Nextcloud vs Syncthing: Which Self-Hosted File Sync Should You Use?
Quick Answer
Use Syncthing if you just need fast, reliable file sync between devices with zero server management. Use Nextcloud if you want a full cloud platform with file sync, calendar, contacts, document editing, and more. They solve different problems.
Overview
Nextcloud
Nextcloud is a full-featured cloud platform — it syncs files but also provides calendars, contacts, video calls, document editing, and hundreds of apps. It requires a server and is more complex to set up and maintain.
Syncthing
Syncthing is a pure peer-to-peer file synchronization tool. No server required — devices sync directly with each other. It does one thing (file sync) and does it extremely well. Setup is minimal and it’s rock-solid.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Nextcloud | Syncthing |
|---|---|---|
| File sync | Yes | Yes |
| Requires server | Yes | No (peer-to-peer) |
| Web interface | Full web UI | Minimal web UI (admin only) |
| Mobile apps | Yes (sync + full platform) | Yes (Android; limited iOS) |
| Calendar/Contacts | Yes | No |
| Document editing | Yes (with Collabora/OnlyOffice) | No |
| File sharing via links | Yes | No |
| Versioning | Yes | Yes |
| Conflict handling | Last-write-wins | Keeps both versions |
| Resource usage | Heavy (2GB+ RAM) | Very light (<100MB) |
| Maintenance | Regular updates, DB maintenance | Nearly zero |
Installation & Setup
Syncthing wins easily. Install on two devices, add each other, pick folders to sync. Done. No server, no database, no reverse proxy.
Nextcloud requires a server, Docker setup with MariaDB and Redis, reverse proxy for HTTPS, and ongoing maintenance.
Performance & Resource Usage
Syncthing is dramatically lighter. It uses <100MB RAM and syncs files very quickly using peer-to-peer connections. Nextcloud’s sync client is solid but the server needs 2GB+ RAM and careful tuning for good performance with large libraries.
The Verdict
For pure file sync, use Syncthing. It’s faster, lighter, and requires no server. Your files go directly between your devices with end-to-end encryption.
For a cloud platform that includes file sync, use Nextcloud. If you need web access to your files, file sharing with links, calendars, contacts, or document editing, Nextcloud is the way to go.
Many self-hosters run both — Syncthing for fast device sync, Nextcloud for web access and sharing.
See also: Best Self-Hosted File Sync & Storage | Replace Google Drive | Replace Dropbox