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File Storage · head to head

Tigris vs TrueNAS

Tigris logo

Tigris

File Storage

Globally distributed S3-compatible object storage with zero egress fees

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
TrueNAS logo

TrueNAS

File Storage

Open-source ZFS storage operating system for network-attached storage

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Tigris lowest tier still more expensive than some cold storage alternatives; TrueNAS requires self-hosting on x86 hardware, no managed cloud offering; organisations must provision, configure, and maintain their own infrastructure

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Tigris and TrueNAS actually diverge.

Attributes where Tigris and TrueNAS differ
AttributeTigrisTrueNAS
Pricing modelUsage-based tiered storage with per-request feesopen-source
PlatformsWeb, API, CLISelf-hosted, Linux, Web, API

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (File Storage).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Tigris

  • Global Distribution
  • Zero Egress Fees
  • S3 Compatibility
  • Multiple Storage Classes
  • Object Notifications
  • API Access

Only in TrueNAS

Nothing recorded that Tigris does not also cover.

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Tigris

  • Storing and versioning AI training datasets without egress penaltiesnot TrueNAS
  • Distributing model checkpoints and artifacts globallynot TrueNAS
  • Serving static assets with low latency across regionsnot TrueNAS
  • Multi-cloud data portability with standardized APInot TrueNAS

TrueNAS

  • On-premises backup and archival storage for enterprisesnot Tigris
  • Home lab and small business network-attached storagenot Tigris
  • Media server storage for video, photo, and document librariesnot Tigris
  • Disaster recovery and business continuity replicationnot Tigris
  • S3-compatible object storage for cloud-native applicationsnot Tigris
  • High-availability storage clusters for datacentresnot Tigris

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Tigris

  • Lowest tier still more expensive than some cold storage alternatives
  • Retrieval charges on infrequent access tier add cost variability
  • Limited to object storage, no file system semantics
  • Archive retrieval requires planning ahead

TrueNAS

  • Requires self-hosting on x86 hardware, no managed cloud offering; organisations must provision, configure, and maintain their own infrastructure
  • ZFS filesystem entails high memory requirements (1 GB RAM per 1 TB of storage recommended), increasing costs for large deployments
  • Limited ARM/embedded support; Community Edition is primarily x86-64, reducing deployment options for edge installations
  • Clustering and replication setup requires operational expertise; misconfiguration can lead to data loss
  • Enterprise support and SLA guarantees require paid subscriptions; Community Edition relies on peer-based forums

Pricing, plan by plan

Tigris

Free
  • Standard Storage$0.02/GB/month
    • Frequently accessed data
    • No retrieval charges
    • Free data egress
  • Infrequent Access$0.01/GB/month
    • Lower storage cost
    • Retrieval: $0.01 per GB
    • 30-day minimum retention
  • Archive$0.004/GB/month
    • Lowest storage cost
    • Free retrieval
    • 90-day minimum retention
  • Archive Instant Retrieval$0.004/GB/month
    • Archive storage cost
    • Instant retrieval: $0.03 per GB
    • 90-day minimum retention

TrueNAS

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the TrueNAS review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Tigris if

  • You need global distribution.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, API, CLI.
  • You also want zero egress fees.
Tigris review

Choose TrueNAS if

  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Self-hosted, Linux, Web, API.
TrueNAS review

Questions people ask

Is Tigris or TrueNAS better?
Neither clearly leads. Tigris starts at Free and TrueNAS at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Tigris or TrueNAS?
Tigris starts at Free and TrueNAS at Free.
Does Tigris or TrueNAS run on more platforms?
Tigris runs on Web, API, CLI. TrueNAS runs on Self-hosted, Linux, Web, API.
Can I use Tigris for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Tigris best used for?
Tigris is most often used for storing and versioning ai training datasets without egress penalties, distributing model checkpoints and artifacts globally, serving static assets with low latency across regions, multi-cloud data portability with standardized api. Of those, storing and versioning ai training datasets without egress penalties and distributing model checkpoints and artifacts globally are not what TrueNAS is typically brought in for.
What can Tigris do that TrueNAS cannot?
Tigris covers Global Distribution, Zero Egress Fees, S3 Compatibility, Multiple Storage Classes.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Tigris: Is there a free tier?

Yes, new users receive 5 GB of Standard storage monthly plus 10,000 Class A and 100,000 Class B requests at no cost.

Source
TrueNAS: What is the cost of TrueNAS Community Edition?

TrueNAS Community Edition is free and open-source. There are no licensing fees, but organisations must purchase and maintain their own x86 hardware. Enterprise Edition requires paid support contracts for production environments.

Source
Tigris: What are the request costs?

Class A requests cost $0.005 per 1,000 requests, Class B requests cost $0.0005 per 1,000 requests. DELETE and CANCEL operations are free.

Source
TrueNAS: Can I replicate TrueNAS data between sites?

Yes. TrueNAS supports snapshot-based replication over network links, enabling disaster recovery and business continuity. Replication can occur between Community Edition systems or between Enterprise Appliances.

Source
Tigris: Do I get charged for data egress?

No, Tigris provides free data egress across all storage tiers.

Source
TrueNAS: What storage protocols does TrueNAS support?

TrueNAS simultaneously supports NFS (network file system), SMB (Windows file sharing), iSCSI (block storage), and S3-compatible object storage, all from the same storage pool.

Source
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