A home server is useful for remote file storage and sharing, video streaming, etc. without significant computing power. You can even use your old PCs to set up the server.
You will find many OS for home servers available in the market. But not all of them offer users a user-friendly interface.
So, if you are looking for the best home server OS, this is the best place. Here I will share some of the most useful ones that will surely help you reach your goal easily.
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Best OS for home servers in 2023 (Linux and Windows) for media lovers
Below, I have shared some of the best home server operating systems that you can use for your business or startups, or build a server just out of curiosity.
You should know that some of them are paid and some are free. However, all of them can provide users with a smooth experience.
Before you start reading the post, you should know your server requirements so you can easily find the right one.
1. FreeNAS
FreeNAS is one of the best home server OS for Linux home server OS and top of my list. But you should remember that this server is geared towards advanced users only, and if you are a beginner, you will have trouble setting it up.
The best part about FreeNAS is that it supports the ZFS file system which helps in better encryption of files and it supports various RAID configurations.
But you should be aware that it needs a lot of RAM to work properly. For example, you will need 1 GB of RAM to store 1 TB.
It also supports several plug-ins that allow users to use the advanced features of this server.
2. Ubuntu Server
Ubuntu or Debian is a free and open source Linux distribution system and if you are familiar with command lines you will have no problem using 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 much time to render.
It is best known for fast connections for quick file sharing, media streaming, and remote desktop access from anywhere.
You may need to tweak a few things to properly optimize your media server, but you don’t need to worry as you will find plenty of guides online.
3.OpenMedia Vault
OpenMediaVault is another top OS for home servers on my list. This lightweight media player is built using PHP-AJAX; however, the NAS is built using Debian Linux.
It is best known as a media server offering many plug-ins to help you use many other features and establish a secure connection. Its workflow is simple and you can easily add different plugins just like you do in your web browser.
It’s easy to manage and install, and you can do it with a hard drive, USB drive, or SSD, whichever you prefer.
This home web service allows you to schedule tasks, propose tasks, and help them view tasks on the home server.
4. Clear OS
ClearOS is one of the best OS for home servers to help you build a simple server. You can use this for a small remote team, IT offices and startups.
It has two editions; one is developed by the community and is free, and the other is paid for professional use.
The best part of ClearOS is that it has several pre-built business servers that you can use with no extra effort or extra cost.
This easy to use and set up server allows you to store files or stream video from your home server from anywhere.
ClearOS is available in more than 80 languages, so there is a good chance to use this server in your native language, making this application easy to use.
5. Amaha home server
If you are looking 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 manage it.
You can easily set up this server to store videos, music, files, etc. and easily share it with all your connected devices.
The best thing about Amahi is that it can back up all of your PCs to prevent unwanted data loss and help you access them whenever possible.
It has a user-friendly interface so you can easily navigate through various options without prior experience.
This is the best server for small businesses or startups as it is available for free.
6. Openfiler
OpenFiler is another best home server OS if you’re considering building a NAS or IP Storage gateway. It has a simple installation process and doesn’t take long to install.
The best part of OpenFiler is that it supports multiple file types and protocols such as NFS, HTTP, FTP, Rsync, etc., making file sharing across platforms smoother and easier.
OpenFiler allows you to store files remotely; if you run out of storage, you can expand it at no additional cost.
The most important thing you should know is that it offers a web interface to help you easily manage your server.
While it’s free, you can use 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 Microsoft’s flagship server that you can use to establish a secure connection between your home computers.
The best part is that you can connect up to 10 computers to one server and pay a one-time fee of $500 to connect to 25 computers at the same time.
It doesn’t have a GUI and you need to use the command line or terminal to use this. However, it will be useful as it does not require a lot of memory.
If you have a small business or store, it will be useful for you to create a server to store your business files and data.
Conclusion
The best home server OS is the only thing you need for remote media streaming. I hope you have chosen one of the above list for yourself. If you’re having trouble setting up servers, feel free to post your questions in the comments below.