Why bother with a personal cloud?
If you store everything in Google Drive / iCloud / OneDrive / Dropbox, you're renting space. The provider can change prices, change terms, or get acquired. Self-hosting gives you control.
In 2026, self-hosting is easier than ever. This article walks through the setup.
What you need
Hardware
- A small server (any old desktop works) or a Raspberry Pi 4/5
- 1TB+ SSD for storage
- UPS if you want to survive brownouts
- Static IP at home (or use Tailscale / Cloudflare Tunnel)
Software
| Component | Options | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Ubuntu Server, Debian, Fedora | Ubuntu Server 24.04 LTS |
| Cloud software | Nextcloud, Seafile, ownCloud | Nextcloud |
| WebDAV frontend | Built into Nextcloud | Use built-in |
| Mount client | ScsDriver, Mountain Duck, RaiDrive | ScsDriver |
| Reverse proxy | Caddy, Nginx, Traefik | Caddy (auto-HTTPS) |
Step 1: Install Nextcloud
On Ubuntu 24.04:
sudo snap install nextcloud
The snap auto-configures Nginx, PHP, PostgreSQL, and Let's Encrypt. After 5 minutes, you have a working cloud at https://cloud.yourdomain.com/.
Step 2: Get a domain
If you don't have one, buy one. $10-15/year. Point the A record to your home IP, or use Cloudflare Tunnel to avoid opening ports.
Step 3: Configure WebDAV
Nextcloud exposes WebDAV at https://cloud.yourdomain.com/remote.php/dav/files/USERNAME/. No additional configuration needed.
Step 4: Mount it on your computer
This is where ScsDriver comes in.
On Windows or macOS, install ScsDriver. Configure the connection:
- URL:
https://cloud.yourdomain.com/remote.php/dav/files/USERNAME/ - Username: your Nextcloud user
- Password: app password (generate under Settings → Security)
ScsDriver mounts it as a real drive letter (Windows) or volume (macOS). Files appear in your file manager. Edit them with any app. They're auto-synced.
Step 5: Cache for performance
ScsDriver has a local cache. When you open a file, the cache is checked first. If the file is in the cache, it opens instantly. Background sync keeps the cache fresh.
For best results, set the cache size to 10-20% of your free disk space.
Cost comparison
| Option | Year 1 | Year 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Google One 2TB | $100 | $500 |
| iCloud+ 2TB | $120 | $600 |
| Dropbox Plus 2TB | $120 | $600 |
| ScsDriver + Nextcloud self-hosted | $5.5 lifetime + $50 hardware + $15 domain = $70.5 | $70.5 |
After year 1, self-hosting is essentially free. After year 5, you've saved $429-529.
For users in mainland China, the package is sold at CN ¥20 lifetime (separate pricing region).
What you give up
- Cross-device sync without manual setup (Google Drive / iCloud do this automatically)
- Built-in collaboration (docs, sheets, etc.)
- Mobile apps polished to a fault (Nextcloud mobile is good but not great)
What you gain
- Control over your data
- No subscription fee
- No vendor lock-in
- Privacy from Big Tech
Verdict
For users with a few hundred GB of files and basic technical skills, self-hosting with Nextcloud + ScsDriver is the right answer. The setup is a weekend project. The savings compound over time.
If you have terabytes of files, multi-user collaboration needs, or no technical ability, stick with Google Drive / iCloud. The subscription is worth it.
Pricing recap (overseas, ScsDriver)
- $1.5 monthly
- $5.5 yearly
- $5.5 lifetime (was $9.99)
For users in mainland China, the package is sold at CN ¥20 lifetime (separate pricing region).
Top comments (0)