Nextcloud unveiled Nextcloud Hub 10, the latest version of its open-source collaboration platform. The release includes many new features and promises a sleek and highly integrated digital workspace designed for those who prioritize privacy and prefer to avoid public cloud services, keeping everything under their own control.
However, before we move on to what’s new, let’s clear up some confusion for those new to Nextcloud. It’s important to understand that the widely known as Nextcloud (whose actual name is Nextcloud Files) and Nextcloud Hub are distinct products. To make it even clearer:
- Nextcloud Files is a file synchronization and sharing software that allows you to host your cloud storage solution. It provides core functionalities such as file storage, synchronization across devices, and sharing capabilities with others and focuses primarily on these basic cloud storage features. Our guide on how to install it with Docker is here.
- Nextcloud Hub, on the other hand, is an expanded version of Nextcloud that builds upon the core functionalities by integrating a suite of collaboration and productivity tools such as Files, Talk, Groupware, Office, and Whiteboard into a single platform.
In other words, Nextcloud Hub transforms Nextcloud from a simple file-sharing solution into a comprehensive, self-hosted productivity and collaboration platform. Now, having clarified this, let’s get back to the topic.
Nextcloud Hub 10 Highlights
According to Nextcloud’s announcement, the platform now supports over 400 ready-to-use apps and connections to external services, ensuring that teams of any size or nature can adapt it to their specific needs. However, what is more important is that Nextcloud Hub 10 brings massive performance boosts.
For example, file uploads can now be up to six times faster, clocking a 10GB file transfer at about 45 seconds in high-speed scenarios (down from 195 seconds in the previous version). Additionally, Nextcloud Hub 10 features enhanced background process efficiency and better load management during video calls, ensuring a snappier overall experience.
Of course, data security remains a key Nextcloud’s offering. In light of this, Hub 10 deepens its focus on protecting sensitive information by extending its end-to-end encryption options. Users can now opt to encrypt both Nextcloud Talk calls—accessible through the new desktop client—and browser-based access to files.
Another major development is the refined brute force protection, allowing administrators to set stricter or more flexible login attempt limits. Meanwhile, Nextcloud’s Hands-on MDM (Mobile Device Management) features let organizations control employee device security, enforce app protection through FaceID, disable file sharing if necessary, and even restrict clipboard access.
Beyond its emphasis on security and performance, Nextcloud Hub 10 introduces several design and workflow improvements aimed at simplifying collaboration:
- Smart Dashboard Widgets: The Nextcloud Dashboard unifies email, conversations, events, and even weather forecasts to help you start your day on the right foot. A fresh Favorite Files widget makes it easier to jump back into critical documents, while a Nextcloud Talk widget highlights your recent chats and mentions.
- Easy Meeting Scheduling: Users can now plan online gatherings directly from ongoing chat discussions or Nextcloud Calendar events. This tighter connection between Talk and Calendar speeds up inviting participants and launching calls, thereby reducing the typical back-and-forth of meeting scheduling.
- Streamlined Team Management: “Groupfolders” are now called “Team folders.” Administrators can assign a Team folder to any newly formed Nextcloud Team, which means the team, rather than an individual, owns the files.
- Improved Productivity Tools: From the Smart Picker extension, which now offers handy text templates, to more powerful external app connections—like Documenso for self-hosted digital signatures—Nextcloud aims to streamline everyday tasks. On top of that, the Nextcloud Assistant 3.0 harnesses AI to automate chores such as email summaries, meeting transcripts, and text translations.
Apart from the above-mentioned, Nextcloud has updated its mobile apps for iOS and Android with a cleaner, more consistent experience. Desktop clients also receive a native UI overhaul, offering better performance and security checks for large-scale deployments.
Last but not least, Nextcloud Hub 10 brings the AI-powered Nextcloud Assistant 3.0, which incorporates what Nextcloud calls “agency features.” These functionalities allow the AI to take context from various apps—like files, chats, and contacts—and act on the user’s behalf.
For example, the Assistant can create calendar events, provide condensed summaries of lengthy conversations, or help you quickly translate foreign-language emails.
Refer to the release announcement for detailed information on all changes.
Hub 10 is available for download from the Nextcloud website. Users can install it using the all-in-one Docker or VM images. The devs also confirm that a Nextcloud Enterprise edition is on the way once thorough testing and certifications are complete.
Image credits: Nextcloud
