How does VluxNet differ from…

These are storage on the servers of Apple, Google or Microsoft — your data leaves your house the moment you upload it.

The difference: With VluxNet your data stays on your own devices. Full data sovereignty — no foreign server, no monthly storage subscription.

Where these stay good: If you really don't want to run anything yourself and don't mind who holds the backups of your life.

In shortCloud means: someone else's computer. With us it stays your computer.

Dropbox is cloud storage with sync — every device holds a copy, but the master copy lives on Dropbox servers.

The difference: With VluxNet there's no master copy in a foreign cloud. Your devices sync directly with each other.

Where Dropbox stays strong: For collaborating with external partners who already have a Dropbox account.

In shortDropbox syncs via the cloud. VluxNet syncs via your devices.

WhatsApp is Meta's messenger — servers in the US, metadata (who messages whom and when) belongs to Meta, even if the content is encrypted.

The difference: VluxNet connects you directly with the devices of your family or team. No corporation in between, no phone number as identity, no ad-based analysis of behavioural data.

Where WhatsApp stays strong: When you want to chat with the pizza delivery guy who happens to use WhatsApp. We don't replace external communication — we replace the internal kind.

In shortWhatsApp connects you with everyone. VluxNet connects you with your own.

Signal and Threema are secure messengers with strong encryption — both very good, but both run over central servers (Signal in the US, Threema in Switzerland).

The difference: Signal and Threema are messengers. VluxNet is your whole private network — files, photos, backups, chat, showcase all at once. And VluxNet runs directly between your devices, without a single third-party server.

Where Signal/Threema stay strong: For external communication with people outside your VluxNet network.

In shortSignal is a messenger. VluxNet is your network, in which a messenger is just one function.

AirDrop is Apple's direct transfer between iPhones, iPads and Macs — only within the Apple universe, only in line of sight, only for files.

The difference: VluxNet makes AirDrop-like direct connections, but between all platforms (Android, Windows, Linux, Mac), even over distance, and for more than just files.

Where AirDrop stays strong: When everyone in your household has Apple and you just want to flick a photo across.

In shortAirDrop for your pocket. VluxNet for your whole life.

WeTransfer and Send Anywhere are web services for sending large files — the file lands on their server, the recipient downloads it from there.

The difference: With VluxNet the file goes directly from your device to the recipient's device. Nobody in between ever saw, stored or analysed it.

Where WeTransfer stays strong: When the recipient has no VluxNet and a one-off transfer is enough.

In shortYou don't send a letter to Ireland and back either.

A NAS (Synology, QNAP, WD My Cloud) is a central storage box in the cupboard that all devices connect to.

The difference: A NAS is a central box — if it fails, burns or is stolen, the data is gone. Remote access usually goes through the vendor cloud (Synology QuickConnect, myQNAPcloud). VluxNet is distributed: every device has its data, remote access is direct peer-to-peer.

Where NAS stays strong: As large media storage with RAID redundancy. NAS and VluxNet complement each other well.

In shortKeep the NAS drive — VluxNet builds the network around it that truly belongs to you.

Nextcloud is open-source cloud for self-hosting — the best-known competitor in the private-cloud camp.

The difference: Nextcloud is at its core still server software (you install a server, clients connect to it). VluxNet is peer-to-peer: every device talks directly to every other, no central server needed. Plus easier to set up and maintain.

Where Nextcloud stays strong: If you're technically savvy and want a classic cloud model without vendor lock-in.

In shortNextcloud is a cloud, just yours. VluxNet is a network that no longer needs a cloud.

These are complete office suites — office applications, email, cloud storage, chat, video calls, all on the servers of Microsoft or Google.

The difference: VluxNet doesn't replace Word or Excel. We replace the cloud layer underneath — the OneDrive and Teams components. You can keep using Office, but your files and your internal communication run over your own infrastructure.

Where M365/Workspace stay strong: For the office applications themselves and for email traffic to the outside.

In shortKeep Office. We do the cloud connection your way.

Syncthing is an open-source tool for file synchronisation between devices — technically the closest to what VluxNet does.

The difference: Syncthing only does file sync. VluxNet is a complete network: chat, showcase, backup, photos, file sync — all in the same tool, with one interface instead of three. Plus an optional Bastion shield for confidentiality-bound data.

Where Syncthing stays strong: For pure file sync between technically savvy users.

In shortSyncthing moves files. VluxNet builds your network.

Tailscale and ZeroTier are mesh VPNs — they connect your devices in a virtual network on which you can then run your own services.

The difference: Tailscale and ZeroTier are the transport — they make connections possible, but you have to add the applications (file sync, chat, etc.) yourself. VluxNet delivers transport and applications in one.

Where Tailscale/ZeroTier stay strong: For IT pros who want to decide themselves which services run on the networking layer.

In shortTailscale builds the road. VluxNet delivers the vehicle too.