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.
TrueNAS
TrueNAS is an open-source storage software platform providing unified file, block, and object storage with advanced data protection and management for home users and enterprise data centers.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | openmediavault | TrueNAS |
|---|---|---|
| Website | openmediavault.org | truenas.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 | ✓ Request demo here |
| Deployment | ||
| Integrations | ||
| Target Users | ||
| Target Industries | ||
| Customer Count | 0 | 0 |
| Founded Year | 2009 | 2005 |
| Headquarters | null | San Jose, 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.
TrueNAS
TrueNAS gives you complete control over your data with a powerful, open-source storage operating system. You can transform standard hardware into a professional-grade storage array that handles file sharing, backup, and virtualization tasks simultaneously. It uses the self-healing ZFS file system to protect your files against corruption, ensuring your digital assets remain safe and accessible for years to come.
You can manage your entire storage environment through a clean, web-based interface without needing deep command-line knowledge. Whether you are a home hobbyist setting up a media server or an IT professional managing petabytes of enterprise data, the platform scales to meet your specific capacity and performance requirements. It eliminates vendor lock-in by supporting a wide range of hardware and providing seamless integration with major cloud providers.
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.
TrueNAS Features
- ZFS Data Integrity. Protect your files from silent data corruption with self-healing technology that automatically detects and repairs damaged sectors.
- Unified Storage. Manage file, block, and object storage from a single interface to support all your different application needs.
- Snapshots and Replication. Create near-instant point-in-time copies of your data so you can recover quickly from accidental deletions or ransomware.
- Data Reduction. Save significant disk space and improve performance using built-in inline compression and intelligent data deduplication.
- Cloud Sync. Sync your local data automatically with major providers like AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud for offsite backup.
- App Ecosystem. Deploy popular applications like Nextcloud, Plex, and Pi-hole directly on your storage server using integrated container support.
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
TrueNAS Pricing
- Open-source community edition
- Unlimited storage capacity
- ZFS data protection
- Docker and VM support
- Community-based support
- Everything in CORE/SCALE, plus:
- Enterprise-grade hardware support
- High Availability (HA) failover
- Proactive support services
- Enclosure management
- Early access to stable updates
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
TrueNAS
Pros
- Exceptional data protection via ZFS file system
- Completely free version with no capacity limits
- Highly active community for troubleshooting and tips
- Flexible hardware compatibility for custom builds
Cons
- Steep learning curve for storage networking
- Hardware requirements for RAM are quite high
- Enterprise support requires purchasing specific hardware