The FreeBSD community responds to iXsystems’ transition to Linux with a new 100% free and telemetry-free project: zVault.
With iXsystems’ firm move towards TrueNAS SCALE and its Debian Linux-based architecture, many users have felt displaced seeing TrueNAS CORE, its FreeBSD-based version, relegated to a mere maintenance mode. But in this void, a new hope has emerged: zVault.
zVault is a new operating system for NAS servers, based on FreeBSD 13.3 and developed entirely under free licenses. Unlike TrueNAS CORE, which included parts under the TrueNAS Enterprise License Agreement, zVault presents itself as a fully free alternative, with no tracking, no telemetry, no cookies, and no email collection. Its code repository is completely public and open to contributions.
A project by the community and for the community
The philosophy of the zVault team is clear: “FreeBSD is perfect for a NAS.” They do not seek to compete with iXsystems or replicate its approach to hyper-convergence. They prefer to maintain a lightweight, private solution that stays true to Unix principles. Their development is based on the TrueNAS CORE codebase before it was overshadowed by SCALE, with the goal of keeping the NAS legacy on FreeBSD alive.
The first preview version was retracted following a claim from iXsystems alleging the inclusion of files with intellectual property. The team responded by removing any traces of non-free code and launched a clean second preview, which is now available—though still not recommended for production. zVault’s roadmap includes releasing a stable version, updating to FreeBSD 13.5, and later migrating to FreeBSD 14.x as its base.
No containers, no Kubernetes, no problems
One of the aspects that excites FreeBSD enthusiasts the most is zVault’s commitment to a classic NAS approach. If the user does not need Docker containers, Kubernetes, or integration with complex clusters, zVault offers a storage-focused experience, not an orchestration one. At a time when many NAS solutions seem to be drifting towards general-purpose virtualization platforms, zVault reminds us that less can indeed be more.
Popular blogger Vermaden summarized it succinctly: “TrueNAS CORE is dead—Long live zVault,” in a post where he compared the more than 50 files referencing the enterprise license agreement found in the initial ISO.
What about XigmaNAS?
In addition to zVault, another project that remains alive is XigmaNAS. This system also uses FreeBSD as its base but derives from versions prior to TrueNAS CORE. Its interface is less polished and its installation less straightforward, but it continues to receive active updates. It is not the same path as zVault, but it still stands as a NAS stronghold based on FreeBSD.
Building your own TrueNAS
For those who prefer to build TrueNAS 13 CORE/Enterprise from scratch, it is still possible to do so from its source code. The available documentation allows cloning the build repository, installing necessary dependencies, and compiling a fully functional ISO on FreeBSD 13.x using tools like make checkout, make update, and make release. However, zVault promises to simplify that process with a ready-made solution free of enterprise licenses.
A future with a BSD flavor
zVault is not a commercial fork or a company with a product strategy. It is a community project for the community, focused on providing a simple, secure, and completely free storage solution. In an increasingly cloud-oriented world, with forced integration into external services, zVault presents a gentle, practical, and BSD-style resistance.
The battle for the future of self-hosted NAS is not over. TrueNAS is still alive. SCALE is growing. But thanks to zVault, users who have invested in FreeBSD have a new opportunity to move forward without giving up their principles.