Nextcloud is positioning Nextcloud Write as an open source alternative to Microsoft Word and Google Docs, with simultaneous document editing on infrastructure the organization chooses. The editor belongs to Nextcloud Office and supports DOCX and ODT documents, giving teams a way to work with files created in other software. Nextcloud says document data stays on the organization's servers or a cloud provider it trusts.
Organizations can add Nextcloud Office to an existing Nextcloud installation, either under their own hosting arrangements or with a trusted provider; pricing is not disclosed. Nextcloud Write works through a browser and desktop apps for Linux, Windows and Mac, while a mobile interface supports editing from tablets and smartphones. Nextcloud says users can continue editing without an internet connection and synchronize their changes after reconnecting.
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Sharing can extend beyond registered users: public links let people without Nextcloud accounts read or edit documents. Separate links to the same file can carry different permissions, including options that allow editing or add a watermark. Teams using separate Nextcloud instances can also edit a shared document together across their servers, including when working with partner organizations or subsidiaries.
During joint editing, differently colored cursors distinguish contributors, and a review mode allows users to approve or reject tracked changes. Comments and replies sit beside the relevant text, while continuous saving and version history allow earlier drafts to be retrieved or restored. Nextcloud Write also provides tools to compare document versions and combine contributions when collaborators have worked on separate drafts.
Users can start from supplied templates or create reusable ones for recurring documents such as meeting notes. The Smart Picker provides access to an optional AI assistant and lets users insert material from elsewhere in their Nextcloud environment. Nextcloud Assistant can suggest wording, develop ideas and produce document summaries, with instance administrators choosing the model and whether it operates locally or through a trusted provider.
The choice of office suite also changes where processing happens: Euro-Office handles most work on the user's device, whereas Collabora Online places that work on the server. Nextcloud says organizations can change between those suites while retaining their data. Within Nextcloud Hub, the office tools connect with file storage, communications and scheduling, allowing teams to edit a document during a video call or attach it to a meeting invitation.
