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Best Amazon Elastic File System (EFS) Alternatives in 2026

#6 of 31 in Cloud File Storage Services

The top Amazon Elastic File System (EFS) alternatives are Amazon FSx for NetApp ONTAP, Alibaba Cloud File Storage NAS and NetApp Cloud Volumes ONTAP: 15 cloud file storage services our editors would look at instead of Amazon Elastic File System (EFS), in our ranking order.

8.9/10Editor score
Visit Amazon EFS
Amazon Elastic File System (EFS)8.9 Visit Amazon EFS

Amazon Elastic File System (EFS): Elastic NFS file storage for Linux workloads running across AWS services. Where it falls short: no permanent free plan.

Switching from Amazon Elastic File System (EFS)? For most cloud file storage services buyers the best Amazon Elastic File System (EFS) alternative is Amazon FSx for NetApp ONTAP, built for aWS multiprotocol enterprise storage. On a budget, Amazon FSx for OpenZFS starts at $0.09/mo. Alibaba Cloud Cloud Parallel File System (CPFS) offers the most maximum capacity (1024 TB).

Why People Look for an Amazon Elastic File System (EFS) Alternative

  • No permanent free plan
  • Designed around Linux workloads and NFS access
  • Costs vary by Region, storage class, throughput, and data protection use

Quick Picks by What You Need

All 15 Amazon Elastic File System (EFS) Alternatives, Ranked

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

  1. Amazon FSx for NetApp ONTAP

    Best forAWS multiprotocol enterprise storage

    • Better than Amazon Elastic File System (EFS):
    • Editor score 9.4 vs 8.9

    A broad AWS storage service for enterprise file and block workloads.

    • Snapshots
    • Managed backups
    Our Amazon FSx for NetApp ONTAP verdict → Visit AWS
    9.4/10★★★★★
    Visit AWS
  2. Alibaba Cloud File Storage NAS

    Best forBroad Alibaba Cloud file storage needs

    • Better than Amazon Elastic File System (EFS):
    • Editor score 9.3 vs 8.9

    Flexible NFS and SMB file storage for Alibaba Cloud workloads, with usage-based tiers.

    • Snapshots
    • Managed backups
    Our Alibaba Cloud File Storage NAS verdict → Visit Alibaba Cloud
    9.3/10★★★★★
    Visit Alibaba Cloud
  3. NetApp Cloud Volumes ONTAP

    Best forMulticloud enterprise file and block storage

    • Better than Amazon Elastic File System (EFS):
    • Editor score 9.2 vs 8.9

    A broad ONTAP storage appliance for enterprise workloads across AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud.

    • Snapshots
    • Managed backups
    Our NetApp Cloud Volumes ONTAP verdict → Visit NetApp
    9.2/10★★★★★
    Visit NetApp
  4. Azure NetApp Files

    Best forAzure enterprise file volumes

    • Better than Amazon Elastic File System (EFS):
    • Editor score 9.1 vs 8.9

    A configurable Azure file service for enterprise workloads needing shared file access.

    • Snapshots
    • Managed backups
    Our Azure NetApp Files verdict → Visit site
    9.1/10★★★★★
    Visit site
  5. Google Cloud NetApp Volumes

    Best forGoogle Cloud multiprotocol volumes

    • Better than Amazon Elastic File System (EFS):
    • Editor score 9.0 vs 8.9

    A flexible Google Cloud service for enterprise file, block, and application storage.

    • Snapshots
    • Managed backups
    Our Google Cloud NetApp Volumes verdict → Visit Google Cloud
    9.0/10★★★★☆
    Visit Google Cloud
  6. Amazon FSx for Windows File Server

    Best forLow-cost Windows-compatible file shares

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

    • Snapshots
    • Managed backups
    Our Amazon FSx for Windows File Server verdict → Visit Amazon FSx
    8.8/10★★★★☆
    Visit Amazon FSx
  7. Amazon FSx for OpenZFS

    Best forLow-cost AWS NFS storage

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

    • Snapshots
    • Managed backups
    From $0.09/mo Our Amazon FSx for OpenZFS verdict → Visit Amazon FSx
    8.7/10★★★★☆
    Visit Amazon FSx
  8. Tencent Cloud File Storage (CFS)

    Best forAffordable shared file storage

    Affordable shared storage with flexible access, scaling, snapshots, and Tencent integrations.

    • Snapshots
    • Managed backups
    Our Tencent Cloud File Storage (CFS) verdict → Visit Tencent Cloud
    8.6/10★★★★☆
    Visit Tencent Cloud
  9. IBM Cloud File Storage

    Best forIBM VPC file shares with replication

    A managed NFSv4.1 file service for IBM Cloud VPC workloads needing shared storage.

    • Snapshots
    • Managed backups
    Our IBM Cloud File Storage verdict → Visit IBM Cloud
    8.5/10★★★★☆
    Visit IBM Cloud
  10. Huawei Cloud Scalable File Service Turbo

    Best forHuawei elastic NFS and SMB storage

    A focused Huawei Cloud file service for elastic shared storage across cloud servers.

    • Managed backups
    Our Huawei Cloud Scalable File Service Turbo verdict → Visit Huawei Cloud
    8.4/10★★★★☆
    Visit Huawei Cloud
  11. Huawei Cloud Scalable File Service Turbo (SFS Turbo)

    Best forElastic Huawei hybrid file access

    A flexible Huawei Cloud file service for shared NFS and SMB workloads.

    • Managed backups
    Our Huawei Cloud Scalable File Service Turbo (SFS Turbo) verdict → Visit Huawei Cloud
    8.3/10★★★★☆
    Visit Huawei Cloud
  12. Google Cloud Filestore

    Best forManaged NFS on Google Cloud

    A managed NFS service for shared storage across Google Cloud workloads.

    • Managed backups
    Our Google Cloud Filestore verdict → Visit Google Cloud
    8.2/10★★★★☆
    Visit Google Cloud
  13. Alibaba Cloud Cloud Parallel File System (CPFS)

    Best forAlibaba high-throughput parallel storage

    A specialized parallel file system for Linux-based HPC and intelligent-computing workloads.

    • Managed backups
    Our Alibaba Cloud Cloud Parallel File System (CPFS) verdict → Visit Alibaba Cloud
    8.1/10★★★★☆
    Visit Alibaba Cloud
  14. VAST Data Platform

    Best forScalable file and object platforms

    A scalable enterprise platform for file, object, block, and table data across protocols.

    • Snapshots
    • Managed backups
    Pricing on request Our VAST Data Platform verdict → Visit VAST Data
    8.0/10★★★★☆
    Visit VAST Data
  15. Dell APEX File Storage for Public Cloud

    Best forMulticloud PowerScale file storage

    Multicloud PowerScale storage with broad protocol access and enterprise data services.

    • Snapshots
    • Managed backups
    Pricing on request Our Dell APEX File Storage for Public Cloud verdict → Visit site
    7.9/10★★★★☆
    Visit site

Amazon Elastic File System (EFS) Alternatives: Common Questions

What is the best alternative to Amazon Elastic File System (EFS)?

Amazon FSx for NetApp ONTAP: #1 in our Cloud File Storage Services ranking, with an editor score of 9.4 out of 10. A broad AWS storage service for enterprise file and block workloads.

Why do people look for Amazon Elastic File System (EFS) alternatives?

No permanent free plan; Designed around Linux workloads and NFS access; Costs vary by Region, storage class, throughput, and data protection use.

Which Amazon Elastic File System (EFS) alternative has the most maximum capacity?

Alibaba Cloud Cloud Parallel File System (CPFS), with 1024 TB.

How do I switch from Amazon Elastic File System (EFS)?

Snapshot or back up the data and configs on your Amazon Elastic File System (EFS) server. Create the new server with the same operating system and size, and add your SSH key. Copy the data across (rsync or your backup tool) and reinstall your apps or containers. Move the DNS records or IP references to the new server, test it, then cancel Amazon Elastic File System (EFS).

How to Switch from Amazon Elastic File System (EFS)

  1. Snapshot or back up the data and configs on your Amazon Elastic File System (EFS) server.
  2. Create the new server with the same operating system and size, and add your SSH key.
  3. Copy the data across (rsync or your backup tool) and reinstall your apps or containers.
  4. Move the DNS records or IP references to the new server, test it, then cancel Amazon Elastic File System (EFS).

Amazon Elastic File System (EFS) vs Each Alternative

#ToolFree planPaid fromSupported protocolsSnapshotsScore
6Amazon Elastic File System (EFS)No$0.30/GB/moNFSv4.0, NFSv4.18.9
1Amazon FSx for NetApp ONTAPNFS, SMB, iSCSI, NVMe-over-TCPYes9.4
2Alibaba Cloud File Storage NASNoNFSv3, NFSv4.0, SMB 2.1, SMB 3.0Yes9.3
3NetApp Cloud Volumes ONTAPNoiSCSI, NFS, SMB, NVMe-TCP, S3Yes9.2
4Azure NetApp FilesNoNFS, SMB, dual protocol, Object REST APIYes9.1
5Google Cloud NetApp VolumesNFSv3, NFSv4.1, NFSv4.2, SMB, iSCSI, NVMe/TCP, S3 multiprotocol (ONTAP-mode only)Yes9.0
6Amazon FSx for Windows File ServerNo$0.01/GB/moSMBYes8.8
7Amazon FSx for OpenZFS$0.09/moNFS v3, v4.0, v4.1, v4.2Yes8.7
8Tencent Cloud File Storage (CFS)$0.06/GB/moNFS, CIFS/SMB, TURBOYes8.6
9IBM Cloud File StorageNFSv4.1Yes8.5
10Huawei Cloud Scalable File Service TurboNoNFSv3, SMB 2.0, SMB 2.1, SMB 3.08.4
11Huawei Cloud Scalable File Service Turbo (SFS Turbo)NFSv3, SMB 2.0, SMB 2.1, SMB 3.08.3
12Google Cloud FilestoreNoNFSv3, NFSv4.1No8.2
13Alibaba Cloud Cloud Parallel File System (CPFS)No$0.12/GB/moPOSIX, NFS v38.1
14VAST Data PlatformNFS, SMB, S3, BlockYes8.0
15Dell APEX File Storage for Public CloudNFS, SMB, HDFS, S3Yes7.9

Head-to-Head

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update