Nextcloud Desktop Client: Sync Files With Your Own Server

Nextcloud lets you run your own file-sharing platform instead of handing documents to a large provider. The desktop client is the part that keeps a folder on your computer matched with that server, much like Dropbox would, but pointed at an address you or your organization controls.

What the client does

• Two-way sync: Changes in your local folder upload automatically, and changes made elsewhere come down to your computer.
• Selective sync: Choose which server folders to keep on this machine so a large library does not fill the disk.
• Virtual files: On Windows, files can appear in Explorer and download only when you open them.
• Sharing from the desktop: Create a share link or manage access from the file’s context menu.
• Server features: Depending on how the server is set up, the same account can also handle calendars, contacts and notes.

What you need first

The client alone does nothing. You need an account on a Nextcloud server, which may be one you host yourself, one your employer or school runs, or one from a hosting provider. Ask your administrator for the server address, or enter it when the app asks you to log in.

How to download and install

1. The Download button opens the official client downloads on nextcloud.com.
2. Choose the installer for Windows, macOS or Linux.
3. Start the app, enter the server address and sign in through your browser. Then choose the local folder to sync.

The software is free and open source (licensed under the GPL); costs come only from the server or hosting you choose. To sync folders between your own devices without a server, see Syncthing.