Samba

Free plan LinuxSelf-hosted

What Samba is

Samba is free, open source software that implements SMB and Active Directory protocols for Linux and UNIX-like systems. It provides file and print services through SMB and related protocols, including LDAP and Kerberos. Samba can operate as an Active Directory Domain Controller or as a member server, and can help integrate Linux and Unix computers into Active Directory environments. The project also describes it as scalable distributed software for cluster filesystems, with uses in PaaS, software-defined storage, high-performance computing, and enterprise NAS. Samba is licensed under the GNU General Public License and maintained by a worldwide community. Major Linux and Free Unix distributions offer it as a native package, and source code is distributed over HTTPS. The project recommends checking releases with its GPG public key and maintains a security updates page. Its wiki is described as the most up-to-date documentation. Community help is available through Matrix and mailing lists. The project also lists commercial support providers, but says it cannot assure or endorse them.

Who it suits

Samba suits administrators and organizations running Linux or UNIX-like systems that need file and print services, Active Directory roles, or access to cluster filesystems. It may also interest teams working with PaaS, software-defined storage, HPC, or enterprise NAS.

What it does well

Free Software under the GNU General Public License.
Can act as an Active Directory Domain Controller or member server.
Major Linux and Free Unix distributions package it natively.
Project provides security updates and release verification guidance.
Community support includes Matrix and mailing lists.

What to know first

Commercial support providers are not assured or endorsed by the project.
Source download users are advised to verify releases with the GPG key.

Limits

Samba is provided as free software, with no paid plan limits listed. Its deployment is self-hosted on Linux or UNIX-like systems.

Plans

Plan	Billed and limits	Price
Samba	Free Software licensed under the GNU General Public License	Free

As samba.org lists them, read 11 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.

Getting started

Open the Samba website
Install the native package from your Linux or Free Unix distribution
Alternatively download Samba source code over HTTPS
Verify the release with Samba’s GPG public key
Configure Samba as a file server, print server, domain controller, or member server

Verdict

Samba covers file and print sharing alongside Active Directory roles, with uses extending to distributed storage environments. Its community documentation and support options are available, while commercial providers are independent and not endorsed by the project.

Questions

What does Samba cost?

Samba costs nothing and is licensed under the GNU General Public License.

Which systems support Samba?

Samba supports Linux and UNIX-like systems, and major Linux and Free Unix distributions provide native packages.

Can Samba work with Active Directory?

Yes. It can act as an Active Directory Domain Controller or as a member server.

How can releases be verified?

Samba distributes source over HTTPS and recommends using its GPG public key to verify releases.

Where can users get support?

Community support is available through Matrix and mailing lists. Samba also lists independent commercial providers but does not assure or endorse them.

Is Samba open source?

Yes. Samba is Free Software licensed under the GNU General Public License and maintained by a worldwide community.

Facts from Samba's own pages

Active Directory: Samba can integrate Linux and Unix servers and desktops into Active Directory environments as a domain controller or member server. · samba.org, 11 Oct 2026
Active Directory roles: Samba can act as an Active Directory Domain Controller or as a member server. · samba.org, 5 Oct 2026
Commercial services: Listed providers offer services including consultancy, development, system integration, hosting, and training; some offer support backed by an SLA. · samba.org, 11 Oct 2026
Commercial support: The project lists commercial support providers but says it does not assure or endorse those providers. · samba.org, 11 Oct 2026
Commercial support caveat: The Samba Team says it cannot assure or endorse the commercial support providers listed on its site. · samba.org, 5 Oct 2026
Community support: The support page points users to a Matrix Samba channel, mailing lists, and bug reporting and team contact options. · samba.org, 11 Oct 2026
Distributed storage: Samba provides access to cluster filesystems and is used by PaaS providers, software-defined storage solutions, HPC applications, and enterprise NAS. · samba.org, 11 Oct 2026
Documentation: The project describes its wiki as comprehensive and the most up-to-date Samba documentation. · samba.org, 5 Oct 2026
Downloads: Samba source code is distributed over HTTPS, and the site recommends using its GPG public key to verify current releases. · samba.org, 5 Oct 2026
File and print services: Samba provides file and print services for clients using SMB and other AD protocols, including LDAP and Kerberos. · samba.org, 11 Oct 2026
History: The project page says Samba has continued to grow in popularity every year since its release in 1992. · samba.org, 11 Oct 2026
License: Samba is Free Software licensed under the GNU General Public License. · samba.org, 11 Oct 2026
License and project: Samba is licensed under the GNU General Public License and is developed, maintained, and supported by a worldwide community. · samba.org, 5 Oct 2026
Linux packages: The site says all major Linux and Free Unix distributions provide Samba as a native package. · samba.org, 11 Oct 2026
Platform availability: The download page says major Linux and Free Unix distributions provide Samba as a native package. · samba.org, 5 Oct 2026
Security updates: The project publishes security updates and asks reports of suspected serious security holes to be sent to [email protected]. · samba.org, 11 Oct 2026
Security verification: The Samba distribution GPG public key can be used to verify that releases have not been tampered with. · samba.org, 11 Oct 2026
Source download: The Samba source code is distributed over HTTPS, and the site identifies samba-latest.tar.gz as the likely download. · samba.org, 11 Oct 2026
Storage use: The project describes Samba as scalable distributed software for cluster filesystems, including use in PaaS, software-defined storage, HPC, and enterprise NAS. · samba.org, 5 Oct 2026
Support: The project lists community support through Matrix and mailing lists, and links to independent commercial support providers. · samba.org, 5 Oct 2026
What it does: Samba is an open source implementation of the SMB and Active Directory protocols for Linux and UNIX-like systems. · samba.org, 11 Oct 2026

Where Samba stands on Freedom251

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