8 Best NAS Software for Business and Home Network

NAS (Network Attached Storage) enables users to collaborate and transfer data across shared Ethernet connections. It simplifies data storage and retrieval over a network without overwhelming the users.

However, to properly manage them, you need NAS software.

NAS software functions as the operating system powering NAS hardware devices. It’s commonly installed on either a dedicated server or a computer and helps with seamless file sharing and efficient management while extending its capabilities

For example, it offers backup functionality and encompasses media streaming & RAID protection.

In this post, I’ve reviewed 14 popular solutions and chosen 8 best NAS software that facilitate centralized data storage and accessibility within a local network.

• 1. TrueNas
• 2. Rockstor
• 3. OpenMediaVault
• 4. XigmaNAS
• 5. EasyNAS
• 6. Openfiler
• 7. Amahi
• 8. Unraid
• Show moreShow less

1. TrueNas

TrueNas is a popular NAS solution, and many Fortune 500 companies (like Fox and Samsung) use it because of its excellent security, reliability, and performance.

I found TrueNas to offer robust features that meet diverse storage requirements, seamlessly integrating into existing infrastructure. You can integrate TrueNas with:

• Existing workflows
• Embedded Docker container management
• Risk management solutions
• Mission-critical applications

TrueNas offers three software solutions, including:

• Enterprise: Consists of applications and software aimed at enterprises
• CORE: Ideal for non-critical storage, free to use 
• SCALE: Offers software that works with VMs/apps on third-party hardware, free to use

The CORE solution is best for home and small business needs. It is aimed at non-critical needs, whereas Scale focuses on providing reliable and scalable software for mid to large-size organizations.

The Enterprise version brings support for enterprise applications and hardware. It offers excellent data protection and data freedom without any costly vendor lock-in. This version is also highly scalable and provides support for major hypervisors. It supports up to 256 TB of storage and 24-driver accommodation.

TrueNas Features

• High availability of 99.999% uptime for uninterrupted data access
• 24/7 customer support for critical workloads
• SCALE supports up to 1000 nodes for KVM machines, Docker, Kubernetes, and more
• The Enterprise version offers ultimate data protection with built-in RAID protection, resilient replication, and more
• Highly secure with ZFS support

TrueNas Pricing

TrueNas Core and Scale are free to download and use. For Enterprise, you need to contact sales for a quote.

Try TrueNas

2. Rockstor

Rockstor is an open–source NAS operating system built on OpenSUSE. It is designed to meet the demands of individuals, small businesses, and even larger ones, as it supports the BTRFS file system.

I recommend Rockstor for its friendly interface. This interface lets you take advantage of the BTRFS and customize it as per your needs.

Rockstor offers four core NAS solutions with different use cases. These include:

• Custom BTRFS: Aimed at hackers, makers, and enthusiasts who want to develop custom storage solutions
• Linux BTRFS: Traditional NAS server offering BTRFS-specific features and a web-user interface
• SMB Private Cloud BTRFS: Hybrid NAS solution for small to medium-sized servers  
• Personal Cloud BTRFS: Cost-effective and private solution for local data storage, access, and management

Rockstor Features

• Offers resource monitoring via SNMP and dashboard
• Easy Rockstor to Rockstor replication
• Supports file sharing on all platforms (even Apple)
• Excellent live capacity scaling (larger or smaller)
• Simple installer with the ability to create a custom installer

Rockstor Pricing

Rockstor is free to download and use. It offers testing and stable versions. There’s also an “incident-based support subscription”, which is ideal for larger enterprises.

Try Rockstor

3. OpenMediaVault

OpenMediaVault is a free-to-use Debian-based NAS solution. It is aimed at home and small office environments. As it’s Debian-based, it comes with services such as (S)FTP, SSH, RSync, and SMB/CIFS.

I found OpenMediaVault an excellent NAS software thanks to its modular design. This enables easy plugin usage, improving functionality without complicating the process. For example, you can use plugins that transform your NAS storage to a torrent client.

Additionally, I liked its simple yet practical web-based interface that invites beginners to try it out.

Is it worth using anymore?
byu/sgtGiggsy inOpenMediaVault

Overall, OpenMediaVault is a perfect fit for anyone starting their NAS storage journey. 

OpenMediaVault Features

• Manage shared volumes and folders via an extensive system
• Modular server design
• Ease to use third-party and official plugins
• Offers email notifications
• IPv6 support and file sharing

OpenMediaVault Pricing

OpenMediaVault is free to use.

Try OpenMediaVault

4. XigmaNAS

XigmaNAS is an open-source FreeBSD-based NAS distribution. It emphasizes ease of use, focusing on providing centralized storage servers across devices running various operating systems such as Windows, Apple, Unix, and more.

I like XigmaNAS as it offers a customizable solution supporting ZFS v5000, disk encryption, and Software RAID (0, 1, 5). It overcomes the limitations of commercial box solutions, offering a much cheaper and more powerful custom fit. 

Successfully switched from TrueNAS Core to XigmaNAS 13.1 Beta
byu/neozahikel intruenas

Furthermore, it’s regularly updated with new features, stability patches, and fixes, ensuring the best working performance and matching the latest standards.

XigmaNAS Features

• Supports S.M.A.R.T ( Self-monitoring, Analysis and Reporting Technology)
• Secure storage environment with automated emails
• Supports various network protocols including CIFS/SMB, TFTP, FTP, etc.
• Highly configurable via its web interface
• Installable on USB-key/Compact Flash/SSD Drive

XigmaNAS Pricing

XigmaNAS is free to use.

Try XigmaNAS

5. EasyNAS

EasyNAS is an open-source NAS software based on openSUSE Leap. Like Rockstor, it also utilizes the BTRFS system, which brings its own benefits, including checksumming, data duplication, and snapshots. It has a modular design that makes it easy to add and remove features.

With an easy-to-use interface, it is aimed at home users who need basic functionality. Business owners can also use it as it offers advanced security features, recovery plans, and data redundancy.

As for services, it supports CIFS, FTP, NFS, Radius, DLNA, ISCSI, and TFTP.

EasyNAS Features

• Offers a web-based user interface ideal for beginners to set up NAS
• RAID protection for seamless usage
• Supports media streaming to various devices (like TVs)
• Works with Docker containers to effortlessly run apps like Plex and Sonarr on NAS devices
• Supports file system compression, copy-on-write, and snapshots

EasyNAS Pricing

EasyNAS is free to use.

Try EasyNAS

6. Openfiler

Openfiler NAS offers a comprehensive storage management solution with an intuitive graphical interface and monitoring of real-time systems. It’s used by well-known organizations like Motorola, Pratt & Whitney, Paypal Service, and the London Metropolitan Police.

The platform provides essential features such as disk management, hardware RAID volume aggregation, logical volume allocation/quotas, iSCSI target for virtualization, Fibre Channel support & block-level replication. These features help users effectively address various storage requirements while maintaining high-availability clusters.

I recommend Openfiler to enterprises as it is an enterprise-class data storage management solution. It supports many enterprise-focused features, including:

• Various RAID controllers
• Disk technologies (SAS, SATA, and SCSI)
• Fast Ethernet controllers from Intel
• Facilitate high bandwidth access over TCP/IP networks.

Furthermore, it offers compatibility with both Intel Xeon processors and AMD Opteron x86-based systems for easy integration into existing architecture.

Openfiler maintains the full support of renowned vendors like Adaptec, LSI Logic, HP, IBM & Intel, etc., making it the go-to choice for maximum efficiency in data storage solutions.

Openfiler Features

• Supports software and hardware RAID with monitoring
• Offers alert facilities, recovery, and snapshot
• Provides excellent performance with Linux 2.6 support
• Ensures availability with active/passive high availability clustering, block-level replication, and MPIO
• Supports various storage networking protocols

Openfiler Pricing

Openfiler is free to download and use. However, they do offer Commercial Edition (CE). For its pricing, you need to contact their sales team.

Try Openfiler

7. Amahi

Amahi Home Server lets you create an in-house NAS server for streaming, but requires a dedicated PC to run. However, once set up, you can use it to stream your audio and video collection to any device or screen in your network. It also offers the option to share your collection with anyone around the world.

I like Amahi for its user-friendly approach, especially since it’s easy to install. Furthermore, it provides multiple one-click apps, such as private wiki, calendaring, etc., that let you manage your home network.

However, it hasn’t been updated since 2015, which makes it less of a choice than other options on our list.

Is Amahi a good choice?
byu/Wi42 inHomeServer

Some of the practical use cases Amahi lets you achieve include:

• Storing all your music and video centrally
• Sharing photos/files easily across the network (to any device)
• Backing up computers quickly
• Remotely accessing your collection with ease
• Bringing co-ordination to your home via apps like shared calendar

Amahi Features

• Back up network-connected PCs with ease and quickly restore them when needed
• Secure and safe VPN for privately accessing your network from anywhere
• Organize, access, and share files from any network
• Cross-platform compatibility supporting PC, Mac, Linux, Android, etc.
• Access to Amahi Sync, which syncs, shares, and backs up files automatically

Amahi Pricing

Amahi has a free plan with limited features. It offers two paid plans:

• Pro: $7.95/month with 50 GB Amahi Sync
• Ninja: $15.95/month with 150 GB Amahi Sync

Try Amahi

8. Unraid

Unraid is one of the best NAS operating systems that you can use to manage your network-attached drives. It helps you build the server according to your configuration without worrying about security.

I found Unraid to offer a complete NAS solution that is flexible for both home and business use. With community app support, you can add additional features to your NAS storage. For example, you can run apps like Pi-hole, Home Assistant, AdGuard, and others.

Unraid is also hardware agnostic, which means you can add any storage type/capacity you need. It supports a drive pool with support for ZFS. It also supports Windows backup, making it an excellent choice for Windows NAS software.

Unraid Features

• Easy NAS OS setup with storage customization options
• Ability to run the entire fleet of Docker apps, such as Plex
• Supports high-speed file transfers using virtual machines
• Remote access via Unraid Connect simplifies server management
• VPN Manager that utilizes WireGuard for secure remote access

Unraid Pricing

Unraid offers three pricing plans:

• Starter: $49/license, up to 6 storage devices
• Unleased: $109/license, unlimited storage devices
• Lifetime: $249/license, no limits with all features

Unraid also offers a 30-day free trial to new users.

Try Unraid

What is NAS Software and Its Importance?

NAS software (Network Attached Storage software) serves as a crucial tool for managing and controlling network-attached storage devices.

In other words, NAS software acts as an operating system to run NAS devices and facilitate easy file storage & sharing within a local network.

However, the NAS solution is different as it comprises both hardware and software. It brings benefits like reliability, convenience, and cost-effectiveness.

Furthermore, home users like yourself will find NAS solutions valuable as they help with the following:

• Automating data backups
• Offering encryption capabilities
• Supporting RAID
• Providing scalability options

Due to these reasons, NAS solutions are becoming increasingly popular. In fact, the NAS market is expected to grow to USD 116.7 billion in 2032 from USD 26.8 billion in 2021, according to FuturemarketInsights. This reflects the growing demands for redundancy, auto backup, scalability requirements, and data manageability.

To sum up, the benefits of utilizing NAS in your network are:

• Unified file sharing across networks
• Better collaboration and remote file accessibility
• Easy file management with file renaming, folder creation, and file deletion
• Proper security with user authentication, access control lists, and file encryption
• Automatic backup on NAS devices to prevent data corruption or loss
• Fault tolerance in case of drive failure by retrieving data from alternative hard drives within the NAS device

I strongly recommend that businesses of all sizes use NAS software. These platforms provide secure, centralized data sharing. Furthermore, they play a crucial role in supporting industries across the board by guaranteeing reliable operation throughout storing and sharing tasks.

How to Install and Configure NAS Software?

In this section, I’ll show you how to set up a NAS server.

However, before we go through the actual steps, it’s vital to know the major components of a NAS server. These are:

• Processor
• Memory
• Storage device with a RAID controller
• NAS operating system via NAS software
• A web server that acts as a NAS interface (accessible via web browser)

NAS devices are equipped with Gigabit ports to improve connectivity and provide stability.

Depending on the usage, NAS devices must have the proper resources. For example, home purposes might need fewer resources compared to large enterprises. 

Now, let’s go through the steps of installing and configuring the NAS server.

1. NAS Installation Preparation

Mount the NAS device on a place of your choice and install drives. Then connect power and network cables.

2. Install Operating System (OS)

Installing OS on NAS is easy and intuitive as NAS devices come with pre-installed operating systems. For example:

• Synology NAS devices use Disk Station Manager (DSM)
• QNAP devices use QTS
• Western Digital uses WP My Cloud OS

To install the OS, you need to insert a disk drive and initialize the operating system.

3. Configure Administrative Accounts

Now, it’s time to securely configure and change the default username and password. It will block any security risks associated with it. You must create separate accounts for each member, offering permissions as needed.

To configure, go to the app and then change the credentials. Most administrative interfaces are accessible via a web browser or a dedicated client application.

4. Check NAS Readiness

NAS diagnostic tests ensure that all hard disks are connected to the appliances. Most NASs come with a built-in diagnostic function.

5. Storage Configuration

In this step, you’ll need to configure the storage depending on organizational needs. So, you can configure it in RAID levels, folders, volumes, or even JBOD storage (mostly by organizations).

6. Create Volumes

For proper usage, you need to create volumes depending on organizational demands. These volumes will be accessed by the appliance.

7. Access Permissions

Now, with volumes created, it is important to set access permissions. For example, put share-level permissions if the appliance is used as a file server or go for file-level permissions if needed.

8. Network Access Configuration

Next, assign the IP to the NAS device. If you plan to use dynamic IP, then all you need to do is set the DNS host record. To achieve this, you must use appropriate access protocols such as NFS, FTP, SMB, etc.

9. Configure Security

To ensure proper usage, you must secure NAS servers by implementing firewalls and encryption.

10. Install Applications

Depending on the organizational needs, admins can then install various applications such as media streaming, backup, and so on.

11. Configure Backups

It’s vital to protect your data by configuring backup using Network Data Management Protocol (NDMP). This protocol transfers data between NAS appliances and backup servers. Check out our guide on Synology backup to the cloud to understand more.