openmediavault
openmediavault is a modular network attached storage solution based on Debian Linux that provides you with an easy-to-use web interface for managing home and small office data storage.
Rockstor
Rockstor is an open-source NAS and private cloud storage solution built on BTRFS that provides advanced data integrity and management for your home or business.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | openmediavault | Rockstor |
|---|---|---|
| Website | openmediavault.org | rockstor.com |
| Pricing Model | Free | Freemium |
| Starting Price | Free | Free |
| FREE Trial | ✘ No free trial | ✘ No free trial |
| Free Plan | ✓ Has free plan | ✓ Has free plan |
| Product Demo | ✘ No product demo | ✘ No product demo |
| Deployment | ||
| Integrations | ||
| Target Users | ||
| Target Industries | ||
| Customer Count | 0 | 0 |
| Founded Year | 2009 | 2012 |
| Headquarters | null | Houston, USA |
Overview
openmediavault
openmediavault gives you a powerful, open-source platform to transform any computer into a dedicated network attached storage (NAS) system. Built on the stable Debian Linux foundation, it provides you with a clean, web-based interface to manage your hard drives, user permissions, and shared folders without needing deep command-line knowledge. You can easily set up RAID arrays to protect your data and share files across your local network using standard protocols like SMB, NFS, and FTP.
The software is designed for home users and small offices who want full control over their hardware and data privacy. Because it uses a modular plugin system, you can expand your server's capabilities to include media streaming, BitTorrent clients, and automated cloud backups. It is completely free to use, allowing you to repurpose old hardware into a professional-grade storage appliance that keeps your digital life organized and secure.
Rockstor
Rockstor gives you a powerful, open-source platform to build your own Network Attached Storage (NAS) and private cloud. Built on the advanced BTRFS file system, it focuses on protecting your data while giving you the flexibility to manage storage across various hardware configurations. You can easily create shares, manage snapshots, and expand your capacity without the complexity of traditional enterprise storage systems.
You can transform your commodity hardware into a sophisticated storage server that you control entirely. Whether you are looking to centralize your family photos or manage business-critical backups, the platform provides a web-based interface to handle everything from disk management to file sharing. It bridges the gap between DIY Linux setups and expensive proprietary hardware, giving you professional-grade features at a fraction of the cost.
Overview
openmediavault Features
- Web-Based Administration Manage your entire storage server through a clean, browser-based interface that simplifies complex system configuration and monitoring tasks.
- Storage Management Configure your hard drives with ease, including support for GPT partitions, RAID levels 0, 1, 5, 6, and JBOD.
- User Permissions Control exactly who can access your files by creating specific user accounts and managing access rights for shared folders.
- Network Protocols Share your files across Windows, Mac, and Linux devices using built-in support for SMB/CIFS, NFS, FTP, and SSH.
- Modular Plugin System Extend your server's functionality by installing official and third-party plugins for media streaming, antivirus, and automated backups.
- System Monitoring Keep an eye on your server's health with integrated tools for CPU usage, memory consumption, and disk temperature alerts.
Rockstor Features
- BTRFS File System. Protect your data from silent corruption with advanced checksums and copy-on-write technology that ensures file integrity.
- Instant Snapshots. Create point-in-time copies of your data instantly so you can recover deleted files or revert changes in seconds.
- Rock-ons (Apps). Extend your server's functionality by installing Docker-based applications like Plex, Nextcloud, and Transmission with just a few clicks.
- Online Capacity Expansion. Add new drives to your storage pools on the fly without taking your system offline or interrupting your work.
- Dashboard Monitoring. Track your CPU usage, memory, and disk health in real-time through a clean, intuitive web-based management interface.
- Asynchronous Replication. Send your snapshots to another Rockstor instance over the network to create a robust off-site disaster recovery plan.
Pricing Comparison
openmediavault Pricing
- Full web-based administration
- RAID and volume management
- SMB, NFS, and FTP support
- Access to official plugins
- Regular security updates
- Community forum support
- Everything in Community, plus:
- Optional financial support
- Help sustain project development
- Contribute to hosting costs
- Support open-source software
Rockstor Pricing
- Completely free to use
- Access to latest features
- Community-based support
- Frequent update cycle
- Open-source source code
- Everything in Testing, plus:
- Tested stable updates
- Security patches
- Bug fixes
- Annual subscription model
- Support for project development
Pros & Cons
openmediavault
Pros
- Completely free and open-source with no hidden costs
- Low hardware requirements allow use of older computers
- Extremely stable foundation based on Debian Linux
- Highly customizable through a wide range of plugins
- Active community provides extensive documentation and help
Cons
- Initial installation requires some basic technical knowledge
- Web interface can feel slightly dated compared to commercial NAS
- Plugin compatibility can vary between major version updates
Rockstor
Pros
- Modern BTRFS features provide excellent data protection
- User-friendly web interface simplifies complex Linux tasks
- Docker-based app system makes service deployment easy
- Low hardware requirements for older computer reuse
- Active community forum for troubleshooting and advice
Cons
- Stable updates require a paid annual subscription
- Smaller app ecosystem compared to some competitors
- Requires basic knowledge of PC hardware setup