3.2.2.2 Private Cloud Servers
As individuals, organizations, and companies start to move their data to the cloud, there is a growing demand for private cloud server software that can be deployed and administered internally.
The ownCloud project was launched in 2010 by Frank Karlitschek to provide software to store, sync and share data from private cloud servers. It is available in a standard open source GNU AGPLv3 license and an enterprise version that carries a commercial license.
The Nextcloud project was forked from ownCloud in 2016 by Karlitschek and has been growing steadily since then. It is provided under a GNU AGPLv3 and aims for “an open, transparent development process.”
Both projects focus on providing private cloud software that meets the needs of both large and small organizations that require security, privacy, and regulatory compliance. While several other projects aim to serve the same users, these two are by far the largest in terms of both deployment and project members.