Training Example: Unraid – Review the Data, Give Your Score & Compare to the Real AI Evaluation

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[H1] What will you build?
Unraid is a powerful, easy-to-use operating system for self-hosted servers and network-attached storage. Make the most out of your hardware—no matter what kind of drive you have on hand.

Explore Unraid

Get Started

[H6] Blog

We're Hiring! Head of Operations & Automation
June 15, 2026

View all announcements

[H2] The possibilities are limitless with Unraid

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[H6] NAS OS

[H3] Simplify your self-hosting set-up
Say goodbye to a closet full of mismatched drives—and hello to the most flexible operating system for network-attached storage you’ll ever use. Unraid OS lets you use what you have to build what you want.

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[H6] Docker Applications

[H3] Run applications and manage data on the same server
Unraid’s simple UI makes it easy to manage your entire stack of Docker applications. Add new applications from the hundreds of user-created templates in Community Apps, or use your own!

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[H6] Virtual Machines

[H3] Work and create even faster
Pass through a graphics card to enable gaming or video editing. Allow network-free file access for high-speed file transfers. The possibilities are endless.

Explore All Features

[H2] It's Time to Unleash Your Hardware

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[H3] Built for you. Built by you.

We built the operating system we wanted to use. Mix and match hard drives of any size to build your server and grow your storage capacity.

Get Started

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[H3] Built different

Unraid is more than a product—we’re a community. With countless guides, video tutorials, use cases, and communities in just about every social platform and language, you will always feel supported on your journey. We can’t wait to see what you build.

Join our community

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[H3] Built to last

If you can imagine it, you can build it with Unraid. From simple storage solutions to game server hosting, we evolve with you however you decide to scale.

See use cases

I've been using Unraid for a few years now. I absolutely love it. My girlfriend suggests I love Unraid more than her... she might be right.  What I enjoy most is discovering new things I can run on my server, setting them up, then watch as they work flawlessly from then on. It just works.

@gdmac1

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[H2] Do more with Community Apps
Run popular applications like AdGuard, Pi-hole, Home Assistant, and Plex right from your Unraid server. Don’t see what you need? Submit your own app and share it with the entire community!

Browse All Community Apps

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[H2] Limitless Possibilities
From local file storage, gaming, content creation, and everything in between, Unraid OS allows you to get the most out of your rig. If you are in need of some homelab inspiration, you've come to the right place!

Browse Use Cases

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[H2] Pricing

With affordable options starting at just $49, we have a license for everyone.

Buy Now

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[H2] Try before you buy

Not sure if Unraid is right for you? Take Unraid for a test drive for 30 days—no credit card required.

Free Trial

[H1] Getting Started is Easy
Configure your first array in less than 15 minutes.

Download for Windows

Download for Mac

Download for Linux

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[H2] First, download our USB Creator

Once Unraid is installed, you can start with a free 30-day trial or enter your pre-purchased activation code.

[H3] Download for Windows

USB Creator Windows

[H3] Download for Mac

USB Creator mac OS

[H3] Download for Linux

USB Creator Linux

[H2] Next, install Unraid

[H3] 1. Before you begin, you’ll need the following

An assembled server that's connected to ethernet and is capable of booting from a USB device. Unraid works with most hardware.An attached monitor and keyboard for the initial configuration, and for altering configuration settings in your BIOS.A high-quality, named-brand USB flash device that is at least 4 GB in size with a unique GUID (Globally Unique Identifier). This is required to get started but once Unraid boots, the onboarding wizard can help you switch to booting to internal storage if preferred.Unraid is extremely hardware agnostic. For hardware or system build advice, see our docs.

[H3] 2. Preparing the Boot Disk

Insert your USB flash device into your Mac or PC.Download the USB Flash Creator for Mac or PC and use it to install Unraid OS onto your USB flash device (recommended). Or, you can use the manual install method.Remove the flash device from your PC and plug it into your server.Boot into your server's BIOS settings and make the following changes:Configure the system to boot from the USB flash device.Enable hardware virtualization-specific features (including IOMMU), if applicable.You can find more details on BIOS configuration in the Advanced BIOS configuration guide.Save your BIOS configuration changes and exit to boot Unraid OS.

[H3] 3. Initial Setup

Once Unraid OS has booted, open the WebGUI (our browser-based management utility), and complete your system configuration.Open a web browser from your Mac or PC and navigate to http://tower.local.When prompted, set a strong root password.Register and install your free Trial license key, or enter your activation code.
[H5] Want to boot from internal storage?
The onboarding wizard launches automatically on first boot and includes a boot method step where you can switch from your flash drive to an internal NVMe, SSD, or eMMC device right during initial setup with no separate migration needed afterward. If your hardware supports it, this is the easiest time to make the switch.Learn more in the Internal Boot FAQ →For more details, see our quick install guide documentation.

[H3] 4. Assign devices to the array and pool(s)

Now you’re ready to assign devices for Unraid to manage.Assign devices in the “Main” tab of the Unraid WebGUI. On this page, you’ll see a list of Array device and Pool device assignments, as well as any unassigned devices and the boot device.Use the dropdowns to select disks for your array (parity and non-parity drives) and pool devices. Learn more about storage management.Once you have assigned all your devices, select the “Start” button under “Array Operation.” This will mount your devices and start the array.Once you have started the array, plan and create shares to simplify how you store data across multiple disks. Learn more about shares.For more details and recommendations for assigning disks, see our product documentation.

[H3] 5. You’re in! Now what?

Now that you’ve completed basic installation and set-up for your Unraid server, it’s time for the fun part: customizing everything to your needs.We recommend exploring the following steps:Install the Community Apps plugin, so you can run popular applications like AdGuard, Pi-hole, Home Assistant, and Plex right from your Unraid server. Install the Unraid Connect plugin for remote access and flash backup.Install virtual machines to run other operating systems like Windows or Linux.Join the discussion on our forums, where you can find answers to most of your troubleshooting questions.Get Multi-lingual support: download, install, and use the Unraid OS in a multitude of other languages.Sign up for our newsletter to get monthly product updates. Want to move off your flash drive? If you didn't switch during setup, you can migrate to internal boot anytime via Tools → Onboarding Wizard. See the Internal Boot FAQ for requirements and steps to move to Internal Boot.

[H2] Join Thousands of Happy Customers

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The biggest problem with unRAID is that I didn't discover it years before I started using it.

@CrabwickTheChad

Overall I’m amazed by how much unRAID has allowed me to do with this machine, and a year in I still haven’t scratched the surface of what it can do.  I’m convinced I’ll be able to, with a few select upgrades along the way, keep this machine going for another 10 years like my last machine.

@DZMM

Unraid has been an absolute lifesaver when it comes to managing my home tech infrastructure.  I’ve consolidated so much into one system it’s not even funny.  And the support you guys give to your users is unreal.

@Rhynri

Wow, what is not to like?  Reliability, flexibility, and amazing support.  My unRAID server has been one of the best things I have ever built for my home.

@TheExplorographer

[H2] Unraid Guides

More Guides

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[H3] Unraid Set Up and Configuration Deep Dive

Explore Unraid's unique storage features, how to easily get started with Unraid, and some of it's new features.

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[H3] DITCHING my Homelab software for UNRAID

In this video, we overview some of the general layouts and features of the UNRAID NAS software.

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[H3] Guide: Unraid Gaming VM

This guide takes you through the required steps of configuring a gaming VM in Unraid, while covering what is being done and why.

[H2] Unraid Docs

Explore extensive documentation of our product. You’ll never have to wonder what to do next.

Browse our Docs

[H3] Most popular

[H4]

Getting started

In this guide, we cover how to prepare your flash device, boot the system, and configure your first array. The entire process should take less than 15 minutes.

[H4]

FAQs

Explore Unraid FAQs regarding the OS, installation, licensing, the Unraid.net Account, and more.

[H4]

Unraid OS Release Notes

Read all about the latest and greatest Unraid OS releases.

[H2] Got questions about Unraid? We’ve got answers.

[H3] Ask in the Forums

Our forums are filled with thousands of user questions and detailed answers. Most Unraid customers find everything they need to troubleshoot right here. Take a look!

Visit our forums

[H3] Log in to Create a Ticket

Sometimes you need a helping hand. Create a ticket for general support, bug reports, feature requests, and more.

Start a ticket

[H3] Check out our Docs

Unraid has extensive product documentation, so you can get up and running in no time.

Browse the docs

[H3] Paid Support

Book a one-on-one support session to review a new build, address performance issues, troubleshoot your server, and more.

Learn more

[H1] The Possibilities Are Nearly Limitless
From local file storage, gaming, content creation, and everything in between, Unraid OS allows you to get the most out of your rig. If you are in need of some homelab inspiration, you've come to the right place!

[H2] All use cases

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[H5] Your Own Private AI.

Run AI on your own hardware — generate images, chat with a local LLM, transcribe audio, clone voices. No subscriptions, no data leaving your home.

Features used
NAS OS
Docker Applications
Community Apps

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[H5] Tailscale on Unraid

Dive into integrating Tailscale with Unraid 7! Simplify your network, enhance security, and unlock the full potential of Unraid.

Features used
NAS OS
Docker Applications
Community Apps

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[H5] Build Your Ultimate Home Media Server

Unraid is built for running the media server you actually want. Run Plex, Jellyfin, Emby, and store everything locally, stream to any device, and get rid of costly cloud subscriptions.

Features used
Docker Applications
Virtual Machines
Community Apps

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[H5] Energy-Efficient Unraid Server

Unraid makes it easy to build an energy-efficient home server without sacrificing performance.

Features used
Docker Applications
Community Apps
NAS OS

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[H5] Game Server Hosting

If you're a gamer who plays games like Counterstrike, Valheim, Rust, and many others, did you know you can run your own servers on Unraid?

Features used
NAS OS
Docker Applications
Community Apps

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[H5] Minecraft

Host your own private servers, load custom maps, and mods, and limit who can and cannot connect.

Features used
Docker Applications
Community Apps

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[H5] Streamers and Content Creators

From capture, encoding and re-streaming to backing up and archiving your video content, Unraid OS is a great solution for every kind of online streamer.

Features used
Docker Applications
Community Apps
NAS OS

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[H5] Gaming

Unraid lets you maximize your system to be a victory lap-worthy gaming computer and a fully functional home PC at the same time.

Features used
Virtual Machines
Docker Applications
Community Apps

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[H2] Get more out of Unraid with our open ecosystem of apps

Built for our community by our community.

Unraid Community Apps

[H3] Plex / Jellyfin

Enjoy your media on all your devices.All your movies, TV Shows, music, and more are at your fingertips, anywhere you go, on all the devices you love.

Learn More

[H3] Nextcloud

Store your docs, calendar, contacts, and photos on your server or in the cloud of your choice. Your data is at your fingertips with Nextcloud, the safe and secure self-hosted home cloud storage software.

Read more

[H3] Home Assistant

Open-source home automation that puts local control and privacy first. Powered by a worldwide community of tinkerers and DIY enthusiasts. Perfect to run on an Unraid server.

Read more

[H3] AdGuard

AdGuard Home is a network-wide software for blocking ads & tracking. After you set it up, it’ll cover ALL your home devices, and you don’t need any client-side software.

Read more

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[H2] Pricing

With affordable options starting at just $49, we have a license for everyone.

Buy Now

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[H2] Try before you buy

Not sure if Unraid is right for you? Take Unraid for a test drive for 30 days—no credit card required.

Free Trial

[H1] Go ahead. Add a drive.
Unraid is an operating system for network-attached storage that lets you use what you have to build the server you want. Mix and match drives, securely store and share data, and manage VMs and Docker applications—all from a powerful, web-based interface.

Get Started

Buy Now

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[H2] Features of our powerful, easy-to-use operating system

Play

Pause

[H6] NAS OS

[H3] Simplify your self-hosting set-up

Say goodbye to a closet full of mismatched drives—and hello to the most flexible operating system for network-attached storage you’ll ever use. Unraid OS lets you use what you have to build what you want.

Open

Unraid is hardware agnostic. Mix and match hard drives of any size to build your server and grow your storage capacity. Swap your hardware at any time, or scale into a more complex server set-up.
[H3] Store your data in an Unraid array for ultimate flexibility
Protect your array with optional parity drives for additional peace of mind.Control how your data is split between drives. Take advantage of cache pools to speed access to your array.
[H3] Get higher speeds with a drive pool
Format single-drive pools, two-drive mirrors, or even more complex ZFS pools for significant fault tolerance and speed.Use a cache pool with SSDs to enable super-fast writes and take advantage of faster storage speeds for your VMs and applications. Boot from internal storage for faster boot times and reduced dependence on USB flash media, with optional mirrored boot for redundancy.

[H4] Help Docs

How to create and manage shares

Storage management

Adding & configuring disks

Using a pool

How to use a ZFS pool

Why use a ZFS pool

Internal Boot FAQ

TPM Licensing FAQ

[H3] Multi-OS Users

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We make it easy to consolidate everything you need onto one system. No more buying different machines for different uses.

Play

Pause

[H6] Docker Applications

[H3] Run applications and manage data on the same server

Unraid’s simple UI makes it easy to manage your entire stack of Docker applications. Add new applications from the hundreds of user-created templates in Community Apps, or use your own!

Open

Thanks to Unraid’s Community Apps plugin, you can easily download and run your favorite applications as Docker containers. Containers operate separately, and they can’t interact with one another unless you want them to. Restrict the data and resources your applications have access to for maximum security.

[H4] Help Docs

Docker management

Community apps

[H3] Host Your Own Password Manager

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Using Vaultwarden on Unraid for password management, you can entrust your most important passwords to a system that you own and control yourself.

Play

Pause

[H6] Virtual Machines

[H3] Work and create even faster

Pass through a graphics card to enable gaming or video editing. Allow network-free file access for high-speed file transfers. The possibilities are endless.

Open

Unraid runs as a virtualization host, leveraging a hypervisor to give you access to your virtual machines.
[H3] Other benefits of running VMs on Unraid
Create a Windows VM and pass through a graphics card to enable gaming or video editing.Create any Linux VM you can imagine to run any application you want.Mount shares into your VMs to allow network-free file access and high-speed file transfers.

[H4] Help Docs

VM Support

Managing VMs

[H3] Multi-OS Users

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We make it easy to consolidate everything you need onto one system. No more buying different machines for different uses.

Play

Pause

[H6] Community Apps

[H3] Download apps for everything

Community Apps is our most popular plugin for free apps and plugins created and vetted by users like you.

Open

Run popular applications like AdGuard, Pi-hole, Home Assistant, and Plex right from your Unraid server. Explore all apps.Don’t see what you need? Submit your own app and share it with the entire community!

[H4] Help Docs

Community Applications Overview

Community Applications Plugin Support

[H3] Minecraft

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Host your own private servers, load custom maps, and mods, and limit who can and cannot connect.

Play

Pause

[H6] VPN Setup with Tailscale

[H3] Secure your network

Tailscale brings secure remote access to Unraid with zero configuration. Built on WireGuard, it handles networking for you—no port forwarding, static IPs, or complex firewall rules.

Open

Connect to your Unraid server from anywhere using your phone, laptop, or another system. All traffic is encrypted and authenticated automatically.Use Tailscale to:Access the Unraid web UI remotelyConnect to virtual machines using built in VNC supportLink multiple Unraid servers together with private networkingWant to access Docker containers? You can install Tailscale directly into most containers using the Unraid GUI, and it’s automatic for the majority of community images.Tailscale makes Unraid access simple, fast, and secure even behind NAT or CGNAT.

[H4] Help Docs

Tailscale + Unraid Docs

Video: The Ultimate Guide to Tailscale on Unraid

[H3] Tailscale on Unraid

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Dive into integrating Tailscale with Unraid 7! Simplify your network, enhance security, and unlock the full potential of Unraid.

[H2] More than a Product

We’re a friendly community of tinkerers, content creators, data hoarders, privacy seekers, and boundary pushers. With countless guides, video tutorials, use cases, and communities in just about every social platform and language, you will always feel supported on your journey. We can’t wait to see what you build!

Join us

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"Just passed the two year mark as an Unraid user. Fantastic product, but it's the community that makes it truly shine. Thank you all, both developers and fellow users." @devnul

I've always wanted to have my own media library for my home theater and a gaming PC that both a friend and I could use at the same time. I now run a modest Plex server and multiple other Dockers and recently just built a "2 Gamers, 1 CPU" style rig for gaming. Unraid has made it possible for me to achieve both of these goals. Thank you!!

@mjlukey

Great OS. The flexibility and ease of expansion made Unraid the choice for me.  I have converted 3 people at my work so far this year. Couldn't ask for a more supportive community!

@Gragorg

Happy Unraid user of about 3 years or so, and I'm on my second build now (with build #3 in the next 12 months). Unraid allowed me to consolidate a bunch of separate machines with separate storage into a single more easily managed system. It also lowered the barrier to entry to technologies like virtualisation, docker and just linux in general.

@tjb_altf4

See More

[H2] The Possibilities are Endless

View more use cases

[IMG: Game server hosting]

[H5] Game Server Hosting

If you're a gamer who plays games like Counterstrike, Valheim, Rust, and many others, did you know you can run your own servers on Unraid?

Features used
NAS OS
Docker Applications
Community Apps

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[H5] Windows Backups

What do you do if you accidentally delete a file or get infected with a virus or malware? Protect yourself by using Unraid as a backup target for your PCs.

Features used
NAS OS
Docker Applications
Community Apps

[H2] Got questions? We’ve got answers.

[H3] Paid Support

Book a one-on-one support session to review a new build, address performance issues, troubleshoot your server, and more.

Learn more

[H3] Log in to Create a Ticket

Sometimes you need a helping hand. Create a ticket for general support, bug reports, feature requests, and more.

Start a ticket

[H3] Check out our Docs

Unraid has extensive product documentation, so you can get up and running in no time.

Browse the docs

[H3] Ask in the Forums

Our forums are filled with thousands of user questions and detailed answers. Most Unraid customers find everything they need to troubleshoot right here. Take a look!

Visit our forums

[IMG: Img Pricing 1]

[H2] Pricing

With affordable options starting at just $49, we have a license for everyone.

Buy Now

[IMG: Img Trial 2024 02 08 212242 rczx]

[H2] Try before you buy

Not sure if Unraid is right for you? Take Unraid for a test drive for 30 days—no credit card required.

Free Trial