SHSelfHostIndex

Nextcloud Groupware vs Kolab Groupware

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

Not the right match-up?
NE Nextcloud Groupware Mail, calendar and contacts bundle for Nextcloud VS KO Kolab Groupware Open-source groupware server with mail and calendaring
FeatureNextcloud GroupwareKolab Groupware
CategoryGroupwareGroupware
LicenseAGPL-3.0AGPL-3.0
LanguageJavaScriptPHP
Setup difficultyMediumHard
Min. RAM1,024 MB2,048 MB
Deploymentdocker, bare-metal, sourcebare-metal, docker
GitHub stars★ 1,169★ 200
First released20162002
ReplacesMicrosoft 365, Google WorkspaceMicrosoft Exchange, Zimbra

Why pick each one

Choose Nextcloud Groupware if…

  • Tight Nextcloud integration
  • Standards-based sync
Nextcloud Groupware details

Choose Kolab Groupware if…

  • Built on proven components
  • Strong standards support
Kolab Groupware details

Frequently asked questions

Is Nextcloud Groupware or Kolab Groupware better?

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

Are Nextcloud Groupware and Kolab Groupware free and open-source?

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

Can I run Nextcloud Groupware and Kolab Groupware with Docker?

Nextcloud Groupware: yes. Kolab Groupware: yes.

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