NovaNAS vs XigmaNAS

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.

XigmaNAS is a free, open-source operating system for building a network-attached storage server. Designed for home users and small businesses, it provides a WebGUI for configuring and managing the server without the FreeBSD command line. Storage support includes ZFS, software RAID, JBOD, UFS, and disk encryption. Network sharing protocols include SMB/CIFS, FTP/SFTP, SSH, NFS, AFP, RSYNC, Unison, and iSCSI, with compatible access listed for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android systems. S.M.A.R.T. monitoring and email notifications can report drive problems. A web-based VirtualBox host runs virtual machines through phpVirtualBox, and documentation lists MariaDB and phpMyAdmin among included software. XigmaNAS supports 64-bit systems only. Install downloads include LiveCD, LiveUSB, embedded, and full images. Embedded installs need a 2 GB OS disk; full installs need 4 GB, and both require 512 MB RAM.