Best Free NAS Software in 2023

Community-attached storage (NAS) has come a good distance, and it’s not only for companies any extra. When you’re like me, you’ve in all probability acquired a plethora of media information, paperwork, and backup information scattered throughout your units. A NAS answer is usually a game-changer, offering a centralised house for all of your digital property. The perfect half? You may construct a strong NAS system with out breaking the financial institution, due to some extremely versatile free software program options on the market. On this information, I’ll dive into a few of the prime free NAS software program, segregating them based mostly on their underlying working programs—Linux and Home windows.

TrueNAS & Unraid Selection

I ought to observe that most individuals (Reddit customers) advocate both TrueNAS or Unraid for self-build NAS programs or reflashing a propriety NAS like TerraMaster.

I personally use Unraid, which isn’t free, however is usually thought to be the most suitable choice for operating your personal customized NAS. It’s extremely straightforward to make use of and permits for straightforward growth of storage, and you’ll combine and match drive sizes. The draw back is the drive efficiency isn’t nearly as good as TrueNAS, however utilizing an NVMe cache drive principally resolves that drawback.

Unraid prices between $59 and $129, relying on the variety of drives you require, and it has a 30-day free trial.

As it is a put up about free NAS software program, the principle advice could be TrueNAS, although lots of people like OpenMediaVault. There may be additionally nothing stopping you from utilizing Ubuntu and setting that as much as work as a NAS your self, however it’s extra time-consuming.

Associated Content material & Evaluations

Linux-Based mostly NAS Software program

TrueNAS Core

TrueNAS is a unified storage software program platform that merges the legacy of FreeNAS—extensively identified for its strong and free network-attached storage (NAS) capabilities—with enterprise-grade options to serve a broader vary of customers. Developed by iXsystems, TrueNAS goals to supply a single, streamlined expertise for each dwelling customers and companies, providing scalable, dependable, and environment friendly storage options.

Execs:

• Wealthy characteristic set together with snapshots, information deduplication, and encryption.
• A big, lively group for help.
• Higher efficiency vs TrueNAS Scale

Cons:

• Requires a steep studying curve.
• Excessive RAM necessities for ZFS.
• Restrict apps / No Docker vs TrueNAS Scale

TrueNAS Scale

TrueNAS SCALE represents the newest iteration of the TrueNAS collection and is underpinned by Debian Linux. This model gives better adaptability and scalability in its storage capabilities, and it incorporates additional options like the flexibility to run Docker containers throughout the answer’s purposes section. Moreover, it boasts compatibility with Microsoft Azure.

The first distinction between TrueNAS CORE and SCALE lies of their foundational working programs: CORE operates on FreeBSD, whereas SCALE is constructed on Debian Linux.

Execs:

• Has Docker and a variety of straightforward to put in apps
• Runs on Debian which extra persons are familier with

Cons:

• Efficiency just isn’t nearly as good – specifically I foudn that efficiency was poor on my Terramaster NAS, however that was additionally shortly after Scale was launched.
• Most TrueNAS tutorials/guides are based mostly on Core

OpenMediaVault

This Debian-based NAS answer is extra user-friendly and very best for these new to the NAS setting. It gives a smooth net interface for straightforward administration.

Execs:

• Extensible by way of plugins.
• Helps a number of file programs like ext4, XFS, and JFS.

Cons:

• Restricted superior options in comparison with TrueNAS.
• No ZFS help out of the field.

Rockstor

Rockstor is a CentOS-based answer, notable for its Btrfs file system, which gives related options to ZFS however with much less resource-intensive calls for.

Execs:

• Straightforward to arrange and handle.
• Decrease {hardware} necessities.

Cons:

• Btrfs is usually much less mature than ZFS.
• Smaller group.

Openfiler

Openfiler relies on rPath Linux and gives block-level storage sharing capabilities.

Execs:

• Extremely configurable.
• Can combine into Lively Listing and LDAP environments.

Cons:

• Dated interface.
• Neighborhood help has dwindled in recent times.

Home windows-Based mostly NAS Software program

AllMediaServer

This Home windows-based software program is tailor-made particularly for streaming media information.

Execs:

• Intuitive interface.
• Extremely optimised for video and audio streaming.

Cons:

• Restricted to media-serving capabilities.
• No superior file system options.

LXiMedia

One other Home windows-based answer, LXiMedia, is targeted on offering a light-weight media server platform.

Execs:

• Low system necessities.
• Helps a wide range of media codecs.

Cons:

• Restricted performance past media serving.
• No built-in information safety options.

ReadyMedia

Previously often known as MiniDLNA, this software program is straightforward but efficient for media streaming.

Execs:

• Straightforward to arrange.
• Gentle on system assets.

Cons:

• Restricted to DLNA protocol.
• No superior storage administration options.

Others Value Mentioning

Firefly (previously mt-daapd)

This can be a Linux-based software program primarily for iTunes sharing however helps different DAAP purchasers as properly.

Execs:

• Easy setup.
• Light-weight on system assets.

Cons:

• Restricted to iTunes and DAAP appropriate units.
• No superior storage functionalities.

Last Ideas

Whereas Linux-based NAS options usually provide a extra strong characteristic set and stronger information integrity choices, Home windows-based options excel in ease-of-use and are well-suited for media serving duties. Your alternative would hinge on what you’re trying to obtain—be it media streaming, information backup, or a mixture of functionalities.

No matter your necessities, there’s possible a free NAS software program possibility to suit the invoice. From the robustness of TrueNAS to the simplicity of ReadyMedia, these choices present a wide range of paths for establishing your very best dwelling or small-business storage setting.

My private recomendation could be to make use of TrueNAS Scale.