In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into HexOS, a new NAS operating system designed to simplify setting up and managing a home or small business NAS. HexOS is currently in Beta 1, and while it’s not yet feature-complete, it shows a lot of promise in making NAS management more accessible.
What is HexOS?
HexOS is a consumer-friendly NAS OS built to streamline storage management, application deployment, and user sharing. It aims to bridge the gap between complex enterprise solutions (like TrueNAS) and user-friendly but hardware-locked options (like Synology).
Current NAS Landscape
- Synology/QNAP: Easy to set up but requires proprietary hardware.
- Unraid: Flexible, supports custom hardware, but has limitations in file systems.
- TrueNAS: Powerful but complex, better suited for advanced users.
HexOS is positioned as an easy-to-use alternative that retains TrueNAS’s reliability while simplifying the setup process.
Setting Up HexOS Beta 1
Hardware Used for Testing
- ZimaCube Pro (Test machine)
- 6x 8TB HDDs + 1TB NVMe SSD
- 64GB RAM
- 12th Gen Intel Core i5
- Dual 2.5GbE + 10GbE Networking
Installation Process
- Download & Flash the HexOS image to a USB drive.
- Boot from USB and follow the installer (similar to TrueNAS).
- Claim the Server via hexos.com by signing in with your account.
- Configure Storage Pools using the guided wizard.
HexOS automatically detects hardware and suggests optimal storage configurations. In this case, it recommended a 6-drive RAID-Z1 pool (40TB usable, 1-drive fault tolerance).
Initial Setup Wizard
- Hardware Check: Confirms CPU, RAM, and drive detection.
- Storage Pool Setup: Recommends configurations based on available drives.
- Server Naming & Finalization: Applies settings and initializes the NAS.
One minor issue: HexOS detected USB drives as regular disks, which could be confusing for users. Hopefully, this will be refined in future updates.
Key Features of HexOS Beta 1
1. Simplified Storage Management
- Automated pool creation with ZFS support.
- Pool expansion (a feature borrowed from TrueNAS Scale).
- Easy drive management with health monitoring.
2. Preconfigured Applications
HexOS includes optimized, one-click installs for popular apps:
- Plex Media Server
- Immich (Self-hosted Google Photos alternative)
These apps come with predefined storage locations and permissions, reducing manual configuration.
Other apps (like Radarr, Handbrake) can still be installed via TrueNAS, but lack HexOS’s optimizations.
3. User & Share Management
- Automatically creates public shares (Media, Movies, Photos, etc.).
- Easy SMB user creation with granular permissions (Read-only/Full access).
- Private share support for secure file access.
This is a huge improvement over TrueNAS, where setting up shares and users is far more complex.
4. Dashboard & Monitoring
- CPU, RAM, and network usage stats.
- Storage health overview.
- Notifications for system events.
The UI is clean but still lacks local access—you must manage HexOS via their web portal.
Limitations & Missing Features
Since this is Beta 1, several key features are still in development:
Coming Soon (Roadmap)
✅ Virtual Machine Manager (Simplified VM setup)
✅ Snapshots & Replication (Backup and disaster recovery)
✅ Local UI Access (Currently requires cloud login)
Current Pain Points
- No manual pool configuration (only guided setup).
- Limited app support (only Plex & Immich optimized).
- USB drives incorrectly classified as regular disks.
Who is HexOS For?
HexOS is not for advanced TrueNAS users who already have tuned systems. Instead, it’s ideal for:
- New NAS builders who want simplicity.
- Unraid users looking for a ZFS-based alternative.
- Non-technical users who need an easy-to-manage NAS.
Is It Worth Buying Now?
At $99 for a lifetime license, HexOS is reasonably priced, but it’s still early in development. If you’re comfortable with beta software and believe in its future, it could be a good investment.
However, if you need a fully stable system today, you may want to wait for the 1.0 release.
Final Thoughts
HexOS shows great potential in making NAS management effortless while leveraging TrueNAS’s robust backend. The automated storage setup, one-click apps, and simplified sharing are standout features.
As development continues, expanded app support, local UI access, and VM management will make it even more compelling. For now, it’s a promising option for home users and beginners, but power users may want to hold off.
Are you trying HexOS? Let us know your thoughts!
Tags: NAS, HexOS, TrueNAS, ZFS, Self-Hosting, Storage, Beta, Home Server
Hashtags: #HexOS #NAS #SelfHosting #ZFS #TrueNAS #HomeServer #TechReview
