SoftNAS
What SoftNAS is
SoftNAS is software-defined network attached storage for enterprise cloud storage workloads. It is designed for hybrid and multi-cloud deployments needing shared file storage across AWS, Microsoft Azure, Oracle Cloud Infrastructure, and VMware. Storage can be provided through NFS, SMB/CIFS, and iSCSI protocols. StorageCenter is a browser-based interface for configuring, monitoring, and maintaining a NAS environment, while the REST API exposes its administration functions and can also be accessed through a documented command-line utility. SoftNAS supports storage pools, snapshots, cloud sync, and Active Directory integration for centralized authentication and granular permissions. Active-passive high availability provides automated failover. DeltaSync replication can resume interrupted sessions from the last known good snapshot. Compression and deduplication are intended to reduce cloud storage costs, and AES-256 full-disk encryption is supported at the storage-pool level. SoftNAS is paid, has no free plan, and offers a no-cost trial. Listed hourly plans range from $0.13 a month for OSN-1 to $18.15 a month for 6400.
Who it suits
SoftNAS suits enterprise teams running shared storage across hybrid or multi-cloud environments. Its listed workloads include databases, ERP, HPC, machine learning, analytics, and computational fluid dynamics.
What it does well
- Supports AWS, Azure, Oracle Cloud, and VMware
- NFS, SMB/CIFS, and iSCSI protocols
- Automated failover for high availability
- Active Directory authentication and permissions
- Snapshots, storage pools, and cloud sync
What to know first
- No free plan
- Virtual machines are not supported
- Paid Gold Support is separate
- Pricing is billed hourly
Limits
There is no free plan. The listed plans are hourly billed; the entry Oracle Cloud OSN-1 plan is for basic file shares with 1 OCPU / 2 vCPU, while the 200 plan lists throughput up to 100 MB/sec.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| OSN-1 | Hourly · Oracle Cloud · basic file shares · 1 OCPU / 2 vCPU | $0.13 a month |
| 200 | Hourly; storage: no additional charge · General purpose · up to 100 MB/sec throughput | $0.25 a month |
| OSN-2 | Hourly · Oracle Cloud · files and small app shares · 2 OCPU / 4 vCPU | $0.66 a month |
| 3200 | Hourly; storage: no additional charge · Large transactional databases and data warehouses · up to 2,000 MB/sec throughput | $12.10 a month |
| 400 | Hourly; storage: no additional charge · Small databases and general applications · up to 350 MB/sec throughput | $1.32 a month |
| OSN-4 | Hourly · Oracle Cloud · large applications · 4 OCPU / 8 vCPU | $1.58 a month |
| 6400 | Hourly; storage: no additional charge · HPC, machine learning, EDA, analytics, and CFD · throughput up to >2,000 MB/sec | $18.15 a month |
| OSN-8 | Hourly · Oracle Cloud · SQL/NoSQL databases · 8 OCPU / 16 vCPU | $2.78 a month |
The first 8 of 10 plans, as softnas.com lists them, read 7 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word. Every plan
Getting started
- Visit the SoftNAS website.
- Choose a listed cloud deployment, such as AWS or Azure, to begin the no-cost trial.
- Select a plan for the target cloud and workload.
- Configure and manage the NAS environment in StorageCenter or use the REST API.
Verdict
SoftNAS combines multi-cloud NAS protocols with browser administration, API access, replication, and high availability. It is aimed at enterprise storage environments where shared access, directory integration, and cloud deployment options are central requirements.
Questions
Does SoftNAS have a free plan?
No. A free trial is offered, and the pricing page links to AWS and Azure deployments.
What does SoftNAS cost?
Listed hourly-billed plans include $0.13 a month for OSN-1, $0.25 a month for 200, and $0.66 a month for OSN-2. Other listed plans have different prices and workload descriptions.
Which cloud platforms does SoftNAS support?
The maker lists AWS, Microsoft Azure, Oracle Cloud Infrastructure, and VMware.
Which storage protocols does it support?
SoftNAS supports NFS, SMB/CIFS, and iSCSI.
Does SoftNAS integrate with Active Directory?
Yes. It supports centralized authentication and granular permissions for users and groups.
What security and availability features are listed?
The maker describes AES-256 full-disk encryption at the storage-pool level and active-passive high availability with automated failover.
Facts from SoftNAS's own pages
- API
- The SoftNAS REST API exposes functions used by the StorageCenter administration GUI, and the maker documents a command-line utility for API access. · softnas.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Cloud platforms
- The maker lists AWS, Microsoft Azure, Oracle Cloud Infrastructure, and VMware as supported platforms. · softnas.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Clouds
- The product page lists AWS, Microsoft Azure, Oracle Cloud Infrastructure, and VMware as supported platforms. · softnas.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Directory integration
- SoftNAS integrates with Active Directory for authentication and granular permissions for users and groups. · softnas.com, 7 Oct 2026
- High availability
- SoftNAS offers active-passive high availability configurations with automated failover. · softnas.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- SoftNAS integrates with Active Directory for centralized user authentication and access control. · softnas.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- The maker describes SoftNAS as an enterprise solution for hybrid and multi-cloud deployments that need shared file storage across environments. · softnas.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Management
- StorageCenter is a web-based GUI for configuring, monitoring, and maintaining a NAS environment in a browser. · softnas.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Pricing model
- The maker prices cloud tiers by performance and lists storage as having no additional charge on its performance pricing page. · buurst.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Product
- SoftNAS is software-defined network attached storage for enterprise cloud storage workloads. · softnas.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Protocols
- SoftNAS supports NFS, SMB/CIFS, and iSCSI storage protocols. · softnas.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Replication
- DeltaSync replication resumes an interrupted session from the last known good snapshot. · softnas.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Security
- The maker’s security documentation says SoftNAS supports AES-256 full-disk encryption at the storage-pool level. · softnas.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Storage efficiency
- The maker says compression and deduplication help reduce cloud storage costs. · softnas.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Storage optimization
- The site says compression and deduplication can help reduce cloud storage costs. · softnas.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Support
- AWS Marketplace lists free self-service support and a paid Buurst Gold Support package with 24x7x365 availability. · aws.amazon.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Target workloads
- Pricing examples name general-purpose servers, databases, ERP, HPC, machine learning, analytics, and computational fluid dynamics workloads. · buurst.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Trial
- The pricing page invites visitors to try SoftNAS at no cost and links to AWS and Azure deployments; it does not state a trial duration there. · buurst.com, 7 Oct 2026
Where SoftNAS stands on Freedom251
- NAS Software#19 of 21