NethServer vs SME Server

Struggling to choose between NethServer and SME Server? Both products offer unique advantages, making it a tough decision.

NethServer is a Network & Admin solution with tags like linux, centos, server, file-sharing, dns, dhcp, mail.

It boasts features such as Web interface for server configuration, Modules for common server functionality (file sharing, DNS, DHCP, mail, etc), Based on CentOS and RHEL, Support for virtualization platforms like KVM and Xen, Centralized authentication via LDAP and Active Directory, Firewall and bandwidth management, Web proxy and content filter, Mail server with anti-spam and anti-virus, Nextcloud integration for file sync and share, Backup solutions like Bacula community edition and pros including Easy to use web interface simplifies server management, Good selection of built-in modules for common tasks, Stable base of CentOS/RHEL, Active open source community support, Free and open source software.

On the other hand, SME Server is a Network & Admin product tagged with linux, centos, email, web-hosting, firewall.

Its standout features include Web server (Apache), Mail server (Postfix), Firewall, VPN, File sharing, Intrusion detection, Antivirus, Antispam, Webmail (Horde), Groupware (Kolab), Monitoring tools, and it shines with pros like Easy to install and configure, Good selection of preconfigured services, Active community support, Free and open source.

Feature	NethServer	SME Server
Overall Score	N/A	N/A
Primary Category	Network & Admin	Network & Admin

Product Overview

NethServer

Description: NethServer is an open source Linux distribution based on CentOS that is optimized for use as a server platform. It simplifies server management through a user-friendly web interface and modules that provide common functionality like file sharing, DNS, DHCP, mail, etc.

SME Server

Description: SME Server is an open source Linux distribution based on CentOS designed for easy deployment of servers for small and medium businesses. It includes pre-configured applications like email, web hosting, firewall, etc.

Key Features Comparison

NethServer Features

• Web interface for server configuration
• Modules for common server functionality (file sharing, DNS, DHCP, mail, etc)
• Based on CentOS and RHEL
• Support for virtualization platforms like KVM and Xen
• Centralized authentication via LDAP and Active Directory
• Firewall and bandwidth management
• Web proxy and content filter
• Mail server with anti-spam and anti-virus
• Nextcloud integration for file sync and share
• Backup solutions like Bacula community edition

SME Server Features

• Web server (Apache)
• Mail server (Postfix)
• Firewall
• VPN
• File sharing
• Intrusion detection
• Antivirus
• Antispam
• Webmail (Horde)
• Groupware (Kolab)
• Monitoring tools

Pros & Cons Analysis

NethServer

Pros

• Easy to use web interface simplifies server management
• Good selection of built-in modules for common tasks
• Stable base of CentOS/RHEL
• Active open source community support
• Free and open source software

Cons

• Less flexibility compared to manually configuring services
• Limited scalability compared to commercial solutions
• Requires some Linux/sysadmin knowledge for setup and maintenance
• Not all modules are open source

SME Server

Pros

• Easy to install and configure
• Good selection of preconfigured services
• Active community support
• Free and open source

Cons

• Limited scalability for large deployments
• Relies on older versions of some software components
• Limited selection of supported hardware

Pricing Comparison

NethServer

• Open Source
• Free

SME Server

• Open Source