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OpenNAS
What it is
OpenNAS is a free NAS operating system that provides a browser-based desktop for managing files, storage, containers, and virtual machines on your own hardware. Based on Alpine Linux, it targets x86_64 and is licensed GPL-3.0-or-later. File Station supports file transfers, previews for images, video, audio, and several document types, ZIP operations, recycle-bin restoration, and expiring password-protected public links. Storage tools show S.M.A.R.T. health, RAID status, and volume usage, and support disk initialization and configurable space for VMs and containers. Container Manager manages Docker containers and images, resource statistics, logs, and docker-compose stacks. KVM/QEMU virtual machines support ISO booting, qcow2 disks, and an in-browser noVNC console. Package Center offers one-click self-hosted services including Jellyfin, Nextcloud, Pi-hole, Vaultwarden, Gitea, Home Assistant, Portainer, and Immich. File sharing supports SMB/CIFS, NFS, and AFP, including Time Machine targets. The current download is version 0.9.0-beta.1 for x86_64, with UEFI and BIOS boot support.
For and against
For
- Free and open source under GPL-3.0-or-later.
- Manages Docker containers and KVM/QEMU virtual machines.
- Supports SMB/CIFS, NFS, and AFP sharing.
- Package Center includes one-click self-hosted services.
Against
- The current installer is a beta release.
- Targets x86_64 hardware; Arm64 images are planned.
The verdict
OpenNAS combines NAS administration with container, VM, and file-sharing tools in a self-hosted system. Its current installer is an x86_64 beta, so check the hardware requirements before proceeding.
Who it suits
OpenNAS is aimed at self-hosters who want a browser-based interface for managing storage, files, containers, and virtual machines on their own hardware. Installation requires compatible 64-bit x86_64 hardware, at least 2 GB RAM, and an 8 GB or larger USB stick.
Plans and prices
Free
Free and open source · x86_64 beta installer · self-hosted on own hardware
Read 2 Oct 2026 · opennas.eu
On the record
- App development
- The SDK supports sandboxed iframe apps with postMessage capabilities, per-app storage, notifications, files and identity, plus Ed25519 signing and publisher verification.opennas.eu · read 2 Oct 2026
- Audience and support
- The project describes itself as made for self-hosters, provides GitHub documentation and contribution links, and lists [email protected].github.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- Authentication
- Security features include WebAuthn passkeys, OIDC single sign-on, admin and user roles, signed packages, trusted publishers, an unprivileged backend, decoy routes and automatic IP blocking.opennas.eu · read 2 Oct 2026
- Containers
- Container Manager manages Docker containers and images, streams CPU and memory statistics and logs, and imports docker-compose stacks.opennas.eu · read 2 Oct 2026
- File management
- File Station supports uploads, downloads, previews for images, video, audio, PDF, DOCX, CSV and code, ZIP operations, recycle-bin restoration, and expiring password-protected public links.opennas.eu · read 2 Oct 2026
- Hardware requirements
- The installer requires a compatible 64-bit x86_64 desktop, mini PC or server, at least 2 GB RAM, a system disk plus optional data disks, and an 8 GB or larger USB stick.opennas.eu · read 2 Oct 2026
- Included apps
- Package Center offers one-click self-hosted services including Jellyfin, Nextcloud, Pi-hole, Vaultwarden, Gitea, Home Assistant, Portainer and Immich.opennas.eu · read 2 Oct 2026
- Installation limit
- The current download is version 0.9.0-beta.1 for x86_64, and both UEFI and BIOS boot are supported.opennas.eu · read 2 Oct 2026
- License
- OpenNAS is based on Alpine Linux, targets x86_64, and is licensed GPL-3.0-or-later.opennas.eu · read 2 Oct 2026
- Network protocols
- File sharing supports SMB/CIFS, NFS and AFP, with Time Machine targets, per-share recycle bins, Avahi discovery and WS-Discovery.opennas.eu · read 2 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- OpenNAS is a free NAS operating system with a browser-based web desktop for files, storage, containers and virtual machines.opennas.eu · read 2 Oct 2026
- Roadmap
- Arm64 images, LDAP integration, an app store and publishing, PCIe/GPU passthrough, more translations and other additions are planned or under consideration.opennas.eu · read 2 Oct 2026
- Storage
- Storage features include S.M.A.R.T. health monitoring, RAID status, per-volume usage bars, disk initialization and configurable storage for VMs and containers.opennas.eu · read 2 Oct 2026
- System administration
- The web desktop provides SSH and authorized-key management, SMTP test sending, log viewing, TLS certificate management, an opennas CLI, resource monitoring and power controls.opennas.eu · read 2 Oct 2026
- Virtual machines
- OpenNAS provides KVM/QEMU virtual machines with ISO booting, qcow2 disks and an in-browser noVNC console.opennas.eu · read 2 Oct 2026
