TurnKey File Server vs ZimaOS

TurnKey File Server is a free Linux appliance for network-attached storage on self-hosted systems. It combines Windows-compatible file sharing with a browser-based file manager and supports SMB, FTP, SFTP, NFS, WebDAV, and rsync. The WebDAV CGI interface offers web access, previews for major formats, and drag-and-drop handling. Samba is preconfigured with user home directories and public storage, using /srv/storage as its default shared path. Webmin includes a Samba configuration module. The appliance also provides SSL, zip, rar, and bz2 compression, plus a utility for converting text file endings between UNIX and DOS formats. Automatic security updates are included, and passwords are set during initialization. TurnKey supplies a 723MB ISO and supports TurnKey Hub deployment on Amazon EC2. Documented build types include bare metal, VirtualBox, VMware, OpenStack, Proxmox, Xen, LXC, and Docker. The appliance is free and open source. Hub Cloud Servers — Free costs nothing, with AWS usage billed separately.

ZimaOS is a NAS operating system for x86-64 hardware that combines file management, storage, backups, and apps. Users can manage, preview, and share files from phones, cloud storage, and external drives. Supported configurations include JBOD and RAID 0, 1, 5, and 6, while the backup system manages backup and sync across cloud, local, and LAN storage using a 3-2-1 strategy. Its App Store advertises more than 800 apps, with one-click installation and third-party Docker support; examples include Immich, Emby, Jellyfin, Plex, Home Assistant, and Nextcloud. It connects over LAN or WAN from PC and Mac and can connect with Synology and QNAP NAS devices. The maker says remote access uses encrypted peer-to-peer connections without internet ports open by default, and that local accounts collect no telemetry or user data. The free plan allows up to 4 disks and 3 members. ZimaOS+ costs 29.00 USD once for a lifetime license and allows unlimited disks and users. The license is bound to one device and may be transferred after at least one year of activation.