We are continuing our comparative series, where we examine the strengths and weaknesses of various Content Collaboration Platforms (CCPs). We previously covered FileCloud vs ownCloud. This post pits FileCloud vs Nextcloud, to see how FileCloud’s Standard plan measures up against the Nextcloud Enterprise (Basic) plan. Deployment in FileCloud vs Nextcloud Nextcloud is an interesting solution […]
We are continuing our comparative series, where we examine the strengths and weaknesses of various Content Collaboration Platforms (CCPs). We previously covered FileCloud vs ownCloud. This post pits FileCloud vs Nextcloud, to see how FileCloud's Standard plan measures up against the Nextcloud Enterprise (Basic) plan.
Nextcloud is an interesting solution in the land of CCPs, which tend to focus on cloud technology and accessibility. Instead, Nextcloud is an on-prem exclusive solution that specializes in file storage, sharing, and management. It is compatible with many different storage solutions, such as AWS and Azure, and it can be run on a virtual machine or as part of a virtual desktop infrastructure environment.
However, because of the limitation to on-premises hosting only, there are no cloud or hybrid options, which can take away from the expected flexibility of a CCP. Nextcloud also doesn’t offer multitenancy or high-availability architecture.
With FileCloud, you can choose between on-prem, cloud, or hybrid hosting to suit your IT infrastructure and the needs of your organization. Multitenancy provides customization and data security to different offices or organizations under your umbrella, and high-availability architecture ensures uninterrupted service, even under heavy processing loads.
When it comes to Admin features, FileCloud and Nextcloud cover similar territory. Both support the ability to limit and manage user storage quotas, create groups and policies, and delegate admin powers to specific users as a way of streamlining workloads and points of contact. Both CCPs also provide admins with detailed user/file activity and audit reporting.
One key difference is FileCloud’s Admin dashboard. Admins can prioritize the information they need the most by resizing, moving, or even deleting the informational widgets. FileCloud also provides a unique Geo-IP widget, which shows environment access according to IP address on a map. This tool enables admins to easily spot suspicious logins at a glance and take direct action.
FileCloud and Nextcloud also share several security features, although FileCloud distinguishes itself in the market for its focus on hyper-security.
Both FileCloud and Nextcloud support features like SAML integration, two-factor authentication, Role-Based Access Controls (RBAC), LD and LDAP integration, and password strength enforcement policies. However, FileCloud takes security a step further by providing AES 256-bit encryption for data at rest and in transit; Nextcloud does not offer the same protection to data in transit.
Additionally, Nextcloud does not offer ICAP-supported antivirus protection, and clients must pay extra to gain access to FIPS 140-2 encryption through the Nextcloud ECM platform. Antivirus scanning is another add-on with the Kaspersky Scan Engine. FileCloud offers ICAP antivirus scanning, ransomware protection, and advanced encryption without paying extra.
One overlooked element in Nextcloud is customization options. While this may not seem like an obvious “security” feature, FileCloud recognizes how a customized portal and UI help organizations build trust with external customers and vendors.
By using their own branding, including logos, theme colors, graphics, and communication language, clients can extend their organization’s digital landscape and protect against email spoofing and other malicious exploits. By comparison, clients are extremely limited when it comes to customizing their Nextcloud environment, unless they decide to upgrade to the Enterprise Standard or Premium plans.
Nextcloud does offer powerful compliance and governance tools as part of their Enterprise (Basic) plan. These tools include retention policies to manage files throughout the document lifecycle and simplified configurations for HIPAA and GDPR compliance.
With FileCloud’s Enterprise plan, clients gain access to a powerful and intuitive Compliance Center, with configurations for HIPAA, GDPR, and ITAR (and more on the way!). Users can view the specific requirements (with links to regulatory documentation), a brief explanation of how FileCloud supports compliance with that requirement, the option to enable (or disable) a rule, and a status column that shows if compliance has been achieved or not. If any “issues” are flagged during a scan, FileCloud offers explicit instructions to help redress the issues and achieve compliance.
FileCloud also offers support documentation for FINRA and CMMC compliance. Advanced compliance reports can be generated and exported for ease of governance, along with comprehensive audit reports on user and file activities throughout the FileCloud environment.
A CCP would be a poor solution if it didn’t offer features and tools to support content management. In this case, the FileCloud vs Nextcloud comparison yields similar features, including:
One distinction between the two is how FileCloud uses metadata to make data more accessible. For example, FileCloud enables automatic metadata extraction from uploaded images, which reduces the workload for organizations handling large arrays of visual content.
Additionally, FileCloud users can take advantage of color tagging with their metadata, so that organization methods and sifting can become more intuitive and receptive to different styles and preferences.
Again, CCPs by their very design should offer streamlined solutions to collaboration. Features covered above, like team folders, file versioning, web editing, and editing collision all support collaboration. However, FileCloud’s platform provides just a bit more functionality through the power of integrations, including:
Users can utilize their preferred apps and tools to work on documents in real-time, without ever leaving the security of their FileCloud environment.
In comparison, Nextcloud only integrates with Outlook on the Enterprise (Basic) plan. To gain access to Collabora and OnlyOffice, clients must upgrade to the Enterprise (Standard) plan. To utilize Microsoft Office Online, clients must upgrade to the Enterprise (Premium) plan. Nextcloud does not currently offer any integration with Google Apps, cutting many users off from their preferred and commonly used collaboration tools.
Furthermore, FileCloud has developed a critical feature to address the expanding workloads of modern organizations: Workflow Automation. These complex “if this, then that” workflows support streamlined, efficient handling of files and documents. Examples include candidate review and onboarding, contract approvals, project and meeting note distribution, and invoicing, among other administrative tasks. Though Nextcloud offers simple approval workflows, it is limited compared to the opportunities afforded by FileCloud.
Remote/mobile access is an important feature for both FileCloud and Nextcloud. To answer the remote needs of their clients’ user base, these CCPs have implemented such tools as:
With these tools, users can easily upload, edit, download, and share files across their devices, even when working on their mobile phones or tablets or while disconnected from the network.
It’s easy to note all the similarities between FileCloud and Nextcloud. To be sure, there are many when it comes to the expected features of a CCP.
Where FileCloud differs though is in pushing the envelope and consistently developing the platform to the expanding needs and requests of the client base, particularly when it comes to compliance, security, and user features.
With FileCloud’s automated and user capabilities like workflow automation, the Compliance Center, collaboration integrations, and customization options, you can confidently balance the tightrope between security and accessibility. If you're looking for a cloud storage solution, consider FileCloud as a reliable and secure NextCloud alternative.
Also Check out the comparison between ownCloud vs Nextcloud
To learn how FileCloud can support your company, check out the tour page or sign up for a free trial!
Article written by Katie Gerhardt
