Nextcloud vs Seafile: Which File Sync Solution Is Right for You?
An in-depth comparison of the two most popular self-hosted file synchronization platforms, covering features, performance, resource usage, and ease of deployment.
Choosing between Nextcloud and Seafile is one of the most common decisions for anyone building a self-hosted setup. Let's break down the differences.
Overview
Nextcloud is an all-in-one collaboration platform that offers file sync, calendar, contacts, email, office suite, and hundreds of apps through its marketplace.
Seafile is a dedicated file synchronization platform focused on reliability, speed, and efficiency.
Feature Comparison
Performance
Seafile significantly outperforms Nextcloud in file sync operations, especially with large files and many small files. Its delta sync technology only transfers changed blocks.
Nextcloud can become slow with large file counts and requires more careful tuning of PHP, database, and caching layers.
Resource Usage
Deployment
Both support Docker Compose deployment. Seafile is simpler to deploy, while Nextcloud has more moving parts but offers more functionality.
Verdict
Both are excellent choices. Many homelabbers run both - Seafile for critical file sync and Nextcloud for collaboration features.
