Proxmox vs Unraid
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Versions/date: Proxmox VE 9.2 (ISO 9.2-1, downloads); Unraid OS 7.x (current docs). Last checked: 2026-10-28.
Proxmox VE is a free, open-source (AGPL) virtualisation platform. It suits a mini PC or a server where VMs and LXC containers are the main job. Unraid is a paid, perpetually licensed NAS OS. It suits a box full of mixed-size hard drives with Docker apps on top. If your homelab is mainly VMs, start with Proxmox. If it's mainly storage that grows one drive at a time, look at Unraid.
Side-by-side (from each vendor's docs)
| Proxmox VE | Unraid OS | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost model | Free to download and use. Optional per-CPU-socket subscriptions give access to the Enterprise Repository and support (pricing) | One-time perpetual licence. Tiers differ by number of storage devices and years of updates, and there's a free 30-day trial (pricing) |
| Licence | GNU AGPL v3 (FAQ) | Proprietary, commercial |
| Main job | KVM virtual machines and LXC containers, with clustering, HA, and Ceph or ZFS storage | NAS with a parity-protected array, plus Docker containers and VMs |
| Storage model | Standard Linux storage (ZFS, LVM, Ceph and more) | Array of mixed-size drives protected by up to two parity drives, plus BTRFS/ZFS pools |
| Docker | Not recommended directly on the host. Run it in a VM (FAQ) | Built in, with a Community Apps catalogue |
| Boot device | Installed to a disk | Boots from a dedicated boot device |
Check the official pricing pages above for current prices.
Storage: the real difference
Unraid's array lets you mix drive sizes and add disks over time. The rule is that no data disk can be larger than your parity disk, so the docs say to use your largest drive for parity. Each data disk keeps its own file system (XFS by default). For apps and VMs, Unraid recommends SSD cache pools on BTRFS or ZFS, because the main array doesn't support TRIM for SSDs.
Proxmox uses standard Linux storage, typically ZFS for a single node. That gives you striping, mirrors or RAIDZ, but not Unraid-style mixing of drive sizes in one parity group. If storage is the main goal, also compare a ready-made NAS: see Synology vs DIY NAS.
Apps and VMs
The Proxmox FAQ says it's "not recommended to run docker directly on your Proxmox VE host". It recommends a VM for Docker workloads. In practice, homelabs on Proxmox usually run one Debian VM with Docker Compose for apps like Immich and Jellyfin, plus LXC containers for lighter services. Unraid runs Docker containers natively from its web UI and also hosts VMs.
Updates and the "subscription" nag
Proxmox works without a subscription. The admin guide documents the pve-no-subscription repository for testing and non-production use, such as a home lab. Its packages are "not always as heavily tested and validated" as the Enterprise Repository. Unraid licences include either one year of updates or lifetime updates, depending on the tier. After that, the licence keeps working, and extending updates is a separate purchase.
Which fits your hardware
- Single mini PC with one or two SSDs: Proxmox. See installing Proxmox on a mini PC.
- Tower with four or more mixed-size HDDs for media: Unraid's array was built for this.
- Unsure how much CPU and RAM you need: use the homelab hardware sizing tool.
Related: Install Proxmox on a mini PC · Synology vs DIY NAS · Homelab hardware sizing
Sources
- Proxmox VE overview: https://www.proxmox.com/en/products/proxmox-virtual-environment/overview (checked 2026-10-28)
- Proxmox VE pricing/subscriptions: https://www.proxmox.com/en/products/proxmox-virtual-environment/pricing (checked 2026-10-28)
- Proxmox VE FAQ (licence, Docker): https://pve.proxmox.com/wiki/FAQ (checked 2026-10-28)
- Proxmox VE admin guide, Package Repositories: https://pve.proxmox.com/pve-docs/chapter-sysadmin.html (checked 2026-10-28)
- Unraid pricing: https://unraid.net/pricing (checked 2026-10-28)
- Unraid docs, Configure your array: https://docs.unraid.net/unraid-os/getting-started/set-up-unraid/configure-your-array/ (checked 2026-10-28)
- Unraid docs, Arrays overview: https://docs.unraid.net/unraid-os/using-unraid-to/manage-storage/array/overview/ (checked 2026-10-28)
- Unraid docs, ZFS storage: https://docs.unraid.net/unraid-os/advanced-configurations/optimize-storage/zfs-storage/ (checked 2026-10-28)