Black Friday 2025 has brought a round of uncommon discounts to Synology’s latest DiskStation models, with Amazon and B&H offering some of the strongest reductions across the current lineup. Synology hardware rarely receives notable price cuts, particularly on recently launched systems, so this is a useful opportunity for anyone planning an upgrade or expanding their storage. Whether you need a reliable home backup platform, a media server, or a compact office solution, several 2025 generation units are now available at lower prices. This guide outlines the best deals currently live and helps identify which DiskStation models offer the most value during this year’s Black Friday period.
Important note: Some users may have heard that Synology’s 2025 generation DiskStation models restrict the use of non-Synology hard drives. This was true earlier in the year, but Synology reversed the policy in October 2025. Current DiskStation units in this lineup now accept third-party HDDs from any manufacturer with no warnings or reduced functionality. However, M.2 NVMe SSD support remains limited to approved models, and the HDD restrictions still apply to RackStation systems and higher tier products in the broader Synology portfolio. Learn More about this HERE
4-bay SATA/SSD NAS with dual 2.5 GbE ports, 2 × M.2 NVMe slots, AMD Ryzen V1500B quad-core 2.2 GHz processor, 4 GB DDR4 ECC memory (expandable to 32 GB).
The DS925+ is a compact four bay desktop NAS built for users who want a balance of performance, expansion, and long term DSM support in a small footprint. It runs on the AMD Ryzen V1500B processor with ECC memory, giving it a stronger hardware foundation than most entry tier systems and enough overhead for multi user workloads, backups, and light virtualisation. The unit supports both SATA hard drives and SSDs, while the two M.2 NVMe slots allow users to add cache or create faster SSD volumes without occupying the main bays. Dual 2.5GbE ports provide improved throughput over standard 1GbE models and support link aggregation for higher sustained speeds. With DSM offering SHR, Btrfs snapshots, file sync tools, media applications, and extensive package support, the DS925+ serves as a flexible storage platform for home offices and small teams that need dependable performance without moving to a larger enclosure. BUY HERE
2-bay SATA NAS with Intel Celeron J4125 quad-core 2.0/2.7GHz CPU, 2.5GbE + 1GbE LAN ports, dual USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports, 2GB DDR4 memory expandable to 6GB
The DS225+ is Synology’s 2025 two-bay desktop NAS designed for home users, creatives, and small teams seeking a straightforward yet capable storage solution. It supports both 3.5″ and 2.5″ SATA drives, and offers dual network ports—including a 2.5GbE link—for improved throughput in compact deployments. Running DSM, Synology’s mature NAS operating system, it delivers file sharing, backup, photo management, and surveillance features in an easy-to-use package. Its quad-core Intel processor provides capable performance for standard NAS tasks, though the soldered memory and modest expandability may limit its usefulness for heavier workloads or large scale expansion. With its balance of refined software and network capability, the DS225+ is a solid entry point for users focused on dependable, integrated NAS functionality. BUY HERE
4-bay SATA/SSD NAS with dual 2.5 GbE ports, 2 × M.2 NVMe slots, AMD Ryzen V1500B quad-core 2.2 GHz processor, 4 GB DDR4 ECC memory (expandable to 32 GB).
The DS925+ is Synology’s 2025 four-bay desktop NAS targeted at home offices, prosumers, and small teams who want a mature software ecosystem and future-proof networking. It supports both 3.5″ and 2.5″ SATA drives in its four bays, plus two M.2 NVMe slots for caching or fast SSD volumes, and can be expanded up to nine bays using an external unit. Dual 2.5 GbE ports provide better than standard network speed, while the AMD Ryzen V1500B processor (quad-core) and 4 GB of onboard ECC memory (expandable) deliver a solid foundation for multi-user access, backups, file sharing, and lightweight virtualization. It runs Synology’s DSM operating system, offering rich features such as SHR, Btrfs snapshots, file sync, collaboration tools and media streaming. With its blend of hardware and software, the DS925+ delivers a flexible platform for centralised storage and data management in a compact desktop form. BUY HERE
5-bay SATA/SSD NAS with 2 × M.2 NVMe cache slots, quad-core AMD Ryzen R1600 processor, 8 GB DDR4 ECC memory (expandable to 32 GB), four 1 GbE LAN ports plus optional 10 GbE upgrade slot.
The DS1522+ is a five-bay entry in Synology’s Plus series designed for home offices, prosumers, and small businesses that want advanced storage features in a desktop form. It supports both 3.5″ and 2.5″ SATA drives, plus two M.2 NVMe slots for caching or SSD-based volumes, and can expand up to 15 bays using official expansion units. With the AMD Ryzen R1600 quad-core processor, 8 GB of ECC RAM (upgradeable), and four built-in LAN ports, the unit delivers solid performance and reliability for file sharing, backups, and multi-user environments. The optional 10 GbE upgrade slot adds headroom for higher bandwidth workflows, and the included DSM operating system provides mature features such as SHR, snapshots, virtualization support, surveillance, and rich app integration. With its balance of expansion, performance and software depth, the DS1522+ offers a capable all-round platform for centralised data storage and management. BUY HERE
2-bay SATA/SSD NAS with dual 2.5 GbE ports, Realtek RTD1619B quad-core 1.7GHz CPU, 2 GB DDR4 memory (expandable), and dual M.2 NVMe slots for caching.
The DS124+ is a compact desktop two bay NAS aimed at home users and small offices who want reliable storage with Synology’s DSM platform. It supports both 3.5″ and 2.5″ SATA drives in the two bays, and adds dual M.2 NVMe slots for caching or faster storage tiers. Dual 2.5 GbE network ports give it strong connectivity when paired with a capable switch. Running the RTD1619B quad-core processor and with upgradable memory, the unit delivers better performance than many entry level NAS boxes. DSM provides features such as file sync, snapshot protection, collaboration tools, and mobile access. While it lacks some of the more advanced expandability of larger models, the DS124+ offers a balanced mix of hardware and software for users who need a modest sized, efficient centralized storage box under the Synology ecosystem. BUY HERE
8-bay SATA/SSD NAS with dual 2.5GbE ports, 2 × M.2 NVMe slots, AMD Ryzen V1500B quad-core 2.2GHz CPU, 8GB DDR4 ECC memory (expandable to 32 GB), and up to 360TB raw capacity with expansion units.
The DS1825+ sits at the upper end of Synology’s Plus desktop NAS lineup, delivering high capacity and flexibility for serious home users, creatives, and small business teams. With eight hot-swappable drive bays supporting both 3.5″ HDDs and 2.5″ SSDs, and two M.2 NVMe slots for caching or SSD pools, it handles large data sets without needing a rack enclosure. Dual native 2.5GbE ports support modern network speeds out of the box, while the PCIe slot allows optional 10GbE or 25GbE upgrades for future proofing. Its AMD Ryzen quad-core CPU paired with 8GB ECC memory provides a stable foundation for file services, snapshots, VM or container usage, and media streaming. The unit also supports up to 18 drive bays and 360TB raw storage with two DX525 expansion units, offering growth potential as storage needs increase. While it may not push the highest processing power, the DS1825+ blends Synology’s mature DSM software, robust hardware build quality, and flexible storage architecture into a capable all-rounder for users who require capacity, data protection, and software depth in a compact form. BUY HERE
5-bay SATA/SSD NAS with 2 × M.2 NVMe cache slots, quad-core AMD Ryzen R1600 processor, 8 GB DDR4 ECC memory (expandable to 32 GB), four 1 GbE LAN ports plus optional 10 GbE upgrade slot.
The DS1825+ sits at the upper end of Synology’s Plus desktop NAS lineup, delivering high capacity and flexibility for serious home users, creatives, and small business teams. With eight hot-swappable drive bays supporting both 3.5″ HDDs and 2.5″ SSDs, and two M.2 NVMe slots for caching or SSD pools, it handles large data sets without needing a rack enclosure. Dual native 2.5GbE ports support modern network speeds out of the box, while the PCIe slot allows optional 10GbE or 25GbE upgrades for future proofing. Its AMD Ryzen quad-core CPU paired with 8GB ECC memory provides a stable foundation for file services, snapshots, VM or container usage, and media streaming. The unit also supports up to 18 drive bays and 360TB raw storage with two DX525 expansion units, offering growth potential as storage needs increase. While it may not push the highest processing power, the DS1825+ blends Synology’s mature DSM software, robust hardware build quality, and flexible storage architecture into a capable all-rounder for users who require capacity, data protection, and software depth in a compact form. BUY HERE
4-bay SATA NAS with 2.5GbE + 1GbE, 2 × M.2 NVMe slots, Intel Celeron J4125 quad-core 2.0/2.7GHz CPU, and 2GB DDR4 memory expandable to 6GB
The DS425+ is a four bay desktop NAS positioned as an accessible entry into Synology’s 2025 Plus series, offering a familiar balance of performance, storage flexibility, and DSM software capability. It supports both 3.5″ and 2.5″ SATA drives in its main bays, with two M.2 NVMe slots available for caching or faster SSD-based volumes. The system runs on an Intel Celeron J4125 processor and includes 2GB of expandable DDR4 memory, making it suitable for everyday multi user file storage, backups, and light media serving. Connectivity consists of one 2.5GbE port and one 1GbE port, giving users bandwidth options depending on their network. DSM provides features such as SHR, Btrfs snapshots, cloud sync, surveillance tools, and a broad library of first-party applications. With Synology’s updated 2025 stance on third-party drive support, the DS425+ now accepts any standard HDD or SSD without warnings, making it a more flexible option for buyers who want a compact, straightforward, and software-rich NAS at this capacity point. BUY HERE
2-bay SATA NAS with dual 2.5GbE ports, 2 × M.2 NVMe slots for caching, AMD Ryzen R1600 dual-core 2.6/3.1GHz CPU, and 4GB DDR4 ECC memory expandable to 32GB.
The DS725+ is Synology’s compact two-bay Plus series NAS from the 2025 generation, designed for home offices and small businesses seeking high performance and flexibility in a small footprint. It supports both 3.5″ and 2.5″ SATA drives in its bays, and includes two M.2 NVMe slots for cache or fast solid state volumes. Networking is enhanced with dual 2.5GbE ports—an upgrade over earlier two-bay models—delivering better throughput for multi user access or file sharing. Powered by the AMD Ryzen R1600 dual-core processor with default 4GB of ECC memory (expandable), it handles standard NAS workloads, backups and light virtualisation with ease. The inclusion of DSM features such as shared folder snapshots, cloud sync, hybrid backup and mobile client integration makes it a strong choice for users who want Synology’s mature software ecosystem in a compact form. With the company’s updated 2025 policy, users can now install third-party HDDs without compatibility warnings, improving the DS725+’s flexibility when sourcing storage media. BUY HERE
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Synology vient de publier une nouvelle version de son système interne : DSM 7.3.1. Il s’agit d’une mise à jour de sécurité, vivement recommandée… surtout si votre NAS est accessible depuis l’extérieur. Voyons en détail ce que propose cette nouvelle version.
Synology DSM 7.3.1 Update 1
Après être revenu sur la compatibilité des disques durs début octobre avec DSM 7.3, puis avoir déployé DSM 7.3.1 quelques jours plus tard, le fabricant taïwanais publie aujourd’hui DSM 7.3.1 Update 1.
Comme toujours, commençons par le journal des modifications, qui récapitule les ajouts et correctifs apportés à DSM. Pour cette version, Synology indique simplement :
Correction d’une faille de sécurité.
Rien de plus. Synology reste peu bavard… et ce n’est pas nouveau. Le fabricant détaille de moins en moins ses correctifs. On peut également se demander si cette vulnérabilité corrigée fait écho aux résultats du Pwn2Own Dublin 2025.
[edit 20/11] Synology vient de fournir des informations complémentaires. Comme nous le supposions, cette correction est bien en lien avec le Pwn2Own 2025. Cette mise à jour corrige la CVE-2025-13392 qui permet à des attaquants distants de contourner l’authentification s’ils connaissent au préalable le nom distinctif (DN).
Comment télécharger et installer DSM 7.3.1
Si votre NAS est exposé sur Internet, nous vous recommandons d’installer cette mise à jour assez rapidement. Pour les autres, vous pouvez encore attendre quelques jours. Voici comment l’installer manuellement en suivant ces étapes :
Synology vient de déployer une nouvelle version de son système interne : DSM 7.3.1-86003. Cette mise à jour ne propose aucune nouveauté, mais elle corrige plusieurs bugs apparus avec la version précédente. Un correctif attendu, notamment par les utilisateurs confrontés à ces dysfonctionnements…
Synology DSM 7.3.1
Il y a tout juste 20 jours, Synology mettait en ligne DSM 7.3, une version marquante car elle revenait sur la restriction concernant les disques durs tiers (en particulier Western Digital et Seagate) pour la gamme DSx25. Une décision perçue comme une prise de conscience bienvenue par certains, mais comme un aveu d’échec (voire une perte de confiance) pour d’autres.
Problème : cette version 7.3 a introduit plusieurs bugs gênants, ce qui reste assez rare chez Synology. DSM 7.3.1 vient justement les corriger.
Connectez-vous à l’interface d’administration de votre NAS.
Accédez à Panneau de configuration > Mise à jour et restauration.
Cliquez sur Mise à jour manuelle de DSM.
Sélectionnez le fichier téléchargé via le bouton Parcourir.
Cliquez sur OK et attendez environ 3 minutes.
Redémarrage obligatoire
Une fois la mise à jour terminée, votre NAS redémarrera automatiquement.
Attention, cette mise à jour est assez longue… comptez entre 5 et 25 minutes suivant la configuration. Plusieurs paquets sont également mis à jour avec DSM 7.3.1.
Should You Upgrade Your Synology from DSM 7.2 to DSM 7.3?
DSM 7.3 represents Synology’s final major release under the DSM 7 platform before the expected transition to DSM 8, and it introduces a mix of refinements, policy reversals, and new enterprise tools that signal both the maturity and the approaching end of this software generation. The update arrives after an extended rollout period that began in mid-2025 and has been deployed gradually across supported NAS models to ensure stability. It brings several notable changes, most prominently the revision of the company’s restrictive hard drive policy under the new HCL 5.0 standard, allowing a broader range of third-party drives on 2025 Plus series systems. Other additions include the Synology Tiering package, designed to automate storage management between multiple NAS devices, and the introduction of the AI Console, a framework that integrates external AI and LLM providers into Synology’s productivity applications. Alongside these new components, DSM 7.3 also adds incremental updates such as native exFAT support, more flexible encryption handling, improved domain and directory management, and several kernel-level security patches.
However, for most existing users running DSM 7.2, the decision to upgrade should not be automatic. Many of the most visible features in DSM 7.3, including Synology Drive 4.0 and early versions of Synology Tiering, can already be accessed through separate beta packages on DSM 7.2 without performing a full system upgrade. Moreover, DSM 7.3 has arrived without a public beta phase, leading to mixed community feedback on compatibility issues and minor application regressions reported during early adoption. The release is stable for general use, but it represents an incremental refinement rather than a fundamental reinvention of Synology’s operating environment. For many users, DSM 7.3 serves as both a capstone for the current platform and a preparatory step toward the next-generation DSM 8 ecosystem expected to follow in 2026.
Should You Upgrade to Synology DSM 7.3? The TL;DR
For most existing Synology users, DSM 7.3 is a cautious, incremental update rather than a transformative one. It refines several areas—particularly in data security via vulnerability patches, encrypted storage handling, and drive compatibility—but few of these changes are critical for stable systems already running DSM 7.2. The improved drive policy on 2025 Plus models is a welcome reversal of the restrictive compatibility introduced earlier, yet older systems benefit little beyond quality-of-life improvements. Similarly, the new Synology Tiering and AI Console frameworks show potential but are limited in scope, requiring multi-system deployments or external AI integrations that do not suit typical home or small business users. In short, DSM 7.3 is reliable and functionally solid, but it introduces no must-have feature for those already content with DSM 7.2. Users with newer 2025 Plus series hardware, or those who need to take advantage of the new tiering, encryption, or administrative tools, can confidently upgrade once their model is supported. However, administrators running mission-critical workloads, media servers, or older legacy devices may prefer to wait until early 2026 for further stability updates or the initial DSM 8 previews. The release feels transitional—a final, polished step for the DSM 7 generation rather than a defining milestone—so unless your deployment directly benefits from one of its headline features, remaining on DSM 7.2 remains a perfectly reasonable choice.
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Will Upgrading to DSM 7.3 Remove My Ability to Hardware Transcode?
Upgrading to DSM 7.3 does not remove hardware transcoding support on systems that already possess compatible integrated graphics or dedicated GPU functionality. The removal of hardware transcoding drivers occurred earlier, during the rollout of DSM 7.2.2, and affected only specific 2025-generation NAS models where Synology chose to disable HEVC (H.265) hardware acceleration for licensing and driver maintenance reasons. For all older devices—such as the DS920+, DS423+, and DS224+—the upgrade to DSM 7.3 preserves existing transcoding capabilities, including both H.264 and H.265 conversions, assuming these were functional in DSM 7.2. Users can continue to use hardware-assisted video conversion in applications such as Synology Video Station (if you still have it!), Plex, and Jellyfin without additional configuration. No drivers are removed or replaced by the DSM 7.3 upgrade process, and GPU-accelerated workloads remain fully accessible. The only cautionary point applies to future NAS models that will ship with DSM 7.3 preinstalled, as these may already reflect Synology’s newer driver policy, but existing systems upgrading from DSM 7.2 retain their transcoding performance entirely unchanged. Just remember that Synology 2025 series devices that have an integrated graphics CPU do NOT have the graphics driver by default. Watch the video below to learn more:
Will Upgrading to DSM 7.3 Result in My M.2 SSDs Becoming Unsupported or Unusable?
For most users, upgrading to DSM 7.3 will not cause any change to M.2 SSD functionality. Systems that already have existing cache or storage configurations using M.2 NVMe drives in DSM 7.2 will continue to operate normally after the upgrade, with no data loss or drive disconnection. The update does not remove support for previously installed third-party NVMe SSDs, nor does it alter existing caching or volume structures.
However, DSM 7.3 maintains Synology’s restrictive stance on creating new NVMe-based storage pools (i.e only their own bradned drives currently) or caches using unverified drives. While the broader HCL 5.0 policy restores open drive usage for SATA HDDs and SSDs on the 2025 Plus series, it does not extend to M.2 NVMe media, which still require official validation to be initialised in new roles. Users upgrading from DSM 7.2 who already have third-party M.2 drives configured will see no functional difference, but those attempting to add or reassign new NVMe devices after the upgrade will remain subject to the same compatibility enforcement introduced in DSM 7.2.
Is Synology Drive 4.0 Worth Upgrading to DSM 7.3 For?
Synology Drive 4.0 introduces a collection of small but practical improvements that enhance team collaboration and file management, but none of these changes require DSM 7.3 to function. The new version adds improved file labelling and categorisation tools, making it easier for teams to assign colour-coded or custom tags to shared content.
It also refines file request functionality, allowing users to specify reasons for requesting access and to track these submissions more transparently. File locking has also been expanded, now supporting manual control in addition to automatic version locking, which prevents conflicts when multiple users are editing the same document.
Together, these updates improve workflow precision and traceability, particularly in shared office environments or remote teams using Drive as a private alternative to cloud collaboration platforms such as OneDrive or Google Drive.
Beyond these refinements, Synology Drive 4.0 also brings stronger integration with Synology Account authentication, a requirement for accessing its newest collaborative features. This includes cross-user label sharing, improved audit tracking, and the option to enforce identity binding for Drive users in larger deployments.
However, all of these capabilities remain accessible to DSM 7.2 users via Synology’s beta package program, meaning there is no requirement to upgrade to DSM 7.3 to test or use them. Unless you specifically need tighter Drive account linkage or plan to adopt other DSM 7.3-only features such as Tiering or AI Console integration, the Drive 4.0 update alone does not justify upgrading your NAS operating system.
Is Synology Tiering Worth Upgrading to DSM 7.3 For?
Synology Tiering is one of the most significant new features in DSM 7.3, introducing an automated data management system designed to move infrequently accessed files from fast “hot” storage to lower-cost “cold” storage across multiple NAS devices. The concept is similar to hierarchical storage management in enterprise systems, but unlike QNAP’s QTier, it does not operate within a single NAS.
Instead, it requires two or more Synology NAS units running DSM 7.3, with the hot tier hosting the primary, frequently used data, and the cold tier configured as a secondary vault where less active files are migrated. Administrators can create tiering plans that determine how long a file remains in the hot tier based on modification or access frequency, with policies ranging from one day to several years. Transfers occur automatically over encrypted HTTPS connections, and stub files are left behind in the hot tier to preserve accessibility, allowing users to recall files seamlessly when needed.
However, despite its potential, Synology Tiering remains a beta-stage feature with limited configuration depth and hardware support. Not all NAS systems qualify for hot-tier deployment, and the supported model lists are inconsistent. For example, the DS425+—a system without M.2 slots—supports hot-tier operation, whereas the DS923+, which features greater performance and expandability, does not. Likewise, several older Plus-series models and most rackmount units are limited to cold-tier functionality only.
The service currently lacks integration with Synology Drive, encrypted folders, or other key DSM services, meaning many shared folders cannot participate in tiering policies. While the feature offers promise for businesses managing distributed sites or large archives, it is still early in development and unsuitable as the sole reason to perform a DSM 7.3 upgrade. It can also be tested independently on DSM 7.2 via the beta package, allowing administrators to evaluate its practicality before committing to a full system migration.
It is worth noting that Synology’s allocation of which NAS systems qualify as hot-tier and cold-tier devices under DSM 7.3 results in some unusual distinctions between models. Several systems with similar or even higher technical specifications are listed only as cold-tier devices, while others with more modest hardware are fully approved for hot-tier functionality.
For example, the Intel Celeron-based DS225+, which supports only SATA HDDs and lacks M.2 NVMe or 10GbE connectivity, is officially designated as a hot-tier system. In contrast, the AMD Ryzen R1600-based DS923+, which includes dual M.2 NVMe slots and 10GbE upgradability, appears only on the cold-tier list.
This creates a noticeable mismatch between capability and feature assignment across both desktop and rackmount systems, suggesting that Synology’s tiering support matrix has been determined on a per-model basis rather than by hardware class.
The division between these two groups highlights some unexpected choices, where NAS models with more advanced configurations—such as integrated NVMe storage or faster network options—are limited to cold-tier participation, while smaller, SATA-only systems are permitted full hot-tier operation.
Are Synology AI Admin Console Services Worth Upgrading to DSM 7.3 For?
The Synology AI Console is a new administrative framework introduced in DSM 7.3 that allows NAS administrators to connect external artificial intelligence and large language model (LLM) services, such as OpenAI, Azure OpenAI, Google Gemini, and Amazon Bedrock, directly into select Synology productivity applications. Its purpose is to enhance tools like Synology MailPlus and Synology Office with text summarisation, translation, and content generation capabilities.
Rather than hosting AI workloads locally, the Console acts as a bridge between the NAS and third-party AI providers through user-supplied API keys. Administrators can control who can access these features, set daily or per-minute token limits to manage consumption, and monitor all requests via detailed transaction logs.
A privacy-focused de-identification mechanism can also be enabled to mask sensitive data—such as names, IP addresses, or account details—before it leaves the NAS for external processing, restoring it upon return.
While these controls demonstrate a well-considered security approach, the AI Console remains divisive. Because all AI requests are processed externally rather than on-device, the system sends portions of MailPlus and Office text content to third-party cloud providers for analysis and response generation.
Even with encryption and masking in place, this design conflicts with the expectations of users who adopt a NAS precisely to maintain full local control over data.
Moreover, the Console currently supports only text-based functions and does not provide local inference, on-device LLM hosting, or GPU-accelerated processing, which limits its appeal to professional or privacy-conscious users. For most home and small-business owners, the AI Console is an optional enhancement rather than a compelling reason to upgrade.
It may benefit organisations already running MailPlus or Office in a collaborative environment, but its dependence on external AI infrastructure means its inclusion in DSM 7.3 is unlikely to justify a system-wide update on its own.
A Pre-emptive Warning about DSM 7.3 and Synology RS / Rackstation and NVR / DVA Surveillance Systems
While DSM 7.3 restores third-party hard drive flexibility on the 2025 DiskStation Plus range, this policy change does not extend to RackStation (RS) or DVA/NVR systems. These models continue to enforce Synology’s restricted compatibility framework, requiring officially verified HAT, HAS, or SAT series drives for full SMART monitoring, health data reporting, and warranty-backed operation. Unverified drives may still function but typically appear with degraded status indicators, limited temperature or lifespan data, and persistent “incompatible” warnings within Storage Manager.
This limitation remains particularly relevant to surveillance deployments, as Synology has yet to certify common NVR-grade drives such as Seagate IronWolf, Seagate SkyHawk, or WD Purple series models. At the time of writing, only one 2025-generation RackStation has been released under this policy, but Synology is expected to expand the line-up significantly into Q1 2026, with new models such as the DVA7400, DVA3000, and additional 4- and 8-bay RS systems all expected to ship with DSM 7.3 pre-installed and to follow the same verified-drive enforcement. As such, administrators planning future rackmount or surveillance deployments should confirm drive support in advance, as Synology shows no signs of relaxing its enterprise compatibility standards for these product tiers.
Should You Upgrade to DSM 7.3? VERDICT
For most existing Synology users, DSM 7.3 stands as a careful, incremental evolution of the platform rather than a major overhaul. It introduces refinements in data protection, encryption handling, and administrative control while restoring a more open stance on third-party hard drive use under the new HCL 5.0 policy. These adjustments address several long-standing user concerns, particularly on the 2025 Plus series, where Synology has finally reintroduced full flexibility for HDD and SSD compatibility. However, outside of that reversal, DSM 7.3’s core updates—such as minor kernel improvements, user interface refinements, and system efficiency tweaks—represent evolutionary stability rather than innovation. The release also marks Synology’s first attempt to integrate AI-based administrative tools and multi-tier storage, but both features remain optional, niche in scope, and better suited to advanced users or multi-NAS deployments. For those running stable DSM 7.2 environments, the upgrade is beneficial but not essential, as few of the new capabilities materially alter day-to-day operations.
That said, DSM 7.3 remains a worthwhile step forward for users who want to align their systems with Synology’s next-generation framework before DSM 8’s eventual release. Owners of newer 2025 models such as the DS925+, DS1525+, or RS2825RP+ will likely find the update unavoidable, as it forms the baseline for upcoming package releases and extended security support. Administrators managing large data environments may also appreciate the improved directory integration, enhanced file versioning, and native exFAT support included in this release. Still, those relying on older Plus or XS-class devices for media, backup, or general storage tasks may prefer to wait for a few minor revisions before upgrading, allowing early adopters to expose any unforeseen issues. DSM 7.3 is polished and well-structured, but it feels transitional—a bridge between legacy DSM 7.2 deployments and the more modern, AI-aware infrastructure Synology is preparing for DSM 8. Unless you specifically require its new storage policies, tiering capabilities, or AI integration, remaining on DSM 7.2 remains a stable, low-risk option for the foreseeable future.
Which Systems Support the DSM 7.3 Upgrade? (Updated List)
The DSM 7.3 (version 7.3-81180) update is available as a manual download for an extensive range of Synology NAS systems, spanning the Plus, XS, SA, FS, HD, Value, and J series. Rollout continues in stages, meaning some users will not yet receive an automatic update notification. Once installed, DSM 7.3 cannot be downgraded to a previous version, and for many older models, it will be the final feature-bearing update, with future maintenance limited to security and stability patches.
The complete set of DSM 7.3 installation files, as listed in Synology’s October 2025 release, confirms support for virtually all NAS models released between 2016 and 2025. Key model families include:
Video analytics and surveillance models: DVA1622, DVA3219, DVA3221.
Virtual DSM package: VirtualDSM 7.3-81180.
This dataset confirms that DSM 7.3 has been compiled for almost every currently supported platform, with file sizes ranging from roughly 300 MB for entry-level systems (such as the DS120j and RS217) up to 430 MB for enterprise and FlashStation devices. Users operating 2025-generation systems such as the DS225+, DS425+, DS725+, DS925+, DS1525+, DS1825+, RS2825RP+, and SA3410 will receive DSM 7.3 pre-installed or as part of first-release firmware. For older devices dating back to 2016–2018, DSM 7.3 will act as the final major update before DSM 8 arrives in 2026.
Which Synology NAS will See DSM 7.3 as their LAST Major Synology Update?
The DSM 7.3 (version 7.3-81180) update is available for a wide range of Synology NAS models, though rollout is staged and certain older systems will remain on DSM 7.2 or earlier. It is important to note that DSM 7.3 will be the final major upgrade for many devices, after which they will continue to receive only security and maintenance patches. Users should also be aware that once installed, DSM 7.3 cannot be downgraded.
For these devices, DSM 7.3 represents the end of the feature update cycle, effectively marking the transition point toward DSM 8, which will accompany newer 2026 and later hardware. Users operating 2025-series NAS systems that are produced by Synology in 2026 (the DS225+, DS425+, DS725+, DS925+, DS1525+, DS1825+, and RS2825RP+) will receive DSM 7.3 by default and will likely be among the first to transition to DSM 8 once available.
Is the Synology DS925+, DS1825+, DS1525+, etc NAS OK to Buy Now?
As this change in unverified hard drive support policy by Synology seems to be rolled out in the DSM 7.3 update, that means that currently if you buy and deply a Synology x25 generation NAS, you will still be subject to the restricted HDD deployment status of DSM right now (i.e cannot initialize, cannot RAID build, Rebuild, hot spare, etc unless using a Synology labelled drive or one that eventually might arrive on the compatibility list). So, if you buy the new Synology DS925+, DS1825+ or DS1525+ – unless you were already going to buy Synology hard drive and SSD media, you won’t be able to do very much out the box! So, if you are only considering a Synology NAS right now IF it can be used with 3rd party and/or unverified storage media – DO NOT BUY until the DSM 7.3 update rolls out! You will just be wasting some of your 3 year included warranty whilst you wait!
HOWEVER –If/When you do wish to purchase a Synology NAS, please do use the links below in order to purchase your NAS. Doing so results in a small commission coming to me and Ed here at NASCompares, and it allows us to keep doing what we do here, and is the most frictionless and zero-cost way for you to support our articles, reviews, videos, guides, support systems and more.
Synology DS925+ NAS
Synology DS1525+ NAS
Synology DS1825+ NAS
Check Amazon in Your Region for the Synology DS925+ NAS
Below are further videos from over the course of the last 6+ months that cover the evolution of Synology and this controversial hard drive support policy.
This description contains links to Amazon. These links will take you to some of the products mentioned in today's content. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Visit the NASCompares Deal Finder to find the best place to buy this device in your region, based on Service, Support and Reputation - Just Search for your NAS Drive in the Box Below
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Alternatively, why not ask me on the ASK NASCompares forum, by clicking the button below. This is a community hub that serves as a place that I can answer your question, chew the fat, share new release information and even get corrections posted. I will always get around to answering ALL queries, but as a one-man operation, I cannot promise speed! So by sharing your query in the ASK NASCompares section below, you can get a better range of solutions and suggestions, alongside my own.
If you like this service, please consider supporting us. We use affiliate links on the blog allowing NAScompares information and advice service to be free of charge to you.Anything you purchase on the day you click on our links will generate a small commission which isused to run the website. Here is a link for Amazon and B&H.You can also get me a Ko-fi or old school Paypal. Thanks!To find out more about how to support this advice service checkHEREIf you need to fix or configure a NAS, check FiverHave you thought about helping others with your knowledge? Find Instructions Here
This description contains links to Amazon. These links will take you to some of the products mentioned in today's content. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Visit the NASCompares Deal Finder to find the best place to buy this device in your region, based on Service, Support and Reputation - Just Search for your NAS Drive in the Box Below
Need Advice on Data Storage from an Expert?
Finally, for free advice about your setup, just leave a message in the comments below here at NASCompares.com and we will get back to you.Need Help?
Where possible (and where appropriate) please provide as much information about your requirements, as then I can arrange the best answer and solution to your needs. Do not worry about your e-mail address being required, it will NOT be used in a mailing list and will NOT be used in any way other than to respond to your enquiry.
[contact-form-7]
TRY CHAT Terms and Conditions
If you like this service, please consider supporting us.
We use affiliate links on the blog allowing NAScompares information and advice service to be free of charge to you.Anything you purchase on the day you click on our links will generate a small commission which isused to run the website. Here is a link for Amazon and B&H.You can also get me a Ko-fi or old school Paypal. Thanks!To find out more about how to support this advice service checkHEREIf you need to fix or configure a NAS, check FiverHave you thought about helping others with your knowledge? Find Instructions Here
Or support us by using our affiliate links on Amazon UK and Amazon US
Alternatively, why not ask me on the ASK NASCompares forum, by clicking the button below. This is a community hub that serves as a place that I can answer your question, chew the fat, share new release information and even get corrections posted. I will always get around to answering ALL queries, but as a one-man operation, I cannot promise speed! So by sharing your query in the ASK NASCompares section below, you can get a better range of solutions and suggestions, alongside my own.
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