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File Storage & Backup · head to head

Nextcloud vs CrashPlan

Nextcloud logo

Nextcloud

File Storage & Backup

Self-hosted file sync, sharing and collaboration platform

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
CrashPlan logo

CrashPlan

File Storage & Backup

Endpoint backup designed for work-from-anywhere

From
$8/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Nextcloud has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Nextcloud requires self-hosted deployment on organisation-controlled infrastructure; no managed cloud option provided by Nextcloud; CrashPlan initial data uploads can be noticeably slow, often taking several full days for complete system backups

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Nextcloud and CrashPlan actually diverge.

Attributes where Nextcloud and CrashPlan differ
AttributeNextcloudCrashPlan
Starting priceFree$8/month
Pricing modelfreemiumUnknown
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsSelf-hosted, Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, APIWindows, macOS, Cloud (Microsoft 365, Google Workspace)
FoundedUnknown2001

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (File Storage & Backup).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Nextcloud

Nothing recorded that CrashPlan does not also cover.

Only in CrashPlan

  • Automatic backup
  • Continuous protection
  • Legal hold
  • Centralized administration
  • Unlimited storage
  • AES 256-bit encryption
  • Active Directory
  • LDAP

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Nextcloud

  • Government and public sector organisations with data sovereignty requirementsnot CrashPlan
  • Enterprises replacing Dropbox or Box for cost reduction and data controlnot CrashPlan
  • Education institutions providing secure file collaborationnot CrashPlan
  • Healthcare and finance sectors requiring on-premises deployment for compliancenot CrashPlan
  • Hybrid work environments where teams synchronise documents and communicatenot CrashPlan
  • Digital asset management and media collaboration workflowsnot CrashPlan

CrashPlan

  • Data protectionnot Nextcloud
  • Disaster recoverynot Nextcloud
  • Business continuitynot Nextcloud
  • Ransomware protectionnot Nextcloud
  • Compliancenot Nextcloud

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Nextcloud

  • Requires self-hosted deployment on organisation-controlled infrastructure; no managed cloud option provided by Nextcloud
  • Operational overhead: organisations must apply security patches, manage backups, configure SSL certificates, and handle system administration
  • Scalability challenges at very large user counts (10,000+); requires careful database and storage tuning
  • Mobile clients lack some features of web interface (scripting, advanced admin functions); feature parity varies across platforms
  • Integration with Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace is limited; Nextcloud does not replace Exchange or Gmail directly

CrashPlan

  • Initial data uploads can be noticeably slow, often taking several full days for complete system backups
  • Occasional slow restore speeds for very large files impact recovery time objectives
  • Full system recovery requires requesting hard drive delivery instead of bare-metal restore capability
  • Difficulties reported with backing up or restoring data from external hard drives
  • Pricing is higher than some competitors like Backblaze when compared per user/month
  • Limited SIEM integration and governance reporting for enterprise environments

Pricing, plan by plan

Nextcloud

Free
  • Community EditionFree
    • All core features: Files, Talk, Groupware, Office
    • Unlimited users and storage
    • Community forum support
  • Standard Enterprise$71.29/year
    • 2 business day response time
    • 1-year maintenance included
    • Email support during business hours
  • Premium Enterprise$104.99/year
    • 1 business day response time
    • 5+ year maintenance
    • Extended business hours support
  • Ultimate Enterprise$204.75/year
    • 1-24 hour response time options
    • 5+ year maintenance
    • 24/7 phone support with SLA guarantees

CrashPlan

$8/month
  • Professional (Monthly)$8/month
    • Unlimited backup capacity
    • Unlimited file versions
    • 90-day deleted file retention
  • Professional (Annual)$88/year
    • All Monthly features
    • $0.88 savings per month vs monthly billing
  • Professional (2-Year)$158/2 years
    • All features
    • Lower per-month cost vs annual

Which should you pick?

Choose Nextcloud if

  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Self-hosted, Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, API.
Nextcloud review

Choose CrashPlan if

  • You need automatic backup.
  • You work on Windows, macOS, Cloud (Microsoft 365, Google Workspace).
  • You also want continuous protection.
CrashPlan review

Questions people ask

Is Nextcloud or CrashPlan better?
Neither clearly leads. Nextcloud starts at Free and CrashPlan at $8/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Nextcloud or CrashPlan?
Nextcloud has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Nextcloud and $8/month for CrashPlan.
Does Nextcloud or CrashPlan run on more platforms?
Nextcloud runs on Self-hosted, Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, API. CrashPlan runs on Windows, macOS, Cloud (Microsoft 365, Google Workspace).
Can I use Nextcloud for free?
Yes. Nextcloud has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. CrashPlan starts at $8/month.
What is Nextcloud best used for?
Nextcloud is most often used for government and public sector organisations with data sovereignty requirements, enterprises replacing dropbox or box for cost reduction and data control, education institutions providing secure file collaboration, healthcare and finance sectors requiring on-premises deployment for compliance. Of those, government and public sector organisations with data sovereignty requirements and enterprises replacing dropbox or box for cost reduction and data control are not what CrashPlan is typically brought in for.
What can Nextcloud do that CrashPlan cannot?
CrashPlan covers Automatic backup, Continuous protection, Legal hold, Centralized administration.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Nextcloud: Is Nextcloud Community Edition free to use?

Yes. Nextcloud Community Edition is completely free and open-source under the AGPL-3.0 licence. There are no licensing fees, but organisations must host and maintain their own servers.

Source
CrashPlan: What is CrashPlan's pricing for business backup?

CrashPlan Professional Edition costs $8 per user/month (billed monthly), $7.33 per user/month when billed annually ($88/year), or $158 per user for a 2-year commitment. This includes unlimited backup capacity, unlimited file versions, and 90-day deleted file retention.

Source
Nextcloud: Can I migrate from Dropbox or Google Drive to Nextcloud?

Yes. Nextcloud provides migration tools and documentation for importing files from competing platforms. Professional services are available through Nextcloud Enterprise for large-scale migrations.

Source
CrashPlan: Does CrashPlan offer a free trial?

Yes, CrashPlan offers a 14-day free trial. Credit card information is required for signup, but there will be no charge if you cancel during the trial period. Your credit card will be automatically charged when the trial ends unless you cancel.

Source
Nextcloud: What video conferencing capabilities does Nextcloud Talk provide?

Nextcloud Talk provides end-to-end encrypted audio and video calls, group conferencing, screen sharing, call recording with transcription, live translation, and integration with external services (Slack, Teams, Matrix). Recordings are stored locally on the Nextcloud server.

Source
CrashPlan: What platforms and services does CrashPlan protect?

CrashPlan protects Windows and Mac endpoints, Microsoft 365 services (Exchange Online, SharePoint, OneDrive, Teams), and Google Workspace (Gmail, Google Drive). The platform provides backup for endpoints, servers, and cloud applications.

Source
CrashPlan: Does CrashPlan have a free version for consumers?

No, CrashPlan discontinued its consumer personal backup tier and now focuses exclusively on commercial businesses. The platform is strictly for business and organizational use.

Source
CrashPlan: What is CrashPlan's partnership status with Microsoft?

CrashPlan is a trusted Microsoft Partner and is co-sell eligible. The platform is available in the Microsoft Marketplace and counts toward customers' Microsoft Azure Consumption Commitment (MACC). CrashPlan is built on Microsoft Azure infrastructure.

Source
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Related pages

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