Software · head to head
TrueNAS vs Backblaze
TrueNAS
Software
Open-source ZFS storage operating system for network-attached storage
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Only TrueNAS has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: TrueNAS requires self-hosting on x86 hardware, no managed cloud offering; organisations must provision, configure, and maintain their own infrastructure; Backblaze personal Backup is $99 a year billed annually, with no monthly option
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which TrueNAS and Backblaze actually diverge.
Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).
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 TrueNAS
Nothing recorded that Backblaze does not also cover.
Only in Backblaze
- Unlimited backup
- Continuous backup
- Version history
- Private encryption key
- Restore by mail
- Mobile apps
- macOS
- Windows
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
TrueNAS
- On-premises backup and archival storage for enterprisesnot Backblaze
- Home lab and small business network-attached storagenot Backblaze
- Media server storage for video, photo, and document librariesnot Backblaze
- Disaster recovery and business continuity replicationnot Backblaze
- S3-compatible object storage for cloud-native applicationsnot Backblaze
- High-availability storage clusters for datacentresnot Backblaze
Backblaze
- Unlimited backup of a personal computer and external drivesnot TrueNAS
- Restoring files from anywhere through the webnot TrueNAS
- Mailed hard drive restore for large recoveriesnot TrueNAS
- Private encryption key control for sensitive datanot TrueNAS
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
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
Backblaze
- Personal Backup is $99 a year billed annually, with no monthly option
- Web restores are capped at 500GB per request
- Forever version history is a Business tier add-on rather than included
- Administrative controls and SSO are Business features
- Backs up user data from a computer and attached drives, so NAS and server backup are not covered by the personal plan
Pricing, plan by plan
TrueNAS
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the TrueNAS review.
Backblaze
$9/month- Personal Backup$9/month
- Unlimited storage for single computer
- Unlimited version history
- 30-day trial
- B2 Cloud Storage$6/TB/month
- S3-compatible storage
- Pay-as-you-go model
Which should you pick?
Choose TrueNAS if
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Self-hosted, Linux, Web, API.
Choose Backblaze if
- You need unlimited backup.
- You work on Windows, macOS, Web.
- You also want continuous backup.
Questions people ask
- Is TrueNAS or Backblaze better?
- Neither clearly leads. TrueNAS starts at Free and Backblaze at $9/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, TrueNAS or Backblaze?
- TrueNAS has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for TrueNAS and $9/month for Backblaze.
- Does TrueNAS or Backblaze run on more platforms?
- TrueNAS runs on Self-hosted, Linux, Web, API. Backblaze runs on Windows, macOS, Web.
- Can I use TrueNAS for free?
- Yes. TrueNAS has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Backblaze starts at $9/month.
- What is TrueNAS best used for?
- TrueNAS is most often used for on-premises backup and archival storage for enterprises, home lab and small business network-attached storage, media server storage for video, photo, and document libraries, disaster recovery and business continuity replication. Of those, on-premises backup and archival storage for enterprises and home lab and small business network-attached storage are not what Backblaze is typically brought in for.
- What can TrueNAS do that Backblaze cannot?
- Backblaze covers Unlimited backup, Continuous backup, Version history, Private encryption key.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
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.
SourceBackblaze: What is the pricing for Backblaze Personal Backup?
Backblaze Personal Backup costs $9/month on monthly billing or $8.25/month when billed annually, providing unlimited storage for a single computer.
SourceTrueNAS: 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.
SourceBackblaze: What storage options does Backblaze B2 offer?
Backblaze B2 Cloud Storage is priced at $6/TB per month with a pay-as-you-go model, and is S3 compatible for flexible cloud storage.
SourceTrueNAS: 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.
SourceBackblaze: Does Backblaze support Linux systems?
No. Backblaze does not support Linux operating systems, limiting it to Windows, macOS, and web access only.
Source