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Unraid is a flexible operating system that can be used by both individuals and small businesses. It has enterprise-level features that improve speed and storage space. It lets users mix and match apps, virtual machines (VMs), storage devices, and hardware to set up their computer systems. Unraid has become more famous as a Network-Attached Storage (NAS) system in the category of network and administration.
But there are many alternatives to Unraid. More than 25 options are available for Linux, Windows, Self-Hosted solutions, BSD, and NVIDIA vGPU, among other systems. Proxmox Virtual Environment, which is both free and open-source, is one of the best of these options. TrueNAS, OpenMediaVault, VMware vSphere Hypervisor, and XigmaNAS are also good choices. Each has its own features and benefits that meet the needs of different users.
Why Look for Alternatives?
Even though Unraid is a reliable NAS option, it may not meet everyone’s needs. Some users might not be able to afford the licensing costs, and others might want tools that Unraid doesn’t have. Also, technology is always getting better and adding new options that are worth looking into. By looking at other NAS solutions, users can make choices that meet their needs and fit their budgets.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Unraid Alternatives
Before looking at the options, it’s important to think about the most important things that will affect your choice. Among these things are:
- Cost: Look at how the prices are set up and compare them to what you can afford.
- Data protection: Make sure the option has strong features for protecting data.
- Usability: Look for interfaces that are easy to use and setup steps that are clear.
Best Unraid Alternatives
Unraid, a popular Network-Attached Storage (NAS) operating system, supports data storage and virtualization and has a user-friendly interface. Its data protection features and ease of use have won over techies. In some cases, people may choose different solutions. This article discusses the finest Unraid alternatives.
TrueNAS
Features:
TrueNAS, which used to be called FreeNAS, is a popular open-source NAS system with a wide range of features. It can be used to store data at a corporate level and supports RAID configurations, data encryption, and snapshots. TrueNAS also works well with cloud platforms because it is easy to connect to them. This makes it a great choice for mixed cloud setups. The community version is free, which makes it a good choice for people who want to save money.
The Good
- Free community edition available
- Strong data protection capabilities
- Active community support
- Regular updates and improvements
The Bad
- Advanced features may require technical knowledge
OpenMediaVault
Features:
Another popular open-source NAS operating system, OpenMediaVault, is built on Debian Linux. It has an easy-to-use web interface that makes it simple to handle storage and services. OpenMediaVault works with different file systems and RAID configurations, so users can make storage options that fit their needs. It also has support for plugins, which lets users add more features to suit their needs.
The Good
- Free and open-source software
- Regular updates and community-driven development
- Active forum for support and discussions
- Lightweight and suitable for low-resource hardware
The Bad
- Limited virtualization capabilities compared to Unraid
XigmaNAS
Features:
XigmaNAS, which used to be called NAS4Free, is another FreeBSD-based open-source NAS system. It has an easy-to-use interface on the web for controlling storage and services. XigmaNAS offers different levels of RAID and encryption, which keeps data safe. With the NAS’s complex plugin system, users can add extra features to make it work better for them.
The Good
- Open-source and free to use
- Active community with regular updates
- Comprehensive documentation for easy setup
- Suitable for both home and small business environments
The Bad
- May not offer as many features as Unraid
- User interface can be improved for aesthetics
Rockstor
Features:
Rockstor is a NAS system that is built on Linux and uses the Btrfs file system by default. Its main goal is to make it easier for users to control their storage. Rockstor has a current web interface and works with different RAID levels, so it can be used to protect data. One feature that makes it stand out is “Rock-ons,” which lets users run containerized apps inside the NAS.
The Good
- Active development and community involvement
- Btrfs snapshots for data protection
- Extensive documentation for setup and configuration
- Easy-to-use interface suitable for beginners
The Bad
- Limited virtualization capabilities compared to Unraid
StableBit DrivePool
Features:
StableBit DrivePool is an alternative for Windows that combines multiple drives into one big virtual drive. Different from standard RAID, each drive can still be read on its own, so data is not tied to a specific RAID configuration. Because of this, it is a flexible way to manage files across different drives. StableBit DrivePool also lets you copy files to make sure that your data is safe.
The Good
- Simple setup and configuration process
- Allows mixing drive sizes and types
- Easy expansion of storage by adding drives
- Supports duplication across different drives
The Bad
- Only available for Windows platforms
- Lacks advanced features like snapshotting and compression
Questions and Answers
Yes, all of the options listed above can be used at home. They have many features that make it easy to control and protect your data. You can choose the one that works best for you based on your wants and preferences.
Yes, you can usually move your files from Unraid to other NAS systems. But the process may be different based on the file systems and settings that are used. It is important to back up your data and follow the directions for migration that come with the option you choose.
Some of the other options, like TrueNAS and XigmaNAS, offer virtualization support. The amount of virtualization may be different from what Unraid offers, though. If virtualization is a must-have, make sure to look at what the option you’re interested in can do.