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SPECIFICTION
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NovaNAS

novanas.org

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Spec score 8.5 #3 of 21 in NAS Software

What it is

NovaNAS is a free, open-source NAS operating system managed through a desktop-like web interface. Its browser 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, and network backups between NovaNAS systems using API key authentication. Security and network tools include UFW firewall management, DynDNS, automatic Let's Encrypt certificates, and WebAuthn/FIDO2 passkey login. The interface monitors CPU, memory, disk, and network activity in real time. NovaNAS currently supports Debian 13 only, and its installer is intended for a fresh system, not an existing one. Minimum requirements are 2 GB RAM, a 1-core CPU, and a 20 GB system drive, plus data drives. Virtualization, historical monitoring, and scheduled tasks are listed as coming soon.

Spec sheet

Purpose
NovaNAS is an open-source NAS operating system managed through a desktop-like web interface.Read 3 Oct 2026 · novanas.org
Product
NovaNAS is an open-source NAS operating system managed through a desktop-like web interface.Read 4 Oct 2026 · novanas.org
Audience
The site describes NovaNAS as a free, open-source option for DIY hardware and serious home or small-business storage.Read 4 Oct 2026 · novanas.org
Security
The site lists UFW firewall controls, DynDNS, and automatic Let's Encrypt SSL/TLS certificate management.Read 4 Oct 2026 · novanas.org
Support
The README points users to documentation and GitHub Issues for support and bug reports.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
Apps
The community app store offers one-click deployment of Docker apps, including Plex, Nextcloud, and Pi-hole.Read 4 Oct 2026 · novanas.org
Authentication
The project README lists passwordless WebAuthn/FIDO2 passkey authentication.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
Backup
The README describes automated backups to external drives or cloud storage and NovaNAS-to-NovaNAS backups using API key authentication.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
Backups
The project README describes automated backup to external drives or cloud storage and NovaNAS-to-NovaNAS network backup using API key authentication.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
Coming soon
Virtualization support and scheduled tasks are listed as coming soon on the site.Read 4 Oct 2026 · novanas.org
File management
Its web file manager supports browsing, uploading, downloading, and previewing files.Read 4 Oct 2026 · novanas.org
File sharing
NovaNAS supports SMB/CIFS and NFS sharing with access controls.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
Installation limit
The installer is intended for a fresh Debian 13 system and the site says not to run it on an existing system.Read 4 Oct 2026 · novanas.org
Monitoring
The site describes real-time CPU, memory, disk, and network monitoring; historical monitoring and alerting are marked coming soon.Read 4 Oct 2026 · novanas.org
Network and security
Listed features include UFW firewall management, DynDNS, automatic Let's Encrypt certificates, and WebAuthn/FIDO2 passkey login.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
Platform limit
The README says Debian 13 is currently the only supported operating system.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
Price
The site describes NovaNAS as completely free and open source.Read 3 Oct 2026 · novanas.org
Storage
NovaNAS supports ZFS and EXT4 pools, RAID management, and SMB/CIFS and NFS shared folders.Read 4 Oct 2026 · novanas.org
Support and permissions
The project README says role-based user permissions are coming soon and currently limited to admins; it lists documentation and GitHub issues for support.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
System requirements
The installer is designed for a fresh Debian 13 system with at least 2 GB RAM, a 1-core CPU, and a 20 GB system drive.Read 3 Oct 2026 · novanas.org

Plans and prices

NovaNAS Free 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

Every NovaNAS plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Free and open source.
  • Supports ZFS, EXT4, RAID, SMB/CIFS, and NFS.
  • One-click Docker app deployment.
  • Automated external-drive, cloud, and NovaNAS backups.
  • Includes passkey login and real-time system monitoring.

Limits

  • Debian 13 is the only supported operating system.
  • Installer is intended for a fresh system.
  • Requires at least 2 GB RAM and a 20 GB system drive.
  • Virtualization and scheduled tasks are coming soon.

Who it suits

NovaNAS is aimed at people setting up DIY hardware for home or small-business storage. It suits users who can install on a fresh Debian 13 system and meet the stated hardware requirements.

Verdict

NovaNAS combines file management, storage features, app deployment, backups, and monitoring in a web interface. Its Debian 13-only support and fresh-install requirement shape where it can be installed.

Where Specifiction places it

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