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Longhorn

longhorn.io

Free plan WebLinuxAPISelf-hosted
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Spec score 7.7 #11 of 24 in Storage Replication Software

What it is

Longhorn is a free, open-source distributed block storage system for Kubernetes. It replicates storage across 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, and create disaster recovery volumes for recovery in a second Kubernetes cluster. A GUI dashboard is included, and the management UI is described as free. The software stack can be upgraded without disrupting running storage volumes. Installation options include kubectl, Helm, Fleet, Flux and ArgoCD. Longhorn supports mTLS for securing and encrypting gRPC communication between its control and data planes, but mTLS is disabled by default. Components need root access with privileged permissions for volume operations and management. Backups require an NFSv4 client, while ReadWriteMany volumes require NFSv4.1. Longhorn runs on Linux and supports API, web and self-hosted use. It is a CNCF incubating project; SUSE Storage is described as a Longhorn-based distribution with additional support, security, lifecycle management and certified integrations.

Spec sheet

What it does
Longhorn is a distributed block storage system for Kubernetes.Read 2 Oct 2026 · longhorn.io
Security
Longhorn supports mTLS to secure and encrypt gRPC communication between its control plane and data plane, but mTLS is disabled by default.Read 2 Oct 2026 · longhorn.io
Disaster recovery
It can create cross-cluster disaster recovery volumes so data can be recovered in a second Kubernetes cluster.Read 2 Oct 2026 · longhorn.io
Enterprise support
SUSE Storage is described as an enterprise-ready Longhorn-based distribution with additional support, security, lifecycle management, and certified integrations.Read 2 Oct 2026 · longhorn.io
Installation options
The documentation lists installation with kubectl, Helm, Fleet, Flux, and ArgoCD, among other methods.Read 2 Oct 2026 · longhorn.io
Management UI
Longhorn provides a GUI dashboard and its home page describes the management UI as free.Read 2 Oct 2026 · longhorn.io
Privileges
Longhorn components require root access with privileged permissions to perform volume operations and management.Read 2 Oct 2026 · longhorn.io
Project status
Longhorn is a CNCF incubating project.Read 2 Oct 2026 · longhorn.io
Replication
It replicates block storage across multiple nodes and data centers to increase availability.Read 2 Oct 2026 · longhorn.io
Snapshots and backups
It supports scheduled recurring snapshots and backups to NFS or S3-compatible secondary storage.Read 2 Oct 2026 · longhorn.io
Storage requirements
The installation guide says backup requires an NFSv4 client, while ReadWriteMany volumes require NFSv4.1.Read 2 Oct 2026 · longhorn.io
Upgrades
The documentation says the Longhorn software stack can be upgraded without disrupting running storage volumes.Read 2 Oct 2026 · longhorn.io

Plans and prices

Longhorn Free Free, open source software · Distributed block storage for Kubernetes Read 2 Oct 2026 · longhorn.io

Every Longhorn plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Replicates storage across nodes and data centers.
  • Supports scheduled snapshots and backups.
  • Offers cross-cluster disaster recovery volumes.
  • Upgrades do not disrupt running storage volumes.
  • Provides a GUI dashboard.

Limits

  • mTLS is disabled by default.
  • Components require privileged root access.
  • Backups require an NFSv4 client.
  • ReadWriteMany volumes require NFSv4.1.

Who it suits

Longhorn suits teams running Kubernetes that need distributed block storage, snapshots, backups or cross-cluster recovery. Operators should be prepared to provide privileged root access and meet the stated NFS requirements where applicable.

Verdict

Longhorn combines replicated Kubernetes storage with snapshots, backups and cross-cluster recovery options. Its security defaults, elevated privileges and NFS requirements are important deployment considerations.

Where Specifiction places it

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