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NovaNAS
What it is
NovaNAS is a free, open-source NAS operating system managed through a desktop-like web interface. Its file manager supports browsing, uploading, downloading, and previewing files. Storage features include ZFS and EXT4, RAID management, and SMB/CIFS and NFS shared folders with access controls. A community app store offers one-click deployment of Docker applications such as Plex, Nextcloud, and Pi-hole. The project describes automated backups to external drives or cloud storage, plus backups between NovaNAS systems using API key authentication. Network and security tools include UFW firewall management, DynDNS, automatic Let's Encrypt certificates, and WebAuthn/FIDO2 passkey login. A monitoring view covers CPU, memory, disk, and network activity in real time. NovaNAS currently supports Debian 13 only, and installation is intended for a fresh system rather than an existing one. Minimum requirements are 2 GB RAM, a 1-core CPU, and a 20 GB system drive, plus data drives. Virtualization, historical resource monitoring, and scheduled tasks are listed as coming soon.
For and against
For
- Free and open source.
- Supports ZFS, EXT4, RAID, SMB/CIFS, and NFS.
- Offers one-click Docker app deployment.
- Automated backups can target external drives or cloud storage.
Against
- Debian 13 is the only supported operating system.
- Installation is intended for a fresh system.
- Virtualization is listed as coming soon.
The verdict
NovaNAS combines NAS storage management, file sharing, backups, and a web-managed app store. Its Debian 13-only support and fresh-system installation requirement are important setup constraints.
Who it suits
NovaNAS is aimed at people setting up DIY hardware or home and small-business storage. It requires a fresh Debian 13 system and the listed minimum hardware.
Plans and prices
NovaNAS
Open-source NAS operating system; requires Debian 13; minimum 2GB RAM, 1-core CPU, and 20GB system drive plus data drives
Read 4 Oct 2026 · novanas.org
On the record
- Apps
- The community app store offers one-click deployment of Docker apps, including Plex, Nextcloud, and Pi-hole.novanas.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Audience
- The site describes NovaNAS as a free, open-source option for DIY hardware and serious home or small-business storage.novanas.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Authentication
- The project README lists passwordless WebAuthn/FIDO2 passkey authentication.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Backup
- The README describes automated backups to external drives or cloud storage and NovaNAS-to-NovaNAS backups using API key authentication.github.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- Backups
- The project README describes automated backup to external drives or cloud storage and NovaNAS-to-NovaNAS network backup using API key authentication.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Coming soon
- Virtualization support and scheduled tasks are listed as coming soon on the site.novanas.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- File management
- Its web file manager supports browsing, uploading, downloading, and previewing files.novanas.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- File sharing
- NovaNAS supports SMB/CIFS and NFS sharing with access controls.github.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- Installation limit
- The installer is intended for a fresh Debian 13 system and the site says not to run it on an existing system.novanas.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Monitoring
- The site describes real-time CPU, memory, disk, and network monitoring; historical monitoring and alerting are marked coming soon.novanas.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Network and security
- Listed features include UFW firewall management, DynDNS, automatic Let's Encrypt certificates, and WebAuthn/FIDO2 passkey login.github.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- Platform limit
- The README says Debian 13 is currently the only supported operating system.github.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- Price
- The site describes NovaNAS as completely free and open source.novanas.org · read 3 Oct 2026
- Product
- NovaNAS is an open-source NAS operating system managed through a desktop-like web interface.novanas.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- NovaNAS is an open-source NAS operating system managed through a desktop-like web interface.novanas.org · read 3 Oct 2026
- Security
- The site lists UFW firewall controls, DynDNS, and automatic Let's Encrypt SSL/TLS certificate management.novanas.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Storage
- NovaNAS supports ZFS and EXT4 pools, RAID management, and SMB/CIFS and NFS shared folders.novanas.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Support
- The README points users to documentation and GitHub Issues for support and bug reports.github.com · read 3 Oct 2026
