Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Samba VS OpenMediaVault

Compare Samba VS OpenMediaVault and see what are their differences

Samba logo Samba

Samba serves as an open source alternative to the traditional domain controller offered by Microsoft.

OpenMediaVault logo OpenMediaVault

OpenMediaVault is the next generation network attached storage (NAS) solution based on Debian Linux.
  • Samba Landing page
    Landing page //
    2018-09-29
  • OpenMediaVault Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-12-27

Samba features and specs

  • Cross-Platform Compatibility
    Samba allows file and print sharing between computers running Windows and Unix-like systems such as Linux, enhancing interoperability across different platforms.
  • Active Directory Support
    Samba provides Active Directory support, enabling Linux servers to seamlessly join and participate in Windows network domains, including authentication and directory services.
  • Open Source
    Being open source, Samba is cost-effective and provides the flexibility to modify and utilize the software according to organizational needs, with a supportive user and developer community.
  • Wide Adoption
    Samba is widely adopted and trusted in enterprise environments for providing reliable file and print services across various operating systems.
  • Comprehensive Documentation
    Samba has extensive documentation and community-contributed resources that help users effectively set up and troubleshoot issues.

Possible disadvantages of Samba

  • Complex Configuration
    Samba configuration can be complex and may require a thorough understanding of both Windows and Linux networking concepts to set up and maintain correctly.
  • Performance Overhead
    Due to protocol translation between different systems, there may be performance overheads in certain environments, impacting speed and efficiency.
  • Security Risks
    As with any network service, misconfiguration or lack of updates can expose Samba to security vulnerabilities, requiring careful management and regular updates.
  • Resource Intensive
    Running Samba services can be resource-intensive, requiring sufficient hardware resources to maintain optimal performance, especially in larger network environments.
  • Occasional Compatibility Issues
    While Samba strives for compatibility, there may occasionally be issues with newer Windows features or complex Active Directory environments.

OpenMediaVault features and specs

  • Open Source
    OpenMediaVault is free to use and customize, thanks to its open-source nature. This allows users to modify and extend the software to better suit their needs.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    OpenMediaVault offers a simple web-based interface that makes it easy for users of all skill levels to set up and manage their storage solutions.
  • Plugin Support
    The platform supports a wide range of plugins, enabling users to add additional functionalities like media servers, backup solutions, and more.
  • Regular Updates
    The community and developers frequently update the software, ensuring it stays current with new features and security patches.
  • Wide Hardware Compatibility
    OpenMediaVault is compatible with a wide range of hardware, from low-powered single-board computers like the Raspberry Pi to more robust server setups.
  • Community Support
    There is a strong community around OpenMediaVault that provides support, shares guides, and develops plugins to extend its functionality.

Possible disadvantages of OpenMediaVault

  • Limited Enterprise Features
    OpenMediaVault may lack some advanced features and scalability options found in commercial NAS solutions, making it less suitable for very large enterprises.
  • Initial Setup Complexity
    While the user interface is straightforward, initial setup and configuration can be complex for users unfamiliar with NAS systems.
  • Reliance on Plugins
    Many advanced features require third-party plugins. If these plugins are not well-maintained, it can lead to stability and compatibility issues.
  • Performance Overhead
    Being a software-based solution, OpenMediaVault can introduce some performance overhead compared to hardware-based NAS appliances.
  • Less Robust Technical Support
    Unlike commercial solutions, OpenMediaVault relies primarily on community support and forums, which may not always provide timely or comprehensive assistance.
  • Limited Mobile App Support
    There is limited support for official mobile apps, which might be inconvenient for users who want to manage their NAS on the go.

Analysis of OpenMediaVault

Overall verdict

  • OpenMediaVault is considered a good choice for users looking for a cost-effective and flexible NAS solution. Its open-source nature, combined with a powerful feature set and intuitive user experience, makes it suitable for different levels of technical expertise.

Why this product is good

  • OpenMediaVault is a popular open-source network-attached storage (NAS) solution designed for home users and small businesses. It is praised for its ease of installation, user-friendly web interface, and robust set of features. The platform supports a wide range of services such as SSH, (S)FTP, SMB/CIFS, DAAP media server, RSync, and more. Additionally, it allows for extensive customization through plugins and has an active community for support.

Recommended for

    Home users, small businesses, and tech enthusiasts who want a customizable and budget-friendly NAS solution without compromising on features.

Samba videos

Samba OG 3 Month Review | Uncomfortable?

More videos:

  • Review - (Best Value Indoor Shoe) Adidas Samba Classic - Review + On Feet
  • Review - Adidas Samba Classic Indoor - Unboxing + On Feet

OpenMediaVault videos

Freenas vs Openmediavault: Battle of the NAS Titans

More videos:

  • Review - OpenMediaVault NAS Linux Distro Review
  • Review - OpenMediaVault Network-Attached Storage (NAS) Solution

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Samba and OpenMediaVault)
Cloud Computing
24 24%
76% 76
Cloud Storage
14 14%
86% 86
Identity And Access Management
Storage
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Samba and OpenMediaVault

Samba Reviews

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OpenMediaVault Reviews

9 Of The Best FreeNAS Alternatives For Your Storage Needs
Openmediavault is maybe the best FreeNAS alternatives in the market as of now. This comes with an appended capacity (NAS) arrangement. It works on Linux, and you can also use some powerful administrations like DAAP media servers.
Top 7 FreeNas Alternative For Your PC
Openmediavault is one highly advanced and next-generation NAS solution based on Debian Linux. This platform was designed mainly for small offices and homes and offers a simple GUI solution to manage NAS storage hardware. This has many services such as SMB/CIFS, FTP, SSH, DAAP media server, BitTorrent, RSync, etc. This software has a modular design and is made advanced with...
Top 15 Best TrueNAS Alternatives In 2022
The most notable characteristics of OpenMediaVault include its ability to operate right out of the box, web-based administration volume control, file sharing, including aggregation, email notification, and extensibility via a plugin, among others. This is another truenas alternative.
15 FreeNAS Alternatives 2020 | Best Storage Operating System
Known as the best alternatives to FreeNAS, OpenMediaVault is a free next-generation NAS solution based on Debian Linux. It contains administrations such as NFS (v3/v4), DAAP, SSH, (S)FTP, SMB/CIFS media servers, RSync, BitTorrent clients, etc. OpenMediaVault is simple, stable, comprehensive, and does not necessitate expertise to install and administrate.
10 Best FreeNas alternatives in 2020
Openmediavault is one of the most popular FreeNas alternative you can have a try. It is the cutting edge organize appended capacity (NAS) arrangement dependent on Debian Linux. It contains administrations like SSH, (S)FTP, SMB/CIFS, DAAP media server, RSync, BitTorrent customer and some more. Openmediavault is principally intended to be utilized in little workplaces, or home...
Source: omy9.com

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, OpenMediaVault should be more popular than Samba. It has been mentiond 10 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Samba mentions (1)

  • Samba 4.16 broken?
    Well, it's the first Samba release in the ports since 4.13, and it isn't marked as broken. I'm not sure why you'd look on the samba.org site to see if the FreeBSD port has defects, or why you'd give me a link link to the Samba wiki for 4.13 when I'm very clearly asking about 4.16. Source: over 2 years ago

OpenMediaVault mentions (10)

  • Windows to Linux Switch
    I'm using openmediavault.org for my "NAS" OS. No desktop, but it does have a good web-based GUI. To automount your NAS drive, you'd have to modify your fstab file. Lots of good tutorials online. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Thinking about making a home storage server
    Basically, there a few options to start with. The most decent ones are TrueNAS/FreeNAS (https://www.truenas.com/) , OMV (openmediavault.org), both supports zfs. Also, you can look into UnRAID (https://unraid.net/) which allows you to scale easily. Also, some info on zfs https://www.enterprisestorageforum.com/hardware/10-reasons-why-zfs-rocks/ https://www.starwindsoftware.com/the-ultimate-guide-to-zfs. Source: over 2 years ago
  • just how well does the nvidea shield pro do as a plex server?
    I have 5 Optiplex 3010's (i3-3rd Gen processors) sitting in my closet with 4GB RAM that would work just fine as a direct play Plex server with openmediavault as it's OS. And should even HW Transcode a couple of 1080p files with a Plex Pass. Source: over 2 years ago
  • How I reclaimed my server after resetting devices after the breach (Ubuntu)
    Wow, I'm on a Debian based headloess OS (openmediavault.org) and my update was much easier. Source: almost 3 years ago
  • No write access after clean install of Linux Mint
    The link that u/Fribbtastic had quite a bit of detail. Or there is always r/linux4noobs. I don't have mine installed on Mint and the GUI of my openmediavault.org OS is quite a bit different (I.e. There is no desktop, only a web interface/command line). But the command line should be the same for all distros built off of Debian. Source: almost 3 years ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing Samba and OpenMediaVault, you can also consider the following products

OpenLDAP - OpenLDAP Software is an open source implementation of the Lightweight Directory Access Protocol.

TrueNAS Core - TrueNAS Core (formerly FreeNAS) is a storage operating system strong and robust enough to meet the needs of enterprise level businesses.

FreeIPA - FreeIPA is an integrated security information management solution combining Linux (Fedora), 389...

Rockstor - Rockstor is a free and open source NAS (Network Attached Storage) operating system.

Zentyal - Linux directory, domain, mail, gateway and infrastructure server for SMBs.

XigmaNAS - File Sharing, OS & Utilities, and Security & Privacy