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File Storage & Backup · head to head

Nextcloud vs Wasabi

Nextcloud logo

Nextcloud

File Storage & Backup

Self-hosted file sync, sharing and collaboration platform

From
Free
Rated
-
Wasabi logo

Wasabi

Cloud & Infrastructure

Hot cloud storage without egress fees

From
$7.99/month
Rated
-

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; Wasabi 90-day minimum storage duration with no option to delete before full period without penalty

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Nextcloud and Wasabi actually diverge.

Attributes where Nextcloud and Wasabi differ
AttributeNextcloudWasabi
Starting priceFree$7.99/month
Pricing modelfreemiumUnknown
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsSelf-hosted, Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, APIWeb, API
CategoryFile Storage & BackupCloud & Infrastructure
FoundedUnknown2015

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated).

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 Wasabi does not also cover.

Only in Wasabi

  • Hot Cloud Storage
  • S3 Compatible API
  • Object Lock
  • Versioning
  • Multi-region
  • Data Migration Tools
  • Immutability
  • Ransomware Protection

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

Wasabi

  • Backup and recoverynot Nextcloud
  • Media storagenot Nextcloud
  • Archive replacementnot Nextcloud
  • Ransomware protectionnot 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

Wasabi

  • 90-day minimum storage duration with no option to delete before full period without penalty
  • Significantly smaller global footprint than AWS with only 16 regions, resulting in higher latency for users in underserved regions
  • Performance can degrade with high-volume transactions requiring throughput management strategies
  • Hot storage only, no cold/archival storage tier for long-term data at lower cost
  • Support responsiveness gaps with teams experiencing multi-day waits for critical issue resolution

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

Wasabi

$7.99/month

No published plan breakdown. See the Wasabi review.

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.

Choose Wasabi if

  • You need hot cloud storage.
  • You work on Web, API.
  • You also want s3 compatible api.

Questions people ask

Is Nextcloud or Wasabi better?
Neither clearly leads. Nextcloud starts at Free and Wasabi at $7.99/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Nextcloud or Wasabi?
Nextcloud has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Nextcloud and $7.99/month for Wasabi.
Does Nextcloud or Wasabi run on more platforms?
Nextcloud runs on Self-hosted, Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, API. Wasabi runs on Web, API.
Can I use Nextcloud for free?
Yes. Nextcloud has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Wasabi starts at $7.99/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 Wasabi is typically brought in for.
What can Nextcloud do that Wasabi cannot?
Wasabi covers Hot Cloud Storage, S3 Compatible API, Object Lock, Versioning.

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
Wasabi: What is Wasabi's pricing structure?

Wasabi offers pay-as-you-go pricing at $7.99 per TB per month as of July 2026, with no egress or API request fees. Reserved capacity plans are available for multi-year terms with volume discounts.

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
Wasabi: Does Wasabi charge for data downloads or API calls?

No. Wasabi includes zero egress fees and zero API request fees, which is a major cost advantage over AWS S3. Customers can plan their budget to the penny without worrying about surprise data transfer charges.

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
Wasabi: Is there a minimum storage duration requirement?

Yes. Wasabi enforces a 90-day minimum storage term. Users who delete data before 90 days are still charged for the full 90-day period.

Source
Wasabi: Is Wasabi S3-compatible?

Yes. Wasabi Hot Cloud Storage is fully S3-compatible, meaning organizations can integrate it into existing workflows without rewriting application code used with AWS S3.

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