Alternative to ownCloud – Why FileCloud is better for Business File Sharing?
FileCloud competes with ownCloud in the Enterprise File Sync and Share space. Both systems work across all the popular desktop OSes (Windows, Mac and Linux) and mobile OSes (iOS, Android) and offer all the basics expected out of EFSS: Unlimited File Versioning, Audit Logs, Desktop Sync Client and User Management.
The feature comparisons between FileCloud and ownCloud Enterprise are as follows:
| FileCloud | ownCloud Enterprise | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Business Model | $/user license | $/user license |
| Pricing for 50 users/year | 2200 | 9000 |
| Hosting Options & Features | ||
| On Premise/Self-Hosted | Yes | Yes |
| Multi-Tenancy | Yes | No |
| Storage, Sync & Backup Features | ||
| Storage Sync | Yes | Yes |
| Large File Support, max file size | Yes | Yes |
| Supported Local Storage | Yes | Yes |
| Storage Limitation | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Endpoint Backup (Multiple folders) | Yes | No |
| ServerLink (Cross-Site Replication) | Yes | No |
| Mobile Features | ||
| Mobile OS Compatibility | iOS, Android, Windows Phone | iOS, Android |
| iOS, Android Media backup | Yes | Yes |
| Activity Streams, Comments | Yes | No |
| Offline Sync | Yes | No |
| Desktop Clients | ||
| Desktop Sync – Cross Platform (Windows, Mac, Linux) | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Drive – Cross Platform (Windows, Mac) | No | No |
| Microsoft Office Add-on | No | No |
| Cloud Features | ||
| File Sharing | Yes | Yes |
| Secure Access | Yes | Yes |
| Granular Sub Folder Permissions | Yes | No |
| Team Folders | Yes | No |
| Free Limited Users | Yes | No |
| Document Web Edit (Collabora) | Yes | Yes |
| Document Web Edit (Office Online Server) | Yes | No |
| Customization | ||
| Customization, Branding | Custom branding, White label, Email Templates, TOS etc | Custom branding, White label, Email templates, ToS Policies etc |
| Security, Access Control & Existing File Systems Integration | ||
| Integrate – Existing Home Directories | Yes | Yes |
| NTFS Support | Yes | Yes |
| Network Share Support | Yes | Yes |
| Network Share Versioning | Yes | No |
| Active Directory Support | Yes | Yes |
| Multiple Active Directory | Yes | No |
| Single Sign-On | Yes | Yes |
| Built-in Ransomware Protection | Yes | No |
| SAML Authentication | Yes | Yes |
| Data At Rest Encryption | Yes | Yes |
| Two Factor Authentication(2FA) | Yes | Yes |
| File Locking | Yes | No |
| Extensibility | ||
| API Support | Yes | Yes |
| Zapier Integration | Yes | No |
| Chrome Browser Extensions | Yes | No |
| Sharepoint plugin | No | Yes |
| E-signature | Under Development | No |
| Amazon S3/OpenStack Support | Yes | Yes |
| Audit & Admin Tools | ||
| Access and Monitoring Control | Yes | No |
| Mobile Device Management (Block devices, remote wipe, notification to devices) | Yes | No |
| Audit Reports | Yes | Yes |
| Geo IP Access Reports | Yes | No |
| File Analytics & Reporting (Summary of Client Applications per OS & Type, User Shares, Active Files Managed, File Type Distribution) | Yes | No |
| Role Based Administration | Yes | Yes |
From the outside looking-in, the offerings look similar. However, the approach to the feature offerings is different in satisfying enterprises’ primary need for easy access to their files without compromising privacy, security and control. The fundamental areas of difference are as follows:
Feature Integration: ownCloud depends on their app integration to provide a complete set of features. Due to the nature of integrations, access to simple features is not intuitive. FileCloud’s feature integration is seamless and mimics a typical SaaS application. The built-in tightly integrated features will help enterprises manage users and servers very easily.
Installation & Setup: ownCloud’s setup was straightforward. However, the application was bare out of the box. And, ownCloud’s half-baked platform/app model didn’t help. FileCloud’s installation & setup is as easy as ownCloud and will satisfy any enterprise in the market for an EFSS solution. The feature packed FileCloud solution is easy to get it up and running full-fledged.
User Interface: ownCloud’s UI leaves a lot to be desired. FileCloud’s UI is light years beyond ownCloud.
Feature benefits of FileCloud over ownCloud
Mobile Device Management: FileCloud offers MDM as part of the private cloud file sharing solution. The tighter integration of MDM to FileCloud makes it easy for enterprises to have one complete solution. Some of the key FileCloud MDM features are as follows:
Unified Device Management Console – FileCloud’s unified device management console provides simplified access to managing mobile devices enabled to access enterprise data, irrespective of whether the device is enterprise owned, employee owned, mobile platform or device type. Manage and control of thousands of iOS and Android, devices in FileCloud’s secure, browser-based dashboard. FileCloud’s administrator console is intuitive and requires no training or dedicated staff. FileCloud’s MDM works on any vendor’s network — even if the managed devices are on the road, at a café, or used at home.
Remote Block/Wipe – Administrator can selectively block a specific client device from logging into the FileCloud server. Besides blocking a client device from logging in, the administrator can also wipe FileCloud folders in the remote device.
Device Commands and Messaging – Ability to send on-demand messages to any device connecting to FileCloud, provides administrators a powerful tool to interact with the enterprise workforce. Any information on security threats or access violations can be easily conveyed to the mobile users. Above all messages are with no SMS cost.
Endpoint Backup: FileCloud provides the ability to backup user data from any computer running Windows, Mac or Linux to FileCloud. Users can schedule a backup and FileCloud automatically backs up the selected folders at the scheduled time.
Administrator Dashboard: FileCloud’s administrator dashboard provides a single page view of server health, user statistics, license information, disk usage and new user/file additions.
Pricing
ownCloud:
Enterprises must buy commercial apps to satisfy basic requirements expected out of any basic EFSS solutions. ownCloud just provide support contracts for a 50 user package that amounts to $9000/year.
FileCloud:
Enterprises get one simple solution with all features bundled. For the same 50 user package, the cost is $2200/year, less than 1/4th of ownCloud.
Conclusion
The preference for enterprises will depend on whether to rely on an ownCloud solution that provides support contracts at an expensive price or FileCloud solution that provides product upgrades and support at a very affordable price.
Also Check out the comparison between ownCloud vs Nextcloud
Here’s a comprehensive comparison that shows why FileCloud stands out as the best EFSS solution.
