Anyone working with Nextcloud or ownCloud knows the challenge: files can be conveniently stored and shared, but the infrastructure for directly editing documents, spreadsheets or presentations is often lacking. This is where the Document Server comes in – a dedicated VPS with Collabora Online or OnlyOffice Docs already pre-installed and configured.

Unlike local office installations, your teams work directly in the browser. No additional software is required on end devices. Whether Word documents, Excel spreadsheets or PowerPoint presentations – all common formats are supported. Editing takes place in real time, allowing multiple people to work on the same document simultaneously.

Collabora Online or OnlyOffice – Two Paths, One Goal

Both office solutions pursue the same objective: edit documents directly in the cloud without having to download them. The differences lie in the details:

• Collabora Online is based on the LibreOffice engine and offers particularly high compatibility with ODF formats. The Community Edition (CODE) is ideal for small teams. For larger organisations, Collabora Business offers extended support and greater scalability.
• OnlyOffice Docs relies on native OOXML support and delivers particularly faithful rendering of Microsoft Office documents. The Community Edition supports up to 18 simultaneous users. The Enterprise variant enables deployment in larger environments with comprehensive support.

Both variants are available as a Community Edition (CE) with an included licence or as a Business/Enterprise version with a separately purchased vendor licence. The VPS infrastructure is identical in both cases – only the software and feature set differ.

Why a Dedicated Document Server?

Many cloud installations run on shared hosting or resource-limited servers. Running the office integration directly on the cloud server frequently leads to performance issues, timeouts and a poor user experience. A dedicated VPS as a document server solves this problem:

• Separate resources: The document server does not burden the cloud server. Both systems operate independently and reliably.
• Better performance: A dedicated VPS provides sufficient CPU and RAM for the computation-intensive rendering processes of office documents.
• Flexibility: The document server can be connected to any Nextcloud or ownCloud installation – regardless of where it is hosted.
• Easy scaling: As demand grows, the VPS can be seamlessly upgraded to a more powerful variant.

Use Cases and Target Groups

• Companies and SMEs: Collaboratively edit documents, create proposals and contracts together, centrally maintain project documentation.
• Educational institutions: Distribute worksheets, collaborate on papers, create exam materials – all directly in the school cloud.
• Associations and volunteers: Jointly edit minutes, accounts and planning documents without purchasing commercial office licences.
• IT service providers and agencies: Offer the document server as an additional service for clients already using Nextcloud or ownCloud.
• Government and public institutions: Maintain digital sovereignty by operating open-source software on German servers.

Data Protection and Compliance

The document server operates on servers in Germany housed in TÜV-certified, ISO 27001 compliant data centres. All data remains within the EU – no access by authorities under the CLOUD Act or Patriot Act.

• Full GDPR compliance
• DPA (Data Processing Agreement) included
• Encrypted data transmission via TLS/SSL
• No data sharing with third parties
• Regular security updates and server monitoring

Document Server vs. Google Docs and Microsoft 365

Setup in Minutes

1. Choose your variant: Decide on Collabora or OnlyOffice in the Community or Business/Enterprise version.
2. VPS is provisioned: Your document server is automatically configured and ready for use within minutes.
3. Connect your cloud: Enter the server URL in the settings of your Nextcloud or ownCloud app – done.

Optionally, you can set up a custom domain for your document server. The SSL certificate is provided free of charge and configured automatically.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a separate licence for the Business/Enterprise variant?
Yes. The CE variants include the licence. For Collabora Business you need a licence from collaboraoffice.com, for OnlyOffice Enterprise from onlyoffice.com. VPS provisioning and maintenance are included in the monthly price in both cases.

Can I use the document server with a Nextcloud at another provider?
Yes. The document server is provider-independent and works with any Nextcloud or ownCloud installation – whether self-hosted or with a managed hosting provider.

How many users can edit documents simultaneously?
The CE variants support up to 18 simultaneous users. The Business/Enterprise versions are designed for up to 100 or more users, depending on the chosen vendor licence.

What happens during a software update?
Updates are performed by us and are included in the service. Your document server always remains up to date without any intervention on your part.