloud with Docker?
Dufs: yes. ownCloud: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, Dufs or ownCloud?
Dufs has the smaller minimum footprint at 32 MB of RAM, compared to about 512 MB for ownCloud. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.