Best NovaNAS Alternatives in 2026
The top NovaNAS alternatives are TrueNAS, openmediavault and XigmaNAS: 15 NAS software our editors would look at instead of NovaNAS, in our ranking order.
NovaNAS: A free, capable Linux NAS for storage, file sharing, Docker, and community apps. Where it falls short: virtualization is listed as coming soon.
Switching from NovaNAS? For most nas software buyers the best NovaNAS alternative is TrueNAS, built for free, full-featured ZFS NAS.
Why People Look for a NovaNAS Alternative
- Virtualization is listed as coming soon
- Role-based user management is still in progress
- No verified snapshot or cloud-sync support
- No virtual machines — 7 of the alternatives below have it
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallTrueNAS9.2
Free, full-featured ZFS NAS
Visit TrueNAS - Best free optionTrueNAS9.2
Has a free plan
Visit TrueNAS - Best for virtual machinesTrueNAS9.2
Virtual machines (NovaNAS: no)
Visit TrueNAS
All 15 NovaNAS 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.
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Best forFree, full-featured ZFS NAS
- Better than NovaNAS:
- Virtual machines
- Editor score 9.2 vs 6.4
A free, full-featured ZFS NAS for labs, businesses, and enterprise environments.
- App catalog
- Virtual machines
- Cloud sync
9.2/10★★★★★Visit TrueNAS -
Best forExtensible Linux NAS
- Better than NovaNAS:
- Editor score 8.8 vs 6.4
A capable, extensible Linux NAS for self-hosters who want control over services and storage.
- App catalog
- Cloud sync
- Container support
8.8/10★★★★☆Visit openmediavault -
Best forFree ZFS NAS with virtualization
- Better than NovaNAS:
- Virtual machines
- Editor score 8.6 vs 6.4
A free ZFS NAS operating system with virtualization and extensive file services.
- Virtual machines
- Container support
- Snapshots
8.6/10★★★★☆Visit XigmaNAS -
Best forVirtualization-focused shared storage
- Better than NovaNAS:
- Editor score 8.0 vs 6.4
A virtualization-oriented shared-storage platform with broad protocol and hypervisor support.
- Storage pools
8.0/10★★★★☆Visit StarWind -
Best forHigh-availability ZFS storage
- Better than NovaNAS:
- Virtual machines
- Editor score 7.9 vs 6.4
A high-availability ZFS storage platform with broad NAS, SAN, and virtualization support.
- Virtual machines
- Snapshots
- Storage pools
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit Open-E -
Best forLow-cost personal NAS
- Better than NovaNAS:
- Virtual machines
- Editor score 7.8 vs 6.4
A low-cost NAS platform with storage, apps, VMs, cloud connections, and broad client support.
- App catalog
- Virtual machines
- Cloud sync
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit ZimaOS -
Best forSimple free file server
- Better than NovaNAS:
- Editor score 7.7 vs 6.4
A free, open-source file server for straightforward self-hosted storage.
7.7/10★★★★☆Visit site -
Best forCreating Unraid installation media
- Better than NovaNAS:
- Editor score 7.5 vs 6.4
A focused, free utility for preparing Unraid installation media.
7.5/10★★★★☆Visit Unraid -
Best forScale-out clustered storage
- Better than NovaNAS:
- Editor score 7.5 vs 6.4
A free, open-source platform for clustered storage across iSCSI, SMB, NFS, and S3.
- Snapshots
- Storage pools
7.5/10★★★★☆Visit PetaSAN -
Best forCloud and enterprise file storage
- Better than NovaNAS:
- Editor score 7.3 vs 6.4
A feature-rich virtual NAS for enterprise cloud, hybrid, and multi-cloud storage.
- Cloud sync
- Snapshots
- Storage pools
7.3/10★★★★☆Visit SoftNAS -
Best forMulti-appliance enterprise storage grids
- Better than NovaNAS:
- Editor score 7.2 vs 6.4
QuantaStor suits enterprises that need unified NAS, SAN, object, and multi-appliance storage management.
- Container support
- Snapshots
- Storage pools
7.2/10★★★★☆Visit OSNEXUS -
Best forGuided NAS setup and management
- Better than NovaNAS:
- Virtual machines
- Editor score 7.1 vs 6.4
HexOS simplifies NAS setup and management, but its paid, narrow platform limits its fit.
- App catalog
- Virtual machines
- Container support
7.1/10★★★★☆Visit HexOS -
Best forFree NAS with apps and VMs
- Better than NovaNAS:
- Virtual machines
- Editor score 6.9 vs 6.4
A free, open-source NAS for storage, containers, virtual machines and self-hosted apps.
- App catalog
- Virtual machines
- Container support
6.9/10★★★☆☆Visit OpenNAS -
Best forOpen-source ZFS infrastructure
- Better than NovaNAS:
- Editor score 6.8 vs 6.4
A capable open-source NAS for ZFS-focused operators who do not need VM support.
- Cloud sync
- Container support
- Snapshots
6.8/10★★★☆☆Visit DPlaneOS -
Best forZFS NAS and virtualization
- Better than NovaNAS:
- Virtual machines
- Editor score 6.7 vs 6.4
A broad self-hosted NAS suite for ZFS storage, replication, sharing, and virtualization.
- Virtual machines
- Cloud sync
- Container support
6.7/10★★★☆☆Visit napp-it
NovaNAS Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to NovaNAS?
TrueNAS: #1 in our NAS Software ranking, with an editor score of 9.2 out of 10. A free, full-featured ZFS NAS for labs, businesses, and enterprise environments.
Is there a free alternative to NovaNAS?
Yes. TrueNAS, openmediavault, XigmaNAS, StarWind SAN & NAS and ZimaOS have a free plan or a free tier (12 of the 15 alternatives on this page).
Why do people look for NovaNAS alternatives?
Virtualization is listed as coming soon; Role-based user management is still in progress; No verified snapshot or cloud-sync support.
How do I switch from NovaNAS?
Export your data from NovaNAS (most tools have an export in their settings). Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one. Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on. Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel NovaNAS.
How to Switch from NovaNAS
- Export your data from NovaNAS (most tools have an export in their settings).
- Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one.
- Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on.
- Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel NovaNAS.
NovaNAS vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Storage pools | User management | Snapshots | Container support | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 | NovaNAS | Yes | Free | Yes | Yes | Yes | 6.4 | |
| 1 | TrueNAS | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 9.2 | |
| 2 | openmediavault | Free | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.8 | |
| 3 | XigmaNAS | Yes | Free | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.6 |
| 4 | StarWind SAN & NAS | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.0 | |||
| 5 | Open-E JovianDSS | No | $670 one-time | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.9 | |
| 6 | ZimaOS | Yes | $29 one-time | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.8 | |
| 7 | TurnKey File Server | Yes | Free | Yes | 7.7 | |||
| 8 | Unraid USB Creator | Yes | Free | 7.5 | ||||
| 9 | PetaSAN | Yes | Free | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.5 | |
| 10 | SoftNAS | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.3 | ||
| 11 | OSNEXUS QuantaStor | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.2 | |
| 12 | HexOS | No | $199 one-time | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.1 | |
| 13 | OpenNAS | Yes | Free | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 6.9 |
| 14 | DPlaneOS | Yes | Free | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 6.8 |
| 15 | napp-it | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 6.7 |
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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