Side by side
NovaNAS vs OpenNAS
Both stand on nas 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
NovaNAS brings storage management, app deployment, backups, and monitoring into a web interface. Its current Debian 13 and fresh-install requirements are important constraints to check before setup.
Visit NovaNAS
Free plan LinuxSelf-hostedWeb
OpenNAS combines NAS administration, container management, virtual machines, and self-hosted apps in a browser-based desktop. It is free, but its current installer is a beta for x86_64 hardware.
Visit OpenNASThe facts
| NovaNAS | OpenNAS | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Not published |
| Runs on | API, Linux, Self-hosted, Web | Linux, Self-hosted, Web |
| Lowest paid plan | Free or on request | Free or on request |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | novanas.org | opennas.eu |
| On nas software | #4 of 21 | #8 of 21 |
NovaNAS: what it does well
- Free and open source.
- Supports ZFS, EXT4, and RAID management.
- One-click Docker app deployment from a community store.
- Automated backups include external, cloud, and NovaNAS destinations.
- Provides real-time system resource monitoring.
What to know first
- Debian 13 is the only supported operating system.
- Installation is intended for a fresh system.
- Requires at least 2 GB RAM and a 20 GB system drive.
- Virtualization and scheduled tasks are not yet available.
OpenNAS: what it does well
- Free and open source.
- Manages Docker containers and KVM/QEMU virtual machines.
- Supports SMB/CIFS, NFS, and AFP.
- Includes a catalog of self-hosted services.
What to know first
- Current download is a beta release.
- Targets x86_64 hardware only.
- Installer requires at least 2 GB RAM.
- Arm64 images are planned or under consideration.
Alternatives to NovaNAS Alternatives to OpenNAS The whole list