Side by side
Ceph vs TrueNAS
Both stand on storage management software. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free plan APILinuxSelf-hosted+1
Ceph brings several storage types and replication capabilities into a system organizations operate on their own hardware. Its deployment and production guidance point to infrastructure requirements readers should account for.
Visit Ceph Free plan Open source AndroidAPIiPhone+5
TrueNAS Community Edition combines several storage types with ZFS protection features and a broad set of services. Review the support model and one-way upgrade warning before moving from TrueNAS CORE.
Visit TrueNASThe facts
| Ceph | TrueNAS | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Yes |
| Runs on | API, Linux, Self-hosted, Windows | Android, API, iPhone, Linux, Mac, Self-hosted, Web, Windows |
| Lowest paid plan | Free or on request | Free or on request |
| Plans published | 1 | 2 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | ceph.io | truenas.com |
| On storage management software | #2 of 28 | #1 of 28 |
Ceph: what it does well
- Combines object, block, and file storage.
- RGW supports the S3 API.
- Includes versioning, lifecycle rules, and immutability.
- Can replicate across geographic locations.
- Free plan listed as free.
What to know first
- Requires organizations to choose and manage cluster hardware.
- cephadm requires Python 3 and systemd.
- Production guidance calls for 10 Gb/s networking between hosts.
TrueNAS: what it does well
- Free software download for x86 hardware.
- Supports file, block, and object storage.
- ZFS features include snapshots and replication.
- Includes apps, Docker containers, and virtual machines.
- Offers web UI, CLI, and a TrueNAS API.
What to know first
- Upgrading from TrueNAS CORE is a one-way operation.
- Community support is through forums and documentation.
- The stated platform requirement is x86 hardware.

