NETYARD

NethServer or a done-for-you Samba network for a 12-person shop

NethServer is a free, open-source platform for people who run their own Linux servers. NetYard is for shops that want the plan written down and, if they like, someone else to build and look after it. Both can give Windows PCs a Samba Active Directory to join.

What NethServer publishes (checked October 19, 2026)

  • NethServer describes itself as a small business Linux server and a multi-node application platform built on Linux and containers.
  • It says it is 100% open source and free, with its source code on GitHub, developed by Nethesis together with a community.
  • It runs on several Linux distributions, including Rocky Linux, CentOS Stream, Alma, and Debian, with a web interface and a Software Center for apps.
  • Its administrator manual says you can create an internal user domain with Samba Active Directory from the Domains and users page, and that Samba can host one user domain per node.
  • Nethesis sells optional yearly subscriptions for an enterprise updates repository, automatic updates, monitoring, and support tickets. Prices are on its subscription page, in euros.

What NetYard does

NetYard writes the plan for free: addressing, a Samba Active Directory on Debian that Windows PCs join, shared drives by team, guest Wi-Fi on its own network, a WireGuard VPN stub, a shopping list, install scripts, a user CSV, and a runbook. If you would rather not run it yourself, First Deploy AI builds it from that same written plan for $1,750 setup ($875 to start), then $250/mo. Hardware is bought separately.

Side by side

NethServerNetYard
Software costFree and open sourceSamba and Debian, free and open source
DirectoryInternal Samba Active Directory optionSamba Active Directory on Debian
Who sets it upYou or your Linux adminYou from the free plan, or First Deploy AI
Ongoing helpOptional yearly subscription from NethesisOptional $250/mo named operator after a build
Also coversContainer apps across nodesAddressing, guest Wi-Fi, VPN, shopping list, runbook

NethServer facts from nethserver.org, its subscription page, and its administrator manual, checked October 19, 2026.

Pick NethServer if

  • You have someone comfortable running Linux servers and containers
  • You want to host several self-run apps across more than one node
  • You want free software and will do the setup yourself

Pick NetYard if

  • You want a plan that covers the whole shop network, not only the server
  • Nobody in the shop wants to be the Linux admin
  • You want one named operator to call after the build
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Questions

Is NethServer free?

NethServer's site says it is 100% open source and available for free. Nethesis sells optional yearly subscriptions for enterprise updates and support. Checked October 19, 2026.

Do both use Samba Active Directory?

NethServer's manual describes an internal Samba Active Directory user domain. NetYard plans Samba Active Directory on Debian. The difference is who plans, builds, and looks after it.

What does a NetYard build cost?

The plan and scripts are free. A build is $1,750 setup ($875 to start), then $250/mo. Hardware is separate and listed at street prices in your plan.

Sources

Plain-text sources, no outbound links. Each was read on the date shown. Prices change, so check before you buy.

  • NethServer: nethserver.org home page (open source, free, Nethesis, supported distributions), nethserver.org/subscription (optional yearly plans), and the NethServer 8 administrator manual, user domains page (internal Samba Active Directory), checked October 19, 2026.
  • NetYard: this site's home page, pricing card, and FAQ ($1,750 setup ($875 to start), then $250/mo; the plan, shopping list, and scripts are free with no account), checked October 19, 2026.

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