Operating Nextcloud Sovereignly: Why the “How” is Decisive

Nextcloud stands for digital independence, European data protection standards, and an open, trustworthy alternative to US-based collaboration solutions like Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace. No wonder, then, that more and more providers are advertising Managed Nextcloud services – often combined with attractive entry-level prices and the promise of full sovereignty.

But a closer look at the offers is worthwhile. Because the question is not just whether Nextcloud is used, but how it is operated: Who has control over infrastructure and data? How transparent are the costs? How flexible is the solution in practice?

Many offers rely on user-based billing models that grow with team size – and thus also the monthly costs. We at ayedo deliberately go a different way: We operate Nextcloud as a production-ready Managed App in your Kubernetes cluster, without user limits, without per-head license costs, and with full control over infrastructure, security, and compliance.

Why this makes the decisive difference, we show in this post.

The Difference Lies in the Operating Model

As an open source platform, Nextcloud offers the perfect foundation for sovereign collaboration: real-time document editing, secure file storage, calendar, video conferences, chat, and even AI integration. But open source alone is not enough – decisive is where and how the application is operated.

Some providers rely on centralized models with user licensing: one price per user that appears manageable at first glance but quickly multiplies as team size increases. This sounds predictable at first – but is neither flexible nor cost-efficient in the long term.

At ayedo, we view the operation of software differently: an application like Nextcloud causes a certain technical effort regardless of the number of users. The actual operating costs are generated by consumed resources – i.e., by CPU, RAM, storage, and network. This is exactly where we start.

ayedo Nextcloud: No User Limits, No Surprises

Our Nextcloud instances are fully integrated into your existing Kubernetes cluster. You select the app from our Managed App catalog – we take care of deployment, configuration, security, updates, and monitoring.

In the process, no user-related license costs arise. Whether 10 or 1,000 employees: the operation remains technically the same – as long as the underlying resources are sufficient. This model is:

• Scalable: You grow without changing the price model.
• Transparent: Costs are based on resources, not on heads.
• Sovereign: Data remains in your control – including BYOK, GitOps, and EU-only hosting.
• Compliant: Our platform meets regulatory requirements such as GDPR, NIS-2, DORA, CRA, and the Data Act.

Direct Comparison: License Model vs. Resource-Based Hosting

Sovereign Cloud Collaboration Begins with the Right Architecture

The use of Nextcloud is a clear commitment to open software and digital self-determination. But anyone who really wants to work independently and compliant should not save on the form of operation. The difference between a centralized SaaS offer with a license model and a flexibly hosted, sovereign app in one’s own cluster is more than technical – it is strategic.

With ayedo, you have not only a partner for modern software deployment, but a platform that meets regulatory requirements, enables exit scenarios, and thinks ahead for your applications with a view to performance, security, and scalability.

Conclusion: No Compromises on Digital Independence

Enticing offers with low entry costs can be tempting – but are often not future-proof. Anyone who decides for Nextcloud today should set the course right away: away from rigid user licenses, towards an open, resource-saving, and auditable operating model.

With ayedo you profit from:

• Full cost control without user limits
• Modern Kubernetes hosting with GitOps integration
• Secure operation according to European standards
• Seamless integration into your existing infrastructure
• Future-proofing through regulatory conformity

You want to operate your Nextcloud sovereignly, securely, and flexibly? Then let’s talk.