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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Best NAS You Can Buy Right Now (Mid-2025) for Under $249

As personal data storage needs continue to grow in 2025, more users are seeking cost-effective alternatives to cloud services and monthly subscription platforms. Whether you’re backing up years of photos, hosting your own video library, or managing light business data locally, a dedicated NAS (Network Attached Storage) device offers greater privacy and control without recurring fees. Fortunately, the sub-$249 price point now includes a variety of surprisingly capable systems. Thanks to developments in low-power processors, DDR5 memory adoption, and more efficient operating systems, these devices can now handle everything from Plex streaming to light container workloads with relative ease. In this article, we explore five NAS solutions currently available at or below this price point, offering a balance of performance, connectivity, and storage potential for those looking to build their own storage solution on a modest budget.

Important Disclaimer and Notes Before You Buy!

Before diving into the specific NAS models, it’s important to understand the limitations and shared characteristics of devices in this price range. Most sub-$249 NAS units do not include any hard drives or SSDs, and many rely on M.2 NVMe slots or 2.5″/3.5″ SATA bays that must be populated separately. Some models ship with basic onboard storage (e.g., 32GB–64GB eMMC) sufficient only for the operating system. As such, the actual cost of getting a fully operational NAS with adequate storage for your needs may exceed the base unit price. Buyers should also be aware that these devices are best suited for home users, personal cloud use, and entry-level tasks, rather than intensive business or enterprise workloads. Additionally, several of the devices covered in this list do not come with a full-featured NAS operating system. Instead, they either rely on lightweight Linux-based platforms like CasaOS or ZimaOS, or they provide a basic UI designed for local file access and container management. While these OS options are improving in terms of user-friendliness, they may lack advanced features like comprehensive RAID management, automated snapshots, or multi-user file permission systems found in higher-end platforms like Synology DSM or TrueNAS. These NAS units are most appropriate for users with some technical confidence, or for those looking for a basic plug-and-play setup with limited customization needs.

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Beelink ME Mini NAS – 6 Bay SSD NAS

$209 – Intel N150 – 12GB – No SSD (64GB eMMC Only) – 2x 2.5GbE + WiFi 6 – No OS / User Install – BUY HERE

The Beelink ME Mini is a compact NAS device aimed at users who want high-speed, SSD-based storage in a minimal footprint. Measuring just 99mm on each side, it features six M.2 2280 NVMe slots, providing up to 24TB of total capacity when fully populated. Powered by the Intel N150 processor and paired with 12GB of LPDDR5 memory, it offers a decent balance between performance and energy efficiency. Connectivity is handled via dual 2.5GbE LAN ports, WiFi 6, and Bluetooth 5.2, making it suitable for both wired and wireless environments. The unit is cooled passively and contains an integrated power supply, reducing cable clutter and making it ideal for placement in home media setups or small offices.

However, the device does not include an operating system, and users will need to install a preferred NAS OS themselves — whether that’s CasaOS, Ubuntu Server, or something container-based. There’s also no bundled storage beyond the 64GB eMMC system partition, so the overall cost will rise depending on your NVMe selections. It lacks support for traditional 3.5″ or 2.5″ SATA drives, making this NAS most suitable for users seeking a quiet, SSD-only setup with strong networking performance and flexibility for custom OS installation.

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GMKTec G9 NAS – 4 Bay M.2 NAS @ The lowest Price

$185.99 – Intel N150 – 12GB – No SSD (64GB eMMC Only) – 2x 2.5GbE + WiFi 6 – Ubuntu 24.10 (Preloaded, Switchable) – BUY HERE

The GMKTec G9 offers similar internal hardware to the Beelink ME Mini, including the same Intel N150 processor and 12GB of LPDDR5 memory, but with a more rectangular chassis and fewer SSD slots — four instead of six. The system includes 64GB of onboard eMMC storage, primarily used for booting Ubuntu 24.10, with the option to dual-boot into Windows 11 if a suitable SSD is installed. Like the Beelink, it lacks traditional SATA support and focuses on high-speed NVMe storage via M.2 2280 slots, up to 4TB per drive. The unit is cooled actively and includes dual HDMI outputs, making it more appealing for those who may want to use it as a lightweight desktop or media output device in addition to a NAS.

One of the notable differences is its broader OS support and better I/O variety, including three USB 3.2 ports and a DisplayPort-capable USB-C connector. This NAS is best suited to users looking for a more configurable or multi-purpose system with better visual output options. However, as with the Beelink, users must add their own NVMe storage, and setup requires a basic understanding of system boot configuration and OS installation. Note – this one GETS HOT, so get SSD heatsinks and ensure a good active airflow wherever you deploy it!

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Synology BeeStation 4TB NAS – ALL IN ONE!

$199 – Realtek RTD1619B – 1GB – 4TB SINGLE BAY – 1x 1GbE – BeeStation Manager (BSM) – BUY HERE

The Synology BeeStation 4TB is a fully integrated, single-bay NAS aimed squarely at users who want a no-setup-required solution. Unlike most NAS devices in this price range, it comes pre-configured with a 4TB internal hard drive and a sealed chassis, meaning users don’t need to source or install any storage themselves. It runs on a Realtek RTD1619B ARM-based processor, includes 1GB of DDR4 memory, and connects over a single 1GbE port. The included BeeStation Manager (BSM) OS is designed specifically for beginners, offering cloud-style file access, photo management, and mobile app integration with minimal technical effort.

This NAS is best suited to individuals or households that want a simple local backup and file-sharing solution that behaves more like a smart external hard drive than a customizable NAS. It supports basic multimedia functions, Synology mobile apps, and remote access features, but does not allow for internal expansion or RAID redundancy. The included USB-A and USB-C ports can be used for manual backups to external drives. However, because it’s a sealed single-drive unit with no RAID options, users should plan to back up to another location—either cloud or USB—to ensure data protection. Despite these limitations, its all-in-one design, 3-year warranty, and simple user experience make it one of the few truly plug-and-play NAS systems under $250.

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UGREEN NASync DXP2800 NAS – The New Challenger!

$249 – Intel N100 – 8GB – No Storage (32GB eMMC) – 1x 2.5GbE – UGOS Pro – BUY HERE

The UGREEN DXP2800 is part of the company’s NASync lineup, aimed at users who want a blend of expandability and affordability. It combines the practicality of traditional HDD storage with the performance benefits of SSDs, offering two 3.5″ SATA bays alongside two M.2 NVMe SSD slots for faster caching or active data operations. At the heart of the system is an Intel N100 processor, a 12th-generation quad-core chip from Intel’s energy-efficient N-series lineup, which supports both basic virtualization and multimedia streaming. This is paired with 8GB of DDR5 memory, non-ECC but upgradable, and a 32GB eMMC used solely for the preloaded UGOS Pro operating system. Connectivity is handled through a single 2.5GbE LAN port and a mix of USB ports on both front and rear panels — including USB-C and 10Gbps-capable USB-A. UGOS Pro, while relatively new, features a clean web-based interface with container support, RAID management (0, 1, JBOD), remote file sharing, and basic multimedia services.

While it lacks the ecosystem polish of Synology DSM or QNAP QTS, it is one of the few turnkey options in this price range that supports both SSD and HDD usage in a flexible, non-proprietary layout. However, buyers should still account for the need to install their own drives and configure the storage pools manually. It’s a solid balance of raw hardware potential and modest software capability for users willing to manage their setup beyond the initial boot.

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ZimaBoard 2 (832 Version) – DIY Enthusiast’s DREAM!

$199 – Intel N150 – 8GB – No Storage (32GB eMMC) – 2x 2.5GbE – ZimaOS – BUY HERE

The ZimaBoard 2 (832) is a low-profile, single-board NAS platform designed for flexibility and modularity rather than out-of-the-box convenience. Unlike traditional NAS systems with enclosures and tool-less drive bays, this unit is a bare embedded board that offers direct access to interfaces for those who want to build or customize their own setup. It is powered by the same Intel N150 quad-core processor used in other compact NAS systems, paired here with 8GB of LPDDR5x memory and 32GB of onboard eMMC storage for its pre-installed ZimaOS. This board features two powered SATA 3.0 ports, making it one of the few sub-$250 NAS options that supports HDDs natively without requiring USB-to-SATA adapters or expansion modules.

In terms of connectivity, the ZimaBoard 2 includes dual 2.5GbE LAN ports, USB 3.1, a PCIe 3.0 x4 slot, and a Mini DisplayPort output supporting 4K60 video. While the PCIe slot expands potential use cases (e.g., additional networking, storage, or accelerator cards), most users will opt to use the SATA ports for reliable storage first. The board is passively cooled with a large integrated heatsink and operates silently, but thermal performance may vary based on enclosure design and ambient temperature. It is particularly well-suited to DIY users looking to build a lightweight NAS, firewall, media server, or container host. ZimaOS includes a web-based UI and supports CasaOS and Linux-based OS alternatives, but configuration still requires basic familiarity with system setup and storage configuration. It’s not intended for users looking for plug-and-play simplicity, but rather those who want total control over their NAS hardware and software environment.

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Each of the NAS options presented here offers a different balance of hardware, expandability, and ease of use, while remaining under the $249 price threshold. Users who prefer pre-configured simplicity may lean toward the Synology BeeStation, while those seeking customization and SSD-focused performance might opt for the Beelink ME Mini or GMKTec G9. The UGREEN DXP2800 provides hybrid storage flexibility with a more developed software interface, and the ZimaBoard 2 appeals to technically inclined users who want complete control over their system stack. While no single device is perfect, all five represent viable paths toward local data ownership and self-hosted media or backup solutions without breaking the bank.

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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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