FreeNAS is a wonderful tool because it has a ton of different features and can be customized for different environments. Best of all it’s completely free and open-source! It has support for various protocols including CIFS (Samba), FTP, TFTP, NFS, SSH, and many others. This tool also allows the system to be remotely managed and monitored. Support for Syslog NAS allows logs to be sent to a remote system.
Quick Overivew
10 Best FreeNas Alternatives
Though FreeNas is blessed with some great attributes, I have listed some of the best alternatives to FreeNas that works with Windows, macOS, and Linux:
OpenMediaVault
OpenMediaVault is a distribution that can be used to create a Network Attached Storage (NAS), that is, a device connected to a local or public network through which we can access and share your files remotely. It uses Debian as a base with the Nginx server, with dedicated tools and applications, to provide a complete, stable, and secure NAS.
You can find both a PC version and an ARM version and install it on devices like Raspberry Pi, Cubieboard, Cubox and etc. OpenMediaVault also has the ability to add disk/disk memory with the most popular file systems, such as ext3, ext4, Btrfs, VFAT, JFS, XFS. In addition, it allows accessing files and systems using the most popular protocols, such as SSH, FTP, TFTP, NFS, SMB / CIFS, RSync and etc.
In addition, OpenMediaVault has an option to insert the various hard drives connected and put the system in standby mode.
Website
System support: Linux
Openfiler
Openfiler is an operating system for network storage, which uses a web interface for its management. With the built-in features in Openfiler, you can have the benefits of a file system-based NAS (Network Attached Storage) server and a block-based SAN (Storage Area Networking) server, all within the same operating system.
Openfiler is CentOS- based software, which is a binary-level clone of the Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) distribution. RHEL is made up of free and open-source software but is published in a binary format usable only to paid subscribers.
The current version of Openfiler incorporates a new advanced iSCSI target initialization module, a more sophisticated configuration of CIFS options, and precise adjustment of clients with NFS access.
Website
System support: Unix
File size: 507 MB
unRAID
It is software designed to transform almost any PC into a NAS server. A simple processor clocked at around 1 GHz with 512 MB of RAM does the trick. The non-exhaustive list of compatible material is available on the Wiki. To put it simply, it is especially necessary that the motherboard offers the possibility of booting on a USB key.
It does not require installing disks of the same capacity. You may try these free bad sector repair software in case if your hard-disk is not working. We start mounting our server with hard drives lying around, then we add as and when needed or opportunities. There are practically no limits. The Basic version is limited to 3 disks, but the other versions accept almost as many disks as there are connectors on the motherboard, all controllers combined.
You can even mix IDE drives and SATA drives. When you are told that unRAID is excellent for recycling old equipment! For secure operation with data redundancy, one of the disks must simply be sacrificed to receive the backup information.
Website
System support: Windows, and macOS
File size: 13.8 MB (for windows)
Rockstor
Rockstor is a free operating system released under the GPL2 license and oriented to NAS servers. It is based on CentOS 7, to which Rockstor software has been added in the form of additional RPMs and the Anaconda installer has been modified to make it a more direct installation process. It can be installed on fairly basic hardware or virtualized without any problems.
The basic requirements include a 64-bit dual-core processor. And a “reasonable” amount of RAM. As for the file system, Rockstor uses the only BTRFS and tries to squeeze its features to the maximum. Once installed, the system starts and tells us from which private IP address we can enter the web management system.
BTRFS is the new player among file systems. It knew how to capture many looks in the community because it comes to compete directly with advanced functions of ZFS, although a few years ago it had some setbacks due to certain instabilities.
Website
System support: Linux
File size: 829.4 MB (for Linux)
TrueNAS
TrueNAS arrays exploit the latest OpenZFS capabilities such as data encryption, compression, deduplication, and offer all the functions of a modern storage array (thin provisioning, snapshots, replication, VAAI support, and a vSphere plug-in, etc.). They have a rich Rest API and can be controlled via a graphical interface derived from that of FreeNAS and localized in 50 languages.
The range of appliances today consists of the X10 and X20 models, 2U hybrid racks in a single-controller configuration, and which can optionally accommodate a second controller configured in HA mode.
In the mid-range, the firm offers the 3U TrueNAS Z30 and Z35 hybrid bays (up to 1.1 and 4.6 TB of gross capacity). Finally, at the top of the range, the firm offers the 3U 100% Flash Z50 bay, delivered immediately with two controllers in HA mode, and capable of managing up to 4.3 Po (after compression and deduplication). All these bays support accesses in SAN mode (iSCSI and Fiber Channel) and NAS mode (NFS and SMB).
Website
System support: Unix
XigmaNAS
XigmaNAS is an operating system specifically oriented to NAS servers, incorporating by default a large number of configuration options and network services, and we could always install additional software from the official FreeBSD repositories. This operating system is based on FreeBSD, one of the most stable and secure, and also does not incorporate system, something that many advanced users appreciate.
Thanks to ZFS we are able to create one or more “pools” of hard drives, and configure them in Stripe (such as RAID 0), Mirror of several disks (such as RAID 1), and even use RAID-Z, in addition to being able to snapshots natively, we will be able to detect possible errors at the bit level when writing to a disk, and also detect possible errors in data reading, among many other advanced features. If you want to erase your hard drive then you may consider this software.
One software that we miss in this operating system is OpenVPN, to create our own VPN server in our home. However, we will have no problems installing it, although we must do it manually.
Website
System support: Windows, Apple, and Unix
File size: 566 MB (for windows)
ReadyNAS
ReadyNAS is a device that at first glance offers a pleasant impression. through the front door, we will access the four bays it has. These bays, through a system of trays, will allow us to place up to four 2.5 “or 3.5” SATA or SSD drives. Which, depending on the established RAID configuration, allows us to have a drive of up to 16TB of capacity.
The anchoring system for the 3.5 “discs is remarkable. As for connections and keypad, on the front, we will see a USB 2.0 port, a Backup button, and the power button. On the back, we will find two USB 3.0 ports, an ESATA connector, and two-gigabit ethernet ports.
Although not decisive, the LCD screen that we find at the bottom of the front is very useful to know data such as the assigned IP, the remaining capacity, or other options.
Amahi Home Server
This server tool is designed for home and small office spaces where technical support personnel doesn’t want the job! It is easy to use and offers cross-platform compatibility (PC, Mac, GNU). / Linux, Playstation, Xbox, whatever.) It is open source and Linux based, which means it is reliable and virus free.
It gives Preliminary support for the PDC (Primary Domain Controller) is also included with Windows 7 clients. Additionally, a new installer-based website is included with automatic network configuration detection. Improved for later Ubuntu support. User login pages are included, with configuration pages only available to admin users (also new). This version also provides support for virtual private servers (VPS).
You can Back-up all your networked PCs simply and easily on your home network. If one of your PCs “dies” you can easily restore it! Automatically set up your own VPN so you can access your network from anywhere: safely and securely.
Website
System support: Windows, Web-based, and Linux
Weezo
Weezo helps its users to control their PC wherever they are (work, internet cafe, wifi hotspot …). In other words, you can remotely access the files on your computer and perform standard operations such as listening to music, watching images, watching a video, etc.
File sharing is sometimes difficult. But with Weezo, this action is now doable. Indeed, you can share photos, videos, even remotely. A slideshow will be automatically generated from the contents of shared directories. Your loved ones can also share their photos and videos using the same software. In addition, the software allows the hosting of websites or blogs.
Using this program does not require in-depth skills in this area, although “remote connection” makes it seem like a difficult task. IT professionals and amateurs alike can get started without a problem.
Website
System support: Windows XP as well as Vista and later
File size: 14.4 MB (for windows)
SvSan
SvSAN is compatible with VMware vSphere and Microsoft Hyper-V. Key features include synchronous mirroring, extended / metropolitan audience support, quantity migration, VSA restoration, VMware vSphere integration, nuclear testing, and configuration, make up centralized monitoring and management, observation remote, predictive storage caching, and more.
The product comes in 2 editions, regular or advanced, and the price of both is available upon request. A free trial is also available. In addition, the company provides preconfigured hyper-converged devices in partnership with Lenovo and Cisco.
This tool allows resources from an external data center to be used while strengthening the security policy. New VPN tunnel features in IPSec and more granular network options help strengthen security and enterprise policies.
Website
System support: VMware vSphere, Microsoft Hyper-V and Linux
You may give a try to above listed FreeNas similar software and do let me know which you like most.
