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.
Unraid
Unraid is a flexible server operating system that allows you to manage your storage, run applications in Docker containers, and host virtual machines on almost any hardware.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | openmediavault | Unraid |
|---|---|---|
| Website | openmediavault.org | unraid.net |
| Pricing Model | Free | Subscription |
| Starting Price | Free | $4.08/month |
| FREE Trial | ✘ No free trial | ✓ 30 days free trial |
| Free Plan | ✓ Has free plan | ✘ No free plan |
| Product Demo | ✘ No product demo | ✘ No product demo |
| Deployment | ||
| Integrations | ||
| Target Users | ||
| Target Industries | ||
| Customer Count | 0 | 0 |
| Founded Year | 2009 | 2005 |
| Headquarters | null | Escondido, 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.
Unraid
Unraid gives you ultimate control over your home server or media lab by breaking the rules of traditional RAID. Instead of requiring identical hard drives, you can mix and match drives of different sizes, brands, and speeds to create a massive, protected storage pool. You can easily add new drives at any time to expand your capacity without rebuilding the entire array or losing data.
Beyond storage, you can transform your hardware into a multi-purpose powerhouse. Use the built-in Docker support to run hundreds of apps like Plex or Nextcloud, or set up virtual machines to run Windows and Linux simultaneously. It is designed for enthusiasts who want a professional-grade NAS and application server that remains simple to manage through a clean web interface.
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.
Unraid Features
- Mix-and-Match Storage. Use any combination of drive sizes and brands in your array to maximize your existing hardware investments.
- Easy Scalability. Expand your storage capacity instantly by plugging in new drives without the need for complex data migrations.
- Docker Integration. Run popular applications in isolated containers to keep your server organized and your services running smoothly.
- Virtual Machine Hosting. Create virtual instances of Windows or Linux with dedicated hardware passthrough for near-native performance levels.
- Parity Data Protection. Protect your data against drive failure using one or two parity disks while keeping other disks independent.
- User-Friendly Web Interface. Manage your entire server, monitor disk health, and configure network settings through your favorite web browser.
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
Unraid Pricing
- Supports up to 6 attached devices
- Full NAS functionality
- Docker and VM support
- 1 year of software updates
- Discounted renewal for updates
- Community forum support
- Everything in Starter, plus:
- Supports up to 12 attached devices
- Ideal for growing media collections
- 1 year of software updates
- Extension of update period available
- Standard technical support
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
Unraid
Pros
- Unmatched flexibility for mixing different hard drive sizes
- Massive library of community-supported Docker applications
- Simple setup process compared to traditional Linux distributions
- Booting from USB keeps your SATA ports free
- Active and helpful community for troubleshooting
Cons
- Write speeds are slower than traditional RAID setups
- Requires a high-quality USB flash drive to boot
- No forever-free tier available for long-term use