Z-Push vs Nextcloud

A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted file sync & storage options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.

Not the right match-up?
FeatureZ-PushNextcloud
CategoryFile Sync & StorageFile Sync & Storage
LicenseAGPL-3.0AGPL-3.0
LanguagePHPPHP
Setup difficultyHardMedium
Min. RAM256 MB512 MB
Deploymentdocker, bare-metaldocker, bare-metal, snap
GitHub stars★ 152★ 36,362
First released20072016
ReplacesExchange ActiveSyncDropbox, Google Drive, Microsoft 365

Why pick each one

Choose Z-Push if…

  • Released under the AGPL-3.0 license
  • First-class Docker support for quick deployment
  • Written in PHP
  • Tiny footprint — runs in 256 MB RAM
Z-Push details

Choose Nextcloud if…

  • Feature-rich and extensible
  • Active development and large community
  • Integrates calendar, contacts and office
Nextcloud details

Frequently asked questions

Is Z-Push or Nextcloud better?

Nextcloud is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler medium setup. Consider Z-Push if its specific feature set fits your needs better.

Are Z-Push and Nextcloud free and open-source?

Yes. Z-Push is licensed under AGPL-3.0 and Nextcloud under AGPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.

Can I run Z-Push and Nextcloud with Docker?

Z-Push: yes. Nextcloud: yes.

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