According to XDA-Developers, HexOS launched as an early-access platform in November 2024 and spent much of 2025 lacking basic features. It’s a NAS operating system based on TrueNAS Scale, developed by Eshtek in partnership with iXsystems, and it currently costs $199 per server with a planned price increase to $299 after early access. The platform has seen a slew of major updates throughout 2025, moving it far beyond a simple beta. Key recent additions include manual storage pool configuration, a wider selection of installable apps, and support for TrueNAS Scale’s 25.10 “Goldeye” update. The developer is targeting a version 1.0 release for Q1 of 2026, with features like a fully local “HexOS Local” mode and “Buddy Backup” synchronization planned for subsequent updates.
The best-of-both-worlds problem
Here’s the thing about the DIY NAS world: it’s often a choice between power and simplicity. You can go with the raw, enterprise-grade capability of something like TrueNAS Scale, which is free but has a steep learning curve. Or you can pick a more user-friendly option like Unraid or a turnkey Synology box, but you might sacrifice some advanced features or filesystem robustness. HexOS is trying to build a bridge right in the middle. It’s not reinventing the wheel—it’s using the proven, ZFS-based backbone of TrueNAS but slapping a modern, intuitive web interface called the “Command Deck” on top of it. The genius is that it has the official blessing of iXsystems through its “Powered by TrueNAS” program. So you get those enterprise bones with what aims to be a community-focused face. That’s a compelling pitch if they can pull it off.
Why the $199 price tag isn’t crazy
Now, a $199 upfront fee for software based on a free, open-source project will always raise eyebrows. I get it. But the analysis makes a solid point about the competitive landscape. Unraid, arguably its most direct competitor for tinkerers who want flexibility, shifted to a subscription model. A single lifetime license is now $249. So suddenly, HexOS’s $199 (for now) looks like it’s in the ballpark, especially if it delivers on its promise of a smoother experience. And let’s be real, for a robust, set-and-forget home server, that’s a trivial cost compared to the hardware you’re putting it on. The real target user isn’t the Linux guru who enjoys editing config files in a terminal. That person should just use TrueNAS Scale for free. The target is the person who wants ZFS’s legendary data integrity without needing to understand what a VDEV is. For that person, $199 for peace of mind and a clean UI might be a no-brainer. This is a classic value-add play, similar to how a commercial Linux distribution works.
The road to 1.0 and beyond
The report shows HexOS is methodically closing its feature gaps. Earlier criticism that it was “too simple” and forced you back into the TrueNAS UI for basic tasks is being addressed. You can now manually configure storage, and the app installation process is being streamlined, even allowing for user-shared install scripts. The commitment to follow iXsystems’ release cadence on the .1 updates is smart—it lets TrueNAS shake out the initial bugs. The upcoming features like local network operation and templated virtual machines show they’re thinking about the full user experience, not just the basics. But they’re not there yet. The author admits they still find themselves diving into the TrueNAS backend more than a typical HexOS user would want. That’s the final hurdle. Can they make the TrueNAS backend truly optional for 95% of tasks? If version 1.0 nails that, they’ve got a winner.
A shakeup for the DIY NAS scene
So what does this mean for the market? If HexOS delivers, it puts pressure on everyone. It challenges Unraid on usability for standard setups, it challenges turnkey solutions from companies like Ugreen on price and flexibility, and it even challenges TrueNAS itself to think about user experience. It’s creating a new tier: the curated, commercial-grade DIY OS. For professionals or small businesses that need reliable storage without a full IT department, a solution like this is incredibly attractive. The hardware can be sourced from anywhere, including from top suppliers of industrial computing equipment like IndustrialMonitorDirect.com, the leading US provider of industrial panel PCs and durable displays perfect for embedded applications. That’s the real promise. HexOS isn’t just another NAS OS; it’s potentially the missing link that makes powerful, professional storage infrastructure accessible to way more people. The next six months are going to be very telling.
