8 Best NAS To Run Ubuntu in 2024

Affordable and high-quality NAS to run Ubuntu.

External hard drives can be good options if you have tons of data to store. However, they are not perfect and have some disadvantages.

First off, you can only extract stored files from one PC at a time. This is not very convenient if you need to access your data from multiple devices at home or office. 

You should look for the best NAS to run Ubuntu if you want more storage and retrieval options. In this article, we've described the best NAS models that perfectly combine powerful capabilities and affordable price tags as they come without proprietary software.

Max capacity: 64TB | CPU: Intel Celeron J4125 Quad-Core | RAM: 4GB DDR4

The Synology 4 bay DS920+ is great for people who like using NAS devices but also enjoy having access to a web browser. Most people who like to use a NAS do not want to have to use a web browser, they just want to be able to access their files from any internet connection that they have. The good news about the DS920+ is that it can run Ubuntu and connect to the internet but still maintain its hard drive space.

One of the best things about the DS920+ is that it does not sacrifice quality in the name of price. One of the main pros of the DS920+ is that it has four expansion slots, which allows for additional capacity if needed.

Max capacity: 48TB | CPU: Realtek RTD1296 Quad-Core | RAM: 2GB DDR4

Synology DS418 NAS to run Ubuntu Linux has four hard drives bays that are easily accessible and are located in a very hidden area of the NAS box. It also has an Ethernet port that allows you to connect to your network. The four disk drive bay also has two USB ports that will allow you to plug in other accessories like printers and scanners easily. One of the greatest features of this unit is that it supports the NTFS file system which will allow you to make data backup and transfer files quickly.

It is good to know that it can run Ubuntu and also has a simple interface that anyone can understand and operate. The cons of this system are that storage drives not included. It also has fewer features than some other systems but overall it is great for anyone who needs a small storage unit that can function as a NAS.

Max capacity: 36TB | CPU: Intel Celeron J4025 Dual-Core | RAM: 4GB SO-DIMM DDR4

The new QNAP TS-451D2-4G 4-bay NAS can run Ubuntu in it.One of the pros is that it can be used to serve the needs for both personal home users and business users. It has four small drawers which can be used for storage and data backup. It also has only 1Gbe ports, not 2.5Gbe or LAG support.

The pros are easy to see. The first advantage is the price. At just under five hundred dollars it is affordable for most anyone. The next pro is that it has all the bells and whistles that you would find from any of the other four top NAS units. It also has two redundant disks in case of loss or damage of one of the drives.

Max capacity: 24TB | CPU: Intel Celeron J3355 Dual-Core | RAM: 2GB DDR3 (Expandable up to 6GB)

Synology 2 bay DS 218+ NAS on it is preferred solution for running Ubuntu Linux on the go, especially with today's expensive NAS devices. The quality of the device out there rivals what we have seen in the past with other brands.

The good thing about the Synology 2 bay DS218+ is the quality of the software. The operating system runs extremely fast and provides excellent user friendly control over the desktop. There are a lot of web hosting companies out there that provide excellent control panel software but not all of them make it easy to use even for the less technical users. With the DS 218+ NAS you can install the software quickly and easily using an online manual that comes with the device.

Max capacity: 28TB | CPU: Marvel ARMADA 385 Dual-Core | RAM: 1GB

WDBVBZ0040JCH-NESN is one of two Linux NTP servers that come with the free Ubuntu operating system. It is capable of handling tasks such as controlling the transmission of emails, controlling and monitoring security, controlling a personal network, running applications, controlling remotely controlled servers, managing FTP, POP/SMTP and even controlling your desktop computer. It is a small device that can be used for controlling several different computers at the same time. It can be used for connecting to the internet, controlling and monitoring multiple computers.

The last two features in the pros section is great for users who do not want to change their existing operating system. It also comes with two USB sticks which can be used for storage and data backup. The last feature reviewed is a security program. This is great for business users who need to protect sensitive information from being stolen.

Max capacity: 4TB | CPU: Intel Celeron Quad-Core | RAM: 512MB

If you are looking for an inexpensive way to learn how to run Ubuntu, the WDBCTL0040HWT NESN NAS is an excellent choice. This affordable system consists of a dual band WiFi Antenna with built in Bluetooth capabilities, and also has a gigabit Ethernet port for connecting your laptop or other computing device to the network. The WDBCTL0040HWT-NESN NAS comes with two preloaded Linux distributions (Ubuntu and Gentoo), as well as the WDBCFLT-FOSCC installation CD. All of these features and advantages make this a great option if you have little money available to spend on a home NAS machine.

The big pro for this machine is that it comes with almost everything that you need to get started with Linux, including preinstalled software. Compared to some of the other cheap NAS options, this is by far the best value.

Max capacity: 24TB | CPU: Realtek RTD1296 Quad-Core | RAM: 2GB of DDR4

The ioSafe 218-DISKLESS NAS to run Ubuntu is a new product that has many innovative features and functions for the home network. Many consumers are turning to Linux as their primary operating system, but there are some limitations of this operating system such as slow booting up and overall functionality.

The pros of this new product are many, since it is able to utilize the bandwidth and power of your high speed internet connection while keeping the temperature at a reasonable level. The cons of this product are also numerous but mainly centered around the price of the product. While it is a top-performing product, it can be quite expensive for some people to purchase which may discourage most from using it.

Max capacity: 1TB | CPU: Applied Micro APM82181 | RAM: 256MB

WD My Book Live 1TB NAS to run Ubuntu will allow you to get all the necessary applications that you need for your business or personal computer without having to use Windows. The WD My Book Live offers the most powerful NAS out there today for a much affordable price compared to others.

There are some cons to the WD My Book Live 1TB like no USB connection for additional storage and no multi-bay models for data redundancy, but these are pretty minor considering everything else that you are going to get from this NAS. If you are someone who wants a NAS that can be used for personal or business use and is a little bit cheaper than others, then this might be the right one for you.

Not to regret your purchase, you should define your requirements and needs. While it may seem daunting at first glance, we have prepared some helpful tips for you. Read them below and you’ll choose the best NAS to run Ubuntu without much effort.

Manufacturers offer a variety of NAS models with two, four, or 8 drive bays. Typically, 2-drive options are suitable for most purposes. You need complex RAID configurations (e.g. RAID 6 or RAID 10) for a NAS with a lot of drive bays. This is overkill for an average user. Multiple driveways allow you to access your data even if one of the drives breaks down as they mirror the contents on each drive.

RAM and CPU affect the performance of both your computer and your NAS. However, the price also depends on the capabilities of these components. When inspecting a market, think about your budget and needs. In this review, you will find both affordable models with ARM-based processors and more powerful configurations.

Reliable data protection is important not only for commercial but also for home users. The best NAS to run Ubuntu with hardware encryption acceleration amazes with high read and write speeds. You can also find options that encrypt data before backing it up.

When buying a NAS server for home use, you should make sure that it can stream HD videos and music to more than one device at a time. More expensive options also support 4K streaming. To stream media content, you have to download and install special software. These can be both applications from the manufacturer and third-party options (for example, Plex). You can also use iTunes for streaming music files.

A device with two USB ports is the minimum requirement as it allows you to have 2 copies of backup. The number of ports is especially important if you don't want to use cloud storage for your data backup. Moreover, models with a front port are more convenient. You can run fast copying without interfering with settings and software.