ownCloud vs Element
Both ownCloud and Element are European-built, GDPR-compliant solutions in the team collaboration space. This comparison breaks down their features, pricing, compliance posture, and data residency so you can make an informed choice for your team.
Quick Overview
ownCloud
EU- Headquarters
- Nuremberg, DE
- Pricing
- Free / From €5/mo
- Open Source
- Yes
Element
EU- Headquarters
- London, GB
- Pricing
- Free
- Open Source
- Yes
Key Differences
- ownCloud offers a free tier, while element offers a free tier. The different pricing models mean you should evaluate which approach better fits your usage pattern.
- Data residency differs: ownCloud hosts data in Germany, EU, while Element hosts in GB, Germany. If your organisation requires data to stay in a specific EU country, this distinction matters for compliance.
- ownCloud was founded in 2010, giving it a 7-year head start over Element (founded 2017). More time in market often means a larger user community and more mature integrations, though newer entrants may offer more modern architectures.
- Each product has unique strengths: ownCloud offers File sync and share and Collaborative document editing, while Element provides End-to-end encryption and Matrix protocol. Your choice depends on which capabilities matter most for your workflow.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | ownCloud | Element |
|---|---|---|
| Name | ownCloud | Element |
| Pricing | Free / From €5/mo | Free |
| Free Tier | ||
| GDPR | ||
| ISO 27001 | ||
| Open Source | ||
| Headquarters | Nuremberg, DE | London, GB |
| Data Centers | DE, EU | GB, DE |
| File sync and share | ||
| Collaborative document editing | ||
| Granular permission controls | ||
| Version history and file locking | ||
| LDAP and Active Directory integration | ||
| SAML single sign-on | ||
| Spaces for project-based collaboration | ||
| Desktop and mobile clients | ||
| Infinite Scale microservices architecture | ||
| End-to-end encryption | ||
| Matrix protocol | ||
| Federation | ||
| Bridges to other platforms | ||
| Voice/video calls | ||
| Threads | ||
| Spaces | ||
| Self-hosting option | ||
| Widgets |
Pricing Comparison
ownCloud
Free / From €5/mofree / enterprise
Element
Freefreemium
Compliance Comparison
ownCloud
GDPRDPA
Element
GDPRDPA
Get Started
Categories
ownCloud vs Element — FAQ
What is the main difference between ownCloud and Element?
Both ownCloud and Element are European team collaboration solutions with full GDPR compliance. The key differences lie in their approach: ownCloud uses free / enterprise pricing while Element uses freemium. ownCloud is headquartered in Nuremberg, Germany, while Element is based in London, GB. Your choice should depend on your specific requirements for features, pricing, and data residency.
Which is more affordable, ownCloud or Element?
Both ownCloud and Element offer free tiers, so you can try either without cost. Pricing models differ (free / enterprise vs. freemium), so compare based on your usage pattern rather than just the starting price.
Are both ownCloud and Element GDPR compliant?
Yes. Both ownCloud and Element are European companies that store data within the EU/EEA and offer Data Processing Agreements. Neither is subject to the US CLOUD Act or FISA surveillance. For GDPR purposes, either option eliminates the legal risks associated with using US-based services.