How to Build Your Own Personal

Cloud Server
While working on a guide about creating your own VPN server using
OpenVPN for added privacy, I came across Next Cloud and ownCloud
— open-source cloud storage platforms that can be used to build your
own personal cloud storage that works similar to Dropbox. Most
importantly, it’s completely free. You don’t need to spare a single penny
to build your personal cloud storage server and you can share your
cloud with your friends and family by creating a separate account for
each one.

WHY BUILD OWN CLOUD STORAGE?

The cloud server you will be building will have similar features like
Dropbox. The ownCloud and NextCloud apps are available for all
platforms, i.e. Android, iPhone Mac, Windows, and Linux. You can
access and manage your personal cloud storage just like Dropbox
through any device. The apps automatically sync your data to your
own private cloud service. Additionally, you use apps on your device to
edit files stored on the owncloud server.

Plus, you can browse your pictures, watch videos, listen to music directly
on the owncloud or NextCloud, whichever open-source platform you
want to choose. We will demonstrate both with the help of video guide
posted at the end of this guide.

WHAT ABOUT SECURITY?

Rest assured, the apps are safe and your data is safe with ownCloud
and Nextcloud. For instance, the ownCloud server uses a 4096-bit
strong public/private key-pair for every user. That is almost impossible
to crack and future proof.

We know that sounds awesome! So let us begin creating our own

personal Dropbox-like storage.

BUILDING DROPBOX-LIKE PERSONAL CLOUD

STORAGE SERVICE
We will showcase two different methods as you know; one with
ownCloud and another with Next Cloud. You can try both, will take 5-10
minutes max and then decide which one is more suitable according to
your preference and choice.