DIY NAS OS comparison. Choose the right operating system for your build—from Unraid and Proxmox to TrueNAS Scale and OpenMediaVault
Introduction
Selecting the right operating system for your DIY NAS or home server is as crucial as choosing the perfect hardware. With multiple platforms available, each with its unique strengths, it can be challenging to know which one is the best fit for your needs. In this guide, we compare four leading options—Unraid, TrueNAS Scale, Proxmox, and OpenMediaVault—detailing their features, benefits, and ideal use cases.
Whether you prioritize user-friendly storage management, robust virtualization, or enterprise-grade features, our comprehensive review will help you navigate the software landscape and choose the optimal OS to power your custom build.
Unraid
Proxmox
TrueNAS Scale
OpenMediaVault (OMV)
Cost & Licensing
Paid license (affordable one-time fee)
Free (with optional paid support)
Free & open-source
Free & open-source
Ease of Use
Very user-friendly
Steeper learning curve
Moderate; requires some technical know-how
Simple, straightforward
Virtualization Support
Excellent support for Docker & VMs
Outstanding virtualization (KVM and LXC)
Strong support for containers and VMs with ZFS-based storage
Basic Docker support; limited VM options
Storage Management
Flexible storage with non-traditional RAID and parity
Decent storage management, though less storage-focused
Enterprise-grade storage features with ZFS
Traditional NAS storage management with plugins
Community & Support
Active community and regular updates
Very active, especially among IT professionals
Robust community & commercial support options
Helpful community forums
Ideal For
Home users needing an intuitive interface for mixed workloads
Power users and virtualization-centric setups
Users seeking enterprise-level storage and advanced features
Beginners or those seeking a lightweight, easy-to-use NAS solution
Detailed OS Reviews
Choosing the right operating system is a personal decision that depends on your specific needs and expertise. Each OS discussed here offers distinct advantages, and our comparison table and decision guide are designed to help you pinpoint the best fit for your DIY NAS or home server project..
These detailed reviews should help you understand the strengths and trade-offs of each operating system, allowing you to choose the one that best aligns with your specific needs and technical expertise.
Unraid
Unraid is a popular, user-friendly OS that caters to home users who want a flexible solution for managing both storage and virtualization. It offers excellent support for Docker containers and VMs, allowing you to run a variety of applications on the same hardware. Its intuitive web interface and flexible storage model make it a favorite among enthusiasts looking for a balance between ease of use and functionality.
Intuitive and user-friendly interface
Excellent Docker and VM support
Flexible storage management without traditional RAID constraints
Strong community and regular updates
Requires a paid license
May have limitations for enterprise-scale deployments
Proxmox is a robust open-source virtualization platform designed for power users and IT professionals. It supports both KVM-based full virtualization and LXC containerization, making it an excellent choice for those who need to run multiple VMs and containers. While it offers exceptional performance and flexibility, Proxmox comes with a steeper learning curve and may be best suited for users with some technical background.
Outstanding virtualization capabilities (KVM and LXC)
Open-source with optional paid support
Highly flexible and scalable
Strong community support, especially among IT professionals
Steeper learning curve for beginners
Less focus on dedicated NAS storage features
Requires more technical expertise to configure optimally
TrueNAS Scale extends the renowned TrueNAS platform into a Linux-based environment, offering enterprise-grade storage management powered by ZFS. It is designed for users who require advanced storage features alongside container and VM support. TrueNAS Scale is ideal for those comfortable with a bit of technical setup and looking for a system that can handle demanding storage tasks with high data integrity.
Enterprise-grade storage with robust ZFS support
Strong performance for both containerized and virtualized applications
Free and open-source with options for commercial support
Excellent for advanced storage configurations
Moderate learning curve; requires some technical know-how
OpenMediaVault is a lightweight, Debian-based NAS solution designed for simplicity and ease of use. It offers essential NAS features along with a straightforward web interface, making it perfect for beginners or those who need a reliable, no-frills home server. While OMV lacks some advanced features like robust virtualization or deep container support, it provides an excellent platform for basic storage and backup needs.
Simple and straightforward setup
Lightweight and efficient
Free and open-source
Ideal for basic NAS functionality and home use
Limited support for advanced virtualization and Docker containers
Fewer enterprise-grade storage features compared to TrueNAS Scale
May require additional plugins for extended functionality
Find answers to commonly asked questions about DIY NAS Software & OS
Which operating system is best for beginners?
OpenMediaVault and Unraid are known for their user-friendly interfaces, making them great starting points for those new to DIY NAS setups.
Are these operating systems free to use?
TrueNAS Scale and OpenMediaVault are free and open-source, while Unraid requires a paid license. Proxmox is free, with optional paid support available.
How do I know if my hardware is compatible with these OS options?
Most modern NAS hardware works well with these operating systems. You can also visit our Hardware Component Guide or follow one of our Golden Builds.
Which OS offers the strongest virtualization support?
Proxmox excels in virtualization, supporting both full VMs with KVM and container-based virtualization with LXC.
How does TrueNAS Scale differ from the others?
TrueNAS Scale provides enterprise-grade storage features with robust ZFS support, ideal for advanced storage configurations, though it may require more technical know-how.
Can I switch between these operating systems on the same hardware?
Yes, most modern NAS builds are hardware-agnostic, allowing you to experiment with different OS options—just be sure to check compatibility and backup your data before switching.
How do I decide which OS is right for my needs?
Consider your priorities: choose OMV or Unraid for ease of use, Proxmox if virtualization is key, or TrueNAS Scale if advanced storage and data integrity are your main concerns.
Can I run Docker containers on all these operating systems?
Yes, all four platforms support Docker, though the ease of setup and integration can vary. Unraid and TrueNAS Scale offer built-in Docker support, while Proxmox and OMV may require additional configuration.
Can I run multiple operating systems on the same NAS hardware?
Generally, each NAS build is set up to run one OS for stability. However, using virtualization (especially with Proxmox) you can run secondary systems in VMs if needed.
Still have a question?
If you have any other queries, feel free to write a comment down below!
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