The Pydio Cells Insider’s Guide
Everything we know about Pydio Cells in one document: what it costs, its grades, getting a refund, getting help and what else to look at. Read it here, or keep a copy.
Pydio Cells
The Insider’s Guide
Open-core, self-hosted document sharing and content platform
Every plan, grade, refund rule and rival among file storage and sync services, read from Pydio Cells’s own pages.
Made by Wire France SAS · checked Nov 13, 2026 · toolgpa.com
Contents
- 01WelcomeWhat it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
- 02What it costsEvery plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
- 03What it doesIts main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
- 04Where it standsIts grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
- 05The alternativesThe tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
- 06Quick answersThe questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
- 07About ToolGPAWho made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
ToolGPA put this guide together from Pydio Cells’s own pages, its app-store listings and our grades. Every fact in it is on Pydio Cells’s page too, where it is kept up to date. Checked Nov 13, 2026.
Part 01 · Overview
Welcome
What it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
2.2
GPA, above 34 of the 91 other file storage and sync services we grade
Pydio Cells is a self-hosted platform for sharing and managing documents, sold by Wire France SAS. It describes itself as open-core, with a free Home edition and Connect and Enterprise subscriptions priced by number of users. It supports real-time editing through Collabora Online or OnlyOffice and single sign-on through OpenID Connect, SAML and LDAP.
To get you started, here are 8 things to know about Pydio Cells, taken from its own pages and our grades.
The free Home edition is only for home use and evaluation, Connect and Enterprise are quoted by user, and you run the server yourself.
- 1
Best for self-hosted document sharing with single sign-on
Pydio Cells is self-hosted document sharing with live editing and single sign-on.
- 2
There is a free plan
Pydio Cells Home is free, for home use and evaluation.
- 3
It runs on Web
Web.
- 4
Real-time document editing
Co-author standard document formats in the browser, powered by Collabora Online or OnlyOffice.
- 5
Workspaces and Cells
Files are grouped in workspaces and shared collaboration spaces, with access extended to external collaborators.
- 6
Single sign-on and policies
OpenID Connect, SAML and LDAP/Active Directory sign-in, with access rules by user, group, IP address, location or time.
- 7
A 2.2 GPA, above 34 of 91
That is against the other file storage and sync services we grade, on value, the free plan, features, ease of use and platforms.
- 8
Keep it
To replace Pydio Cells you would be making files kept in step across devices without losing one. That is not a weekend's work, with an AI app builder or without one.
Pydio Cells at a glance
- Pricing
- Free plan
- Free plan
- Yes
- Free trial
- Trial key available for a limited period on request
- Runs on
- Web
- Made by
- Wire France SAS
- Category
- File Storage & Sync
- Our grade
- 2.2 GPA, fair
The report card
Best for self-hosted document sharing with single sign-on
Pydio Cells is self-hosted document sharing with live editing and single sign-on. The free Home edition is only for home use and evaluation, Connect and Enterprise are quoted by user, and you run the server yourself.
| Subject | Grade | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | C | Home is free but self-hosted, and Connect and Enterprise are quoted by user count, so there is no figure to compare. |
| Free plan and trial | C | Free Home edition for home use and evaluation, plus a trial key on request. You host it on your own server. |
| Features | B | Sharing, Collabora or OnlyOffice editing, SSO through OIDC, SAML and LDAP, and S3, Azure and Google storage back ends. |
| Ease of use | D | You install and maintain it yourself. No store rating is on record. |
| Platforms and integrations | B | Web only, with real integrations: Collabora, OnlyOffice, SSO and cloud storage. |
An A is worth 4 points, a B 3, a C 2, a D 1 and an F nothing. The GPA is the average of the five.
Who Pydio Cells is for
- Fits if you have an IT person to run a server and want SSO
- Works for firms that want files in storage they control
Who it is not for
- Not for you if you do not want to run a server
- Skip it if you want the free edition for work, as Home is for home use and evaluation
- Watch out: Connect and Enterprise prices are not published
- Watch out: which features sit in Home or Enterprise is in a separate table
Good to know
Good for
- Organizations needing self-hosted document sharing with compliance controls
- Teams that want to try a free edition before buying support
Worth knowing
- Prices for Connect and Enterprise are not published; they are quoted by number of users.
- You host and maintain the software yourself, or buy a subscription for support.
- Which features sit in Home versus Enterprise is shown in a separate comparison table.
Part 02 · Pricing
What it costs
Every plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
3
plans to choose from
Pydio Cells has a free plan.
Home is free but self-hosted, and Connect and Enterprise are quoted by user count, so there is no figure to compare.
Pydio Cells Home
Free
For home use and evaluation, with web only, next business day support as the entry tier.
Pydio Cells Connect
Custom
Subscription for connecting all collaborators; priced by number of users, free trial and quote on request.
Pydio Cells Enterprise
Custom
Subscription aimed at privacy-conscious industries, priced by number of users; quote on request.
The free plan
Pydio Cells Home is free, for home use and evaluation.
Trying it first
Trial key available for a limited period on request
Read from pydio.com on Nov 13, 2026.
Part 03 · Features
What it does
Its main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
1
Place it runs: Web
Open-core, self-hosted document sharing and content platform. Here is what it does, as its own site describes it, and what it covers: open source, self-hostable, real-time collaboration, workflow automation, file sync, file sharing.
Web only, with real integrations: Collabora, OnlyOffice, SSO and cloud storage.
- Real-time document editing
- Co-author standard document formats in the browser, powered by Collabora Online or OnlyOffice.
- Workspaces and Cells
- Files are grouped in workspaces and shared collaboration spaces, with access extended to external collaborators.
- Single sign-on and policies
- OpenID Connect, SAML and LDAP/Active Directory sign-in, with access rules by user, group, IP address, location or time.
- Multi-tenancy
- Separate configuration, data and identity per tenant on a single deployment.
- Cells Flows
- A workflow engine for automating tasks around files.
- Storage options
- The pricing page lists file system, S3, Google Cloud Storage and Azure Blob support.
Where it runs
- Web
What it works with
- Collabora Online
- OnlyOffice
- OpenID Connect
- SAML
- LDAP
- Amazon S3
- Azure Blob Storage
- Google Cloud Storage
Pydio Cells is made by Wire France SAS.
Part 04 · Standing
Where it stands
Its grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
34/91
Other file storage and sync services it is graded above
Pydio Cells's GPA of 2.2 is higher than 34 of the 91 other file storage and sync services we grade, and level with 9.
It stands best on features (B, above 70 of 91) and worst on ease of use (D, above 0).
Each grade against the category
Every bar is all 92 file storage and sync services we grade, cut by the letter each got. Pydio Cells’s own letter is outlined.
- CValue for moneyAbove 14 of 91
- CFree plan and trialAbove 18 of 91
- BFeaturesAbove 70 of 91
- DEase of useAbove 0 of 91
- BPlatforms and integrationsAbove 31 of 91
Keep it, or make your own?
Whether this is something you could build for yourself with an AI app builder, and what you would give up.
Keep it
To replace Pydio Cells you would be making files kept in step across devices without losing one. That is not a weekend's work, with an AI app builder or without one.
Pydio Cells is open source, so there is a third way: take its code and run it yourself.
What you could not
- Files kept in step across devices without losing one.
- Connections to other products, each kept working as those products change.
- Storing and serving files for other people.
- Several people working in it at the same moment.
- What a company asks for before it lets staff use something: single sign-on.
- The depth: we grade its features B, which means it covers the whole job.
What this rests on. Pydio Cells’s listing: what it does, where it runs, what it plugs into and what it costs. It is a judgement about the kind of software this is. We have not built a replacement for it, and making your own means looking after it too. How we decide, and every tool’s verdict.
Part 05 · Alternatives
The alternatives
The tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
Nextcloud, ownCloud, Seafile, FileRun and FileCloud
The 5 tools Pydio Cells is most often weighed against, with where each one differs from it.
- 3.2GPA
Nextcloud
Free plan · from €71.29/yr
Open source, self-hosted file sync and collaboration platform.
- Only Nextcloud lists Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android apps.
- Pydio Cells also covers workflow automation.
- Nextcloud also covers video calls.
- 2.4GPA
ownCloud
Free plan
Open-source file sync and share you can host yourself.
- Only ownCloud lists Windows, macOS, iOS and Android apps.
- Pydio Cells also covers workflow automation.
- 2.4GPA
Seafile
Free plan · from $8/mo
Open-source file sync and share, self-hosted or in the cloud.
- Only Seafile lists Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android apps.
- Pydio Cells also covers workflow automation.
- 2.6GPA
FileRun
Free trial · from €9.9/yr
Self-hosted file sync and sharing app that runs on your own server.
- Pydio Cells has a free plan. FileRun does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only FileRun lists Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android apps.
- Pydio Cells is open source, according to its own site.
- 2.0GPA
FileCloud
Free trial · from $7/mo
Business file sharing and sync you host yourself or buy as SaaS.
- Pydio Cells has a free plan. FileCloud does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only FileCloud lists Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android apps.
- Pydio Cells is open source, according to its own site.
Part 06 · Questions
Quick answers
The questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
12
Questions, each answered in a line or two
The short version of everything above, for when you only need the answer. Each one is told in full in its part of the guide.
Is Pydio Cells free?
Pydio Cells has a free plan. Pydio Cells Home is free, for home use and evaluation.
How much does Pydio Cells cost?
Pydio Cells lists 3 plans. Pydio Cells Home: Free.
What platforms does Pydio Cells work on?
Pydio Cells is available on Web.
Does Pydio Cells have an Android app?
No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 13, 2026. Pydio Cells is listed for Web.
Does Pydio Cells have an iPhone app?
No iPhone app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 13, 2026. Pydio Cells is listed for Web.
Is Pydio Cells open source?
Yes. Pydio Cells is open source, according to its own site.
What does Pydio Cells integrate with?
Pydio Cells's listing names Collabora Online, OnlyOffice, OpenID Connect, SAML, LDAP, Amazon S3, Azure Blob Storage and Google Cloud Storage.
Does Pydio Cells have a free trial?
Yes. Trial key available for a limited period on request.
Who makes Pydio Cells?
Pydio Cells is made by Wire France SAS.
What are the alternatives to Pydio Cells?
The closest alternatives to Pydio Cells in our directory are Nextcloud, ownCloud, Seafile, FileRun and FileCloud.
How does Pydio Cells compare with other file storage and sync services?
Pydio Cells's GPA of 2.2 is higher than 34 of the 91 other file storage and sync services we grade, and level with 9.
Could I make my own version of Pydio Cells?
To replace Pydio Cells you would be making files kept in step across devices without losing one.
Where this guide comes from
The prices, plans, platforms and features were read from Pydio Cells’s own pages on Nov 13, 2026, and the grades were given on Nov 13, 2026. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from Pydio Cells's own pages on 13 November 2026. Not based on using the product, and shorter than our full reviews.
Every tool we list gets five grades, A to F, each with its reason, and a GPA that averages them. How each is decided is at toolgpa.com/grades. This guide is ToolGPA’s own work; it is not made, paid for or approved by Wire France SAS. Prices change, so check pydio.com before you buy.
Part 07 · About
About ToolGPA
Who made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
7,721
Tools graded, in 95 categories
ToolGPA grades software the way a school report grades a pupil: five subjects, a letter for each with the reason written beside it, and a GPA that averages them. Prices, plans and platforms are read from each maker’s own pages and dated, so you always know how fresh a figure is.
Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Every tool on the site has a guide like this one, free to download and pass on. It all lives at toolgpa.com.
7,721
tools graded
95
categories
739
price changes on record
579
apps priced in 12 countries
What else is on toolgpa.com
- Pydio Cells, kept up to dateEverything in this guide, with prices and grades as they are todaytoolgpa.com/tools/pydio-cells
- How grades are givenThe rules behind every letter and every GPAtoolgpa.com/grades
- Value chartsWhat each tool costs against what it scores, for every categorytoolgpa.com/charts
- CompareAny two tools side by side, plan by plantoolgpa.com/compare
- Price changesEvery price rise and cut on record, each with its sourcetoolgpa.com/price-changes
- Prices by countryWhat apps cost on the App Store in 12 countriestoolgpa.com/prices-by-country
- Pay lessEvery public discount: yearly billing, students, nonprofitstoolgpa.com/save
- Keep or makeWhich tools are worth paying for, and which you could build yourselftoolgpa.com/keep-or-make
Scan for the live page
Prices and grades as they are today
Quoting this guide?
Please name ToolGPA and link to the live page, so readers can check the figures for themselves:
ToolGPA, "Pydio Cells: The Insider's Guide", checked Nov 13, 2026. https://toolgpa.com/tools/pydio-cells
Know someone choosing between file storage and sync services?
Send them this guide: toolgpa.com/tools/pydio-cells/guide
ToolGPA elsewhere: youtube.com/@toolgpa
See our other guides
The best-graded file storage and sync services after Pydio Cells, each with an Insider's Guide of its own.
- File Storage & Sync Insider's GuideEvery one of the 92 file storage and sync services we grade, compared
- Google Drive Insider's GuideCloud storage tied to Google Docs, Gmail and Photos3.6 GPA
- Filen Insider's GuideEnd-to-end encrypted cloud storage from Germany with open source apps3.4 GPA
- Microsoft OneDrive Insider's GuideMicrosoft's cloud storage, bundled with Microsoft 365 plans3.4 GPA
Choosing software? Every tool graded, every price dated.
Compare tools at toolgpa.com ›Everything in this guide is ToolGPA’s own summary of what Pydio Cells’s pages, its app-store listings and public reviews said on the dates shown. Grades are our judgement under the rules at toolgpa.com/grades. Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Pydio Cells is a trademark of its owner, and this guide is not made, paid for or approved by Wire France SAS. Prices and plans change: check pydio.com before you buy.