Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

SnapRAID VS TrueNAS

Compare SnapRAID VS TrueNAS and see what are their differences

SnapRAID logo SnapRAID

A backup program for disk arrays. It stores parity information of your data and it recovers from up to six disk failures.

TrueNAS logo TrueNAS

World’s most deployed storage with >1M deployments worldwide. Trusted by thousands of companies and organizations, including more than 40% of the Fortune 500.
  • SnapRAID Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-09
  • TrueNAS Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-06-15

SnapRAID features and specs

  • Data Protection
    SnapRAID provides data protection by offering redundancy through parity, which helps in recovering data in case of a drive failure.
  • Flexibility
    SnapRAID allows the use of disks of different sizes and types even after the initial setup, which is not common in traditional RAID systems.
  • Snapshot Storage
    SnapRAID uses snapshots to protect against accidental deletions and file system corruption, maintaining multiple points in time for recovery.
  • Read Performance
    Since SnapRAID is not a real-time RAID solution, it doesn't impact read performance. Data is read directly from the data disks.
  • No Drive Spanning
    Unlike traditional RAID systems, SnapRAID doesn't span files across multiple drives, which reduces complexity and the risk of data loss.

Possible disadvantages of SnapRAID

  • Not Real-Time
    SnapRAID is not a real-time RAID solution, meaning changes are not protected until a sync operation is performed.
  • No Write Performance Improvement
    SnapRAID does not improve write performance as traditional RAID systems do, since it doesn't stripe data across disks in real-time.
  • Manual Sync
    Users need to perform manual sync operations to update parity information, which can be cumbersome and requires regular maintenance.
  • Limited to Static Data
    SnapRAID is best suited for data that doesn't change often, such as media libraries, since frequent changes require constant sync operations.
  • No Real-Time Redundancy
    Real-time redundancy is not available, leaving the system vulnerable to data loss between sync operations.

TrueNAS features and specs

  • Open Source
    TrueNAS is open source, making it free to use and allowing community contributions to improve the software. This also means there is a large pool of user-generated discussions and documentation available.
  • ZFS File System
    It utilizes the ZFS file system, renowned for its high data integrity, support for large storage capacities, efficient data compression, and snapshot capabilities.
  • Comprehensive Features
    TrueNAS offers a wide range of features including data protection, virtualization support, snapshot replication, and cloud sync to various cloud services.
  • Scalability
    The system is highly scalable, suitable for both small home setups and large enterprises. Users can start small and add more drives or expand storage as needed.
  • Active Community and Support
    TrueNAS has a strong user and developer community, along with professional support options from iXsystems, providing ample resources for troubleshooting and deployment.

Possible disadvantages of TrueNAS

  • Hardware Compatibility
    TrueNAS requires specific hardware configurations to run efficiently, which can be a limitation for those with existing hardware that is not compatible.
  • Steep Learning Curve
    The system can be complex to set up and manage for users who are not familiar with network-attached storage systems or the nuances of the ZFS file system.
  • Resource Intensive
    TrueNAS can be resource-intensive, requiring ample memory and CPU power, especially when using features like virtualization or heavy deduplication.
  • Limited GUI Options
    While the web interface covers most user needs, some advanced configurations and troubleshooting still require command-line access, which might be challenging for less experienced users.
  • License Restrictions on TrueNAS Enterprise
    TrueNAS Enterprise has certain feature sets that are locked behind a paid license, which might not be ideal for all users looking for a complete free solution.

Analysis of SnapRAID

Overall verdict

  • SnapRAID is considered a solid choice for users who require a software solution for data redundancy and integrity in a home server setup. It is especially appealing for those who have a large media collection or create backups, as it provides thorough data protection without constant spinning of disks, reducing wear and tear. However, it may not be the best fit for users looking for real-time data redundancy in environments with frequent write operations, because parity is only updated upon manual synchronization.

Why this product is good

  • SnapRAID is a popular choice for those looking to manage disk arrays because it combines the features of RAID with the flexibility of independent disks. It offers data protection against disk failures through parity, allowing users to recover lost data. Additionally, SnapRAID is highly valued for its ease of use, extensive documentation, and the ability to use disks of different sizes without any issues. This flexibility makes it suitable for personal and home server environments where users may add or remove disks as needed. Moreover, SnapRAID's snapshot feature provides additional data protection by preserving the state of your files at specific points in time, which is particularly useful for recovering from accidental deletions or file corruption.

Recommended for

    SnapRAID is highly recommended for home users, small businesses, or enthusiasts who manage media libraries or backups. It is ideal for those who need a cost-effective solution that offers data security and flexibility without the complexities of traditional RAID configurations. Users who favor efficient storage utilization and who prefer managing their data storage with a hands-on approach will find SnapRAID to be an excellent tool for their needs.

SnapRAID videos

Snapraid and Unionfs: Advanced Array Options on Openmediavault (Better than ZFS and Unraid)

More videos:

  • Tutorial - How to setup Snapraid and DrivePool in Windows
  • Review - Part 5 - Perfect Media Server 2017 - Installing and Automating SnapRAID

TrueNAS videos

TrueNAS - Should You Use It?

More videos:

  • Review - TrueNAS CORE 12 Overview (Formerly FreeNAS)
  • Review - TrueNAS Software Review - Time To Go Open Source?

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to SnapRAID and TrueNAS)
Cloud Computing
73 73%
27% 27
Cloud Storage
79 79%
21% 21
Storage
76 76%
24% 24
Backup & Sync
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Reviews

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

SnapRAID Reviews

9 Of The Best FreeNAS Alternatives For Your Storage Needs
SnapRAID is another of the FreeNAS alternatives that enable you to store information and then provide you with a secure backup. The best part about this app is that it works effortlessly with both Linux and Windows.
15 FreeNAS Alternatives 2020 | Best Storage Operating System
You should know that SnapRAID is an excellent file server system for small businesses enabling users for effective data management without affecting the internal structures. We highly recommend SnapRAID to SMBs owners.
15 Best FreeNas alternatives in 2020
If you may feel a need to backup all your data then you won’t find the best tool than SnapRAID which is one of the best alternatives to Freenas. It is a type of useful backup program for all types of disk arrays which can store huge data of information. Yes, you can also recover the entire data up to 6 disk failures just with the help of this alternative to Freenas. You...
10 Best FreeNas alternatives in 2020
This FreeNas alternative is reinforcement the management program that stores the halfway data of any information and, later on, makes them ready to recuperate back the information from up to six information disappointments. SnapRAID is, for the most part, intended for the home media communities to make these clients ready to deal with their information successfully with the...
Source: omy9.com

TrueNAS Reviews

We have no reviews of TrueNAS yet.
Be the first one to post

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, TrueNAS seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 2 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.

SnapRAID mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of SnapRAID yet. Tracking of SnapRAID recommendations started around Mar 2021.

TrueNAS mentions (2)

  • truenas gave me a virus?
    I downloaded truenas from truenas.com and my windows defender said it was a trojan virus. I am confused? Source: about 2 years ago
  • Sanity check please.
    I would use HP Elitedesk 800 G2 as the centralized storage server. I am a big fan of separating services. You can either keep Proxmox there and drop the NAS application as the VM or bare-metal installation. Take a look at something like TrueNAS (truenas.com/) or Starwinds SAN and NAS (https://www.starwindsoftware.com/free-san-and-nas) for such purposes (main storage, camera storage, backup). In addition to that, I... Source: over 2 years ago

What are some alternatives?

When comparing SnapRAID and TrueNAS, you can also consider the following products

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

OpenMediaVault - OpenMediaVault is the next generation network attached storage (NAS) solution based on Debian Linux.

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

Amahi - Amahi is a media, home and app server software known for its easy-to-use user interface. Amahi has the best media, backup and web apps for small networks.

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

PetaSAN - PetaSAN is an open source Scale-Out SAN solution offering massive scalability and performance.