With Synology ‘Hurt’, Where Is QNAP Right Now?

In the rapidly shifting world of network-attached storage (NAS), QNAP remains one of the most established and technically capable names in the field, yet its place in the market has never felt more uncertain. While Synology has spent much of 2025 dealing with backlash over its increasingly closed-ecosystem strategy—restricting support for third-party drives and limiting upgrade paths—QNAP’s relative quietness has been equally striking. Rather than taking advantage of Synology’s missteps to present itself as the more open and flexible alternative, QNAP has maintained a notably low public profile. This has led many in the community to wonder whether the company is missing a rare opportunity to redefine the market narrative in its favour. Meanwhile, the NAS landscape itself has become more fragmented than ever, with emerging brands such as UGREEN entering the space aggressively, and DIY-friendly systems like ZimaOS, CasaOS, and TrueNAS reshaping what users expect from network storage. In this increasingly complex environment, QNAP’s silence raises an important question: where does the company stand today, and what direction is it heading next?

What Stops QNAP from Achieving Market Dominance?

For much of the last decade, QNAP and Synology were the twin pillars of consumer and SMB NAS. Both set the standards for design, functionality, and software maturity. But while Synology’s restrictive policies have alienated parts of its user base, QNAP has struggled to control the narrative. The company’s openness to third-party hardware remains one of its strongest selling points, yet it has failed to capitalise on that advantage through clear messaging or aggressive marketing. Instead, the brand has allowed the spotlight to drift toward newcomers offering simpler, more modern experiences. Without stronger communication, QNAP risks being seen not as the flexible choice, but as the complicated one. At the same time, the entry-level NAS market is shifting under QNAP’s feet. UGREEN’s arrival has changed expectations by blending appealing industrial design, approachable software, and low price points that attract first-time buyers. Asustor and Terramaster have also expanded their share through steady, incremental improvements that emphasise usability and value over complexity. These competitors are building ecosystems designed for beginners, while QNAP’s traditional focus on advanced workflows can appear intimidating to casual users. For those who simply want a plug-and-play media server or backup appliance, QNAP’s power and depth can feel like overkill.

The DIY and Open-Source Challenge

Beyond traditional competitors, the DIY NAS scene has exploded. Open-source operating systems and flexible, modular hardware are giving enthusiasts and professionals more freedom than ever. Platforms like ZimaOS, CasaOS, and LincStation deliver near-commercial polish at minimal cost, while established heavyweights such as TrueNAS and Unraid continue to dominate the prosumer and homelab segments. Even projects like HexOS, which simplifies TrueNAS for newcomers, show how far the DIY ecosystem has evolved toward user-friendliness. These developments put pressure on QNAP from two directions: on one side, budget newcomers promising simplicity; on the other, flexible open-source solutions offering near-unlimited control. QNAP’s traditional middle-ground position—balancing enterprise-grade features with consumer usability—has never been more difficult to defend.

Where Is the QNAP TS-464 Refresh?

One of the clearest signs of uncertainty around QNAP’s current direction is the lack of a follow-up to the widely praised TS-464 series. Three years after its launch, this model remains one of QNAP’s most balanced and popular NAS systems, yet there has been no formal announcement of a successor. During a recent QNAP partner event in London, attended by distributors and sales partners, several new devices were discussed—such as the USB-to-Dual-10GbE adapter, a 60-bay enterprise expansion chassis, and the QUTS-based AI systems shown earlier at Computex—but no mention was made of a new desktop refresh. What has been confirmed is the upcoming TS-62A series, effectively a value-tier alternative built on the same Intel Celeron N5095 processor found in the TS-464. While this helps QNAP reach a lower price point, it also highlights the absence of real progress in its mainstream lineup. More advanced models, such as the QU504, QU506, and QU508, featuring Intel’s newer Twin Lake N150 and N355 CPUs, have been spotted—but these are confirmed to be China-only releases, likely replacing the “C” series that previously served that region. This means global customers remain without a direct 464 successor in 2025.

The Twin Lake CPUs represent a notable improvement over the Celeron family, offering higher efficiency, DDR5 memory support, and lower power draw, though they are limited to a single memory channel and a maximum of 16GB. Their PCIe layout offers nine Gen3 lanes, potentially allowing QNAP to scale network speeds to 5GbE or even dual-5GbE configurations. However, insiders suggest the company may delay such upgrades until its World Partner Tour later this year, possibly aligning a new desktop rollout with that event. If true, the earliest a genuine TS-464 refresh might appear is early-to-mid-2026, leaving the current model to carry the banner longer than expected. This gap has created visible frustration within the NAS community. While competitors like UGREEN and Minisforum push out new models with 2023–2024 generation CPUs, QNAP continues to rely on hardware first introduced in 2021. The TS-464 remains capable, but QNAP’s silence about its replacement feeds the perception that the brand has slowed its consumer-level innovation cycle.

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QNAP Is Doing More Than People Think

Despite appearances, QNAP has not been idle. At the 2025 Tech Summit in Taipei, the company showcased several major initiatives reinforcing its enterprise and AI ambitions. Highlights included the TVR-AI200 intelligent NVR, high-availability rackmount systems, and updates to QuTS hero, its ZFS-based OS. These developments show that QNAP is not chasing the beginner market but doubling down on performance, scalability, and professional reliability. Its quietness in consumer circles may therefore reflect a strategic pivot toward enterprise and prosumer deployments where its technology already excels. QNAP’s continued support for both QTS (EXT4) and QuTS hero (ZFS) remains one of its key differentiators. Few other vendors offer users this level of choice between consumer simplicity and enterprise-grade data integrity. Meanwhile, hardware flexibility continues to set QNAP apart: PCIe expansion, GPU support for AI and virtualization, 10GbE networking, and hybrid storage pools that combine HDD, SSD, and NVMe tiers. These factors allow QNAP to appeal to serious creators, labs, and businesses seeking more control than a typical turnkey NAS provides.

QNAP’s challenge now is less about technology and more about perception. To regain consumer trust and market visibility, it must simplify its message without diluting its strengths. Its dual-OS ecosystem, PCIe expandability, and AI integration are powerful advantages, but they must be communicated as accessible, not intimidating. Streamlining setup and maintenance could help QNAP reclaim the middle ground between Synology’s walled garden and the raw complexity of TrueNAS or UnRAID. A clearer consumer strategy is also essential. The company has the resources and product depth to compete head-to-head with UGREEN and Asustor, but a quiet marketing approach has allowed newer names to dominate the conversation. Reinforcing its openness to third-party drives, highlighting its unique Thunderbolt and ZFS support, and launching refreshed hardware with current-generation processors would go a long way toward rebuilding enthusiasm among home and prosumer users.

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In Conclusion: Where Is QNAP in 2025?

QNAP stands at a pivotal point. Synology’s restrictive direction has created an opportunity for alternatives to flourish, yet QNAP has not fully seized it. Instead, it has focused on strengthening its enterprise and AI product lines while leaving a gap in its mainstream portfolio—most notably the missing TS-464 refresh. Meanwhile, challenger brands like UGREEN, Minisforum, and Aoostar are gaining traction with faster hardware and more aggressive pricing.

Still, QNAP retains unique advantages. Its dual-OS ecosystem, long-term software support, and deep hardware ecosystem remain unmatched in many respects. The TS-x64, TS-x62, and TVS-hx74 series may be ageing, but their ongoing QuTS hero updates show QNAP’s commitment to support longevity. The key now lies in timing: if QNAP can re-enter the consumer market in 2026 with refreshed Intel Twin Lake or similar platforms—balancing performance, energy efficiency, and modern connectivity—it could reassert itself as the most capable and open NAS brand available.

 

Until then, the silence surrounding its next-generation desktop NAS line speaks volumes. QNAP’s technical foundation remains solid, but in a market that rewards visibility and momentum, even the most capable brand cannot afford to stay quiet for long.

 

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AI Console for Synology Mail Plus and Synology Office – But Should You Use It?

Note -Thanks again to Daniel from Germany for all his support and assistance for this video. Visit his site HERE

Synology has introduced a new software package called AI Console, aimed at integrating third-party AI and large language model (LLM) services directly into select Synology productivity applications. The package is available on devices running DSM 7.2 or later and supports only certain x86-64 NAS models, reflecting the higher processing and memory requirements of AI workloads.

Rather than running its own local AI engine, Synology provides a centralised management tool for connecting to established AI providers, including OpenAI, Azure OpenAI, Google Gemini via AI Studio or Vertex AI, Amazon Bedrock, and Baidu AI Cloud. Once linked using the administrator’s API key, these services can be used within Synology MailPlus and Synology Office to perform tasks such as summarising long emails, generating responses, translating text, adjusting tone, and producing refined document content.

The AI Console is designed with administration and control in mind. It allows system managers to configure access on a per-package basis, selectively enabling or excluding AI features for specific users or groups. Advanced options include setting daily or per-minute token limits for each user to control consumption and manage costs, as usage charges are determined by the chosen AI provider rather than Synology itself. For privacy protection, the Console supports a de-identification process that can mask predefined categories of sensitive data before prompts are sent to an AI provider, with the original data restored after the response is received.

Administrators can monitor adoption and usage trends through transaction logs, which capture request details such as timestamps, IP addresses, API models used, and token counts, alongside admin logs that record configuration changes. While the AI Console does not add AI functionality to all DSM applications, it focuses on extending the business-oriented MailPlus and Office suite. However, this is not a move that will please all Synology owners or buyers, as some value their NAS primarily for complete local data control and may view any cloud-connected AI integration as an unnecessary or risky addition.

Why is Synology AI Console So Contentious?

The idea of adding AI functionality to a NAS is divisive because many users adopt these systems specifically to avoid reliance on cloud-based services. A key selling point of a Synology NAS has long been the ability to store, process, and back up data entirely within the user’s own premises, retaining full control over where that data resides and who can access it.

By design, the Synology AI Console connects to external AI providers through API calls, meaning that text-based content from MailPlus or Office documents is transmitted to third-party servers for processing. Even with encryption in transit and privacy safeguards such as de-identification, this external dependency conflicts with the expectations of users who purchased a NAS to minimise exposure to external networks. This tension is heightened by the fact that the AI operations do not run locally on the NAS hardware, which for some buyers undermines the appeal of integrating AI into a device marketed for self-contained operation.

Another factor making AI use contentious is the trust and compliance aspect. Many NAS deployments are in small businesses, professional environments, or home offices handling sensitive material. Sending even anonymised extracts of communications or documents to an external service raises compliance questions for organisations bound by strict data protection rules, especially in regulated industries such as healthcare, finance, or legal services.

While the AI Console provides administrative controls, auditing tools, and the option to disable AI entirely for certain users or packages, the underlying reality remains that data is leaving the local network for processing. This creates a fundamental divide between those who welcome AI for its productivity benefits and those who see any form of off-device data processing as incompatible with the core value proposition of a private NAS.

What Security Provisions Have Synology Put in Place?

Synology’s AI Console incorporates multiple layers of control to reduce the risks associated with transmitting data to third-party AI providers. API keys for connected AI services are stored locally on the NAS rather than in the cloud, and all requests are sent directly from the device to the selected AI provider. Administrators can remove these keys at any time, immediately severing the connection. The system allows AI access to be enabled or disabled at the package level, with the option to exclude specific users or groups entirely. To prevent uncontrolled consumption, administrators can set token rate limits per user, measured either per minute or per day. Transaction logs record each AI request with details such as timestamp, source IP address, user account, API model used, and token usage, while admin logs document any configuration changes. This creates a verifiable audit trail for compliance and internal review.

Key security provisions include:

• Local storage of API keys, with no cloud-based key management.

• Direct communication between the NAS and the AI provider, bypassing Synology’s own servers.

• Ability to revoke API access instantly by deleting stored keys.

• Per-package AI enable/disable controls, with user and group-level exclusions.

• Token rate limiting to control per-user API usage.

• Detailed transaction logs for all AI requests.

• Administrative logs for configuration changes.

• Optional logging of request inputs and outputs for auditing.

For added privacy, Synology offers a de-identification feature that can mask selected categories of sensitive data before they are transmitted to the AI provider, restoring the original information once the processed output is returned. This feature can identify and anonymise common identifiers such as names, email addresses, IP addresses, banking details, and various country-specific personal or business numbers. De-identification relies on a combination of AI-driven semantic analysis and predefined regular expression rules, giving administrators control over which data types are masked. It requires the installation of the Container Manager package and a minimum of 8 GB of RAM, with each enabled language model consuming roughly 1 GB of memory. Although Synology notes that de-identification cannot guarantee 100% masking, the mechanism is intended to significantly reduce the chance of exposing sensitive details during AI processing.

Synology Mail Plus and AI Console Integration

When enabled for Synology MailPlus, the AI Console provides a set of functions aimed at improving email efficiency through automated text processing. Within the MailPlus interface, users can generate short or detailed summaries of incoming emails, which can help quickly assess lengthy messages without reading them in full. The AI assistant can also draft replies based on user instructions, with options to adjust tone, length, and formality, or translate the response into a supported language. All AI processing is text-based, with attachments excluded from transmission to the AI provider. The system also supports “Help me write” prompts directly within the reply editor, allowing for quick generation of tailored responses that can be inserted and then edited before sending. Importantly, these capabilities are only available to users granted AI permissions by the administrator, and all actions are recorded in transaction logs for review.

The integration offers multiple editing refinements, including making a message more formal or casual, shortening or lengthening text, and translating to or from languages supported by the connected AI model. Users can also rephrase replies entirely or request alternative drafts. Although these capabilities are similar to features found in other email platforms that integrate AI, the implementation within MailPlus is designed to remain under the control of the NAS administrator, with optional de-identification masking personal data before it is sent to the provider. Responses are generated by the third-party AI service configured in AI Console, and processing occurs only when the user explicitly invokes an AI function, avoiding any automated sending of content without user action.

From a functional perspective, MailPlus AI integration is targeted primarily at professional or business environments that run their own Synology-hosted mail server. It can streamline response drafting, reduce time spent on routine communication, and support multilingual correspondence. However, the scope is currently limited to text-based tasks, with no AI-driven attachment analysis, advanced categorisation, sentiment detection, or automated email sorting included. The feature set also lacks customisable style profiles beyond the basic tone and length adjustments, meaning more specific brand or sector language must still be applied manually. The value for each organisation will depend on how frequently staff interact with longer, more complex emails, and whether the trade-off of involving an external AI service aligns with internal data handling policies and compliance requirements.

Synology Office and AI Console Integration

In Synology Office, AI Console integration extends across the suite’s document, spreadsheet, and presentation tools, embedding AI-assisted functions within the existing editing interface. In documents, the AI assistant can summarise entire files, rewrite selected sections, adjust tone, translate content, or improve grammar. These actions can be applied either through a right-click contextual menu or via a dedicated AI sidebar that displays results alongside the original content. Users can choose to insert AI-generated revisions directly into the file or keep them separate for manual comparison. The system maintains Office’s existing version history, meaning any AI-driven edits can be rolled back without data loss.

In spreadsheets, the integration is aimed at assisting with formula comprehension and basic data interpretation. Users can request explanations of specific formulas, generate new formulas from plain-language prompts, or run simple calculations without manually writing functions. The AI can also produce summaries of table data, although its analytical depth is limited compared to dedicated business intelligence tools. As with documents, processing is restricted to text-based content; the system does not transmit embedded images or charts to the AI provider. Administrators can control whether AI features are available in spreadsheets, allowing them to be enabled for certain user groups while remaining disabled for others.

For presentations, the AI can refine slide text, translate content, or expand bullet points into fuller sentences, making it useful for producing alternate versions of existing material. The functionality mirrors what is available in documents, with tone and length adjustments as well as grammar checks. However, it does not currently create entirely new slide decks or visual layouts from prompts. The processing workflow remains the same across all Office formats: only when a user explicitly triggers an AI action is the relevant text sent to the configured provider, and all requests are recorded in the AI Console’s transaction logs.

Overall, the Synology Office integration offers consistent AI tools across its core applications, focusing on editorial and language-based support rather than data-driven automation. While the scope is narrower than AI-enabled features in some third-party office suites, the implementation maintains administrative control and allows for selective deployment, making it adaptable to environments where privacy considerations limit the use of external services.

What Features of AI/LLM Are Not Present?

Although the Synology AI Console brings AI-assisted functions to MailPlus and Office, it does not provide the same breadth of capabilities found in some competing platforms. There is no locally hosted AI model option, meaning all processing is dependent on a live connection to a third-party provider. As a result, the system lacks offline functionality, GPU-accelerated local workloads, or support for running open-source LLMs within the NAS environment. In practical terms, this means that all AI operations involve external processing, which may not suit users who require fully on-premises data handling.

Beyond the infrastructure level, several functional gaps remain. The integration does not extend to all DSM applications, omitting areas such as File Station, Photo Station, Synology Photos, and Surveillance Station. Within MailPlus and Office, the AI features are focused on text editing and basic summarisation rather than broader automation. There is no built-in capability for sentiment analysis, advanced data analytics, automatic categorisation, or content generation from large datasets. Similarly, the AI Console does not currently allow multi-step task automation or integration with custom scripts, limiting its use to predefined actions within the supported productivity tools.

Is Synology AI Console Safe?

From a technical and administrative perspective, Synology has implemented several measures to protect data when using the AI Console. API keys are stored locally on the NAS, and requests to AI providers are sent directly from the device rather than passing through Synology-operated servers. Administrators can limit access to specific packages, exclude selected users or groups, set token usage caps, and monitor all AI interactions through detailed logs. For additional privacy, the optional de-identification feature can mask sensitive details such as personal identifiers, banking information, and IP addresses before prompts are transmitted, restoring them only after the AI provider returns a response.

However, the safety of the AI Console ultimately depends on the chosen AI provider and the user’s own policies. All processing occurs on the provider’s infrastructure, meaning data leaves the local network whenever AI features are used. Even with encryption and masking in place, this external dependency may be unacceptable in environments with strict regulatory requirements or where complete local control is mandatory. While Synology provides the tools to minimise risk and monitor usage, it is the administrator’s responsibility to select a compliant provider, configure de-identification appropriately, and ensure that AI features are only enabled where the security implications are fully understood.

Here is my video on the original reveal of AI Integration/Connection into Synology DSM when it was first shown off during the Synology Solution Exhibition back in 2023 in Taipei:

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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   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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