Self-hosting Nextcloud the easy way (with SQLite)

Nextcloud is the leading open-source cloud storage and collaboration platform - a self-hosted alternative to Google Drive and Dropbox that puts you in full control of your data. This guide covers the simplest possible setup: Nextcloud with SQLite, requiring no separate database service.

Sliplane is a managed container platform that makes self-hosting painless. With one-click deployment, you can get Nextcloud up and running in minutes - no server setup, no reverse proxy config, no infrastructure to maintain.

Prerequisites

Before deploying, ensure you have a Sliplane account (free trial available).

Quick start

Sliplane provides one-click deployment with presets.

Deploy Nextcloud >

1. Click the deploy button above
2. Select a project
3. Select a server. If you just signed up you get a 48-hour free trial server
4. Click Deploy!

Why SQLite?

SQLite is a file-based database that requires no separate database server. The LinuxServer.io Nextcloud image bundles SQLite support out of the box, so the setup is a single container with no dependencies. This makes it:

• Simple: no separate database service to configure or maintain
• Lightweight: runs well on a €9/month Sliplane server
• Sufficient: works great for personal use or teams of up to ~10 users

For larger deployments, Nextcloud officially recommends switching to MySQL or PostgreSQL. If that's you, check out self-hosting Nextcloud the easy way instead.

About the preset

The one-click deploy above uses Sliplane's Nextcloud preset. The preset is built for a clean, stable default setup:

• LinuxServer.io image (lscr.io/linuxserver/nextcloud) for better Docker integration and regular updates
• Specific version tag (33.0.2) for stability - check LinuxServer Nextcloud on Docker Hub for newer versions
• SQLite as the database, stored inside the /config volume - no separate database container needed
• Persistent storage for both config (/config) and data (/data) directories
• Pre-configured with sensible defaults for timezone and file permissions

Next steps

Once Nextcloud is running on Sliplane, access it using the domain Sliplane provided (e.g. nextcloud-xxxx.sliplane.app).

On first launch, Nextcloud will show a setup wizard where you create your admin account. Pick a strong password and you're good to go.

Default credentials

There are no default credentials. You create the admin account yourself during the first setup wizard. After that, you can add more users through the Nextcloud admin panel.

Storage paths

The LinuxServer Nextcloud image uses the following paths inside the container:

Both paths are mounted as persistent volumes by the preset, so your data survives container restarts and redeployments.

Environment variables

The preset sets a few key environment variables. You can customize these in the Sliplane dashboard:

Using a custom domain

You can add a custom domain to your Nextcloud service in the Sliplane dashboard. Sliplane automatically handles SSL certificates. After adding your domain, you may need to update Nextcloud's trusted_domains setting in /config/www/nextcloud/config/config.php.

Logging

By default, container logs go to STDOUT, which works well with Sliplane's built-in log viewer. Nextcloud also writes logs to /config/log/nextcloud/nextcloud.log inside the container. For general Docker log tips, check out our post on how to use Docker logs.

Backups

Your data is stored in Docker volumes. Sliplane makes it easy to back up volumes - check out our guide on 4 easy ways to backup Docker volumes for detailed instructions.

Cost comparison

Of course you can also self-host Nextcloud with other cloud providers. Here is a pricing comparison for the most common ones:

FAQ

Is SQLite good enough for Nextcloud?

For personal use or small teams (up to ~10 users), SQLite works well. It's the simplest option since no separate database is needed. For larger teams or higher concurrency, Nextcloud recommends MySQL or PostgreSQL. See our guide on self-hosting Nextcloud the easy way if you need a different database.

What can I do with self-hosted Nextcloud?

Nextcloud gives you a full suite of collaboration tools: file sync across all devices, collaborative document editing with Nextcloud Office, calendar and contacts, video calls with Nextcloud Talk, and hundreds of apps from the Nextcloud App Store. Self-hosting means your data never leaves your server.

How do I configure Nextcloud after deployment?

Most settings are available through the Nextcloud admin panel in the browser. For advanced configuration, you can edit /config/www/nextcloud/config/config.php directly. Check the Nextcloud admin documentation for all available options.

How do I update Nextcloud?

Change the image tag in your service settings on Sliplane (e.g., from 33.0.2 to a newer version) and redeploy. Note that Nextcloud only supports upgrading one major version at a time, so don't skip versions. Check LinuxServer Nextcloud on Docker Hub for the latest stable version. Always read the Nextcloud upgrade documentation before major version upgrades.

Can I migrate from SQLite to MySQL/PostgreSQL later?

Yes, Nextcloud provides an occ db:convert-type command to migrate your database. However, it requires some manual steps. If you think you'll need MySQL/PostgreSQL eventually, it's easier to start with it from the beginning using our Nextcloud easy way guide.

Are there alternatives to Nextcloud?

Yes. Popular options include OpenCloud (a modern fork of ownCloud), ownCloud (the original project Nextcloud was forked from), and Seafile (focused on file sync performance). Check out our blog post 5 awesome Nextcloud alternatives for a full comparison.

Can I use Nextcloud with mobile and desktop apps?

Yes. Nextcloud provides official apps for Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, and Linux. Just point them to your Sliplane domain and log in with your credentials.