If you’re planning a DIY NAS, one of the key decisions you’ll face is choosing the right filesystem. Two modern contenders stand out: BTRFS vs. ZFS. However, traditional filesystems like ext4 are still relevant. Depending on your platform—whether it’s Unraid, Proxmox, or TrueNAS—each filesystem has its pros and cons. In this post, you’ll learn which filesystem is the best fit for your NAS.
BTRFS vs. ZFS – The Big Comparison
Both BTRFS and ZFS are modern copy-on-write filesystems with powerful features such as:
- Snapshots for easy backups
- Data integrity with checksums
- RAID support without the need for a hardware RAID controller
- Self-healing capabilities to correct file corruption
BTRFS –
Flexible but Not Without Issues
BTRFS (B-tree File System) was developed as a next-generation Linux filesystem and offers some attractive features:
Pros
Cons
ZFS –
The Power Filesystem for NAS and Servers
ZFS (Zettabyte File System) is an advanced filesystem. Today, it is particularly popular in TrueNAS and Proxmox.
Pros
Cons
ext4 vs. BTRFS vs. ZFS: Is It Worth Switching?
Many users still rely on ext4 because it is simple and stable. But is BTRFS or ZFS a better alternative?
| Feature | ext4 | BTRFS | ZFS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snapshots | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| RAID Support | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Data Integrity | ❌ No checksums | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Compression | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Performance | ✅ Very good | 🔄 Variable | ✅ Excellent |
| RAM Requirement | ✅ Low | 🔄 Moderate | ❌ High (8GB+ recommended) |
| Native Linux Kernel Support | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
Conclusion: If you need a basic NAS without advanced features, ext4 is sufficient. For snapshots, RAID, and improved data integrity, BTRFS is better. If maximum reliability is your priority, ZFS is the best choice.
Unraid BTRFS vs. ZFS: Which One is Better?
Unraid supports both BTRFS and ZFS, but which is the better option?
- BTRFS is the default for cache drives and offers snapshots and flexible storage options.
- ZFS is more robust when data security is the priority—ideal for primary data pools.
Recommendation: Use BTRFS for cache drives and ZFS for your primary storage volumes.
Proxmox BTRFS vs. ZFS: What Should You Choose?
Proxmox supports both filesystems, but ZFS is often the better choice:
- BTRFS: Good for flexible storage management, but less stable for large virtualization workloads.
- ZFS: Provides better performance and data security for VMs and containers.
Recommendation: If you’re running a virtualization platform, choose ZFS for your Proxmox installation.
TrueNAS ZFS: The Gold Standard for NAS
TrueNAS is built entirely around ZFS and is one of the best open-source NAS solutions. Since the entire system is optimized for ZFS, you don’t have a choice—but that’s a good thing! TrueNAS offers:
- Native ZFS integration
- Snapshots and replication for backups
- High reliability for large storage pools
Conclusion: Which Filesystem is Right for You?
| Use Case | Recommended Filesystem |
|---|---|
| Beginner NAS with Linux | ext4 or BTRFS |
| NAS with flexible storage pools (like Unraid) | BTRFS |
| High-security NAS with snapshots | ZFS |
| Virtualization with Proxmox | ZFS |
| Unraid Cache Drives | BTRFS |
| TrueNAS | ZFS (no alternative) |
If data security is your top priority, ZFS is the best choice. For a flexible, modern NAS on Linux, BTRFS is a strong option. ext4 remains a solid choice for simpler NAS setups but lacks modern features.
If you’re looking for an affordable yet reliable NAS solution to securely store your data, take a look at our Budget NAS Build, which is optimized for TrueNAS Scale. Also check out the other pre-configured NAS builds in our Golden Builds section.
Do you have experience with BTRFS or ZFS? Share your thoughts in the comments!
