OpenAFS

B tier on Distributed File System SoftwareScore 7.1 · #5 of 29

Android app: Not listed
Free plan: Yes
Runs on: Linux, Mac, self-hosted, Windows

openafs.org

Summary

OpenAFS is a free, open-source implementation of the AFS distributed filesystem. It lets users access network files as if they were local, while location transparency keeps pathnames usable when administrators move files between machines. AFS supports federated sharing and read-only replication between file servers. The client Cache Manager keeps files in disk or memory cache to reduce repeated network requests. Kerberos authentication uses tokens to represent authenticated status, and directory access control lists set permissions for users and groups. Clients and servers mutually authenticate; server processes encrypt particularly sensitive information sent to clients. However, commands in the fs, pts, and vos suites do not encrypt data before transmitting it. OpenAFS is available for Linux, macOS, Windows, and self-hosted deployment. The project lists release 1.8.16.1 as a June 2026 UNIX/Linux maintenance release, supporting Linux mainline kernels up to 7.1. It is distributed under the IBM Public License, and administrators assign each AFS volume a size limit or quota.

Who it is for

It suits organizations such as companies or university departments that need shared network files across a defined user group. It is intended for administrators able to manage AFS volumes and their quotas.

What is good

Keeps file paths stable when files move between machines.
Supports federated sharing and read-only replication.
Caches files locally in disk or memory.
Uses Kerberos authentication and directory access controls.
Available for Linux, macOS, and Windows.

What to know first

fs, pts, and vos commands do not encrypt transmitted data.
Each volume has an administrator-assigned size limit or quota.
Self-hosted deployment requires administration.

Verdict

OpenAFS provides location-transparent, replicated file access for organizations managing their own filesystem environment. Its unencrypted administration commands are an important security limitation to consider.

OpenAFS plans and pricing

All plans

OpenAFS Free Open-source distributed filesystem wiki.openafs.org · 29 Sept 2026

Compared on distributed file system software

Free plan: Yesopenafs.org
Deployment model: self_hostedopenafs.org
Data replication: Yesopenafs.org
Multi-site support: Yesopenafs.org
File access protocols: AFS; NFS via translator; SMB/CIFS on Windowsopenafs.org

Facts

What it does: OpenAFS is an open-source implementation of the AFS distributed filesystem for accessing network files as if they were local.openafs.org · 29 Sept 2026
Federated sharing: AFS supports federated file sharing and read-only content replication across file servers.openafs.org · 29 Sept 2026
Location transparency: Users can keep using the same pathname when administrators move files between machines.docs.openafs.org · 29 Sept 2026
Caching: The client Cache Manager stores files in local disk or memory cache to reduce repeated network requests.docs.openafs.org · 29 Sept 2026
Authentication: OpenAFS supports Kerberos-based authentication and uses tokens to represent authenticated status.wiki.openafs.org · 29 Sept 2026
Access controls: Directory access control lists specify which users or groups can access files and what permissions they have.docs.openafs.org · 29 Sept 2026
Security: AFS clients and servers mutually authenticate, and server processes encrypt particularly sensitive information sent to clients.docs.openafs.org · 29 Sept 2026
Security limitation: The administration guide says commands in the fs, pts, and vos suites do not encrypt data before transmitting it.docs.openafs.org · 29 Sept 2026
Platforms: The project home page lists UNIX, Linux, macOS, and Microsoft Windows among supported systems.openafs.org · 29 Sept 2026
Current release: The home page lists OpenAFS 1.8.16.1 as a June 2026 maintenance release for UNIX/Linux, with support for Linux mainline kernels up to 7.1.openafs.org · 29 Sept 2026
License: The project states that OpenAFS is distributed under the IBM Public License.wiki.openafs.org · 29 Sept 2026
Support: The project wiki points users to mailing lists, an IRC channel, and a page listing individuals and companies offering support or consulting.wiki.openafs.org · 29 Sept 2026
Intended users: The documentation describes AFS cells as suitable for organizations such as companies, university departments, or other defined groups of users.docs.openafs.org · 29 Sept 2026
Storage limits: Each AFS volume has a size limit or quota assigned by the system administrator.docs.openafs.org · 29 Sept 2026