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LizardFS
What LizardFS is
LizardFS is an on-premises distributed file system that combines disk space from several servers into one namespace. It stores data in multiple replicas across available servers. Administrators can add servers without downtime, and the system moves data chunks among connected nodes to balance disk usage. For storage efficiency, LizardFS offers erasure coding: data chunks are divided into parts and parity stripes, with potential capacity savings of up to 70% depending on configuration. Snapshots copy file metadata while sharing the original data chunks until a file changes. Georeplication can copy data between data centers in different locations and lets administrators choose where data is stored. Administrators can set read and write bandwidth limits by mount point or process group, and apply soft or hard quotas for user or group file counts and total size. A user above a hard limit cannot write new data. Deleted files move to an administrator-visible trash bin for restoration or permanent deletion. Storage installs on Linux, with Windows and macOS clients to access cluster files. LizardFS supports NFS 3.x, NFS 4.0, and pNFS; the maker also describes use with Elasticsearch and Logstash for aggregation and search. Listed workloads include big data, finance, post-production, science, and telecommunications.
Who it suits
LizardFS suits organizations that want to pool disk space across servers in an on-premises file system, including workloads such as big data, finance, science, and post-production. It may fit teams that need replication, quotas, bandwidth controls, snapshots, or storage across data centers.
What it does well
- Combines several servers into one namespace and supports adding servers without downtime.
- Replicates data across available servers and supports georeplication.
- Erasure coding can save up to 70% of storage capacity, depending on configuration.
- Offers snapshots, quotas, bandwidth controls, and deleted-file recovery.
- Supports NFS 3.x, NFS 4.0, and pNFS.
What to know first
- Storage installation is for Linux; Windows and macOS are client platforms.
- Pricing is available by personalized quote.
- Windows Client licenses are proprietary.
Limits
Pricing is by personalized quote. Windows Client licenses are proprietary, and client-only licensing requires contacting the maker for a free trial and pricing.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Support | Monday–Friday 9–17 CET · Standard maintenance package | On request |
| Enterprise + Support | 24/7 technical support · Premium maintenance package | On request |
| Enterprise Support | Monday–Friday 9–17 CET · Premium maintenance package | On request |
As lizardfs.com lists them, read 4 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Visit the LizardFS website.
- Install storage on Linux servers.
- Use a Windows or macOS client to access cluster files, if needed.
- Contact the maker for pricing or Windows Client licensing and its free trial.
- Choose a support package if technical assistance and maintenance are needed.
Verdict
Consider LizardFS if you need on-premises storage pooled across servers, with replication, scaling, and administration controls. Contact the maker for pricing and support quotes; teams seeking Windows Client licensing also need to contact the maker about licensing and a free trial.
Questions
What does LizardFS cost?
Pricing is on request and support packages use personalized quotes.
Is there a free plan or trial?
The listing indicates a free plan and free trial. For Windows Client licensing, the maker directs customers to contact it for a free trial and pricing.
Which platforms does LizardFS support?
Storage can be installed on Linux. Windows and macOS clients can access cluster files.
Which storage protocols are supported?
LizardFS supports NFS 3.x, NFS 4.0, and pNFS.
What support packages are listed?
Standard Support includes Monday–Friday, 9–17 CET assistance and standard maintenance. Enterprise Support has Monday–Friday, 9–17 CET technical support with premium maintenance; Enterprise + Support includes 24/7 technical support and premium maintenance.
Which workloads does the maker list?
Listed use cases include big data, Elasticsearch, finance, post-production, science, and telecommunications.
Facts from LizardFS's own pages
- Bandwidth controls
- Administrators can set read and write bandwidth limits for a mount point or a group of processes across client machines and mount points. · lizardfs.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Erasure coding
- Erasure coding divides data chunks into parts and parity stripes, and the page says it can save up to 70% of storage capacity depending on configuration. · lizardfs.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Georeplication
- Georeplication can replicate data between data centers in different locations and let administrators choose where data is stored. · lizardfs.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Headquarters
- Warsaw, Poland · lizardfs.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Integrations and protocols
- The maker describes using LizardFS with Elasticsearch and Logstash for data aggregation and search. · lizardfs.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Product
- LizardFS is a distributed, scalable, fault-tolerant, highly available file system that combines disk space on several servers into one namespace. · lizardfs.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Quotas
- The system supports soft and hard limits on file counts and total size for users or groups, and a user over a hard limit cannot write new data. · lizardfs.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Replication
- It keeps data in multiple replicas distributed across available servers. · lizardfs.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Scaling
- New servers can be added without downtime, and data chunks are automatically moved to balance disk usage across connected nodes. · lizardfs.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Snapshots
- Snapshots copy file metadata while sharing the original data chunks until either file is modified. · lizardfs.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Support and maintenance
- Support packages include technical assistance and maintenance, with the top listed tier providing 24/7 technical support; pricing is by personalized quote. · lizardfs.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Supported systems
- The maker says storage can be installed on Linux, with Windows and macOS clients available to access cluster files. · lizardfs.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Target workloads
- The maker lists big data, Elasticsearch, finance, post-production, science, and telecommunications as use cases. · lizardfs.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Trash recovery
- Deleted files are moved to an administrator-visible trash bin where they can be restored or permanently deleted. · lizardfs.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Trial and client licensing
- The maker says Windows Client licenses are proprietary and directs customers seeking client-only licensing to contact it for a free trial and pricing. · lizardfs.com, 4 Oct 2026