Longhorn
Longhorn is a free, open-source distributed block storage system for Kubernetes.
What Longhorn is
Longhorn is a free, open-source distributed block storage system for Kubernetes. It replicates storage across nodes and data centers to increase availability, and supports V1 replicated, V2 replicated, and V2 sharded volumes with erasure coding. Users can schedule recurring snapshots and backups to NFS or S3-compatible secondary storage. For disaster recovery, Longhorn can create volumes that allow data recovery in a second Kubernetes cluster. It includes a GUI dashboard, and the management UI is described as free. The software stack can be upgraded without disrupting running storage volumes. Installation methods include kubectl, Helm, Fleet, Flux, and ArgoCD. Longhorn supports mTLS encryption for gRPC communication between its control plane and data plane, but mTLS is disabled by default. Its components require root access with privileged permissions for volume operations and management. Backup requires an NFSv4 client, while ReadWriteMany volumes require NFSv4.1. Longhorn is a CNCF incubating project. SUSE Storage is described as an enterprise-ready Longhorn-based distribution with additional support, security, lifecycle management, and certified integrations.
Good
- Free and open-source software
- Scheduled snapshots and secondary-storage backups
- Supports cross-cluster disaster recovery volumes
- Stack upgrades need not disrupt running volumes
Watch out
- mTLS is disabled by default
- Components require privileged root access
- Backup requires an NFSv4 client
- ReadWriteMany volumes require NFSv4.1
Who it suits
Longhorn suits teams running Kubernetes that need distributed block storage, snapshots, backups, or cross-cluster disaster recovery. It is aimed at users who can meet its privileged-access and NFS requirements where applicable.
Verdict
Longhorn provides Kubernetes block storage with replication, backup, and disaster recovery capabilities. Check its access privileges and NFS requirements before adopting it.
Plans and prices
From Longhorn's own pricing page, checked 2 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Longhorn | Free | Free, open source software · Distributed block storage for Kubernetes |
The facts
Each one read from Longhorn's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Disaster recovery
- It can create cross-cluster disaster recovery volumes so data can be recovered in a second Kubernetes cluster.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Enterprise support
- SUSE Storage is described as an enterprise-ready Longhorn-based distribution with additional support, security, lifecycle management, and certified integrations.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Installation options
- The documentation lists installation with kubectl, Helm, Fleet, Flux, and ArgoCD, among other methods.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Management UI
- Longhorn provides a GUI dashboard and its home page describes the management UI as free.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Privileges
- Longhorn components require root access with privileged permissions to perform volume operations and management.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Project status
- Longhorn is a CNCF incubating project.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Replication
- It replicates block storage across multiple nodes and data centers to increase availability.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Security
- Longhorn supports mTLS to secure and encrypt gRPC communication between its control plane and data plane, but mTLS is disabled by default.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Snapshots and backups
- It supports scheduled recurring snapshots and backups to NFS or S3-compatible secondary storage.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Storage requirements
- The installation guide says backup requires an NFSv4 client, while ReadWriteMany volumes require NFSv4.1.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Upgrades
- The documentation says the Longhorn software stack can be upgraded without disrupting running storage volumes.checked 2 Oct 2026
- What it does
- Longhorn is a distributed block storage system for Kubernetes.checked 2 Oct 2026
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