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Head-to-head · Cloud File Storage Services

Amazon FSx for Windows File Server vs Amazon FSx for OpenZFS

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Higher score Amazon FSx for Windows File Server #7 in Cloud File Storage Services 8.8/10 Paid ✓ 2 of 2 features Visit Amazon FSx
Amazon FSx for OpenZFS #8 in Cloud File Storage Services 8.7/10 From $0.09/mo ✓ 2 of 2 features Visit Amazon FSx

Amazon FSx for Windows File Server leads on 0 checks, Amazon FSx for OpenZFS on 1, and 4 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 5 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreAmazon FSx for Windows File Server · 8.8/10

Amazon FSx for Windows File Server scores higher on our rubric for cloud file storage services: 8.8 against 8.7 out of 10; our editors rank them #7 and #8.

Amazon FSx for OpenZFS leads on maximum capacity: 512 TB versus 64 TB.

Amazon FSx for Windows File Server is the better fit for low-cost Windows-compatible file shares. Amazon FSx for OpenZFS is the better fit for low-cost AWS NFS storage.

  • Amazon FSx for Windows File Server fits best

    Low-cost Windows-compatible file shares

  • Amazon FSx for OpenZFS fits best

    Low-cost AWS NFS storage

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Side by side

Feature Amazon FSx for Windows File Server 8.8/10 Visit ↗ Amazon FSx for OpenZFS 8.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.8 8.7
Ranking #7 in Cloud File Storage Services #8 in Cloud File Storage Services
Best for Low-cost Windows-compatible file shares Low-cost AWS NFS storage
Pricing model Paid Paid
Starting price $0.01/GB/mo $0.09/mo
Free plan — Not checked yet
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud Cloud
Platforms Web Web
Support Docs, Community Tickets, Community, Docs
Integrations 8 integrations 7 integrations
Built for Mid-market, Enterprise Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Amazon FSx for Windows File Server 2/2 · Amazon FSx for OpenZFS 2/2
Snapshots ✓ ✓
Managed backups ✓ ✓
Specs
Supported protocols SMB NFS v3, v4.0, v4.1, v4.2
Maximum capacity 64 TB 512 TB (best)
Availability zones 1 zones 1 zones
Scaling model Provisioned Provisioned
Our review
Pros
  • SMB access with Microsoft Active Directory integration
  • Daily and on-demand backups plus Windows shadow copies
  • AWS integrations including Backup, CloudWatch, and CloudFormation
  • NFS v3, 4.0, 4.1, and 4.2 access for shared file workloads
  • Snapshots, writable clones, backups, and AWS Backup integration
  • Single-AZ, Multi-AZ, SSD, and Intelligent-Tiering deployment choices
Cons
  • Core protocol coverage is limited to SMB
  • The entry plan uses Single-AZ HDD storage
  • Pricing varies with region, deployment, capacity, and data transfer
  • Usage-based pricing varies by Region, deployment, storage class, and throughput
  • Focused on NFS rather than broader multiprotocol file access
  • Provisioned scaling requires capacity and throughput planning
Our verdict

Amazon FSx for Windows File Server is a fully managed cloud file system for shared Windows-compatible storage in AWS. It serves Windows applications, Linux and macOS clients, and AWS services over SMB. Its fit is strongest for business…

Read the review →

Amazon FSx for OpenZFS is a fully managed cloud file-storage service for workloads running on AWS or in on-premises environments. It provides shared file systems through NFS versions 3, 4.0, 4.1, and 4.2, with support for Linux, Windows,…

Read the review →
  1. Amazon FSx for Windows File ServerCloud File Storage Services 8.8Paid
  2. Amazon FSx for OpenZFSCloud File Storage Services 8.7From $0.09/mo

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Amazon FSx for Windows File Server — where it wins

    • SMB access with Microsoft Active Directory integration
    • Daily and on-demand backups plus Windows shadow copies
    • AWS integrations including Backup, CloudWatch, and CloudFormation

    Where it doesn't

    • Core protocol coverage is limited to SMB
    • The entry plan uses Single-AZ HDD storage
    • Pricing varies with region, deployment, capacity, and data transfer

  • Amazon FSx for OpenZFS — where it wins

    • NFS v3, 4.0, 4.1, and 4.2 access for shared file workloads
    • Snapshots, writable clones, backups, and AWS Backup integration
    • Single-AZ, Multi-AZ, SSD, and Intelligent-Tiering deployment choices

    Where it doesn't

    • Usage-based pricing varies by Region, deployment, storage class, and throughput
    • Focused on NFS rather than broader multiprotocol file access
    • Provisioned scaling requires capacity and throughput planning
  • Amazon FSx for Windows File Server8.8/10 · Paid

    A low-cost AWS file share for Windows workloads that need SMB and Active Directory.

    Visit Amazon FSxFull verdict →
  • Amazon FSx for OpenZFS8.7/10 · From $0.09/mo

    A cost-focused AWS NFS service with snapshots, backups, and flexible deployment options.

    Visit Amazon FSxFull verdict →

More comparisons

All cloud file storage services comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update