The huge content creation of images, videos, documents and other files from different digital devices increases the demand for storage devices and cloud services. But a storage device without any remote connectivity is less valuable as compared to the cloud storage device. There are lots of commercial cloud storage options available with free space such as Google Drive, DropBox, Amazon drive, Microsoft OneDrive etc. but these all are limited in terms of storage and access control. Although, these big cloud services are safe and secure still their major drawback is limited space (in free plan) and control of the user. And, if you are using the cloud storage for some personal and sensitive data then your privacy may be a big concern because no matter how secure they are, still, you can’t trust for highly sensitive data on third-party cloud software solutions.
When we hear the word cloud people think that it is very big and meant for large enterprises only but wait a minute; think again because you can create your own personal free cloud storage using free and open-source cloud software.
Self Storage Manager is a high-performance web-based management software program for single or multi-facility operators. It is designed to standardize and centralize operational control across all facilities, enabling corporate office and district managers to oversee operations from the convenience of their office desktop, with instant access to real-time information allowing them to make informed.
Now the question is, what does the Cloud Storage exactly means?
Cloud storage doesn’t only means big servers, those can access remotely via the internet; it is a kind of service that can virtually provide you with any physical storage space remotely.
Basically, three types of cloud services are available SaaS (Software as a Service) that offers people to store their data in the public cloud. Second is PaaS (Platform as a Service) which used to host applications on the cloud, for example, Amazon Web services (AWS) and last one is IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service) is a virtualized computing that allows the virtualization of any physical machine and other resources and avails them over the internet to customers to make them get a feel of a real machine.
Let’s come back to the main topic of this article which is open source personal cloud software, where we discuss, the best free available open-source cloud storage software for home, personal or private use. We are not listing only the file-syncing solutions in this article but more than that; software those can provide features like music play, contacts, calendar, file sharing, collaboration, document handling or more.
Best Free and Open Source Cloud Software 2020
Free & Best Open source Personal Cloud Software To Build Your Own Cloud Storage Solution
OwnCloud -personal cloud server
OwnCloud is the best open-source software to create a personal cloud server for home and office use. It can convert any machine into a Linux based cloud server. If you are using iPhone or some other smartphone with limited inbuilt storage than you need to buy some third-party cloud storage to get some extra space such as Dropbox; to save your images, videos, and other files. But with ownCloud, you can create a self-hosted private cloud storage solution to sync files and share data in a straightforward way.
You can host/install the ownCloud cloud software on your own private server/cloud which gives you complete control on your own data and privacy. After setting up the ownCloud server you can access your data from anywhere remotely via the internet or on your local network at any time. It is written and developed using PHP, Javascript and offers integration of a wide range of databases such as SQLite, MariaDB, PostgreSQL MySQL, and Oracle Database. The software also supports WebDAV server for remote access.
The OwnCloud server is available as Linux Installer, Tarball, Docker, Web installer and Virtual appliance (ESX image, VirtualBox image, QCOW2 image, and VMWare image). The deploy packages are available for all popular Linux distributions such as Debian, Ubuntu, Fedora, RedHat Enterprise Linux, CentOS, and OpenSUSE.
To access and sync the data, it offers ownCloud Desktop Client for Windows, macOS, and Linux. If you talk about the Mobile client the Android and iOS Owncloud apps are available too.
Furthermore, it features
- Automatically upload pictures after taking them
- Sync files at home or work with the desktop client
- Set one or more local folders for synchronization between devices
- The web interface lets you view, share and edit your files alone or with others.
- Agile App Framework
- Support Open Source Elastic Stack to implement powerful file search.
- End-to-end Encryption
- Support existing storage: FTP, Swift, S3, Dropbox and more.
- Third-party integration for storage providers is available to connect Dropbox, Microsoft OneDrive
- OwnCloud Marketplace to distribute OwnCloud extensions.
- Enterprise OwnCloud edition is also available.
- And more.
See: How to install OwnCloud on Windows or Ubuntu
Nextcloud -Private cloud software
If you want to build your own cloud server solution then the NextCloud is the second option which is also a Linux based open source cloud storage solution. It is a fork of OwnCloud community edition with features Calendar, Contacts, mail integration etc. For security, it also has two-factor authentication. The user Nextcloud stated that it is much stable then Owncloud.
The Nextcloud Server cloud Software for enterprises is paid while the community edition for home or small business users is completely free and open-source, and can prove an idle choice to run their own cloud network.
It is also based on Server and Client architecture. This cloud software server part does not support Microsoft Windows natively but you can use it on a virtual machine or a docker image on Windows Server.
You can install it on own server or a shared Linux web server or use directly the Virtual appliances to install it on VM server machines. The Web Installer is also available.
If you are thinking to buy some pre-configured hardware with NextCloud then the company also sells it like Nextcloud Box, Spreedbox, and Syncloud.
After installing it, you can sync your data to Desktop using the clients available for platforms like Windows, macOS, and Linux; and for mobile devices, it has Android, Windows Mobile, and iOS Nextcloud apps. Moreover, it is WebDav based cloud storage software; plus it can use directly via the web browser to access and share your files remotely and locally.
It features:
- Password-protected files
- File sharing by link
- Ability to generate upload links
- Allow restoring previous versions of files and permits file commenting.
- Provide multiple apps including video conferencing, workflow, text search and file conversion software.
- Collabora Online for document collaboration is also available.
- Two-factor authentication
- Auditing tools
- SSL/TLS data transfers,
- AES 256-bit encryption
- And more
See: How to install the Nextcloud on Ubuntu or Windows
Seafile – Open Source File Sync and Share Software
The Seafile is another enterprise-class DIY cloud storage tools for creating your self-hosted open-source cloud storage solution. It is a file sync and share platform which is basically a community and free edition aside their enterprise file synchronization and sharing (EFSS) software services.
After implementing the Seafile Cloud Software on your server, it allows your folders or libraries to sync individually across different devices, or access them as a virtual disk. This feature provides you with good control and customization options but at the same time a bit confusing, initially, but after some time you get used to it.
The cross-platform file syncing is available which means you can sync your library with any desktop computer including Windows, Mac, and Linux.
Beside a Desktop Syncing Clients for Windows 7/8/10, Mac OS X 10.7 or above, Linux (Ubuntu/Debian/Fedora) and Terminal Client; it also has provided Seafile Drive client. It is meant to use in Windows, Mac, and Linux systems; that let users expand their local disk space by mapping it with the massive storage space available on the Seafile server as a virtual drive. The user can access all files from the Seafile server immediately, without syncing them. Files can be used offline too.
Seafile Sync clients are available as mobile apps for Android and iOS too. Also can access using the web browser and supports WebDAV too.
To build your own cloud server with Seafile Server; it is available as server software for Windows, generic Linux tested on Debian 8, Ubuntu 16.04, Centos 7 and Raspberry Pi.
Seafile doesn’t have an app gallery-like Nextcloud and OwnCloud but it has integration for Microsoft Office Online Server or Collabora Online server. In this way, it allows users to perform online editing and co-authoring for office files (including docx/pptx/xlsx).
Seafile also has a built-in preview for videos, audios, PDFs, images and text files.
Furthermore, File Versioning and Snapshot feature are also supported by this open-source cloud storage software to restore a file or folder to an old version easily. These two features not only saves the storage space by preventing file duplication (Using de-duplication technology) but also the snapshot protect files against ransomware.
Seafile private Home cloud Key features
- Multi-platform File Sync
- Version Control
- Public Link
- Selective Sync sub-folder
- Mobile Clients
- Virtual Drive Clients
- Share libraries with Groups/Users
- Authenticate against LDAP/AD
- Single Sign-On with Shibboleth
- Two-factor authentication
- WebDAV/FUSE
Pydio
This Cloud Software is a file sharing and syncing solution and can prove a good option; if you need cloud storage for your office and personal use. It is not just limited to sharing and syncing the files but also can use as web rich application. Pydio allows viewing most common file formats such as audio, video, PDF, and office documents.
Like other opensource personal cloud storage software mentioned above in this article; it provides desktop sync clients for Windows. Mac OS and Linux systems. Using them you can modify files, access and synchronize them on-demand. The individual or specific folders or sub-folders synchronization is between users is also available.
For mobile device access, iOS and Android apps are available to sync data between server and smartphone or other devices, anytime.
Features of the Pydio’s personal cloud server:
- Password protected sharing
- A user can set a time limit for your share
- One can limit the number of downloads of the shared document
- Browse workspaces directly from your mobile
- Lock the application with a PIN-code or password
- Custom metadata
- Integration with third-party services for the online edition, notification on file/folder changes, etc.
- And more
See: How to install Pydio Cells on Windows 10 (WSL) and Ubuntu 19.04
Tonido – A Free Private Cloud Server
It another cloud software to run your personal cloud not like as we mentioned above but yet enough good to give one chance. The Tonido Server is more towards the media files and you can say it a Media server cloud. Where above given personal/private open-source cloud software have the capabilities to support both media files and documents along certain apps to boost the productivity; the Tonido mainly focuses on the music, audio, image, and other private file sharing and syncing.
The user can access it from Desktop, Mobile devices such as smartphone & tablet, web browser or even DLNA enabled devices. It can be used by Home Users, Professionals and Small Businesses as a file-sharing solution.
The good part is this allows you to build your own cloud server on windows because the Tonido server is available as a .exe file for Windows. It works on Windows 2000, XP, Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8 and Windows 10.
Further, Tonido server cloud Software is also available as Windows USB Portable Edition, Mac (Mac OS X 10.5 or later r), Raspberry Pi, Linux (Ubuntu/Xubuntu/Kubuntu), and Tonido Docker Image (Debian Jessie).
Mobile application Android, Windows Phone, Blackberry and iOS along chrome extension can help users to extend its capabilities.
Features of Tonido home cloud storage
- Secure SSL Access
- Stream Music: MP3, Flac, AAC, OGG, WMA, M4A, M4B
- Live Stream Videos: MOV, AVI, MP4, MPEG, M4V, M2TS, MKV, VOB, XVID, WMV, FLV, OGG, 3GP, SWF, MPG, DIVX
- View Photos: JPG, PNG, CR2, NEF, CRW, ARW, RAF, PEF
- Share via Browser or Mobile Apps
- Password Protected Shares
- Public Shares
- Keep a single folder in sync between multiple computers (without using third-party servers)
- Allow Sync with Guest Accounts
- Backup and sync multiple folders at set time intervals
- Automatic Backup of photos/videos from iPhones and iPad along organization of photos collection based on date/time; music collection based on songs, album, artists and genre
- Custom Web Branding, Mobile Branding, Product Customization, Own Domain and Own SSL Certificates
- DLNA Media Server (for PS3, XBOX360..)
- Run as Windows Service (Windows only)
Cozy
Cozy Cloud Software is another simple cloud storage tool but it is here because of its additional approach to adding some ease & value to your life.
If you see the first three cloud software listed in this article are more towards the cloud storage solution with capabilities of team collaboration which make them an ideal choice for professional and offices; where on other hand the Cozy has more into personal cloud storage. I said this because it has the capability to connect different service providers such as banks, Energy, Insurance, ISP, Shopping, Telecom, Transportation and other to pull data and save it on your personal cloud.
In short, Cozy allows to connect all your customer accounts, gathers and automatically tidies your bills up. It can also memorize passwords to save time and hassles.
A user can get statistics of expenses you did weekly, monthly and annually. It supports the files storage and remote access along with their synchronization via Cozy Drive software available for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Talking about the mobile device sync with PC, the Cozy app is available for Android and iOS.
It is a Linux based cloud storage software server and available for self-hosting too. The repository currently supported are Debian, Ubuntu, and Raspbian.
Cozy encrypts connections using SSL/TLS, it doesn’t encrypt stored data which might be a concern if you are planning to use it on commercial purpose, however, as just DIY cloud storage tools, it not only offers encryption but end-to-end encryption as well.
Features:
- One-click access to your bills from your bank statement.
- Info about family healthcare reimbursements status.
- Share your photos and files with your friends and family.
- Cozy can also be used to store passwords.
- Share files with a public link and email address.
- And more…
Self Storage Software For Mac Windows 7
Syncthing
Syncthing is just like Owncloud which can be used as a decentralized alternative to proprietary sync and cloud services. However, all the features of Syncthing are same as OwnCloud, however beyond that, they are quite different, Owncloud has other functionality Syncthing does not. But it here, and you should give it one try. Native GUIs is available for Windows platform and Syncthing app for Android mobile devices including Cross-platform GUI wrapper: Syncthing-GTK.
If you know any other best free & open source cloud storage software solution, please let us know, the comment box is all yours!!
Few other available open-source file Sharing and syncing solution projects worth to try:
Other useful resources:
Video is the way of the future. From crazy cat videos on YouTube to in-depth training tutorials sold by mega corporations, our society just can't get enough of those moving pictures. But video is more than just an entertainment option or revenue channel. It can also assist you in your daily workflow and turn you into a productivity machine at work!
The eight video recording software mentioned below will help you communicate quicker, increasing the amount of work you can get done on any given day. Does that sound like something you might be interested in? Then keep reading.
In this post we'll explain what kind of video recording software we're talking about and the eight best options you should consider adding to your technology stack in 2020.
The Purpose of Video Recording Software
The video recording software we'll be talking about in this blog post is NOT the kind you would use to record and edit a Hollywood blockbuster, or even a silly home movie. You won't find Adobe Premiere or Final Cut Pro on this list.
Instead, we've rounded up the top eight software tools that will allow you to record your personal computer screen in 2020. These kinds of programs can be extremely useful to business professionals and boost both productivity and efficiency by giving users the ability to easily share everything they see on their computer screens.
The most common uses of video recording software are to demonstrate tasks, troubleshoot problems, and craft intuitive tutorials.
The Top 8 Video Recording Software
The following eight pieces of video recording software have been carefully selected. You'll find both paid and free tools, but each is well designed and would be a worthy addition to your business software suite in 2020. Let's dive in!
1. CloudApp
Let's start with our absolute favorite video recording software, CloudApp. Are we biased? Sure, but after a quick look at the facts, we have no doubt that you'll agree with us in thinking that CloudApp is quite an amazing tool!
CloudApp is an all-in-one, visual collaboration platform that gives users easy access to screen and webcam recording, and GIF creation features. Once content has been recorded, CloudApp also allows its users to edit their visuals with convenient annotations such as drawings, arrows, emojis, and more to better communicate their thoughts and ideas.
What do you do when your content has been shot and edited to perfection? Distribute it, of course! Our cloud-based software makes it easy to share your work via links that include password protection options, expiration dates, and detailed analytics. Quickly see who has viewed your content and enable real-time notifications when your links have been opened.
CloudApp packs in a lot of features, but fortunately, all this functionality won't cost your business an arm and a leg. Plans including premium features start at just $9 a month, though our entry-level plan is free-forever and allows you to begin sharing videos, GIFs, and screenshots immediately. Become more productive and save up to 56 hours a week with CloudApp!
2. SnagIt
SnagIt is a popular video recording software that is specially designed to help users make amazing step-by-step instruction videos and how-to guides. If that will be your main goal when using this kind of tool, then you may find this app is exactly what you're looking for.
In a nutshell, SnagIt gives you the ability to capture a video of your computer screen or, using your webcam, a video of yourself, and share the result with whomever you wish.
One of SnagIt's most useful features is 'Favorites', which will allow you to add each of your favorite tools inside the app to one specific tab and group them together for easy access. This is a valuable, time-saving feature that will keep you from constantly digging through multiple menus to find what you need.
A license to use this tool costs $49.95 and can be installed on up to two different computers.
3. ShareX
When it comes to the best free video recording software on the market, you'd be hard pressed to find a better tool than ShareX. This app makes it incredibly simple to capture a video of your screen with just one (configurable) click.
![Storage Storage](/uploads/1/2/6/2/126293329/576682492.jpg)
One great feature included with ShareX is the ability to record just a portion of your computer screen when needed. Perhaps you don't want your entire screen visible in the video you plan to record and share. No problem, simply select the area you wish to record in ShareX and only capture that space in your video.
Once a video is recorded, users are able to edit it, though the editing features aren't as extensive as other apps on this list. But for a completely free tool, the functionality is impressive and ideal for those on a tight budget, or those who only need basic video recording features.
4. Debut Video Capture
Debut Video Capture (DVC) is a powerful and free (for personal use only) video recording software that can be used for a variety of purposes. For example, DVC can be used to capture video of your computer screen as you work, which is great for explaining processes.
But this app also allows video to be recorded from external devices, such as a high-end video recorder or network IP camera (surveillance camera). This is a unique and useful feature for those looking to record higher quality videos than their webcam can provide, or those who need to set up a security system at their place of business.
While the interface is unattractive and dated, the functionality of this app is great and the main reason why it's secured a place on our list. It should be noted, however, that use of this tool for non-personal related reasons will cost your company $39.95.
5. ScreenFlow
Apple user? Then consider using, ScreenFlow, an intuitive, Mac-only video recording software. This app has many of the standard screen recording features we've talked about in this article already, such as GIF creation and image annotation abilities.
But there are two features we especially like about ScreenFlow:
- This app allows users to record the screens of the iOS devices. Looking to demonstrate how to use a specific mobile app? Simply connect your iPhone or iPad to your computer, ensure the device is recognized, and click 'record iOS device'.
- ScreenFlow gives its users access to a stock media library of over half a million media clips that can be used in their own videos. This includes visual clips, background music, and more. Just find what you need and drag it into the ScreenFlow timeline.
When your video is done, save time and export it directly to YouTube, Wistia, Facebook, DropBox, or Google Drive.
Does ScreenFlow sound intriguing? You can buy the program for $129. It should be noted that the media library is an additional cost and will run you $60 a year. Premium support is also not included in the price of the software, but can be had for $39 a year.
6. GoPlay
We just gave you a Mac-only application, how about a Windows video recording software next? GoPlay is a screen recording app that allows users to easily create high-definition videos, edit them in a jiffy, and then export the final product to social media with the click of a button.
Some might find the picture in picture (PIP) option especially useful. This feature will let you record both your computer screen and yourself (via a webcam) at the same time. Once your video has been created, editing options include trimming, cropping and various filters.
![Best backup storage for mac Best backup storage for mac](/uploads/1/2/6/2/126293329/779797547.jpg)
Finally, we should mention the captioning feature. Add subtitles to every video so that the information you're sharing is never lost or misinterpreted.
GoPlay is mainly geared towards those who plan to publish their work on YouTube and other social media channels. But if you use a Windows computer, there's no reason why this app can't also be used for more traditional business video projects. Prices start at $4.90 a month.
GoPlay is mainly geared towards those who plan to publish their work on YouTube and other social media channels. But if you use a Windows computer, there's no reason why this app can't also be used for more traditional business video projects. Prices start at $4.90 a month.
7. Camtasia
Camtasia is known for being very easy to use. It combines screen recording features with more traditional video editing options (much like the ScreenFlow and GoPlay apps that we mentioned earlier) to give its users a comprehensive video recording software suite.
A typical workflow using this app might look something like this:
- First, record your screen. You can choose to capture the entire thing or just part of it, whatever suits your video-making needs best.
- Second, edit your footage. Cut out sections; combine multiple takes into one seamless shot; and add in external videos, images, and presentation slides as you see fit.
- Third, add effects and give your video a professional, polished feel. Effects include annotations, titles, music, and more.
As you can see, working with Camtasia is a straightforward process. And while this app doesn't have as many screen recording features as other tools on this list, or the editing options of a fully-featured video editing software, it strikes a good middle ground between the two.
For those looking for basic screen recording functionality and a few higher-end video editing options, Camtasia is a good bet and can be had for $249.
8. Screencastify
Finally, we have Screencastify, a unique option because this tool is actually a Google Chrome extension rather than a stand-alone app. It's perfect for those using the Chrome web browser and looking for a basic video recording software — especially if they're on a tight budget.
Screencastify gives users a few different options when recording. Do you want to capture your entire desktop, one specific browser tab, or yourself via a webcam? Each option is available. In fact, you can record your screen and yourself at the same time and embed the webcam feed in the screen recording.
Finished recordings can be edited with annotations and mouse highlights (so viewers always know what you're clicking on), and then cropped and trimmed to perfection.
When it comes to cheap video capture software, Screencastify is a solid option at only $49 a year. Can't justify the price tag? Use the app for free. Just know that you'll only be able to record up to 5 minute long videos.
The Right Video Recording Software For You
If you're hoping to become more productive in 2020, any of the video recording software mentioned in this blog post will help you reach that goal. Visual communication is on the rise and is, in our humble opinion, a worthy investment for just about every business.
So jump on it! Try a few of the apps we mentioned (listed again below for your convenience) and choose your favorite. Then use it and crush your business goals. Happy video recording!
Self Storage Software For Mac Windows 10
CloudApp is the best option when it comes to video recording software. Our tool's powerful screen and webcam recording, GIF creation, and image annotation features will help you boost productivity immediately. Learn more about the CloudApp solution here.