Google Drive vs Nextcloud: The Sharing Controls Comparison
Discover how Google's US-based Drive and Germany's Nextcloud handle sharing permissions. See which meets your privacy needs better now.
Should You Switch to Nextcloud?
Gain privacy, self-hosting, and full GDPR compliance with Nextcloud
Potential loss of advanced sharing and integration features
Switch if privacy is priority; stay if you need advanced features
At a Glance
US data laws
GDPR protected
Google Drive
Contact
Nextcloud
freemium
Privacy & Compliance Comparison
Critical data sovereignty factors at a glance
| Criteria | Google Drive | Nextcloud |
|---|---|---|
Server Location | US, EU, and other global locations | EU |
GDPR Compliance | Partial (SCCs) | Full |
Open Source | ||
E2E Encryption | Enterprise only | Optional |
Data Portability | Full export | Full export |
CLOUD Act Notice
Google Drive is a US company and must comply with CLOUD Act data requests, even for data stored in EU data centers. Nextcloud is not subject to US jurisdiction.
Google Drive
🇺🇸Nextcloud
🇩🇪US Data Storage
Data subject to US CLOUD Act and may be accessed by US authorities
EU Data Protection
Data protected under GDPR with EU-only data residency
Certifications & Compliance
No certifications listed
Reasons to Switch
- ✓Self-hosted: Full control over data location
- ✓GDPR compliant: Meets EU privacy regulations
- ✓End-to-end encryption: Optional for sensitive files
- ✓Open source: Customizable with community support
Things to Consider
- !Migration pain: Manual data transfer required
- !Learning curve: New interface and features
- !Missing features: No native Google Workspace integration
Migration Overview
Depends on data size and complexity
Quick Steps
Create Nextcloud account and configure settings
Export and prepare data from Google Drive
Import data, test integrations, and migrate users
Note: Switching to Nextcloud may involve setting up a self-hosted environment.
Other alternatives to Google Drive
Ready to make the switch?
Start using Nextcloud today and take control of your data privacy.