Longhorn
What it is
Longhorn is free, open-source distributed block storage software for Kubernetes. It replicates storage across multiple nodes and data centers to increase availability, with V1 replicated, V2 replicated, and V2 sharded with erasure coding volume types. Teams can schedule recurring snapshots and backups to NFS or S3-compatible secondary storage. For disaster recovery, it can create volumes that support data recovery in a second Kubernetes cluster. Longhorn includes a GUI dashboard, and its management UI is described as free. The software stack can be upgraded without disrupting running storage volumes. Installation methods include kubectl, Helm, Fleet, Flux, and ArgoCD. It supports mTLS to secure and encrypt gRPC communication between the control plane and data plane, but mTLS is disabled by default. Components require root access with privileged permissions for volume operations and management. Backup requires an NFSv4 client, while ReadWriteMany volumes require NFSv4.1. Longhorn is a CNCF incubating project.
For and against
For
- Replicates storage across nodes and data centers.
- Supports scheduled snapshots and backups to NFS or S3-compatible storage.
- Disaster recovery volumes can target a second Kubernetes cluster.
- Upgrades can proceed without disrupting running volumes.
Against
- mTLS is disabled by default.
- Components require root access with privileged permissions.
- Backup requires an NFSv4 client.
- ReadWriteMany volumes require NFSv4.1.
The verdict
Longhorn offers Kubernetes block storage with replication, backup, and cross-cluster recovery options. Plan for its privileged access requirements and the NFS client requirements for backup and ReadWriteMany volumes.
Who it suits
Longhorn suits teams operating Kubernetes that need distributed block storage, snapshots, backups, or recovery across clusters. SUSE Storage is described as a Longhorn-based distribution with additional support, security, lifecycle management, and certified integrations.
Plans and prices
Longhorn
Free, open source software · Distributed block storage for Kubernetes
Read 2 Oct 2026 · longhorn.io
On the record
- Disaster recovery
- It can create cross-cluster disaster recovery volumes so data can be recovered in a second Kubernetes cluster.longhorn.io · read 2 Oct 2026
- Enterprise support
- SUSE Storage is described as an enterprise-ready Longhorn-based distribution with additional support, security, lifecycle management, and certified integrations.longhorn.io · read 2 Oct 2026
- Installation options
- The documentation lists installation with kubectl, Helm, Fleet, Flux, and ArgoCD, among other methods.longhorn.io · read 2 Oct 2026
- Management UI
- Longhorn provides a GUI dashboard and its home page describes the management UI as free.longhorn.io · read 2 Oct 2026
- Privileges
- Longhorn components require root access with privileged permissions to perform volume operations and management.longhorn.io · read 2 Oct 2026
- Project status
- Longhorn is a CNCF incubating project.longhorn.io · read 2 Oct 2026
- Replication
- It replicates block storage across multiple nodes and data centers to increase availability.longhorn.io · read 2 Oct 2026
- Security
- Longhorn supports mTLS to secure and encrypt gRPC communication between its control plane and data plane, but mTLS is disabled by default.longhorn.io · read 2 Oct 2026
- Snapshots and backups
- It supports scheduled recurring snapshots and backups to NFS or S3-compatible secondary storage.longhorn.io · read 2 Oct 2026
- Storage requirements
- The installation guide says backup requires an NFSv4 client, while ReadWriteMany volumes require NFSv4.1.longhorn.io · read 2 Oct 2026
- Upgrades
- The documentation says the Longhorn software stack can be upgraded without disrupting running storage volumes.longhorn.io · read 2 Oct 2026
- What it does
- Longhorn is a distributed block storage system for Kubernetes.longhorn.io · read 2 Oct 2026
