Nextcloud is one of the best open-source platforms for file storage, sharing, and collaboration. But running it yourself means dealing with servers, databases, PHP configuration, reverse proxies, TLS certificates, backup scripts, and security patches.
For many teams, the question isn't whether Nextcloud is the right tool—it's whether they want to spend their time managing infrastructure or using the product.
This article compares self-hosted Nextcloud with managed Nextcloud hosting so you can make an informed decision.
What Self-Hosting Nextcloud Actually Involves
Installing Nextcloud isn't hard. Keeping it running reliably in production is where the work begins:
| Task | Frequency | Effort |
|---|---|---|
| Server provisioning and hardening | Once | 4–8 hours |
| Nextcloud + MariaDB + Redis setup | Once | 2–4 hours |
| TLS certificates (Let's Encrypt / Caddy) | Once + renewal | 1–2 hours |
| Automated backups and restore testing | Monthly | 2–4 hours |
| Security patches (OS + Nextcloud) | Monthly | 1–2 hours |
| Nextcloud major upgrades | Every 4–6 months | 2–6 hours |
| Monitoring and incident response | Ongoing | Variable |
Conservatively, you're looking at 10–20 hours of initial setup and 4–8 hours per month of ongoing maintenance. If you enjoy systems administration, that may be fine. If you'd rather spend that time on your actual work, managed hosting is worth considering.
What Managed Nextcloud Hosting Provides
A managed Nextcloud host handles the infrastructure so you can focus on using the product:
| Capability | Self-Hosted | Managed Hosting |
|---|---|---|
| Time to first file upload | Hours to days | Minutes |
| TLS certificates | Manual setup | Automatic |
| Database management | Your responsibility | Included |
| Storage scaling | Disk resizing / migration | S3-backed, plan-based |
| Backups | DIY scripts | Built-in durability |
| Security updates | Your responsibility | Handled by provider |
| Mobile app setup | Manual credentials | QR code scan |
Managed Nextcloud Hosting Options Compared
Several providers offer managed Nextcloud hosting. Here's how they compare:
| Provider | Storage | Price | Data Location | Custom Domain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hetzner Storage Share | 1–10 TB | From €3.69/mo | EU (Germany/Finland) | Subdomain only |
| Nextcloud GmbH (Enterprise) | Custom | Per-user pricing | Various | Yes |
| DanubeData Storage Share | 1–10 TB | From €4.99/mo | EU (Germany) | Subdomains (up to 10) |
DanubeData Storage Share: How It Works
Our managed Nextcloud service deploys a dedicated instance on Kubernetes with S3-backed storage, automatic TLS, and real-time status updates.
Plans
| Plan | Storage | Subdomains | Connections | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sulina | 1 TB | 3 | 50 | €4.99/mo |
| Sf. Gheorghe | 5 TB | 7 | 100 | €14.99/mo |
| Chilia | 10 TB | 10 | 200 | €29.99/mo |
Getting Started
- Navigate to Storage Share in your DanubeData dashboard
- Click Create Instance and choose a name, subdomain, and plan
- Wait for deployment (status updates in real time)
- Log in at
https://your-subdomain.storage.danubedata.ro
Your instance comes with full admin access. Install Nextcloud apps, create users, configure sharing links—everything you'd do on a self-hosted instance, without managing the infrastructure.
Connect Mobile Apps in Seconds
From the dashboard, click Actions > Connect mobile app. A QR code appears. Open the Nextcloud app on your phone, tap the QR scanner on the login screen, and scan. Done—no typing server URLs or passwords.
When Self-Hosting Still Makes Sense
Managed hosting isn't for everyone. Self-hosting can be the better choice when:
- You need custom Nextcloud configuration beyond what admin settings offer (e.g., custom PHP modules, specific config.php tweaks)
- You want a custom domain and full DNS control
- You already have server infrastructure and the expertise to maintain it
- Compliance requirements mandate hosting on specific hardware you control
If any of these apply, check out our self-hosting Nextcloud on a VPS guide.
When Managed Hosting Wins
For most individuals, small teams, and businesses, managed hosting is the pragmatic choice:
- You want file sharing working today, not next weekend
- Nobody on the team wants to maintain servers
- You need reliable storage without worrying about disk failures
- GDPR compliance matters and you want EU data residency guaranteed
Get Started
Stop configuring servers. Start sharing files.
Create your DanubeData account and deploy a managed Nextcloud instance in minutes. Plans start at €4.99/month for 1 TB of storage.
