- A home server is essential for file storage and sharing, with old PCs able to be repurposed for this function.
- Various home server OS are available, but not all offer a smooth user experience.
- Top 7 best home server OS for 2024 include FreeNAS, Ubuntu Server, OpenMediaVault, ClearOS, Amahi Home Server, OpenFiler, and Windows File Server 2019, each offering unique features and functionalities for different user needs.
A Home Server is useful for storing and sharing files, streaming videos, etc., remotely without significant computing power. You can even utilize your old PCs to set up the server.
You’ll find tons of home server OS available in the market. But not all of them offer a smooth experience to users.
So, if you’re searching for the best home server OS, this is the best place. Here, I’ll share some of the most useful ones that’ll surely help you accomplish your purpose quite easily.
Best Home Server OS in 2024 (Linux & Windows) for Media Lovers
Below I have shared some of the best home server OS you can use for your business or startups or create a server just out of curiosity.
You should know that some are paid, and some are free. However, all of them can deliver a smooth experience to users.
Before you start reading the post, you should know your requirement for a server so that you can easily find the suitable one.
1. FreeNAS
FreeNAS is one of the best home server OS for Linux home server OS and the first on my list. But you should remember that this server focuses on power users only, and if you’re a beginner, you’ll face problems setting it up.
The best part of FreeNAS is that it supports the ZFS file system, which helps you encrypt the files better and supports various RAID configurations.
But you should know that it needs a lot of RAM to work properly. For example, you’ll need 1GB RAM for 1TB of storage.
It also supports multiple plug-ins allowing users to experience the enhanced features of this server.
2. Ubuntu Server
Ubuntu, or Debian, is a free and open-source Linux distribution system, and if you’re comfortable with command lines, you won’t have any problem using the Ubuntu server.
Ubuntu is the best choice for all video editors, developers, and graphic designers as it doesn’t have a proper GUI, so it doesn’t take time to render things.
It’s best known for fast connection to quickly share files, stream media, and access your desktop remotely from anywhere.
You may need to customize a few things to optimize your media server properly, but you shouldn’t worry, as you’ll find tons of tutorials online.
3. OpenMediaVault
OpenMediaVault is another best home server OS on my list. This lightweight media player is created using PHP-AJAX; however, the NAS is built using Debian Linux.
This is best known as a media server offering many plug-ins to help you experience multiple other features and establish a secure connection. Its working process is easy, and you can easily add different plug-ins as you do in your web browser.
It’s easy to manage and install, and you can do that with HDD, USB Flash Drive, or SSD, whatever you wish.
This web-based home service allows you to schedule tasks, offer jobs, and help them view the tasks on the home server.
4. ClearOS
ClearOS is among the best home server OS that helps you create a simple server. You can use this for a small remote team, I.T. offices, and startups.
It has two editions; one is community developed and free, and the other is paid for professional use.
The best part of ClearOS is that it has some prebuild business servers that you can use without extra effort or paying extra charges.
This easy-to-use and set-up server allows you to store files or stream videos from your home server from anywhere.
ClearOS is available in more than 80 languages, so there’s a good chance to use this server in your native language, which helps you use this app more easily.
5. Amahi Home Server
If you’re searching for a stable and simple home server, then Amahi Home Server is the best choice. This server is built on Fedora Linux and offers a web interface to control it.
You can effortlessly set up this server to store videos, music, files, etc., and share it easily with all connected devices.
The best thing about Amahi is that it can back up all your PCs to prevent unwanted data loss and help you access that whenever possible.
It has a user-friendly interface, so you can easily navigate various options without prior experience.
It’s the best server for small businesses or startups as it’s available free of cost.
6. OpenFiler
OpenFiler is another best home server OS if you consider making a NAS or IP Storage gateway. It has an easy setup process and doesn’t take much time for installation.
The best part of OpenFiler is that it supports multiple file types and protocols such as NFS, HTTP, FTP, Rsync, etc., making cross-platform file sharing more smooth and easy.
OpenFiler allows you to store files remotely; if you run out of storage, you can expand that without extra cost.
The most important thing you should know is that it offers a web interface helping you easily control your server.
Although it’s free to use, you can take the commercial version for some extra features if you want to use it for your business.
7. Windows File Server 2019
Windows File Server 2019 is a flagship server of Microsoft that you can use to establish a secure connection among your PCs in your home.
The best part is that you can connect up to 10 PCs on the same server and pay a one-time fee of $500 to connect to 25 PCs simultaneously.
It doesn’t have the GUI, and you have to use the command line or terminal to use this. However, this will be helpful as it doesn’t require a lot of memory storage.
It’ll be useful for you if you have a small business or shop to create a server to store files and data of your businesses.
Conclusion
The best home server OS is the only thing you need to stream media remotely. Hopefully, you have sorted one for you from the above list. If you face problems setting up the servers, feel free to drop your questions in the comments below.
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