When looking at ways to transfer files between network-attached storage (NAS) and connected hardware, you'll likely come across server message block (SMB) and network file system (NFS). Both are valid protocols for moving data between a NAS and your PC or mobile device, but which is better? Unfortunately, this is one of those questions that can be answered with "it depends" so I'll highlight a few reasons why you should (and shouldn't) use NFS over SMB.

4 Reason you should: Tighter control over connections

NFS is more complex and configurable than SMB, especially on supported systems. You can dive deep into how NFS handles connectivity to your NAS and if you are using Proxmox. Should you desire more control over various aspects of each connection, NFS can provide the means to achieve this. This does mean it can prove more of a challenge for beginners to set up and get NFS running as desired, but the overall performance and connectivity are worth the effort.

3 Reason you shouldn't: You work with larger files on Windows

Windows is great with SMB and it's recommended you use this protocol when managing systems running Microsoft's OS. SMB also works great with larger files, whereas I've seen (and corroborated) testing showcasing better performance over NFS for smaller files. However, your mileage will vary and this is entirely subjective, depending on networking hardware and transferred data.

2 Reason you should: You're a Linux/Unix fan

NFS works great on Linux and Unix systems. Although it's designed to work cross-platform, you'll get the best support and performance through these operating systems. Using NFS can also unlock better performance thanks to lower overheads and efficient handling of small to medium files. That said, both Windows and Linux/Unix will work with either protocol.

1 Reason you shouldn't: It can be difficult to set up

If you enjoy a challenge and learning something new, NFS is a great choice for moving data to and from your NAS. If you simply want something to be up and running in moments with little overhead, SMB may be the better option for those less tech-savvy. That's not to say NFS is impossible to work with, far from it, but you will find yourself searching for answers more. NFS also requires some fiddling for Apple systems.

Use the transfer protocol that works best for you

Give SMB and NFS a try. Depending on your setup, I'd recommend going with NFS first, unless you're rocking Windows. SMB is just better overall for use with Microsoft's systems. NFS can prove useful for the reasons I covered above, but if it proves too convoluted or difficult to configure, there's always SMB (and other protocols) to try until you find one that works for your needs. Better yet, use both!