Cloud Versus Server

[Tanya Eldridge]

It is understood that with the Server and Data Centre options there is the ability to customise the setup as required.

I would like to know what customisation and flexibility is lost implementing a cloud option.

[Bill Bailey · Accepted solution]

Everything. ;-)  The four big issues I have with the Cloud are:

• No user macros -- essential for filling in the holes
• No custom CSS -- needed for customized look and feel
• Limited number of apps (yes, there several available for cloud, but still less)
• Forced upgrade of the server - your solution is constantly in flux. Suddenly new features appear or disappear, causing issue with the user base, or breaking workflows.

This is the official pages on the differences (but it does not list all the downsides of Cloud):

https://confluence.atlassian.com/cloud/compare-atlassian-cloud-vs-server-744721664.html

A much more detailed functional difference table:

https://confluence.atlassian.com/confcloud/functional-differences-in-confluence-cloud-734070955.html

[pas.argenio]

Also, security. As in, every week you read about a new breach or hack.

Fortunately, on the upside, Atlassian makes it pretty easy to manage your own local server instance. Aside from checking backups, and the occasional performance checkup, there is very little upkeep.