Synology vs UGREEN NAS – Which One Deserves Your Money and Your Data?

In the evolving world of network-attached storage (NAS), users in 2025 are faced with a broader range of choices than ever before. Among the most discussed options in both professional and enthusiast communities are Synology and UGREEN. Synology has been a mainstay in the industry for over two decades, known for its reliable software, long-term support, and deeply integrated ecosystem. UGREEN, by contrast, is a relative newcomer to the NAS market in the West, but has quickly established itself as a serious contender by offering competitive hardware and pricing. Originally known for consumer tech peripherals, UGREEN has leveraged its manufacturing experience and market agility to carve out space in an area traditionally dominated by established NAS brands.

This comparison aims to provide a clear, unbiased overview of both brands, structured across several key categories: hardware capabilities, storage flexibility, software ecosystem, security infrastructure, pricing strategy, and overall value proposition. While some buyers may lean toward a brand due to legacy, others are driven by performance-per-dollar, or openness to customization. It’s important to understand that neither brand is objectively “better” in all respects. Instead, each appeals to different user priorities. What follows is a breakdown of how Synology and UGREEN compare across the board, giving potential buyers the tools they need to make a decision that aligns with their use case, technical comfort level, and long-term plans.

Synology vs UGREEN NAS Hardware Compared 

Synology’s hardware lineup spans everything from small 1-bay entry-level NAS units to rackmount enterprise-class systems with dual controllers. With approximately 15–25 models available at any given time, the variety on offer is extensive. This allows users to choose systems that align closely with their needs—whether that’s for simple backups, media streaming, virtualization, or business-critical data management. However, despite the breadth of its portfolio, Synology’s consumer and SMB offerings are frequently criticized for underpowered processors and limited upgrade paths. Many of their mid-tier models still rely on AMD Embedded or lower-end Intel chips, and memory configurations are often modest compared to similarly priced alternatives. PCIe expansion, 10GbE networking, and true Flash storage support are typically reserved for only the highest-tier devices.

UGREEN, on the other hand, has entered the NAS space with a clear emphasis on hardware strength. Their NASync series—although more limited in model variety—delivers high-performance components out of the box. Even in models priced around $1,100 to $1,200 USD, UGREEN includes features like Intel i5 processors, 16GB of DDR5 RAM, dual 10GbE ports, USB4, SD card slots, and Thunderbolt connectivity. Most of specifications are generally only found in Synology’s XS or SA series, which can cost double or triple the price. In terms of build quality, UGREEN’s enclosures also lean toward a more robust, enterprise-like design with better thermal management and port selection. While they may not yet offer the same portfolio depth or high-end rackmount solutions, the raw hardware value they deliver—especially for power users and media professionals—is difficult to overlook.

Synology DSM vs UGREEN UGOS NAS Software & Services

Storage features and flexibility represent one of the most contested areas between the two brands. Synology has developed a very feature-rich storage management system over the years, offering support for RAID configurations, Btrfs and EXT4 file systems, fast RAID rebuilds, advanced iSCSI LUN management, and deep integration with backup and synchronization tools.

File Services	SMB/NFS/AFP/WebDAV	Supported	Supported (AFP not confirmed)	Core protocols available
	iSCSI Support	Native iSCSI manager	Not currently supported	Important for VM/block-level storage
RAID & Storage	RAID 0/1/5/6/10, SHR	SHR and traditional RAID	Traditional RAID 0/1/5/6/10	No SHR support in UGREEN
	Snapshots	Btrfs-based with GUI versioning	Btrfs-based snapshots	Comparable snapshot system
	Deduplication	Btrfs-based	Planned, not available yet	UGREEN roadmap feature
	Encryption	Volume/folder/drive-level + WORM	No integrated encryption	Major security difference
	SSD Caching	GUI-managed	CLI-managed only (UI planned)	Limited interface currently

Their platform also supports drive pooling, storage tiering (in some models), and robust snapshot capabilities. Expansion options are a strong point too, with a range of proprietary expansion units that allow users to scale storage well beyond the original NAS chassis. These are bolstered by robust utilities in DSM that help manage redundancy, performance, and data recovery, all while maintaining consistency across the ecosystem.

However, Synology’s 2025 policy shift around hard drive compatibility introduces a significant caveat. Newer devices now strictly require Synology-branded drives for both HDD and SSD roles, including caching and storage pools. This effectively locks users into the Synology ecosystem and limits the ability to use commonly available alternatives from WD, Seagate, Samsung, and others. Availability issues in some regions further complicate this approach.

UGREEN, conversely, supports a far more open system—allowing users to populate their NAS devices with nearly any 2.5″, 3.5″, or NVMe drive on the market. With support for drives up to 24TB and Gen 4 NVMe speeds reaching 6,000–7,000 MB/s, UGREEN offers unmatched flexibility in storage media. However, their systems currently lack support for iSCSI and official expansion units, which could be a limitation for more advanced storage scenarios.

Software Comparison

Synology’s DiskStation Manager (DSM) is widely regarded as one of the most refined and mature NAS operating systems in the market. Backed by over two decades of development, DSM offers a wide range of first-party apps covering backup, multimedia, productivity, collaboration, and virtualization.

Tools like Synology Drive, Active Backup for Business, and Synology Photos provide enterprise-grade capabilities in a consumer-friendly package. The platform also integrates with cloud services like Office 365 and Google Workspace, and includes support for SANs, VMs, containers, and cloud sync. Importantly, most of these apps are license-free, representing significant value over time. The application center in DSM is extensive, and Synology’s desktop and mobile client tools are similarly well-developed.

Category	Feature	Synology	UGREEN NASync (DXP Series)	Notes
Core OS	OS	DSM (DiskStation Manager)	UGOS	Synology has a mature, polished UI
	Mobile Apps	Multiple DS apps across iOS/Android	One core management app + FireTV/Google Home apps	Broader app suite on Synology
Virtualization & Containers	Virtual Machines	Virtual Machine Manager	Dedicated VM app	Both platforms now offer VMs
	Docker Support	GUI + Docker CLI	Portainer + Docker CLI	Equal container support
	GPU Passthrough	Not available	Not supported	Neither platform offers this
AI & Surveillance	AI Services	Facial/people detection on DVA NAS	Advanced AI model recognition (Photo AI)	UGREEN offers more AI model types
	Surveillance Suite	Surveillance Station (native)	No native system (use Frigate, MotionEye via Docker)	Docker-based alternative
Media & Streaming	Plex Media Server	Native app support	Docker-only installation	Equal in function
	Jellyfin	Docker/homebrew only	Native app available	More flexible on UGREEN
	Video App	Video Station is EOL	Native video player app	UGREEN actively supports this
Backup & Sync	Backup Solutions	Hyper Backup, Active Backup Suite	Rsync, SMB, Cloud Backup, USB	GUI edge to Synology
	Cloud Sync	Native Cloud Sync app	Planned, rclone CLI workaround only	Still in development
Remote Access	DDNS + Tunnel	QuickConnect	UGREEN-hosted tunnel system	Functional equivalents
App Ecosystem	App Center	Extensive with many native packages	Real app center, but much smaller	Synology has a broader catalog
	Package Manager	synopkg	APT + Docker

UGREEN’s UGOS, by contrast, is still in its early stages—at least in the Western market—but has made notable progress. Built on a Linux-based open-source foundation, UGOS offers a modern UI and essential features like RAID management, Docker support, virtualization, remote access, and media streaming. The system is responsive and user-friendly, with most core NAS functions well-covered.

UGREEN’s App Center is less populated but growing, and the brand has made particular strides in AI-driven features—particularly in its photo application, which allows customizable object and face recognition with trainable AI modules. While still lacking some advanced enterprise features like Synology’s iSCSI or SAN support, UGOS is impressive for a brand with only a few years of development. Notably, UGREEN also supports the installation of third-party operating systems like TrueNAS or OpenMediaVault, appealing to users who want full control over their NAS.

Synology vs UGREEN NAS – Security 

When it comes to security, Synology’s long-standing reputation and infrastructure give it a distinct advantage. Over the years, the company has invested heavily in platform hardening, threat detection, and vulnerability response. The built-in Security Advisor not only scans for malware and viruses but also detects weak passwords, outdated software, open ports, and potentially exploitable system configurations. Synology participates in vulnerability disclosure programs, works with penetration testers, and maintains a public-facing security advisory database. They’ve even implemented a bounty system to reward ethical hackers for reporting vulnerabilities. These layers of proactive defense have earned Synology its reputation as one of the most secure NAS platforms in the world.

UGREEN has not experienced any public security incidents as of 2025, but its shorter time in the market means less historical data on its resilience. Their systems now include two-factor authentication and basic malware scanning, but currently lack the more comprehensive vulnerability detection tools that Synology provides. The security advisor in UGOS focuses primarily on active threats like viruses rather than system-level hardening.

That said, UGREEN has been responsive to user feedback and appears committed to improving its security infrastructure. For experienced users who follow best practices and secure their networks effectively, this may not be a deal-breaker. However, for enterprise users or those deploying systems in high-risk environments, Synology’s mature security ecosystem provides more peace of mind.

Remote Access	DDNS + Tunnel	QuickConnect	UGREEN-hosted tunnel system	Functional equivalents
Security & Access	Security Advisor	Ransomware, audit, malware, system hardening	Basic malware scanning only	Synology offers deeper protections
	VPN Server	Native UI for OpenVPN, L2TP, PPTP	Docker-based VPNs (WireGuard, OpenVPN)	Manual setup on UGREEN
	SSL Certificates	Let’s Encrypt + GUI	Let’s Encrypt via Web UI	Parity here
	2FA Support	App-based 2FA	TOTP/Web 2FA	Both support 2FA login

Synology vs UGREEN NAS – Pricing and Value 

Pricing is one of the most decisive factors favoring UGREEN in 2025. The brand offers high-performance hardware at price points that undercut Synology by a substantial margin. An 8-bay UGREEN NAS with an Intel i5 CPU, 16GB DDR5 RAM, dual 10GbE, and Thunderbolt can be purchased for roughly $1,200-1300 (store depending). A Synology unit with similar specs would require jumping to the DS1823xs+ or even the SA series—devices that retail between $1,800 and $3,000 depending on configuration and region. This gap in price-performance makes UGREEN especially appealing to users who want modern hardware for tasks like 4K video editing, large-scale backups, or AI analytics but can’t justify enterprise-level spending.

Synology’s pricing strategy is rooted more in its software and long-term value. While the upfront cost may be higher, the investment is offset by an integrated ecosystem, professional-grade applications, and superior long-term support. For some buyers, particularly businesses and advanced home users who need software stability and vendor accountability, the price premium is justified. However, for price-sensitive consumers, hobbyists, or those comfortable managing their own systems, UGREEN’s value proposition is hard to beat. It’s also worth noting that UGREEN’s openness to third-party operating systems can further extend the device’s utility without adding cost, whereas Synology systems are heavily locked into their proprietary software environment. Here is a comparison of the Synology DS1823xs+ and the UGREEN DXP8800 PLUS NAS. Around $449 difference, but also the general level of the hardware inside and externally is technically higher on the UGREEN system. That said, the Synology system software does a huge amount with it’s software, keeping things super efficient. So, now let’s discuss storage and the respective software that both of these platforms offer to house and protect your data.

Synology vs UGREEN NAS – Verdict & Conclusion

Choosing between Synology and UGREEN in 2025 ultimately comes down to what matters most to the user. Synology is the more mature and refined platform, with a rock-solid software ecosystem, strong security credentials, and long-standing industry credibility. It is ideal for users who want a fully integrated solution with minimal tinkering, extensive app support, and professional-grade backup, synchronization, and collaboration tools. However, the brand’s increasing restrictions on drive compatibility, slower hardware updates, and higher prices may discourage users seeking flexibility or better raw performance.

UGREEN, while newer and still building out its software platform, delivers excellent hardware value and impressive flexibility for the price. It supports a wide range of third-party drives, offers strong virtualization and AI capabilities, and even allows OS replacement—making it highly appealing to power users and technologists. While it may not yet match Synology in software maturity or enterprise security, it is evolving rapidly and clearly resonates with a growing segment of the NAS market. For buyers focused on hardware, performance, and freedom of customization, UGREEN may be the better choice today. For those seeking long-term support, stable software, and enterprise-grade functionality, Synology still sets the benchmark across the rest of the NAS industry in terms of providing an all covering solution, though there is no denying that buyers are getting a little more cost aware. Synology clearly has it’s eyes on bigger prizes right now, and perhaps this is a growing gap in the market that UGREEN is eying up – knife and fork in hand!

NAS Solutions	NAS Solutions
+ Better Software (In almost every respect!) + Much Better Global Support Presence + More More business desirable + Larger Range of solutions – Compatibility restrictions on HDD and Upgrades More and more – Underwhelming hardware (comparatively)	+ Better Hardware for Price + Flexibility to Install 3rd Party OS’ + Excellent Mobile Application + Wide accessory compatibility – Software still has beta elements – The company has a much shorter NAS Market Experience
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Want to follow specific category? Also Read...Synology vs UGREEN in 2025 - WSynology vs QNAP in 2025 - WhiWeek 17 Tech Roundup – LenovSynology DS925+ NAS ReleasedSynology DS925+ NAS Released (Aoostar WTR Max POWERHOUSE NASWeek 16 Tech Roundup – SynolSynology 2025 NAS Hard Drive aSynology 2025 NAS Hard Drive aSynology DS925+ vs DS923+ – Subscribe You can also follow specific search terms:

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Synology DS925+ NAS Officially Launches in Eastern Markets – Full Specs and Features Confirmed

Following early retailer listings and semi-official leaks earlier this year, the Synology DS925+ NAS has now been formally launched in Eastern markets, including Taiwan, Japan, and China. With full documentation and product pages now publicly available, we finally have confirmation of the system’s complete hardware and software capabilities, as well as early indications of pricing and the compatibility of Hard Drives and SSDs (something of a hot button topic of late). As expected, this system builds on the DS923+’s foundation but introduces key changes that shift its performance profile and position within the Synology portfolio once again!

At the heart of the DS925+ is the AMD Ryzen V1500B, a quad-core, eight-thread processor previously used in larger business-class NAS models like the DS1621+, DS1821+, and DS2422+. Its integration into a 4-bay unit marks the first time this CPU has appeared in Synology’s enthusiast/prosumer tier, bringing greater virtualization, multi-user performance, and multitasking efficiency to this class. With a base frequency of 2.2 GHz and TDP of 16W, the V1500B is a lower-power but more scalable chip compared to the dual-core R1600 in the DS923+, which has a higher clock but fewer threads. This change benefits users focused on Docker, VMs, or simultaneous file operations.

Confirmed in the datasheet is the DS925+’s dual 2.5GbE network ports, supporting Link Aggregation (LAG) and SMB Multichannel, allowing up to 5GbE aggregate throughput—a significant improvement over the DS923+’s 2x 1GbE configuration. Expansion also sees a shift: the DS925+ uses the new DX525 expansion unit, connected via USB-C (6Gbps), replacing the legacy eSATA-based DX517. Internally, the system includes four hot-swappable drive bays (3.5″/2.5″ SATA HDD/SSD), and two M.2 2280 NVMe Gen 3 slots for SSD caching or storage pools (when using Synology’s SNV series drives).

Memory support includes 4GB of DDR4 ECC by default, expandable up to 32GB via two SODIMM slots, and the system supports 200TB volumes (with 32GB RAM) and up to 32 internal volumes. Storage management features are as expected from DSM 7.2+, including Snapshot Replication, Hyper Backup, Active Backup for Business, and Hybrid Share. While the system does not support 10GbE upgrades (removal of mini PCIe slot), Synology appears to be emphasizing strong native network performance and reduced complexity over modular upgrades.

Physically, the chassis weighs 2.26kg, has two 92mm fans, and offers 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports, alongside one USB-C expansion port. It operates within a 0°C to 40°C range, supports high altitudes up to 5,000m, and includes all standard Synology DSM security tools: firewalls, encrypted folders, SFTP, HTTPS with custom ciphers, and Adaptive MFA. As a data platform, the DS925+ supports 500,000 hosted files in Synology Drive, up to 80 Office users, and 150 Synology Chat users. On the virtualization side, it supports VMware, Hyper-V, Citrix, OpenStack, and allows for up to 8 virtual DSMs or VM instances (license-dependent). Surveillance support includes two default camera licenses, and scalable support for up to 40 IP cameras at 1200FPS (H.265), with full integration into Surveillance Station and optional C2 cloud backup.

Synology DS925+ Pricing and Availability

Following the official launch of the Synology DS925+ NAS in Eastern markets—including Taiwan, China, and Japan—we now have more concrete pricing details. In China, the base unit without drives is priced at ¥4,999, which converts to approximately £500 before tax. Pre-configured options are also being sold, featuring combinations of Synology’s own-branded hard drives in 4TB, 8TB, 16TB, and even 64TB arrays. For example, a DS925+ with 2 x 8TB Synology drives (16TB total) is listed at ¥8,469 (~£845 pre-tax), while a fully populated 64TB configuration with 4 x 16TB drives is priced at ¥14,919 (~£1,490 pre-tax). In the UK and other Western markets, the DS925+ is expected to launch in early May, with Amazon UK listings already live very briefly last week before it was taken offline, showing the base unit at £550 including VAT. Here’s a rough estimate pricing table for the Synology DS925+ configurations, converted from Chinese Yuan (CNY) to both US Dollars (USD) and British Pounds (GBP) using the exchange rates as of April 22, 2025 (remember this does not precisely calculate tax across nations and their currencies, so these are for rough guidance only):

• 1 Yuan= 0.1371 USD

• 1 Yuan = 0.1025 GBP​

Note: Prices are approximate and based on exchange rates as of April 22, 2025. Actual prices may vary due to fluctuations in exchange rates and regional pricing policies with regard to inclusive tax at checkout.

The accompanying DX525 5-bay USB-C expansion chassis—which replaces the legacy DX517 and uses a similar metal casing—is priced at £439. These prices align with Synology’s long-standing strategy of maintaining consistent MSRP targets for its 2-, 4-, and 5-bay Prosumer-tier NAS units year-over-year, even when internal hardware evolves.

Synology DS925+ NAS HDD Compatibility in 2025

One of the biggest shifts accompanying the DS925+ release is Synology’s newly enforced drive compatibility policy on 2025 and newer NAS systems. Starting with this model, only drives listed on the official Product Compatibility List (PCL) will be supported during initial installation. At launch, this list consists exclusively of Synology-branded HDDs and SSDs, though Synology has confirmed that it plans to expand the third-party validation program moving forward. This move represents a broader shift by Synology toward an appliance-like ecosystem, citing increased reliability, faster support diagnostics, and significantly reduced system anomalies when validated media is used. According to the company, using listed drives can reduce storage-related issues by up to 40%, while severe disk anomalies on newer systems have reportedly decreased by as much as 88% under the new policy. Even though the DS925+ NAS has not been globally launched, in the regions it HAS been launched (China, Australia and Jopan, at the time of writing) it has opened up access to the DS925+ hard drive compatibility pages. Here is what you will find:

Practically speaking, this doesn’t mean you can’t install third-party drives (e.g. Seagate or WD), but using unlisted drives may limit your access to certain features—such as volume creation, deduplication, disk health analytics, automatic firmware updates, and even eligibility for Synology technical support. Fortunately, drive migrations from older Synology systems are supported, and older Plus series models (up to and including 2024) remain unaffected.

Still, new users and businesses investing in DS925+ hardware should factor these limitations into their decision, especially if they plan on using existing non-Synology drives. We are still awaiting FULL confirmation on the extent of the utility of 3rd party HDDs in realword use however. For example – can you even initialize a Synology DS925+ NAS with unverified Synology Hard Drives? There have been claims online that you cannot – but until this is fully verified, I/we will need to hold off full judgement!

Final Thoughts

The Synology DS925+ marks a meaningful update to the company’s 4-bay Plus series—bringing improvements in multi-core processing, networking, and system efficiency. The shift to a more capable 4-core, 8-thread AMD V1500B CPU, combined with 2.5GbE networking and modernized expansion via USB-C, ensures this model is better suited to the needs of virtualized, multi-user, and SMB environments. Yet, some users will see the removal of the PCIe slot for 10GbE upgrades as a notable loss, especially compared with the DS923+ which retains this feature.

That said, the DS925+ does benefit from many refinements learned across the Synology portfolio, and its arrival coincides with a broader strategy shift—one that tightens integration between hardware and software while prioritizing platform consistency. This NAS is clearly aimed at power users and businesses ready to invest in Synology’s controlled ecosystem, and for those who are fine with that trade-off, it offers a lot of value. However, prospective buyers who are still committed to third-party drives or planning future high-speed networking upgrades may want to carefully weigh their long-term priorities before making a decision.

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Want to follow specific category? Also Read...Synology vs UGREEN NAS (in 202Synology vs UGREEN in 2025 - WSynology vs QNAP in 2025 - WhiWeek 17 Tech Roundup – LenovSynology DS925+ NAS Released (Aoostar WTR Max POWERHOUSE NASWeek 16 Tech Roundup – SynolSynology 2025 NAS Hard Drive aSynology 2025 NAS Hard Drive aSynology DS925+ vs DS923+ – Subscribe You can also follow specific search terms:

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Synology is closing the gap on third-party hard drive support further in 2025

UPDATE 3 – Synology has now made the DS925+ NAS NAS Product Page live in several of the Eastern regions (China, Australia, Japan – not the Taiwan page yet however). With it, we can now see the official compatibility pages. On the hard drive page there is now only Synology Drive media, and the option to select supported 3rd party HDD choices is removed. For all we know, this will return if/when 3rd party drives from WD and Seagate are verified. But at least for now, it seems the brand is serious about only recommending its own storage media in their 2025 systems at launch:

The full list of drives includes the Synology Plus series of HDDs, the Enterprise class drives and the enterprise class SATA SSDs. However, there are currently no Surveillance class drives listed (WD Purple/Seagate Skyhawk, etc):

In terms of M.2 NVMe SSD support, the brand has also removed any selection of 3rd party SSDs from Samsung, WD, Seagate, etc. I am particularly surprised about this, as their own M.2 drives are good for durability, but performance-wise are much lower than most in the market and whether it is as caching drives or as storage pools, there are definitely a lot of good options in the market. I hope Synology roll out some performance class SSDs to compensate for this very soon.

Original Article:

Over the last few years, Synology have not been exact about being forward in supporting. Back in 2021, we started to see the brand reduce the number of third-party hard drives and SSDs on their systems. This diminishing support has manifested itself in two main ways. The first is that drives that are listed on the official support and compatibility pages have significantly reduced, favouring the utilisation of their own growing range of hard drives and SSD media. The second way this has presented itself drew significant criticism in 2022/2023, when utilising third-party hardware resulted in the system presenting warning messages and even service limitations being suggested. It appears that this is something they are putting into force for their new 2025 series of devices. Numerous websites in Germany have today reported that Synology plans to go full first-party drive priority on all systems released from the 2025 generation and onwards. An official statement from Synology via an official source has not been released, but it appears that the brand is going to go hard on pushing their own drives when using their own systems – at least at launch. So, what are the intended limitations for those who want to use non-Synology branded drives from Seagate and Western Digital? And why would Synology do this with their systems that have been open for over 25 years? Let’s discuss.

UPDATE #2 – There is now an official press release by Synology on this, available from Synology.de:

Synology is increasingly relying on its own ecosystem for upcoming Plus models Germany, Düsseldorf – April 16, 2025 – Following the success of the High-Performance series, the company is now increasingly relying on Synology’s own storage media for the Plus series models, which will be released starting in 2025. Users will thus benefit from higher performance, increased reliability, and more efficient support.  “With our proprietary hard drive solution, we have already seen significant benefits for our customers in a variety of deployment scenarios,” said Chad Chiang, Managing Director of Synology GmbH and Synology UK. “By expanding our integrated ecosystem to the Plus series, we aim to provide all users—from home users to small businesses—with the highest levels of security and performance, while also offering significantly more efficient support.”  For users, this means that starting with the Plus series models released in 2025, only Synology’s own hard drives and third-party hard drives certified according to Synology’s specifications will be compatible and offer the full range of functions and support.

There will be no changes for Plus models released up to and including 2024 (excluding the XS Plus series and rack models). Furthermore, migrating hard drives from existing Synology NAS to a new Plus model will continue to be possible without restrictions.  The use of compatible and unlisted hard drives will be subject to certain restrictions in the future, such as pool creation and support for issues and failures caused by the use of incompatible storage media. Volume-wide deduplication, lifespan analysis, and automatic hard drive firmware updates will only be available for Synology hard drives in the future.  Tight integration of Synology NAS systems and hard drives reduces compatibility issues and increases system reliability and performance. At the same time, firmware updates and security patches can be deployed more efficiently, ensuring a high level of data security and more efficient support for Synology customers.

TL;DR: Synology to Restrict Third-Party Drive Functionality on 2025+ NAS Models

Starting with the 2025 generation of Synology Plus series NAS devices, the company appears to be tightening restrictions on third-party hard drives. While you’ll still be able to use non-Synology drives (like those from Seagate or WD), early reports suggest that certain features may be limited or disabled unless you’re using Synology-branded or Synology-certified drives. According to preliminary reporting (not yet officially confirmed by Synology), using third-party drives may restrict (i.e several news reports indicate this, but no official statement/confirmation yet):

• Creation of storage pools

• Access to health monitoring tools

• Volume-wide deduplication support

• Drive lifespan analysis

• Automatic firmware updates

• Access to official Synology support

Older NAS models (up to and including 2024, excluding XS+ and rackmount units) are not affected. Drive migration from existing systems to new ones should remain possible — but full functionality may require Synology drives.

Source – HERE (or click below)

What are the proposed limitations of using third-party hard drives in the Synology 2025 lineup?

Although the brand themselves, at the time of writing, has not officially stated that devices after the 2025 series will only support their drives, sources highlighted on numerous news outlets have detailed that a number of key storage features and functionality are going to be limited. These include health monitoring tools, deduplication features built into DSM, official support from the brand in some cases, and (most worrying of all if it’s true) storage pool support. I’m still waiting for further clarification if this storage pool support limitation to first-party drives is only referring to the use of M.2 NVMEs in storage pools (something we are already aware of from the 2023 series), or whether people are not going to be able to use third-party hard drives in storage pools moving forward in 2025 series releases. But it would seemingly very much indicate the latter. It’s also worth highlighting that this limitation seems to be a ‘launch’ choice and may also mean that drives are granularly added to the supported pages as the likes of WD and Seagate submit compatibility reports. But the message seems to be that Synology themselves will not be the ones who verify the drive compatibility.

It should also be worth highlighting that users who have purchased devices before the 2025 lineup will not be currently affected by this change and will continue to have broader support of third-party hard drives, although even that has diminished since 2021–2022 as it stands. This does bring into question for some whether this broader policy is something that would be applied in a large-scale DSM update down the road, i.e. DSM 7.3 or DSM 8. For now, until we have an official statement from the brand or access to compatibility lists for the intended new products, we need to reserve our full judgement.

Why would Synology reduce compatibility with the majority of third-party hard drives (Seagate and WD)?

There are plenty of reasons why Synology would consider a move like this, for good and for bad. So in the interest of balance, let’s start positive. What are the good reasons why Synology would endeavour to only support the use of their own storage media in their systems?

• To a much smaller group, it allows them to tailor performance and system deployment expectations a great deal more realistically and could result in improved overall performance for all users, as it allows the development of future solutions to be significantly more targeted.
• If Synology solutions only support Synology drives, it allows the brand to be a great deal more effective at reducing the TCO of the system to buyers, as it will be an all-in-one party solution and even opens the door to the brand rolling out bundled systems that will further reduce the total cost of ownership.

• Export costs in the US — Synology centralising the full component list of their products to the end user can also allow them to better absorb any potential costs efficiently and hopefully pass those cost savings onto the consumer, reducing reservations on purchasing the product in light of potential price hikes.
• Support will be a great deal more specialised if end user deployments have fewer variables to consider, resulting in reduced support resolution times and potentially improved support services as an end result for all users.

Beyond the other potential benefits, they will be considering this proposition to drastically reduce third-party hard drive compatibility and utilisation in the 2025 lineup:

• In a word, profit. Having their own storage hard drives as the main — and potentially only — storage option alongside their systems will allow the brand to make profit vertically across the product deployment. For a long time, the brand was only really monetizing the core system itself, which is really only going to be replaced every 7 to 10 years for most users. Storage media, given the escalating growth rate of people’s data, will require a great deal more regular replacement.

• If Synology storage media is largely the only option to buyers, the brand has a greater degree of control over which products are available. So, for example, currently Synology has fewer different capacity tiers and drive variation tiers compared with other brands (i.e. 24TB drives, surveillance-optimized drives, M.2 NVMEs built for performance, etc.), so in some cases a user may have to opt for a larger capacity or a more enterprise-class drive when they might not need to.

• Eliminates smaller-scale purchases. This is a particularly cynical point of view, I know, but a move like this will almost certainly push value series devices significantly more towards the likes of the BeeStation (which are already pre-populated and fixed with Synology storage media) and away from the Plus series, as a divide begins to appear in terms of the overall total purchase price for many users. Alongside upselling their value series to that buyer tier, it will also move only more serious buyers towards the Plus series and higher from 2025 onwards.

All of the above reasoning towards why Synology would prioritise their own drives over that of third parties are my own points of view, but I do think there’s a ring of truth in some of them.7

What are the potential problems surrounding Synology’s push toward its own storage media over third-party drives?

There are several small issues that are worth highlighting in this broader plan of Synology hard drive prioritisation that we should probably touch on — and hopefully ones that Synology themselves will resolve quickly if this is something they’re going to push hard on. Such as:

• The brand inadvertently revealed earlier this year that they are working on a 6 x 2.5-inch SATA SSD system called the DS-625 Slim. However, the only 2.5-inch SATA SSD media the brand has are way too enterprise — the SAT5200 series — and would be like putting a Ferrari engine into a Ford Focus in terms of the disparity in the hardware being used and the price point!

• Synology has still yet to introduce higher-performing M.2 NVMe storage media, and although several of the new 2025 series of devices arrive with M.2 NVMe support, Synology’s own M.2 SSDs prioritise durability over performance. That is a good thing, but users who are not going to be able to use third-party SSDs for caching or storage pools face being restricted to much lower-performing SSDs in these bays.

• How will the system identify the use of third-party drives, and to what extent are these drives going to be limited? Although lots of details have been revealed in the news reports today, we’re still yet to see a full detailing from Synology themselves on an official platform.
• Surveillance utilisation. Synology has an impressive range of surveillance solutions in the NVR and DVA series, as well as support for Surveillance Station on the majority of their systems, but to date, the brand still does not have surveillance-optimised hard drives in its lineup. Surveillance-optimised hard drive media like WD Purple are designed to have much higher write performance leveraging rather than read, and surveillance drives are generally only accessed for a very small percentage of the time when in use. Will third-party drive limitations extend to these systems as well?

I’m still waiting on an official Synology response on this matter, as there have been early indications (such as the Synology DS925+ Amazon.co.uk link 2 days ago) that indicate some of these systems may be arriving in May 2025 — not that far away! So, until we have full and officially backed confirmation on this, still treat it with a grain of salt. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little disheartened by this move by the brand, as although their software is still absolutely the king of the hill in the world of NAS, further restrictions on their more modest hardware to only use their own range of hard drives — versus that of more widely available, globally distributed, and industry veteran–backed drives — seems a very odd move, and one that I think a lot of home/prosumer/enthusiast/SMB users might take issue with.

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The Synology DS925+ NAS is (STILL) Coming..and Soon

It is fast becoming the worst-kept secret in the world of network-attached storage, but Synology’s continued plans to launch refreshes of a number of their popular desktop devices received another public outing this weekend, when keen users on Reddit spotted the official pages for the Synology DS925+ and DX525 on Amazon.co.uk, listing hardware specifications, pricing, release dates, and general background info. Although the appearance of the DS925+ isn’t exactly surprising—given the large info drop semi-officially revealed at an official event by a user on Chiphell—it is nonetheless surprising to see these two official Synology products seemingly added by Synology themselves for Amazon distribution, yet with absolutely zero mention on the traditional Synology platforms (Synology Products, Synology Downloads, Synology Download Registry, etc). Nonetheless, this appearance has confirmed numerous details about the DS925+ hardware specifications, for good and for bad, so I wanted to go through the further confirmed specifications and what they mean.

Synology DS925+ NAS Confirmed Hardware Specifications

As previously alluded to last month in the previous leak, the Synology DS925+ will arrive with the already integrated CPU from AMD that featured on previous SMB releases—the V1500B. This is a quad-core CPU that allows for more cores, more threads (i.e. more vCPUs) than the R1600 in the DS923+, as well as a lower TDP—though also a lower total clock speed available at first. It arrives with 4GB of ECC memory that can be scaled up to 32GB via two SODIMM DDR4 slots. DS925+ includes 2 × 2.5GbE, a very welcome if somewhat overdue upgrade on this product series from Synology. The SSD compatibility for storage pools and the speed allocated to each slot is still TBC. The expansion capabilities of the DS925+ have changed from the long-running eSATA support and DX517 of older Synology devices and now lean towards popular USB-C, and this is what triggered the new DX525 expansion box. We are still awaiting confirmation of the confirmed speed of this USB-C port, as well as its broader compatibility for other things (given the larger variety of USB-C options available in the market compared with eSATA), but slides shown at the Synology partner event last month seemingly indicated that this will NOT be USB 3.2 Gen 2 10Gbps.

Probably the biggest and most controversial change here in the newer generation box is the removal of the mini PCIe upgrade slot that featured on the DS923+. The new DS925+ completely lacks this ability to scale up to 10GbE later down the line, which is probably going to upset a lot of users. PCIe modules they have sold (which would greatly explain, perhaps, the motivation for removing this feature), it is still something of a blow that this new generation device has removed a particularly appealing network upgrade path option. The motivation for this could be theoretically for multiple reasons, such as:

• Synology might well have deemed the two-times 2.5GbE network connectivity on the DS925+ sufficient for the four drives of SATA storage that it features, as well as ensuring that the system does not overlap other devices higher in the product portfolio food chain too much.
• The PCIe line distribution of this CPU and the chipset used on this board might result in limitations to the distribution of those lanes and therefore made the upgrade difficult to implement.
• The USB-C port for expansions may support a 10GbE upgrade module down the line that Synology intend on rolling out—a bit of a long shot though, as currently USB-C to 10GbE is only afforded to TB3/TB4/USB4 connectivity and would commit a great deal of internal lane distribution to that port to accommodate this potential upgrade.
• As previously alluded to, perhaps user integration of this upgrade slot on previous DS923+ devices was too low to justify accommodating this feature in the newest iteration.

Any of those reasons, or others, might well be why Synology decided to rescind this feature on this device. Nevertheless, it is something of a bitter pill that this device will not be featuring the ability to scale up out of the potential 5GbE bonded network connection that it arrives with and likely serves as a slight bottleneck to more high-performance hard drives in the SATA bays, as well as a significant cap on using SATA SSDs or M.2 NVMes in storage pools via the provided slots.

The AMD Ryzen R1600 and V1500B are both embedded CPUs used across Synology’s NAS lineup, but they serve distinct roles depending on the target user and workload. The R1600 is a dual-core, four-thread processor with higher clock speeds (2.6GHz base / 3.1GHz boost), making it ideal for environments that prioritize single-threaded performance—such as general file sharing, light server tasks, and basic backup operations. It has a TDP of 25W and is commonly found in more entry-level to mid-range Synology NAS models like the DS723+ and DS923+. By contrast, the V1500B is a quad-core, eight-thread CPU running at a lower base clock of 2.2GHz, but it delivers greater efficiency and significantly better multi-threading performance—essential for virtual machines, Docker containers, multiple user sessions, and parallel workflows. Its lower TDP of 16W also makes it a more efficient option for always-on deployments in business settings.

CPU Comparison: AMD Ryzen Embedded V1500B vs R1600

What makes the V1500B particularly notable in the DS925+ is that this CPU was previously reserved for Synology’s larger SMB and enterprise-tier systems, such as the DS1621+, DS1821+, and DS2422+. By introducing it into a prosumer-class 4-bay NAS, Synology is clearly continuing its long-standing trend of moving mature hardware platforms down into lower product tiers over time, as the cost of components becomes more accessible and manufacturing scales improve. This strategy enables Synology to offer higher-tier performance at mid-tier price points, effectively refreshing their product range while maintaining price consistency. For users who prioritize multi-tasking, virtualized workloads, or long-term scalability, the arrival of the V1500B in the DS925+ marks a significant shift in capability for this tier of NAS.

Want to Understand How Synology NAS Product Refreshes Work, as well as Why Synology Chooses Certain Hardware? Read my article below:

Synology DS925+ NAS HDD and SSD Compatibility?

Unfortunately, there is no mention of Synology’s position on third-party hard drive and SSD compatibility on the new DS925+ confirmed yet. Realistically, basing it on the predecessor and other Synology Plus Series devices, at the very least, we’re going to see a repeat of the priority towards Synology’s own series of hard drives and SSDs, with a handful of third-party drives from Seagate, Western Digital, and Toshiba added to the support list. This has now become the status quo with the majority of Synology Plus Series and above devices, and if this device rolls out with that, I’m not going to say that it’s perfect, but at the very least it does still leave a narrow window open for users to use third-party hard drives without the system spitting alerts or amber warnings at you during setup.

As the system is being listed on the Amazon pages without drives included, that at the very least removes the concern of many that Synology may have been proceeding down the pre-populated system route, or being more rigid on the lock-in of the drives you can use on the system. Nevertheless, there is still the matter of the M.2 NVMe slots and whether this system will continue with the policy of third-party drives only being supported for use as caching, whereas Synology’s own M.2 NVMe drives support both caching and storage pools. It will most certainly continue with this position.

Synology DS925+ NAS Price and Release Date?

As originally predicted last month, the pricing of the DS925+ will be largely the same as that of the DS923+, as Synology is always keen to maintain the pricing at each tier of its portfolio year on year—even if sometimes that can result in the hardware being a little more lean despite the cost of components going up. I kind of respect how long Synology has been able to maintain the same price for their prosumer 4-bay device, right? All the way back since 2015, it has always arrived at that similar £550 price. Keep in mind that the price listed on the early leaked Amazon.co.uk page includes VAT, whereas pricing listed in other countries like the U.S. will likely not include tax.

With regards to the intended release date and availability of the DS925+, the Amazon leak page appears to indicate the 7th of May. Now, whether this has always been the plan by the brand when refreshing all of its currently existing product line, or it is a launch date that has been changed rapidly in light of discussions surrounding tariffs and stock travelling around the world, is yet to be confirmed. Nevertheless, that seems like a fairly reasonable launch date in light of the information—originally appearing online with the product page added to Amazon on April 8th—and the slow but steady gear Synology goes through when making a product live across traditional online retailers. You can use the links below to monitor the availability and price of the Synology DS925+ on Amazon, as it will redirect to your own region via the link. Anything purchased via these links will result in a small commission to me (Robbie) and Eddie at NASCompares, which really helps us keep doing what we do.

Synology DS923+ vs DS925+ NAS – Buy Now or Wait?

When comparing the Synology DS923+ and DS925+, the differences are subtle but important depending on your priorities. Both NAS units share the same price point, run Synology’s DSM software with identical features, and include the same baseline 4GB DDR4 ECC memory (expandable up to 32GB). They also both lack integrated graphics, feature four SATA drive bays, and offer two M.2 NVMe Gen 3 slots for SSD caching. However, the DS925+ gains an edge in raw parallel processing power, featuring a quad-core, eight-thread AMD V1500B CPU, which translates to more virtual CPUs (vCPUs) for virtual machines and containerized applications. It also benefits from dual 2.5GbE ports, enabling up to 5GbE performance with Link Aggregation or SMB Multichannel, compared to the 2x 1GbE ports on the DS923+, which top out at 2GbE combined. Additionally, the DS925+ offers a faster expansion interface via USB-C (6Gbps) versus the older eSATA (5Gbps) on the DS923+.

That said, the DS923+ still holds certain advantages. Its AMD R1600 CPU features a higher clock speed, which may offer better single-threaded performance in lighter tasks or low-concurrency applications. Crucially, the DS923+ supports an optional 10GbE upgrade via its mini PCIe slot, a feature completely removed in the DS925+, which could be a deal-breaker for users planning to grow into a higher-speed networking environment. So, should users buy the DS923+ now or wait for the DS925+? If 10GbE upgradeability or faster per-core performance is important for your workload, the DS923+ is still a strong option. However, if you’re prioritizing multi-threaded performance, better default network speeds, and a more modern expansion standard, the DS925+ is the more forward-looking choice—particularly for virtualization and container-heavy environments. Ultimately, both devices serve the same class of user, but choosing the right one depends on whether your focus is scalability or efficiency out of the box.

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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

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The U.S. Tariffs and Their Looming Impact on NAS and Storage Tech

The United States has recently announced a sweeping set of import tariffs on goods from nearly every major trading partner in the world. This policy shift, driven largely by the country’s growing trade deficits with nations like China, the European Union, Vietnam, and others, imposes additional fees ranging from 15% to 50% on products entering the U.S. The implications go far beyond international politics—they’re about to hit consumers directly, especially in the realm of network-attached storage (NAS), data drives, and related IT infrastructure. For businesses and tech enthusiasts alike, this could drastically reshape buying decisions and the way storage technology is sourced and maintained in the years ahead.

Most NAS brands, regardless of their international reputation or market share, are headquartered—and more importantly, manufactured—outside the United States. While brands like Synology, QNAP, TerraMaster, and Asustor dominate the global NAS market, they are based in Taiwan and China—countries now subject to tariffs as high as 46%. Even U.S.-founded companies aren’t immune; Seagate and Western Digital, for instance, produce the bulk of their drives in Thailand, Malaysia, and other tariff-affected countries. Likewise, 45Drives, a Canadian company with a strong presence in the U.S. market, assembles its products in Nova Scotia. This global web of production means almost no storage brand will emerge from this tariff structure unscathed.

However, it’s not just the tariffs themselves that are concerning—it’s the uncertainty they create in the supply chain. Distributors, wholesalers, and resellers operate on tight margins and forecasting models. With the risk of sudden pricing hikes or shifts in demand, many are likely to reduce inventory levels rather than gamble on unstable costs. If distributors begin ordering fewer units or delaying shipments while waiting for clarity, that can result in long-term effects on availability down the chain. For consumers and IT professionals, this may translate into fewer options, slower shipping times, and inconsistent stock at retailers, especially for higher-end or business-class hardware.

This reduction in stock won’t be immediately obvious but will likely manifest in 3 to 6 months as upstream inventory runs out. Unlike the global chip shortages of previous years—which were driven by raw material scarcity and manufacturing delays—this looming shortage will stem from financial caution and policy volatility. Retailers might maintain listings but hold little-to-no actual stock, while lead times on specialized or enterprise-grade NAS solutions could stretch uncomfortably long. Resellers will be hesitant to overstock and risk capital loss, creating an environment where supply is bottlenecked before it even hits the storefront.

Another critical layer is the manufacturing cost ripple effect. Even products partially or fully assembled in the U.S. will see increased base costs if their components—be it PCBs, chips, enclosures, or storage platters—originate from affected countries. These costs are added long before the end product even appears on a website or in a store. What this means is that even before the tariff surcharge is applied to the final product, the wholesale cost has already been inflated. Once one manufacturer adjusts their pricing to reflect these new realities, competitors are likely to follow. The result will be a new pricing baseline that is unlikely to ever return to previous levels, even if some tariffs are eventually eased.

Some may hold out hope that this will prompt a new era of domestic manufacturing, particularly for brands looking to sidestep tariffs altogether. While this is a possibility, it’s far from an immediate solution. Setting up manufacturing in the U.S. involves immense logistical, financial, and regulatory challenges. Even if companies begin the process today, meaningful change is at least two to three years away. And critically, even if production is moved stateside, prices are unlikely to fall—once the market accepts a higher cost structure, manufacturers rarely roll back pricing, especially if demand remains strong. Historically, many brands have relied on international redistribution centers to navigate or lessen the impact of tax and tariff regimes. Countries like Singapore, Thailand, and the Netherlands have served as strategic re-export hubs, helping companies reduce costs and navigate trade restrictions. These setups have allowed goods to flow more freely into Western markets with minimal added expense. However, the comprehensiveness of the new U.S. tariff list is expected to close many of these loopholes. As more countries are swept into the tariff net, fewer workarounds remain viable, which means both gray market and authorized resellers will struggle to avoid passing costs along to the buyer.

This brings us to the practical question: should consumers and businesses buy their NAS systems now or wait? While there’s no one-size-fits-all answer, those who anticipate needing storage solutions in the next three to six months may be better off acting sooner. The intersection of declining stock availability, rising manufacturing costs, and pending tariff implementation could create a narrow window where current prices and availability are the best we’ll see for a while. Delaying too long risks not only paying more but facing potential wait times for critical systems. That said, users with stable systems and strong backup routines may prefer to ride out the uncertainty, at least temporarily. Ultimately, the storage industry—like much of the tech sector—is facing a period of turbulence. Boardrooms across the globe are likely holding emergency meetings to re-evaluate supply chains, regional assembly strategies, and consumer pricing models. But without clear long-term policy direction, many companies will be hesitant to make bold changes, opting instead for a wait-and-see approach. For now, the best advice is to monitor inventory levels closely, stay informed about regional pricing trends, and—if you’re in the U.S.—think seriously about whether a short-term investment in your storage infrastructure might save you money and headaches down the line.

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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

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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 check HEREIf you need to fix or configure a NAS, check Fiver Have you thought about helping others with your knowledge? Find Instructions Here  

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How to Upgrade Your Synology to 10GbE Cheaper with the Xikestor SKN-A113-Mini

The XikeStor SKN-A113-Mini is a third-party 10GbE network adapter designed as a budget-friendly alternative to the official Synology E10G22-T1-MINI adapter for select NAS models, including the DS923+, DS723+, DS1522+, and RS422+. While both adapters provide similar networking capabilities, the XikeStor comes at a significantly lower cost. The Synology E10G22-T1-MINI typically retails between $130 and $180, whereas the XikeStor SKN-A113-Mini is available for $55 to $70, making it at least 50% cheaper. However, this price difference comes with trade-offs, including manual installation, potential compatibility issues, and the risk of voiding Synology’s warranty. Unlike the Synology adapter, which offers plug-and-play functionality, the XikeStor requires manual driver installation via SSH, meaning users must be comfortable with command-line tools and network configuration.

IMPORTANT – Do This At Your Own RISK!

Beyond installation challenges, long-term compatibility is a major concern. Because Synology does not officially support third-party network adapters, DSM updates could break functionality, requiring users to reinstall drivers or rollback updates. The adapter will not work until these steps are taken, making it less convenient for those who prefer a hassle-free setup. Additionally, Synology may deny support for any network-related issues if an unsupported adapter is detected in the system, meaning troubleshooting problems like unstable connections or speed drops would be left entirely to the user. For users who prioritize long-term reliability, this lack of official support can be a deal-breaker.

The build quality of the XikeStor adapter is another factor to consider. While the Synology E10G22-T1-MINI is constructed with higher-quality materials for better heat dissipation and durability, the XikeStor is lighter and may be more prone to wear over time. While many users report good performance, there is no guarantee of long-term reliability, particularly if used in a demanding 24/7 NAS environment. In summary, the XikeStor SKN-A113-Mini is best suited for users who are comfortable with manual setup, willing to risk DSM update conflicts, and do not need Synology’s official support. For those who prioritize stability, seamless updates, and manufacturer-backed troubleshooting, the Synology E10G22-T1-MINI remains the safer—though more expensive—choice.

Bottom line though, This adapter is not officially supported by Synology. While compatibility with DSM 7.2.2 has been confirmed in testing, future DSM updates may break support. Users must be prepared to troubleshoot driver issues and revert DSM updates if necessary.

Compatibility & Specifications

• Compatible DSM Versions: Tested on DSM 7.2.2-72803 (March 2025)
• Supported NAS Models: DS923+, DS723+, DS1522+, RS422+
• Interface: PCIe 3.0 x2
• Operating Temperature: 0°C to 40°C (32°F to 104°F)
• Storage Temperature: -20°C to 60°C (-5°F to 140°F)
• Relative Humidity: 5% to 95% RH
• Warranty: 1 year

Installation Guide

Step 0! Ensure system is powered off and install the adapter in the rear of the system.

When installing the adapter first time, make sure the Synology data is BACKED UP, and that the system is powered down. Ensure that you have an additional RJ45 cable connected to the Synology NAS via the 1GbE network port (i.e have a reliable and live network connection to the NAS aside from the 10GbE adapter) as you will need to still access the GUI and NAS via this other connection until the new 10GbE adapter is functioning in your NAS.

Step 1: Check if the Adapter is visible in DSM (will not work immediately)

1. Log into DSM and navigate to Control Panel > Network > Network Interface.
2. If the XikeStor SKN-A113-Mini is not listed, proceed with driver installation. IMPORTANT make sure the adapter slot at least shows as ‘occupied’ – as this at least shows the card is visible.

Step 2: Enable SSH on the Synology NAS

1. Open Control Panel > Terminal & SNMP.
2. Enable SSH and take note of the port number.
3. Click Apply.

Step 3: Download Required Software

1. Go to the Putty website to download the terminal software:
   • Visit: https://www.putty.org/
   • Download and install the terminal software on your desktop.

1. Obtain the latest XikeStor drivers from the official website:
   • Visit: http://visit.seekswan.com:6555/app/file/new_download.html
   • Click Download Centre > Network Card > SKN-A113-MINI
   • Download modules.sh (driver installation script).

Step 4: Upload the Driver Script to the NAS

1. Log into DSM and open File Station.
2. Create a new folder (e.g., test).
3. Upload modules.sh to this folder.

Step 5: Access NAS via SSH and Install the Driver

There are several commands that you are going to need to use to have sufficient authorization via SSH. IMPORTANT!!! Using Terminal software and SSH commands can seriously damage your Synology NAS system. DO NOT PERSUE THIS WITHOUT A SYSTEM BACKUP IN PLACE, OR IF YOU DO NOT UNDERSTAND THE RISKS!

The commands you need to use are detailed below and are based around if you uploaded the files you downloaded from the Xikestor site to the NAS in the directory volume1/test/ . Change as appropriate to where you uploaded:

1. Open Putty.
2. Connect to the NAS using its IP address and the SSH port.
3. Log in using the administrator username and password.
4. Gain root privileges by entering:

   sudo -i

5. Navigate to the folder where modules.sh is stored:

   cd /volume1/test

6. Verify the presence of modules.sh by listing the files:

   ls

7. Run the installation script:

   ./modules.sh

8. Enter atlantic as the driver name when prompted.
9. Copy the installed driver to the correct directory:

   cp mi-d/modules/atlantic.ko /usr/lib/modules

10. Restart the NAS:

    reboot

Step 6: Verify Installation

1. Log back into DSM.
2. Navigate to Control Panel > Network > Network Interface.
3. The XikeStor adapter should now be visible and configurable.

Performance Testing & Comparison

Test Environment:

• NAS Model: DS923+
• Storage Configuration: RAID 5 SSDs
• Test Tools: AJA, CrystalDiskMark, ATTO Disk Benchmark
• Connection Type: Direct 10GbE connection

Results:

• The XikeStor adapter performed comparably to the Synology E10G22-T1-MINI in sequential read/write tests.
• Some minor inconsistencies in sustained performance were observed, possibly due to driver optimizations.
• The Synology adapter exhibited better build quality and felt more robust.

Risks & Considerations – SERIOUSLY, READ THIS!

Potential Issues with DSM Updates

• Synology DSM updates may remove or disable third-party drivers.
• Users may need to reinstall drivers or rollback DSM versions.
• Installing third-party hardware may void Synology’s support coverage.
• Synology’s official adapter is guaranteed to work without additional setup.
• The Synology E10G22-T1-MINI uses higher-quality materials and has a more durable construction.
• The XikeStor adapter is lighter and may be less robust.
• The XikeStor adapter is not validated by Synology, which may raise concerns about long-term security and stability.
• No suspicious network activity was detected during testing, but users should monitor their network traffic.

Should You Buy the XikeStor SKN-A113-Mini or the Synology E10G22-T1-MINI?

Pros: Lower cost (typically 50% cheaper than Synology’s official adapter) Comparable performance in most scenarios Works with DSM 7.1.1-7.2.2 (as of now)

Cons: Requires manual driver installation and SSH access May become incompatible with future DSM updates Build quality is not as premium as Synology’s official adapter Potential warranty implications

Final Recommendation

• If you want hassle-free compatibility and support, the Synology E10G22-T1-MINI is the safer choice.
• If you are tech-savvy, comfortable with SSH, and willing to troubleshoot, the XikeStor SKN-A113-Mini is a cost-effective alternative.

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Synology DS401+ Review: A Big Leap in Data Portability

Synology has once again redefined innovation with the launch of its latest device, the DS401+, a radical departure from traditional NAS design. Unlike anything in their existing lineup, the DS401+ is a compact, ultra-portable single-bay system that arrives with 8GB of pre-installed storage.

While its modest appearance might lead some to question its capabilities, this device is full of surprises and packed with what Synology describes as “next-level user-driven expandability.” Upgrades are a breeze, requiring nothing more than confidence, persistence, and maybe a little brute force.

Connectivity is as streamlined as it gets, with USB 2.0 ensuring compatibility with virtually every system released in the past 20 years.

Performance skeptics will be pleasantly surprised to learn that the DS401+ boasts transfer speeds of up to 8GB per second—a metric achieved under rigorous, real-world conditions involving trajectory and velocity.

While traditional benchmarks focus on read/write speeds, Synology’s new direction explores the physics of momentum as an alternative measurement of data mobility. One of the standout features of the DS401+ is its offsite backup functionality.

Designed for those constantly on the move, users can effortlessly transfer data, pop the DS401+ into a bag, and take their backup anywhere—whether that’s to work, the grocery store, or an accidental adventure sparked by a missing cat collar, missing your train and leaving your bag at home – can’t question it, that’s a pretty solid off-site backup!

While the DS401+ doesn’t support DSM, Synology’s usual operating system, it does come with pre-installed software of a different nature. Details remain scarce, but early reports suggest a mysterious blend of anti-ransomware tools, possibly paired with rudimentary antivirus protection.

Whether this is a security feature or just a cleverly disguised README file remains to be seen. Nevertheless, the DS401+ clearly takes a bold stance on cybersecurity—even if no one knows exactly what it’s doing.

File sharing has never been more intuitive. With the DS401+, users can now share files simply by passing the device to someone else. There’s no need for network mapping, no passwords to remember, and absolutely no waiting for uploads. This tactile approach to data transfer offers unmatched immediacy and person-to-person encryption powered by trust. For those concerned about future expansion, Synology has teased a “Forb” edition, rumored to support even more aggressive upgrade techniques.

And for power users who demand more from their tiny NAS, Synology has introduced the DS401+ Forb, a “four-bay” variant that somehow fits into an even smaller form factor than the original. Early hands-on impressions describe it as “smaller than the palm of your hand but twice as confident.” While there’s no visible evidence of four bays, Synology assures customers that the extra capacity is there if you’re willing to think small enough. Expansion remains as simple as ever—just apply additional USB drives using light percussion.

The launch date of the Synology DS401+—April 1st—is no coincidence. Known globally as April Fools’ Day, it’s a time when tech companies occasionally tease products that walk the line between absurdity and brilliance.

From its minimalist design to its unconventional “performance” metrics, every detail feels like a carefully crafted nudge and wink to the audience. It’s a playful reminder that innovation sometimes requires not just thinking outside the box—but joking about the box entirely.

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New Synology NAS for First Half of 2025 Revealed – DS925+, DS1825XS+, DS625Slim, DS1525+ and More

After what seems like quite a while for many, we have finally got pretty large confirmation that Synology are refreshing a large number of their Desktop (and a couple of Rackmount systems) devices – as well as launching a few new storage media options. This new information arrives via ChipHell user ‘nineeast‘ in a recent forum post. I am still in the process of identifying the event that the photo below was taken from, but given the preponderance of people taking photos, it won’t be long before this spreads further. This is of course the potential that this is a hoax… but (as you will see later in the article) the chiphell post is not the only source. Nevertheless, it looks like Synology are getting set to refresh a huge number of solutions, launching their DS925+, DS425+, DS225+, DS1525+, DS1825+, DS725+, DS625slim, DS1825xs+ and RS2825RP+ between now and Summer 2025. So, let’s discuss what these refreshed devices bring and whether they deserve your data.

*Update* In order to better track each of the new Synology NAS revealed at this event, I have made update pages for each device below. Additionally, as mentioned in the video, I am canvassing user feedback on these new releases (ideally existing Synology NAS users and/or SIs – system integrators) for a follow up video soon. put your feedback in the comments below or in the Reddit thread HERE

• Synology DS925+ NAS News https://nascompares.com/news/synology-ds925-nas-news/
• Synology DS1525+ NAS Leak https://nascompares.com/news/synology-ds1525-nas-revealed/
• Synology DS425+ NAS Revealed https://nascompares.com/news/synology-ds425-nas-revealed/
• Synology DS1825+ NAS News https://nascompares.com/news/synology-ds1825-nas-news/
• Synology DS425+ NAS News https://nascompares.com/news/synology-ds425-nas-revealed/
• Synology DS1825xs+ NAS Revealed https://nascompares.com/news/synology-ds1825xs-nas-revealed/
• Synology DS225+ NAS News https://nascompares.com/news/synology-ds225-nas-revealed/
• Synolgoy DS625slim 6-Bay NAS Revealed https://nascompares.com/news/synolgoy-ds625slim-6-bay-nas-revealed/
• Synology DS725+ NAS Revealed https://nascompares.com/news/synology-ds725-nas-revealed/

Credit to nineeast on Chiphell forum

Which Synology Solutions were Revealed at the Synology Event?

The big deal here is that it is tremendously rare for Synology to reveal their roadmap of solutions, let alow share it with users in such a detailed fashion. Synology have always been tremendously restrained when it comes to revealing their product refreshes (and new product lines). That said, refreshes of products in their portfolio periodically is pretty normal, and most Synology solutions will see a refresh every 2.5-5years (depending on the product tier, with XS series devices generally having a longer refresh cycle), and many have been wondering about when a refresh to the x22/23 range of devices would arrive, and in what form it would take. The TLDR list of solutions shown were:

The biggest takeaway in these shared images seems to be that the bulk of the solutions in this 2025 year refresh are going to remain largely the same, but with two main changes across the board.

Credit to nineeast on Chiphell forum

Thise changes are 1GbE network interfaces will be upgraded to 2.5GbE interfaces universally, and expansion devices that would have previously used eSATA as a means of connectivity will now be USB-C (as well as a reshuffle of the CPUs in the product tiers/families around), but we will get onto that latter point in a moment. Further information and images have also been shared by user ‘ERROR204‘ on imnks, another storage *& network related forum, as well as bringing further information on the expansion devices. The DS1525+, DS925+ and DS725+ will serve as refreshes of the DS923+, DS723+ and DS1522+ NAS. It’s unclear whether they will be using that mini PCIe upgrade card like the existing series (the E10G20-T1-MINI) as the slide below indicates that they will not, but the DS925+ and DS1525+ will see the R1600 Dual Core / 4 Thread Ryzen processor in their predecessor replaced with the v1500B 4 Core / 8 Thread CPU (previously used in the 6/8/12 Bay desktop NAS devices. The DS725+ however will remain as the R1600, but will see the 1GbE NICs upgraded to 2.5GbE.

Credit to ERROR204 on imnks.com

Interestingly, the default memory on the DS725+ will increase to 4GB of ECC Memory (as opposed to the 2GB in the DS723+ predecessor). However the slide below also indicates that it will no longer support the mini PCIe 10GbE adapter. So it’s a mixed bag in the DS725+ refresh really. This slide also indicates that the USB-C connected expansion will seemingly remain at 6Gb/s transfer speeds – which is a little odd, given USB 3.2 Gen 1 is 5Gb/s and USB 3.2 Gen 2 is 10Gb/s – something to ponder.

Credit to ERROR204 on imnks.com

Next is the ‘media’ series of devices and also a return of the Synology SLIM series. The DS625slim arrives (refreshing the DS620slim from 2020) and the DS425+ and DS225+ arrive as refreshes for the comparatively (for Synology’s MO) new DS224+ and DS423+ NAS. These will be continuing to use the existing Intel J4125 Quad Core Celeron CPU from 2019/2020 (something I know will not please everyone), but will also see upgrades to 2.5GbE from the 1GbE on their predecessors. Additioanlly, I think we can assume the DS425+ will have the 2x M.2 NVMe slots of it’s predecessor.

Credit to ERROR204 on imnks.com

Now the DS925+ (a refresh of the DS923+) has the upgrade from the R1600 CPU to the V1500B CPU we mentioned earlier, alongside the new USB-C expansion support (the DX525) and 2.5GbE NICs, so I think we can assume the DS1525+ will be similarly reprofiled from the DS1522+, but I am unsure if it will have 2x USB-C ports instead of 2x eSATA (almost certainly, but not 100%). I think many user are going to have mixed feelings once again about the CPU choices present here in the bulk of these new refreshes.

Credit to ERROR204 on imnks.com

Now onto those two 8 Bay devices, the DS1825+ and DS1825xs+ (serving as refreshes of the DS1821+ and DS1823xs+ respectively). As covered in my video in 2024 about previously leaked information on the DS1825+, it seems that both of these devices will have the same CPU as their predecessor devices, but will see upgrades from their 1GbE ports towards 2.5GbE (with the DS1825xs+ maintaining it’s 10GbE copper connection). All other specifications (M.2 slots, expandability, memory, etc) will all seemingly remain the same – though I think we can once again assume that expansion ports will be USB-C in line with the DX525 box.

For many, it will be a little disappointing that we did not see a 6-Bay model arrive and in fact there has not actually been a 6-Bay Synology NAS since 2020 (when the DS1621+ and DS1621xs+ were launched), increasing fears that Synology are eliminating that tier of their portfolio. However, there is ZERO confirmation on this and the 6 Bay option in the Synology store is still present for the DS1621+ and DS620slim, though the DS1621xs+ has disappeared (likely replaced internally with the 8 bay XS option).

Finally, there is the storage media that was listed. Some drives we already knew about. For example, the SAT5221 Series of SATA SSDs already appeared on vietcorp (HERE), but the HAT3320 is seemingly a refresh/new line in the Synology Plus series of hard drives – and there have been rumours circling for a while that these would be Seagate Ironwolf drives, but currently unconfirmed.

Finally, there is the Synology SNV5420 series – a new M.2 NVMe media drive range, but it is currently unclear if this is a complete refresh of the SNV3400/SNV3410, or as the naming convention seems to indicate, a higher performance/class of M.2 NVMe SSDs. This is something that has been LONG DEMANDED as Synology still have a solid insistence on their systems/add-on cards with M.2 NVMe Support HAVE TO be their own media drives if you want to use the slots of Storage pools, yet the SNV3400 range and it’s variations are comparatively low speed and high priced vs the rest of the M.2 NVMe SSD market as a whole.

So, that’s everything we know so far. Let’s now discuss what we think together in the comments!

The New Synology 2025 Product Line Up – What I Like and What I Don’t!

I have mixed feelings about the entire Synology refreshed line up – on the one hand I DO think there is a meaningful refresh here on the DS925+ and DS1525+ NAS. No one was expecting Synology to completely change this product family, as they have already made it pretty clear that these two system profiles are designed now more for the SMB user, small business, container deployer and those with file processing needs – i.e not multimedia as the focus. So, them upgrading this from the R1000 CPU in the x23 series to a V1000 CPU (doubling the cores and threads) will be tremendously welcome – as will 2.5GbE out the box (though I would like more clarification on the E10G22-T1-MINI 10GbE upgrade card support – as it looks like this is now not supported and that would be a real shame). Also, as much as its a bummer to see the V1500B CPU that Synology have already had on their products in 2020 in these 4 and 5 Bay solutions, they ARE good follow up CPUs over the R1600 in profile, and still have a length support time with AMD backing them up. All that said, the DS725+ seems pretty hard done by here, in fact the DS425+, DS225+ and DS725+ all seem to essentially be the same NAS, but with the 1GbE NICs swapped out with 2.5GbE. I mean, if the price remains exactly the same as the DS423+, DS224+ and DS723+ (and no other hardware surprises arrive in the form of no NVMe slots, etc), then these are…technically…refreshes. But more like a DS224+II, than a whole new DS225+.

Regarding the Intel Celeron devices, I am a little puzzled more than anything else. 2.5GbE on these is good (even if we overlook the fact that 2.5GbE has been fairly standard on ALL NAS systems in place of 1GbE since 2020 from everyone else), but the J4125 CPU is a CPU that has long since retired by Intel (indeed, Intel Celeron naming itself is long gone in favour of the Alder Lake and Twin Lake N processors). So unlike the strong support afforded to the AMD processors I mentioned above, the J4125 seems a remarkably dated choice right now. Still, better some kind of graphical capable CPU in the line up than none at all. Still, odd choice. As there are a lot of holes in these specifications, it’s tough to make a full list of what is good and bad, plus we have to acknowledge that things CAN change during development. So, I’ll hold off for now with anything concrete on my own thoughts, but again, I would love to chat in the comments here or on YouTube for your own thoughts.

Things we still need confirmation on!

As I just mentioned, there are still a lot of gaps in these specs and till we have the full picture, we can’t judge anything! So, here are the questions I still have about these new refreshes that remain unanswered for now:

• HDD and SSD Compatibility, will it be largely the same as the existing 22/23/24 series devices (i.e largely Synology drives, but a few Seagate/WD/Toshiba drives), or will these new series be the first to arrive with strict Synology-only drive media and/or pre-population?
• How is the USB-C 6Gb/s? Is it an adapter, or a USB-C Port on the old lane internally?
• Where is the 6-Bay?
• Ambiguity at best, complete removal at worst, of the 10GbE upgradability of the 2/4/5 Bay V1500B option NAS’. Is this for real?
• Is the SNV5420 a new high performance M.2 NVMe?
• Why refresh all of these at the same time? Some solutions like the DS1823xs+ or DS224+ are very early in their expected run, so a refresh so soon seems unnecessary. So why now?

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Want to follow specific category? Also Read...Synology vs UGREEN NAS (in 202Synology vs UGREEN in 2025 - WSynology vs QNAP in 2025 - WhiWeek 17 Tech Roundup – LenovSynology DS925+ NAS ReleasedSynology DS925+ NAS Released (Week 16 Tech Roundup – SynolSynology 2025 NAS Hard Drive aSynology 2025 NAS Hard Drive aSynology DS925+ vs DS923+ – Subscribe You can also follow specific search terms:

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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Why NAS Drives are NOT for Everyone – 5 Reasons You Do Not Need a NAS

Network Attached Storage (NAS) is often promoted as the ideal solution for data management, offering advantages like local control, redundancy, and flexible access. However, while NAS has many benefits, it is not the right choice for everyone. Depending on individual needs, alternatives such as cloud storage or Direct-Attached Storage (DAS) may provide a simpler, more cost-effective, or more practical solution. This article explores five key reasons why a NAS may not be the best choice for certain users. From the convenience of cloud storage to the high upfront costs of NAS devices, we will break down the potential drawbacks and alternative solutions that might better fit specific use cases. Understanding these factors can help users make an informed decision about their storage needs.

Disclaimer – NAS devices provide a robust and flexible storage solution, but they are not necessary for all users. Those with simpler storage needs—such as single-device backups or direct file access—may find that a Direct-Attached Storage (DAS) device better meets their requirements. External hard drives and SSDs offer straightforward, cost-effective alternatives without the complexity of network management. Cloud storage remains a convenient and accessible option, particularly for those who need remote access without dealing with hardware setup. While it comes with long-term costs and data security considerations, cloud services offer ease of use and automation that may be preferable for some users. Additionally, a hybrid NAS and cloud approach can provide the best of both worlds, allowing users to maintain local storage while leveraging cloud redundancy for added backup security and accessibility. Choosing the right storage solution depends on specific use cases, technical expertise, and long-term data management goals.

1. The Convenience of Cloud Storage is Unquestionable

One of the primary reasons a NAS may not be necessary for some users is the convenience of cloud storage. Services like Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, and iCloud offer instant accessibility, making it easy to store, sync, and retrieve files from any internet-connected device. Unlike NAS, which requires setup, configuration, and ongoing maintenance, cloud storage is designed to be user-friendly. Users can simply sign up, upload files, and access them from anywhere, without needing to worry about network configurations, remote access tunnels, or firewall adjustments. This simplicity makes cloud storage an appealing option for users who want a hassle-free experience without managing hardware.

Beyond ease of use, cloud services are also optimized for redundancy and failover protection, ensuring that data remains safe and accessible even if hardware failures occur on the provider’s end. Large-scale cloud platforms have multiple data centers worldwide, meaning that even in the event of a regional outage, files remain available from alternative locations. Cloud storage is particularly advantageous for those who travel frequently or work remotely, as accessing a NAS over the internet can introduce latency, security challenges, and connectivity issues. For example, transferring large files to a NAS while on the road may require complex VPN configurations and reliable internet access, whereas cloud storage offers seamless access without any additional setup. This makes cloud storage a more practical choice for users who prioritize mobility and convenience over local ownership.

Example of the complexity of a NAS to Cloud Sync:

2. Simplicity of Direct-Attached Storage (DAS) for Single Users vs NAS is Indisputable

For individuals who primarily work from a single device, a NAS may be unnecessary and even overcomplicated. A Direct-Attached Storage (DAS) device—such as an external hard drive, SSD, or even a RAID-configured DAS—provides a more straightforward and often more cost-effective solution. Unlike NAS, which requires a network connection and some level of system administration, a DAS device simply connects directly to a computer via USB, Thunderbolt, or eSATA and is ready to use instantly. This plug-and-play functionality makes DAS ideal for users who just need additional storage or a backup solution without any complexity.

DAS also offers direct hardware integration with professional applications, making it a preferred choice for photographers, video editors, and graphic designers. Many creative professionals rely on high-speed DAS devices because they provide lower latency and faster data transfer rates than a network-based NAS. A high-speed Thunderbolt RAID array, for example, can provide much faster read and write speeds than a NAS connected via 1GbE or even 2.5GbE networking. Additionally, for users who need to transfer large amounts of data quickly, physically shipping an external drive remains a viable and often faster option than uploading terabytes of data to a NAS remotely. If a user primarily works from one computer and does not need network-based file access, a DAS setup can be a much more practical and efficient choice than investing in a NAS.

3. Cloud and DAS = Lower Power Consumption and Long-Term Operating Costs

One often overlooked factor when deciding on a NAS is its ongoing power consumption. Unlike DAS devices, which only require power when in use, a NAS typically runs 24/7, constantly consuming electricity even when idle. While modern NAS devices offer power-saving features such as scheduled shutdowns and sleep modes, they still draw more power than a simple external hard drive. This can be a concern for users in areas with high electricity costs, those who live in mobile homes, or people who rely on solar or backup power sources. Over the course of a year, the difference in power consumption between a NAS and a simple external drive can add up, making it an important consideration for budget-conscious users.

Example of Power Consumption of a 6-Bay NAS with 6x HDD and 2x SSD (Intel N305 i3 CPU):

Beyond electricity costs, there’s also the issue of long-term maintenance. Hard drives inside a NAS are designed to run continuously, meaning they wear out faster compared to drives that are powered on only when needed. Each mechanical hard drive has a limited number of operational hours before failure becomes more likely. In contrast, an external hard drive that is only used periodically for backups can last much longer. Additionally, NAS devices require ongoing software updates, security patches, and general monitoring to function optimally. For users who do not want to deal with the responsibility of maintaining a dedicated storage system, a NAS may be more trouble than it’s worth, especially when compared to simpler alternatives like external hard drives or cloud storage.

Example of Noise Level of a 4x HDD and 2x SSD NAS (Lincstation S1 NAS):

4. Cloud Mean Avoiding Vendor Lock-in and Data Migration Challenges

NAS systems operate as full-fledged computing devices with their own proprietary operating systems, which can make migrating data between different NAS brands or platforms a challenge. For example, if a user sets up a Synology NAS and later wants to switch to a QNAP or another brand, they may encounter significant roadblocks in moving their existing file structures, metadata, and system settings. Unlike traditional external storage solutions that use universal formats like NTFS, exFAT, or APFS, NAS devices often use specialized file systems optimized for their specific ecosystems. This means that simply swapping out drives between NAS brands is not always possible without extensive data transfers and reconfigurations.

In contrast, DAS devices and cloud storage solutions provide more flexibility for users who may need to migrate their data in the future. A USB hard drive can be connected to any computer with minimal effort, and cloud services typically offer built-in tools to migrate data between providers. Additionally, NAS users often rely on specific applications and configurations tied to their system, making it more difficult to transition to a different storage solution later. While there are workarounds—such as using standard file transfer protocols like SMB or FTP—these solutions require extra time and effort, which may not be practical for users who need a simple and easily portable storage option. For those who value long-term flexibility, avoiding NAS vendor lock-in may be a more prudent choice.

5. NAS = High Initial Costs and Uncertain Return on Investment for Some

Perhaps the most significant reason some users should avoid a NAS is the cost. Compared to external storage solutions, NAS devices are considerably more expensive, especially when factoring in the price of both the NAS enclosure and the hard drives required to populate it. Even budget NAS devices start at a few hundred dollars, and higher-end models with advanced features can cost well over $1,000, not including the drives. When comparing cost per terabyte, NAS drives are generally more expensive than external USB drives due to their enhanced durability and NAS-optimized firmware. For users who do not need advanced features like RAID redundancy, Docker applications, or network-wide accessibility, the extra cost of a NAS may not be justifiable.

Beyond the initial purchase, users must also consider the long-term costs associated with NAS ownership. Hard drives wear out over time and will eventually need to be replaced, adding to the overall expense. Additionally, while NAS devices provide a wide range of powerful features, many users may not fully utilize them. If someone only needs basic storage and backup capabilities, a NAS might be an unnecessary investment, and they may be better off with a simple DAS setup or cloud-based storage solution. Before committing to a NAS, potential buyers should carefully evaluate whether they will take full advantage of its features or if a more affordable and straightforward alternative would better suit their needs.

While NAS devices offer powerful features and advantages for data management, they are not always the most practical option. For users who prioritize convenience, cloud storage may be a better fit. Those who work primarily from a single device may find a Direct-Attached Storage (DAS) setup more efficient. Additionally, factors such as power consumption, vendor lock-in, and long-term costs should all be carefully considered before investing in a NAS. Ultimately, the best storage solution depends on individual requirements. A NAS can be a great investment for those who need centralized, multi-user access and advanced functionality, but it is not the only option. Evaluating storage needs based on cost, performance, and ease of use will help determine whether a NAS is the right fit or if an alternative solution would be more suitable.

Recommended NAS Solutions Based on Data Storage Needs:

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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

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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 check HEREIf you need to fix or configure a NAS, check Fiver Have you thought about helping others with your knowledge? Find Instructions Here  

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You NEED A NAS Drive – And Here Is Why

In today’s digital world, data storage plays a crucial role in both personal and professional environments. Many individuals and businesses rely on cloud storage for convenience, but it’s not always the best option. While cloud services provide accessibility and automation, they come with limitations, including long-term costs, security concerns, and restrictions on data ownership. For those who value control over their files, a Network Attached Storage (NAS) device offers a compelling alternative. This article explores five key reasons why a NAS can be a better choice for data management compared to cloud storage. From total data ownership to long-term cost savings, we examine how NAS devices provide more flexibility, security, and performance for those looking to store and access their data efficiently.

Disclaimer!

While NAS devices offer significant advantages in terms of data ownership, security, and long-term cost efficiency, they are not the ideal solution for everyone. Users with simpler storage needs, such as those requiring direct, high-speed access to a single device, may find that a Direct Attached Storage (DAS) setup better suits their requirements without the additional complexity of network management.

Additionally, cloud storage remains a convenient and accessible option, particularly for those who need a quick and automated solution without the upfront cost of dedicated hardware. Cloud services provide seamless access from anywhere and can be a great short-term or supplementary storage method. For many users, a hybrid approach—combining NAS with cloud storage—strikes the right balance. This setup allows users to enjoy the accessibility of the cloud while benefiting from the control and security of a NAS, particularly when implementing structured backup routines. Each storage solution has its strengths, and the best choice depends on individual needs and use cases.

1. A NAS Server = Total Data Ownership

Owning a NAS (Network Attached Storage) means complete control over your data, something that cloud storage simply cannot provide. When you use cloud services, you are essentially handing over your files to a third party, entrusting them to manage and store your data. While this is convenient, it also introduces several risks, including data breaches, sudden policy changes, or service discontinuations. Many cloud providers state in their terms of service that they reserve the right to scan, analyze, or even remove content that violates their policies, which can be vague and subject to interpretation. A NAS eliminates this uncertainty by giving you full ownership—your data resides physically in your home or office, and no one but you determines what happens to it.

Beyond ownership, NAS systems offer better control over data distribution. You decide where backups are stored, how often they occur, and who has access. This is especially important for photographers, videographers, and businesses that require compliance with strict data protection regulations, such as GDPR or HIPAA. For example, a small business handling client records can store sensitive customer data on an encrypted NAS, ensuring compliance without relying on cloud providers that may store files in different jurisdictions. Another key advantage is preventing data from being used to train AI models or sold to advertisers—something that is an increasing concern with major tech companies. Owning a NAS ensures that your data is truly private, unmonitored, and secure from external influences.

2. A NAS Means Bespoke Security Settings

Cloud providers implement security measures, but these are designed for general use, meaning they cannot be customized to fit specific needs. While cloud services offer encryption, user authentication, and basic access controls, they often lack advanced security features that enterprises or tech-savvy users require. With a NAS, you can tailor security settings at a granular level, ensuring that only the right people can access specific files and folders. You can configure user authentication with two-factor authentication (2FA), enforce strict password policies, and even limit access based on IP addresses or device types. For example, you can allow a work computer to access files but block access from unknown mobile devices, significantly reducing the risk of unauthorized entry.

Additionally, NAS security extends beyond simple user access. If you integrate a NAS with a managed switch and firewall, you can create network segmentation, restricting access to only certain parts of your infrastructure. Air-gapping—a security practice that physically or digitally isolates a device from external networks—can be used to create periods where the NAS is completely inaccessible, making data leaks or cyberattacks virtually impossible. Scheduled access times add another layer of protection, ensuring that even if credentials are compromised, unauthorized users cannot gain entry outside of designated periods. NAS devices also provide real-time security alerts that can be customized to notify administrators about unusual activity, such as multiple failed login attempts, unauthorized file transfers, or new device connections. This kind of tailored security is simply not possible with generic cloud services, making a NAS the superior choice for those who prioritize privacy and control.

3. A NAS Can Mean True Deletion When Needed

Deleting data from cloud storage is not as straightforward as it seems. Most cloud services use a soft-delete approach, meaning that when you delete a file, it isn’t immediately erased. Instead, it is moved to a trash folder where it remains for 30 to 90 days before being automatically purged. Even after this period, many cloud providers create multiple copies of your files across their servers for redundancy, making it difficult to ensure that your data is completely gone. In some cases, metadata or indexed portions of your files may still exist within the provider’s infrastructure, and depending on the terms of service, your data may even be retained for analytics or AI training.

With a NAS, true deletion is possible because you have full control over your data. When you delete a file, it is removed from your storage pool, and if you want absolute certainty, you can use secure erasure tools to overwrite the data multiple times, making recovery impossible. Many NAS systems include built-in data-wiping features that follow Department of Defense (DoD) 5220.22-M standards, ensuring complete removal of sensitive information. For highly sensitive data, you can physically destroy storage drives—a practice commonly used by corporations and government agencies. Some companies specialize in secure drive destruction, ensuring that data cannot be recovered by any means. For personal use, simply reformatting or physically damaging a hard drive provides an additional layer of security. This level of control over data deletion is something that cloud storage cannot match, making NAS the ideal choice for those who need true data removal capabilities.

4. NAS vs Cloud = Cost Savings in the Long Term

At first glance, cloud storage seems like an affordable option. Many services offer free storage up to a certain limit, and paid plans start as low as a few dollars per month. However, the long-term costs can quickly add up. Subscription-based storage models require continuous payments, meaning that over several years, you could spend far more on cloud storage than you would on a one-time NAS purchase. Additionally, most cloud providers offer tiered pricing, meaning that as your storage needs grow, your monthly fees increase significantly. Businesses and content creators with terabytes of data often find themselves paying hundreds of dollars annually just to store their files.

Another hidden cost of cloud storage is data retrieval, known as egress fees. Many cloud providers limit how much data you can download within a given timeframe, and if you exceed this limit, you are charged extra. For example, Amazon S3 and Google Cloud charge egress fees that can quickly add up when transferring large amounts of data. In contrast, a NAS has no such limitations—once you own the device, you can access and transfer files as much as you want without paying additional fees.

If you plan to store data for more than three to five years, a NAS will almost always be the more cost-effective choice. Even budget NAS devices with included hard drives, such as the $199 models with 4TB of storage, offer better long-term value than many cloud subscriptions. Investing in a NAS early ensures that you avoid rising costs while maintaining full control over your data.

5. A NAS (Almost Always) Means Performance and Speed Benefits

Cloud storage is convenient for remote access, but it is heavily dependent on internet speeds, network congestion, and provider limitations. Upload and download speeds are constrained by your ISP, meaning that large file transfers can take hours or even days. Most cloud services also impose bandwidth limits or throttling policies, reducing transfer speeds during peak hours. For users who need fast access to large files—such as video editors, photographers, or IT professionals—cloud performance is simply not sufficient.

A NAS, on the other hand, offers significantly better performance, particularly for local access. Even basic NAS systems with gigabit Ethernet can achieve speeds of 100 MB/s (megabytes per second), far exceeding most cloud transfer rates. Higher-end models support 2.5GbE, 5GbE, or even 10GbE connections, allowing speeds of up to 1,000 MB/s—nearly 100 times faster than standard cloud storage. For example, a team of video editors working with 4K footage can stream and edit files directly from a NAS without any noticeable lag, something that would be impossible with cloud storage due to latency issues. NAS devices also support SSD caching, RAID configurations for redundancy, and multiple simultaneous users, ensuring high performance even under heavy workloads.

Another advantage of NAS is its ability to function as a local media server. Unlike cloud services that require constant internet access and may throttle streaming quality, a NAS can store and stream high-resolution content locally without buffering. This makes it ideal for home theaters, Plex servers, and shared family storage. Businesses can also benefit from NAS performance by hosting internal file-sharing platforms, reducing reliance on slow or expensive cloud-based collaboration tools. In short, NAS outperforms cloud storage in every aspect of speed and efficiency, making it the best choice for users who demand high-speed, reliable access to their files.

While cloud storage remains a popular choice, it is not without drawbacks. Issues such as long-term expenses, limited security customization, and potential data retention concerns make it less than ideal for users who require full control over their files. A NAS, by contrast, provides a dedicated, high-performance storage solution that allows users to take ownership of their data, manage access securely, and benefit from predictable costs over time. Ultimately, whether a NAS or cloud storage is the right choice depends on individual needs. Those looking for convenience and automatic backups may still find value in cloud services, while users who prioritize security, cost efficiency, and local performance will likely benefit from investing in a NAS. Understanding these differences can help individuals and businesses make informed decisions about their data storage strategy.

Recommended NAS Solutions Based on Data Storage Needs:

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Synology ActiveProtect and the Future of DSM Powered Backup Solutions?

The introduction of Synology’s ActiveProtect platform signifies a major pivot in the company’s approach to data protection, targeting enterprise-grade backup requirements with purpose-built solutions. Available on the DP320, DP340, and flagship DP7400 models, ActiveProtect is designed to simplify and centralize backup processes for a wide range of systems, including local servers, virtual machines, and cloud-based platforms. By integrating advanced functionalities such as deduplication, air-gapped backups, and seamless virtual machine redeployment, Synology positions ActiveProtect as a solution that bridges operational efficiency with robust disaster recovery capabilities. However, this development prompts significant questions about how it aligns with the company’s existing DSM-integrated backup solutions like Active Backup for Business, which offers comparable features at no additional cost. This duality within Synology’s lineup could lead to internal competition, potentially fragmenting its customer base.

ActiveProtect distinguishes itself from DSM-based backup solutions by consolidating multiple functions into a single, cohesive platform. Traditional DSM deployments rely on separate applications—such as Active Backup for Business, Hyper Backup, and Snapshot Replication—to cover different aspects of data protection. While this modularity offers flexibility, it can introduce complexity for businesses seeking a straightforward backup strategy. ActiveProtect eliminates this complexity by providing a unified interface that simplifies backup management across physical devices, virtual environments, and cloud services. However, this streamlined approach comes at the expense of the broader versatility and multifunctionality inherent in DSM, which extends beyond data protection to include media management, collaboration tools, and virtualization capabilities. This narrowing of scope might alienate long-time Synology users accustomed to DSM’s extensive ecosystem.

Synology DSM, AP, BSM, SRM…

The growing breadth of Synology’s software ecosystem raises concerns about the company’s ability to maintain development momentum across all its platforms. Over the years, Synology has strategically streamlined its product lineup, as evidenced by the gradual phasing out of its J-series NAS devices in favor of the more versatile Value and Plus series. Similarly, the introduction of the BeeStation and its dedicated BSM operating system reflects a shift toward application-specific appliances.

With ActiveProtect now joining Synology’s expanding roster of platforms, including DSM, BSM, and router management software, there is a tangible risk that development resources may become overstretched. This could potentially slow the evolution of DSM, a cornerstone of Synology’s product lineup, or lead to reduced feature updates, diminishing its appeal for users seeking an all-encompassing solution.

Hardware choices further highlight the divergence between ActiveProtect appliances and DSM-powered NAS devices. The DP320 and DP340 are tailored for backup-specific workloads, featuring pre-configured RAID setups and hardware optimized for reliability over versatility. The DP320, for example, is equipped with RAID 1 storage, 8GB of ECC memory, and a dual-core R1600 processor, while the DP340 offers RAID 5 storage, 16GB of memory, and 10GbE connectivity for improved performance. In contrast, DSM-powered devices such as the DS923+ and DS723+ cater to a broader audience with features like m.2 NVMe caching, 10GbE upgradeability, and extensive app ecosystems.

This differentiation reflects Synology’s attempt to segment its product lines, but it also raises questions about whether ActiveProtect’s hardware limitations might restrict its long-term scalability for growing businesses.

One of ActiveProtect’s key selling points is its integration of enterprise-grade backup capabilities, including immutable storage, deduplication, and compatibility with VMware and Hyper-V environments. These features make it an attractive solution for organizations prioritizing data protection and regulatory compliance. Additionally, ActiveProtect provides centralized management for multisite deployments, a crucial feature for enterprises managing distributed IT infrastructures. However, the reliance on dedicated hardware and licensing introduces an ongoing cost structure that diverges from DSM-powered solutions, where Active Backup for Business and related tools are included without additional fees. This fundamental difference raises concerns about the overall cost-effectiveness of ActiveProtect, particularly for smaller organizations operating on tighter budgets.

Flexibility in Hardware and Software?

Another significant trend is Synology’s increasing focus on restricting compatibility to its own hard drives, SSDs, and pre-populated solutions. Both the DP320 and DP340 come pre-configured with Synology-branded drives, limiting users’ ability to select third-party alternatives. While this ensures consistent performance and simplifies deployment, it significantly raises the entry cost compared to traditional NAS setups. For example, the DP320 includes 16TB of storage configured in RAID 1, while the DP340 offers 32TB in RAID 5, but the lack of user-defined storage options may deter cost-conscious buyers. Furthermore, this move toward proprietary hardware could alienate existing customers accustomed to the flexibility of Synology’s traditional NAS devices.

Pre-populated and proprietary solutions such as the DP320, DP340, and the BeeStation reflect Synology’s strategic pivot toward end-to-end control over its ecosystem. This approach aligns with the company’s emphasis on seamless integration but risks diminishing the value proposition of its products for users who value customization. The reliance on Synology-branded drives also impacts the perceived cost-benefit ratio, as these solutions are often priced higher than third-party alternatives.

While this strategy simplifies support and ensures reliability, it may not appeal to users seeking the budget-friendly versatility that has traditionally been a hallmark of Synology’s offerings.

The long-term value of ActiveProtect also warrants scrutiny when compared to DSM-powered NAS devices. With ActiveProtect, users are tied to a dedicated platform that incurs additional licensing costs and lacks the multifunctionality of DSM. In contrast, DSM devices provide a more comprehensive solution, offering everything from media streaming to virtualization alongside robust backup capabilities.

Over time, the broader utility of DSM-powered devices may offer better value for businesses that require more than just backup functionality. This disparity underscores the need for potential buyers to carefully evaluate their specific requirements and future scalability needs.

Synology NAS and Value (TCO and ROI)?

ActiveProtect’s pricing and licensing structure remain key variables in determining its market appeal. While the platform’s simplicity and advanced features are appealing, the lack of clarity surrounding costs introduces uncertainty. For smaller organizations, the total cost of ownership could outweigh the benefits, especially when DSM-powered NAS devices already provide a cost-effective and robust alternative. Without clear pricing strategies that demonstrate the value benefits of ActiveProtect vs DSM solutions, Synology may struggle to position ActiveProtect as a compelling upgrade for existing customers or as a viable entry point for new ones.

Finally, Synology’s dual-platform strategy risks creating confusion within its user base. ActiveProtect’s focus on dedicated backup appliances contrasts sharply with DSM’s multifunctional approach, making it challenging for users to discern which solution best meets their needs. For long-time users of DSM, the potential scaling back of its backup features in favour of promoting ActiveProtect could be perceived as a drawback. Synology’s ability to clearly communicate the distinct advantages and limitations of these platforms will be critical to ensuring both their coexistence and success in an increasingly competitive market.

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The Synology Beestation BST170-8T NAS Coming Soon

The range of solutions on offer from Synology, arguably the most popular brand in the world of Network Attached Storage (NAS), is pretty diverse. Though the brand has been rather restrained in recent years in terms of its consumer hardware, they are still one of the most well-regarded brands in terms of their user-friendly and responsive software. Last year, we saw the brand launch a new entry-level pre-populated NAS series called the BeeStation BST150-4T. This was a separate product line from their popular DSM-equipped systems in the DiskStation series, instead arriving with a much more streamlined home/consumer-level platform called BSM (Beestation Manager).

It will come as no surprise to anyone that Synology has not limited this software and series to a single product and has now revealed an improved version called the Beestation Plus. This fresh entry into this relatively new series is a scaled-up model in several ways and, alongside promising improved performance on what BSM is capable of in this new architecture, it also promises improved storage capacity. However, is the Beestation Plus enough to tempt new/existing users away from the already popular DiskStation series solutions of a similar scale? Let’s discuss what we know about the Beestation Plus NAS.

Synology Beestation Plus Hardware Specifications

Much like the BeeStation BST150 that came before it, the new Beestation Plus is a pre-populated 1-bay NAS solution (featuring a single 8TB Synology HAT3310 Plus Series HDD inside), doubling the capacity of the 4TB first release. There had been hopes of this being a 2-bay device, and this information is still yet to be fully officially confirmed—but all images of the system and official information cards at the official CES-adjacent event ‘Pepcom’ in Nevada point towards this being a 1-bay device that lacks any RAID functionality. Also, much like the current Beestation BST150, the HDD inside the Beestation Plus cannot be replaced or removed unofficially. That is to say, the system arrives with a Synology HDD that has the OS install tailored to it, you cannot install a newer/faster/bigger HDD at a later point, and if you open up the Beestation case (as it is not hot-swappable), it will invalidate your hardware warranty.

The Beestation Plus arrives in the same compact casing as the original Beestation BST150. This is a fanless, single-slot casing that holds the HDD in place internally via four screws. The casing has a matte black finish and an exceptionally small footprint for a NAS. Additionally, the system features ventilation at the top and bottom but lacks any active cooling fan—so noise is much lower than any other Synology NAS (practically silent). I have always been a fan of this casing for this ‘setup in 10 minutes and go’ solution, though it can seem a little sparse (single LED on the front and nothing else).

That said, one area of notable improvement in the Beestation Plus over the previous release is the CPU. The Beestation BST150 arrived with a 64-bit ARM processor (the RTD1619b), whereas this new release is using an Intel Celeron Processor—the J4125. This is a quad-core x86 2.0–2.7GHz CPU that features integrated graphics and is therefore capable of significantly more system operations than the BST150. That said, this processor is going to lead to mixed reactions from new/old Synology NAS users. On a positive note—this is easily the most powerful and capable CPU that Synology has EVER put in a 1-bay NAS and will result in practically no bottleneck whatsoever with regard to BSM’s feature set! Plus, the additional integrated graphics will be a huge benefit to graphical or multimedia operations (such as multimedia conversions, thumbnail generation, and HEIC/HEVC-supported operations). All that said, the extent of those media conversions is going to be debatable, as Synology has been changing its stance on a lot of the support for HEVC conversions in several of their appliances, changing many to require an official extension (thereby reducing the extent of controllable usage outside of select apps and service use).

Additionally, we cannot ignore the elephant in the room that even those moderately aware of Synology NAS will want to highlight. The Intel J4125 Celeron is by no means a new CPU (launched back in 2019 and has since been widely abandoned by other brands in favor of the N5000 series in 2022/2023 and then even further abandoned with the wide availability of the Intel Alder Lake series (N95, N100, etc.). Synology launched two solutions in 2023/2024 with this CPU (the DS423+ and DS224+), and even then, complaints about this CPU choice were already underway. So although its appearance on this 1-bay NAS marks a positive upgrade on previous 1-bay solutions AND over the BST150 Beestation that came before it—it is not exactly a breathtaking hardware choice.

That aside, the Beestation series is not a range that is designed to target the same audience as DSM-equipped devices. BSM is designed around simple storage deployment that is both GENUINELY turnkey and GENUINELY ‘out of the box’ ready. So there might well be the argument that even the J4125 is ‘overkill.’ Additionally, we do need to acknowledge that the system arrives with 4GB of DDR4 memory, which is surprisingly high when compared to pretty much every other Synology J4125 NAS system that arrived with 2GB (aside from the DS920+/DS1522/DVA1622). It would appear that this memory cannot be expanded, but nevertheless it is a pretty decent amount of baseline memory for such a modest box and a significant increase over the previous Beestation BST150-4T NAS.

The rear of the Synology Beestation Plus features similar ports and connections to the original BST150 Beestation. There is a USB-C 5Gb/s 3.2 port that supports connecting a USB drive for additional storage, sharing, and simplified backups. There is also a single network interface slot, but it is 1GbE—which is somewhat of a bottleneck, even for a 1-bay HDD-equipped NAS system.

I can appreciate that this system is designed to be entry-level, but it is still rather limiting for the wider network. There is an argument, of course, that the target audience for a device like this will have low enough average bandwidth traffic and data demands that 2.5GbE or higher would have been enormous overkill. Equally, only the more technologically versed would actually notice that the network connection is a little limited—but it is still rather underwhelming for the more tech-savvy.

It is very hard to judge a system like the Beestation Plus with any kind of comparative measurement against any other Synology (or indeed 3rd party) NAS solution, as the target demographic for this NAS is significantly less demanding and/or tech-worrisome! Equally, I know I am not technically the target audience for this solution, as my own data demands and requirements are higher than what this box can provide. That said, the previous Beestation left me mostly impressed by how much such a modest system could do, as well as how well the BeeFiles and BeePhotos applications worked with a modern hardware spec. So, with that in mind, the Beestation Plus is a massive leap over the CPU/RAM of the older device—which can only add up to an improved software experience! For those that are not aware, let’s discuss the Beestation Manager (BSM) software a little and what the hopes are for what the Beestation Plus system can do.

Beestation Plus NAS Release and Pricing

Currently, we have no official indication of where Synology is planning to go with the Beestation Plus. The original Beestation BST150-4T arrived at the $199 price point (not including tax) RRP. The Beestation Plus is twice the capacity, with a better CPU/RAM internally. Therefore, the price point is likely to sit at around $399 or thereabouts. Additionally, although official release dates are still heavily TBC, Synology RARELY shows off consumer-grade products at trade shows unless they are approaching release relatively soon, so I would bank on sometime in Q1 2025. Still, everything is TBC, so until we get further official source confirmation, treat all this with a pinch of salt. Right now, the question is whether Synology’s further development of BSM systems will lead to a change in support for DSM appliances (both hardware and software). Will we see more consumer-focused applications migrate over to BSM? Will some Plus series devices in DSM slowly become BSM system alternatives with pre-populated storage, and DSM-powered systems will err more towards SMB (small/medium business) system devices only? It is simply too early to say. I DO like the BSM series and I DO think there is an audience/market for BeeStation and BeeStation Plus—but not at the expense of DSM systems. Let’s see what Synology does with the 2025/2026 release series of DiskStation solutions, and we will be able to gauge how/where the brand plans on heading with BSM and DSM in parallel.

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Review of the New Synology DP320 Active Protect NAS – A Good Change?

Quick Note for this review – As much as I want to review the DP320 separate from other Synology NAS solutions (with DSM appliances, and therefore completely different intended user), it is impossible to do this. This is because Synology Diskstation and Rackstation Solutions are pretty much the main alternative to this solution to the DP320. So, apologies if elements of this review draw more comparison to DSM than you (and perhaps even Synology themselves) might like.

The Synology DP320 represents a notable departure from Synology’s established NAS lineup, introducing a device tailored specifically for backup and disaster recovery under the new ActiveProtect platform. For years, Synology’s desktop NAS systems have been synonymous with versatility, powered by the robust DSM operating system that supports a wide array of applications and configurations. However, with the DP320 and its siblings in the ActiveProtect series, Synology is pivoting toward a more focused, purpose-built approach. This shift raises questions about how it fits within the company’s broader ecosystem and its implications for the future of Synology’s hardware and software offerings.

The DP320 is one of several new additions to Synology’s ActiveProtect lineup, joining models like the DP340 and DP7400. Unlike traditional Synology NAS devices, the DP320 is not powered by DSM and does not aim to be a multi-purpose solution. Instead, it is built solely for use with Synology’s ActiveProtect Manager, a specialized platform designed to centralize and simplify data protection. This streamlined focus makes the DP320 a dedicated backup appliance rather than a general-purpose server, a design choice that reflects Synology’s intent to address the growing demand for robust, business-specific data protection tools. However, this specialization also raises concerns among long-time Synology users about the narrowing scope of its capabilities.

Synology DP320 Review – Quick Conclusion

As a standalone platform and if you do not draw comparison with Synology’s DSM devices – the DP320 is a great (if somewhat rigid and inflexible) solution and does precisely what the brand says it will do Moving away from the multi-purpose, DSM-powered NAS systems to a specialized backup appliance built around the ActiveProtect Manager platform was always going to result in mixed feelings! ActiveProtect is NOT replacing DSM – but one cannot help but wonder the long-term impact on the development of DSM, as well as future development of popular applications such as ActiveBackup, when this dedicated backup appliance exists. While it simplifies data protection with centralized management, robust security, and reliable performance, it lacks the versatility that has defined DSM devices. Without access to applications like Synology Drive, Surveillance Station, or Hyper Backup, and with limited hardware expandability, the DP320 focuses exclusively on backup and disaster recovery, positioning itself as a solution for businesses seeking ease of use without the complexity of a traditional NAS. However, this narrowed focus raises concerns about how ActiveProtect may impact DSM’s future development, as Synology’s resources are now divided between supporting this separate ecosystem and enhancing DSM’s broader appeal. DSM-powered NAS devices remain highly valued for their flexibility, supporting diverse applications, multi-purpose workflows, and scalability, making them indispensable for many users beyond simple data protection. While the DP320 serves a niche market well, its adoption should be carefully considered against the broader capabilities and value provided by DSM-based solutions. This balance between dedicated functionality and multi-purpose versatility reflects Synology’s evolving strategy, but also underscores the need for clarity on how this will shape its commitment to its traditional user base.

SOFTWARE - 8/10

HARDWARE - 7/10

PERFORMANCE - 8/10

PRICE - 6/10

VALUE - 7/10

7.2

PROS

Simplified, purpose-built design for backup and disaster recovery.
ActiveProtect Manager offers centralized, intuitive management.
Strong focus on security with immutability and air-gapped backups.
Prepopulated with enterprise-grade drives for easy deployment.
Efficient deduplication reduces storage overhead.
Reliable performance for small to medium-sized businesses.
Integration with Synology C2 cloud enhances hybrid backup strategies.
Streamlined setup and management, ideal for less technical users.
Competitive price per terabyte compared to purchasing a NAS and drives separately.

CONS

Limited hardware expandability compared to DSM devices.
Lacks support for DSM’s broad application ecosystem.
Absence of advanced networking options like 10GbE.
Dependency on ActiveProtect limits compatibility with DSM.
Long-term value may be questionable compared to the versatility of a DSM-powered NAS.

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Synology DP320 Review – The Hardware & Design

The Synology DP320 introduces a deviation from Synology’s traditional NAS offerings, emphasizing a focused design as a backup-specific appliance operating on the ActiveProtect platform. Unlike its DSM-powered predecessors, the DP320 is not intended as a general-purpose NAS but rather a dedicated backup solution for businesses.

This shift has drawn mixed reactions from Synology’s user base, particularly those who have relied on the flexibility and comprehensive ecosystem of DSM. The DP320 features a dual-bay design with RAID 1 configuration, signaling Synology’s intent to address specific business-oriented needs while moving away from the multifaceted capabilities associated with its mainstream NAS devices.

At its core, the DP320 is powered by an AMD Ryzen R1600 dual-core processor paired with 8GB of DDR4 ECC memory, designed to prioritize reliability and efficient file processing. This hardware configuration lacks support for advanced features like 10GbE networking or m.2 NVMe caching, which are present in devices such as the DS723+.

The omission of these features underscores Synology’s emphasis on backup-centric tasks over high-speed data handling or virtualization. While the hardware is suitable for smaller deployments, its lack of scalability may not meet the demands of larger organizations, limiting its versatility as a more general-purpose solution.

Connectivity on the DP320 is basic, with two 1GbE LAN ports—one dedicated to management and the other to data transfer—and a single USB 3.2 Gen 1 port. The USB port’s functionality within the ActiveProtect ecosystem is notably limited, offering minimal utility for local USB backups. This minimalistic approach reflects Synology’s aim to streamline the device for centralized and straightforward backup management.

However, the limited options for network and peripheral connectivity may frustrate users who require greater flexibility or advanced configurations to integrate the device into more complex IT environments.

The DP320 is shipped prepopulated with enterprise-grade hard drives, reinforcing its identity as a specialized backup device. Specifically, it includes two 8TB Synology HDDs in a RAID 1 configuration, which provides redundancy but eliminates the user’s ability to customize storage options at purchase.

Unlike DSM-based devices, the DP320’s fixed storage setup simplifies the initial deployment for less technically inclined users but restricts adaptability for organizations with specific or evolving storage needs. This preconfigured approach mirrors Synology’s strategy with its rackmount DP7400 model, further emphasizing simplicity and predefined workflows over flexibility.

Synology DP320 vs DP340 vs DP7400 – What is the Difference?

The Synology DP320, DP340, and DP7400 represent three tiers of Synology’s ActiveProtect lineup, each tailored for distinct use cases based on deployment scale, performance needs, and hardware capabilities. The DP320 is designed for small-scale deployments, offering basic backup functionalities in a compact form factor with minimal resource requirements. The DP340 provides a mid-tier option, adding enhanced storage capacity and network performance suitable for medium-sized businesses. At the high end, the DP7400 targets enterprise environments, featuring robust scalability, higher performance, and advanced hardware configurations for managing large-scale workloads.

While all three models run the ActiveProtect Manager (APM) software, their differences in hardware significantly affect their capabilities. The DP320 and DP340 share the same AMD Ryzen R1600 processor, but the DP340 includes more memory and dual 10GbE networking for faster data transfers. In contrast, the DP7400 is equipped with an AMD EPYC 7272 processor, offering vastly superior performance with 12 cores and 64GB of memory, making it capable of handling significantly more concurrent workloads. Storage configurations also differ, with the DP320 and DP340 providing limited scalability compared to the DP7400’s enterprise-grade RAID 6 configuration and SSD caching.

The differences in hardware extend to software functionality, with the DP7400 capable of acting as a controller in cluster configurations, managing up to 2500 servers or 150,000 workloads. In contrast, the DP320 and DP340 serve as follower nodes within larger systems or standalone backup solutions.

These differences make the DP320 ideal for small businesses with limited data needs, the DP340 a solid option for medium-sized organizations requiring moderate scalability, and the DP7400 a powerful solution for enterprise-grade environments demanding high performance, reliability, and expansive capacity.

Synology ActiveProtect Software

Synology ActiveProtect is a comprehensive backup and disaster recovery platform designed to meet the evolving needs of businesses. Unlike Synology’s traditional DSM (DiskStation Manager), which offers a multi-purpose operating system for general NAS management, ActiveProtect is a dedicated, backup-specific solution tailored to simplify data protection across various environments.

By consolidating multiple backup and data protection tools into a single, intuitive management system, ActiveProtect eliminates the need for disparate applications while focusing exclusively on backup efficiency and reliability. This separation from DSM allows ActiveProtect to introduce features like immutability, air-gapped backups, and global deduplication, ensuring data integrity and streamlined operations.

While DSM emphasizes versatility with applications like Synology Drive, Surveillance Station, and virtualization tools, ActiveProtect narrows its scope to backup and disaster recovery, making it an ideal solution for organizations seeking centralized, specialized data protection rather than a general-purpose NAS platform.

The ActiveProtect platform forms the operational backbone of the DP320, providing a centralized hub for backup management. The platform’s interface is clean and intuitive, offering administrators visibility into key metrics such as backup operations, supported devices, and data transfer rates. Features like immutability, air-gapped backups, and built-in virtual machine support enhance data security and disaster recovery capabilities. These features make ActiveProtect a reliable option for organizations that prioritize safeguarding critical business data. However, the platform’s highly focused feature set may not appeal to users accustomed to the versatility of DSM.

ActiveProtect provides granular control through customizable protection plans, allowing administrators to configure schedules, retention policies, and backup destinations. These plans can be applied to a wide range of devices, including local desktops, servers, and cloud tenants. Despite its flexibility, the platform restricts each device to a single active protection plan at a time. While this limitation simplifies management, it can be a hindrance for businesses with diverse and complex backup requirements, necessitating careful planning to optimize resource allocation and task execution.

The DP320 integrates seamlessly with Synology’s C2 cloud services and supports other remote storage options, enabling additional layers of redundancy. Administrators can configure backup copies to be stored in C2 Object Storage or compatible Synology NAS devices, creating a hybrid backup strategy that balances physical and cloud-based storage. This capability enhances disaster recovery readiness but requires careful adherence to compatibility requirements, such as activating object lock for C2 buckets. These features reflect Synology’s broader vision of integrating local and cloud resources for comprehensive data protection.

One notable absence is the support for DSM-specific features like Synology Drive and Hyper Backup, which have long been staples of Synology’s ecosystem. ActiveProtect’s narrowly defined feature set reduces deployment complexity but sacrifices the broader utility that DSM typically provides. By positioning ActiveProtect as a standalone platform, Synology is targeting businesses seeking an appliance-like solution tailored to specific backup needs. This decision, however, may alienate users accustomed to the multifunctionality of DSM-based systems.

The DP320’s performance aligns with its backup-oriented design. Initial backups on physical machines achieve average speeds of 45-60MB/s over a local network, with incremental backups completing more quickly, hitting swift turnarounds of 75-80MB/s. The device’s reliance on 1GbE networking, however, can become a bottleneck in environments with substantial data transfer demands. Although the hardware and software are optimized for reliable backup operations, the absence of higher-speed networking limits its applicability for data-intensive tasks, constraining its potential use cases in larger-scale environments.

User management within ActiveProtect is straightforward, offering granular permission settings for backup, restoration, and monitoring. The platform supports integration with domain and LDAP accounts, allowing smooth integration into enterprise networks. However, the lack of two-factor authentication raises concerns about access security, particularly for businesses handling sensitive data. Synology’s decision to exclude more robust security measures could limit the platform’s appeal to organizations with stringent compliance or security requirements, which may see this as a significant drawback.

Integration with Synology’s Active Backup for Business (ABB) provides additional value for existing users. ABB workloads can be migrated to ActiveProtect for centralized management, streamlining operations for businesses that already rely on Synology devices. However, some tasks, such as Synology NAS backups, remain confined to the ABB console. This partial integration creates a disjointed experience for administrators managing a mix of ActiveProtect and DSM-based devices, potentially complicating workflows for users navigating between the two ecosystems.

Support for hypervisors, including VMware and Hyper-V, expands the DP320’s utility in virtualized environments. The device allows instant restoration of virtual machines directly to a hypervisor, ensuring minimal downtime during disaster recovery scenarios.

Despite these capabilities, the lack of compatibility with Proxmox and Synology’s own Virtual Machine Manager (VMM) limits its applicability for organizations using alternative platforms. These compatibility gaps highlight areas where Synology could expand functionality to better meet diverse user needs.

The reliance on the BTRFS file system enables advanced features such as snapshot-based recovery and data deduplication. However, this reliance excludes EXT4 users from certain functionalities, such as the ability to create write-once-read-many (WORM) vaults.

This limitation could inconvenience users transitioning from legacy systems or alternative platforms. By focusing exclusively on BTRFS, Synology underscores its commitment to advanced data protection features, though at the expense of broader compatibility with older or less advanced setups.

ActiveProtect Manager showcases the DP320’s ability to handle diverse workloads, including physical servers and SaaS applications like Microsoft 365. Its user-friendly interface and guided wizards simplify the backup process, even for administrators with limited technical expertise.

However, the system’s scalability is constrained, particularly within the DP320’s hardware configuration, making it more suitable for small to medium-sized businesses. Larger enterprises with more complex needs may find the platform’s limitations restrictive.

The Synology DP320 marks a significant departure from Synology’s traditional NAS offerings, prioritizing dedicated backup functionality over the versatility of DSM. While it meets the needs of businesses seeking a reliable, appliance-like backup solution, it raises questions about the long-term direction of Synology’s product line.

By focusing on a more targeted use case, the DP320 provides a streamlined experience but sacrifices the breadth of capabilities that long-time Synology users have come to expect. Its reception will likely depend on how well it aligns with evolving business needs and user expectations.

Synology DSM vs ActiveProtect? A Fair Trade?

One of the primary limitations of ActiveProtect compared to Synology’s DSM platform is its lack of flexibility and broader functionality.

DSM is designed as a multi-purpose operating system, offering a rich ecosystem of applications such as Synology Drive for file synchronization, Surveillance Station for security management, and Virtual Machine Manager for virtualization needs. ActiveProtect, by contrast, is narrowly focused on backup and disaster recovery, which significantly limits its utility for users seeking an all-in-one solution.

This singular focus means that features many businesses rely on for daily operations are absent, potentially forcing organizations to maintain separate systems or devices to fulfill those needs. Furthermore, DSM allows for extensive customization, from app installations via the Package Center to advanced settings for network, security, and user management. ActiveProtect lacks these options, leaving users with fewer tools to adapt the system to their unique requirements.

Another drawback of ActiveProtect is its rigid hardware and software configurations. Unlike DSM, which supports a wide variety of Synology devices and configurations, ActiveProtect appliances such as the DP320 are prepopulated with specific hard drives and fixed storage setups. Users are unable to customize their hardware during the initial setup or add features like NVMe caching or 10GbE networking. This limited scalability may not meet the needs of businesses that require adaptable and expandable solutions.

Additionally, ActiveProtect does not offer support for third-party applications, further narrowing its capabilities compared to the more versatile DSM platform. These constraints, combined with the exclusion of DSM’s extensive suite of applications, make ActiveProtect a less appealing option for users who value flexibility and the ability to consolidate multiple workloads within a single system.

While its streamlined design and focus on backup simplicity benefit certain use cases, these sacrifices may leave long-time DSM users dissatisfied.

Synology DP320 ActiveProtect Review – Conclusion and Verdict

The Synology DP320 signals a deliberate shift in Synology’s approach, moving from the flexible, feature-rich DSM ecosystem to a more focused and specialized platform with ActiveProtect Manager. As a dedicated backup appliance, it excels in simplifying data protection for small-scale deployments, offering streamlined management, robust security features, and reliable performance. However, this narrowed scope comes at the cost of the versatility that has long been a hallmark of Synology’s devices. The absence of DSM’s broader ecosystem, including applications like Synology Drive and Surveillance Station, along with limited hardware expandability, highlights the DP320’s specific design for backup and disaster recovery.

This focus positions the DP320 as a gateway product, ideal for businesses prioritizing ease of use and centralized backup management without the complexity of a traditional NAS. However, for those accustomed to the flexibility and adaptability of DSM, the DP320 may feel restrictive. Additionally, the introduction of ActiveProtect Manager raises valid concerns about Synology’s commitment to DSM’s future development. ActiveProtect’s exclusivity and the resources required to support a separate software ecosystem may detract from DSM’s evolution, potentially impacting Synology’s broader user base.

The benefits of DSM-based NAS solutions, such as their application flexibility, expandability, and value across multiple use cases, remain unmatched in the industry. Devices powered by DSM continue to offer exceptional utility for businesses and individuals alike, from collaborative tools like Synology Drive to multimedia solutions and advanced backup features such as Hyper Backup and Snapshot Replication. For many users, these features provide significant value beyond simple data protection, making DSM NAS devices an integral part of diverse workflows.

While the DP320 effectively fills a niche as a dedicated backup appliance, its adoption should be weighed against the broader needs of an organization. It is particularly suited for businesses prioritizing a straightforward, low-maintenance backup solution. However, those requiring multi-purpose functionality or who rely heavily on DSM’s ecosystem may find better value in Synology’s traditional NAS offerings. Ultimately, the DP320 represents both an opportunity and a challenge for Synology as it balances the demand for focused solutions like ActiveProtect with the expectations of its long-standing user base.

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The Best 8-Bay NAS Drives to Buy Right Now in 2024/2025

When exploring NAS solutions for business in 2024, 8-Bay NAS drives stand out as a significant upgrade in both capability and professionalism. While NAS devices are commonly used in homes and small businesses for basic storage, the 8-Bay models represent a major advancement. These systems, supporting both hard drives and SSDs, highlight the cutting-edge features offered by NAS brands today. Historically, 8-Bay NAS units have played a crucial role in bridging the gap between desktop and rackmount servers, providing superior storage, performance, and redundancy. With features like 10-gigabit ethernet, Xeon processors, and expanded memory, they cater to a more demanding range of users and applications. NAS manufacturers have long recognized the need for powerful desktop alternatives to traditional rackmount systems, and 8-Bay NAS servers have filled that gap. With a variety of models offering similar price points but diverse hardware and software capabilities, the selection process can be overwhelming. In this updated guide, I’ll highlight the top three 8-Bay NAS systems to consider at the tail end of 2024 and into 2025, focusing on value, scalability, and performance. Let’s get started.

Best NAS of the Year (Honourable Mention) The Lockerstor 8 Gen 3 NAS $1799 (Nov/Dec) – Buy Here on Amazon – Buy HERE on B&H Terramaster F8 SSD PLUS NAS $799 – Buy Here on Amazon – Buy HERE on B&H (Best Software) Synology DS1821+ $1099 – Buy Here on Amazon – Buy HERE on B&H UGREEN DXP8800 PLUS NAS $1499 – Buy Here on Amazon – Buy HERE on B&H

What Have the Best 8-Bay NAS Drives Have in Common?

While there are plenty of 8-Bay NAS drives available, not all offer the same level of quality and features. Many budget brands may seem appealing but often compromise on durability and reliability. Whether you’re considering my top recommendations or looking at other options, the best 8-Bay NAS systems should always include the following key features:

• Combined Hardware & Software: The NAS should come with a full software suite, including a web GUI, mobile apps, and desktop clients for backup, media, streaming, surveillance, and file management.
• Cross-Platform Compatibility: Works seamlessly with Windows, Mac, Android, and Linux.
• Warranty: A 2-3 year warranty, with the option to extend up to 5 years.
• Local and Remote Access: Provides secure local and remote access at no extra cost.
• Support for Large Drives: Compatible with the latest 22TB NAS hard drives (e.g., Seagate Ironwolf or WD Red).
• RAID Configurations: Supports multiple RAID options for data protection and performance.
• Regular Updates: Ensures ongoing security and feature enhancements.
• Cloud Sync: Integrates with services like Google Drive, Dropbox, AWS, and Azure.
• Shared Drive Hosting: Syncs with your PC’s native file manager for easy access.
• Direct Ethernet Access: Allows fast direct connection via Ethernet for 100MB/s or higher speeds.
• Backup and Sync Tools: Includes software for regular backups and synchronization with your devices.

Make sure any 8-Bay NAS you consider includes these features to avoid ending up with an inferior product.

The UGREEN DXP8800 PLUS NAS

0-192TB, Intel i5-1235u 10 Core, 12 Thread CPU, 8-64GB DDR5, 8x SATA, 2x PCIe Gen 4 m.2, PCIe x4 Slot, 2x 10GbE, 2x USB4/TB4, SD Card Slot, 3x 10GbE

Current Price/Availability on Amazon – $1499 – Buy Here on Amazon – Buy HERE on B&H

Hardware Review – HERE

YouTube Video Review – HERE

Much like the rest of the NASync series, the UGREEN DXP8800 PLUS 8-Bay NAS is incredibly good value in terms of hardware and, if you are looking for the very best desktop NAS hardware for the price point available in the market – the DXP8800 PLUS is truly unbeatable in its specifications, build quality and overall physical presentation. Even going full ‘DiY’ and trying to build a system of this calibre yourself (case, cables, i5 embedded mobo, 2 port 10GbE card, 2 NVMe, 8 SATA, case, cooling, etc), you would struggle to beat the sub $999 of this system by a meaningful margin. Add to this the fact that UGREEN have now softened their stance on 3rd party NAS OS’ on their NAS devices having no aggressive impact on your 3-year hardware warranty has won a lot more users over, as the DXP8800 PLUS becomes the perfect TrueNAS or UnRAID NAS for users who don’t want the hassle of building from scratch, chasing multiple warranty’s and silicon paste under the fingernails! Genuinely, it is impossible to fault the DXP8800 PLUS on a hardware level (it’s not even that noisy, compared to other 8-Bay NAS in the market at least).

When it comes to software and performance, however, things are a little more complicated. The UGREEN NAS software (UGOS) is still very much in beta, and it feels likes it. The system (at time of writing) has still yet to complete initial crowdfunding and development of the software is still on-going (so we are still judging a software OS that hasn’t finished). But nevertheless, the absence of services such as 2 factor authentication, WORM, a comprehensive security monitor, volume encryption, a virtual machine hypervisor, broader 3rd party cloud sync and backup tools, etc – the absence of these (as well as inconsistencies in the software and performance, that arguably are possibly related to it’s beta status) lead to it being hard to recommend the DXP8800 PLUS on a software level. However, this system will not see physical fulfilment to backers till at least June/July at the very earliest, which is still a decent amount of time to polish the software and roll out beta’s of individual services that are promised on the UGREEN roadmap.

Perhaps you are looking at the DXP8800 PLUS series for TrueNAS/UnRAID/OMV etc, or simply to set it up for local SMB storage for your backups and then use the docker app to run Plex. For those users, the DXP8800 is an absolute bargain. Overall, I am hugely impressed and look forward to seeing where this system, UGOS and UGREEN go in the exciting world of NAS in the next year or two. The DXP8800 PLUS is a BEAST of a NAS in terms of hardware, but the software is still WiP.

SOFTWARE - 6/10

HARDWARE - 10/10

PERFORMANCE - 7/10

PRICE - 10/10

VALUE - 9/10

8.4

PROS

PCIe Expandability
8 HDDs + 2x Gen 4 M.2 in 1 box under $999
Good Balanced CPU choice
10GbE Dual Ports!
An SD Card Slot (wierdly rare!)
10/10 Build Quality
Great Scalability
Fantastic Mobile Application (even vs Synology and QNAP etc)
Desktop/Browser GUI shows promise
Established Brand entering the NAS Market
Not too noisy (comparatively)
Very Appealing retail package+accessories

CONS

10GbE Performance was less than expected
Crowdfunding choice is confusing
Software (still in Beta) is still far from ready 18/4/24

DEAL WATCH – Is It On Offer Right Now? These Offers are Checked Daily

Best All Round 8-Bay NAS Drive – Synology DS1821+ NAS

0-176TB, 8-Bays, 2x NVMe Cache Bays, Quad-Core Ryzen V1500B 2.2Ghz CPU, 4-32GB DDR4 ECC Memory, 4x 1Gbe Port, 1x PCIe 3×8 Upgrade Slot, 5yr Warranty

Current Price/Availability on Amazon – $1099

Hardware Review – LINK

YouTube Video Review – Watch

What I said in my review Dec ’20:

What you have here is a solid piece of hardware that very much lives up to everything Synology promises, even if some of those promises aren’t to everyone’s taste. With a hardware architecture that we have already tested to notable success in the DS1621+ previously, we already knew that this NAS would be able to do everything it promised. Many users looking to spend their annual business budgets on an improved or extended data storage solution will find the balanced position of hardware vs software found by the Synology DS1821+ to be quite desirable, as well as the scaled potential to upgrade external performance via PCIe and storage via eSATA. However, there is no ignoring that despite the fact this 2020 release excels in many things, it also arrives with a little bottlenecking in a number of others. The continued default utilisation of 1Gbe on the newest generation by Synology is somewhat perplexing and although I have continued admiration for Synology’s engagement with intelligent M2 NVMe cache utilisation and providing a solution that allows more flexible upgrade paths, I know that there are still users who just wish they could use that super fast NAND for raw storage pools and have better than gigabit connections out by default.

It has never been a secret that buying a Synology NAS solution was always a largely ‘software over hardware’ purchase, and the DS1821+ is still a fine example of that balance. However, with other brands closing the gap in what they can offer the SMB (Small/Medium Business) user, while still providing superior hardware and similar warranty coverage, there is the tiniest feeling that the DS1821+ is a NAS that sits on its laurels a bit. Hugely upgradable and still with that award-winning and fantastically intuative DSM software, the DS1821+ is about buying a solution you can adapt within its lifespan and not one that will knock your socks off on day one. A solid and dependable data storage solution, if a little safe, at the end of 2020.

SOFTWARE - 8/10

HARDWARE - 8/10

PERFORMANCE - 8/10

PRICE - 8/10

VALUE - 8/10

8.0

PROS

Desktop Ryzen Powered Solution
Dual NVMe M.2 cache
PCIe Gen 3 x8 PCIe Equipped
Great RAID Options (inc SHR)
Excellent choice of Apps
DDR4 ECC Memory up to 32GB
Numerous Backup Software Options
Huge Virtualization Support
3yr Warranty and Extendable to 5yrs

CONS

1Gbe Ports seem a bit limited now
Shame it does not support 1/2 x DX1215
NVMe SSDs cannot be used for RAW storage

DEAL WATCH – Is It On Offer Right Now? Synology DS1821+ 8-Bay Diskstation NAS (AMD Ryzen V1500B Quad-Core 2,2 GHz 4 GB Amazon UK 149.78 OFF (WAS 3350) [LINK] These Offers are Checked Daily

The Terramaster F8 SSD PLUS Flash NAS

0-64TB, 8x M.2 NVMe Gen 3×1 SSD Bays, 16-32GB DDR5, 10GbE x1, USB 3.2 10G x3, HDMI 4k 60fps, 2 Year Warranty

Current Price/Availability on Amazon – $799 – Buy Here on Amazon – Buy HERE on B&H

Hardware Review – HERE

YouTube Video Review – HERE

You really have to give Terramaster credit here for this system. With so many brands trying to enter the world of dedicated flash SSD storage in the last year or so, the F8 SSD Plus is hands down one of the most impressively designed options out there. Somehow arriving with more storage than most options out there, whilst also being the smallest. Long-time storage veterans are definitely going to ponder temperatures and operational heat when the system has been up and running for long periods of time, but Terramaster has clearly factored this in too with a vast amount of tactical heatsink placement, angled airflow, and painfully necessary SSD performance reductions in order to stop the cart before the horse bolts in terms of heat! The Terramaster F8 SSD Plus is by no means a perfect SSD NAS! Not by a long shot in fact! As long as you keep it realistic in terms of what you expect an eight-bay SSD system of this scale and price point to be able to do, I do not think you will be disappointed! Just make sure to remember that this is not an enterprise piece of kit, and is geared far more towards the prosumer, the enthusiast, and perhaps the small/medium business user.

Content creators, photographers, videographers, and those that want to manage a fast-moving database in a small group of users are definitely going to feel the benefits of the F8 SSD Plus. But the absence of higher-tier business features in terms of hardware, such as ECC memory and no network failover out of the box, are going to be a pain for those bigger users that have bigger demands. The TOS 6 software is, on the whole, better than it’s ever been in terms of feature set, functionality, and responsiveness. I am still not really in love with the “Windows 11” aesthetic, and definitely miss the TOS 5 desktop style that has become something of a staple of the NAS software industry, but I’m sure I’ll get used to it. At this point, there really are very few things available in the NAS market in terms of software that are not available here. A flexible RAID system in T-Raid, support of BTRFS, a multi-tiered backup software, multiple client tools, support of Write Once Read Many, volume encryption, two-factor authentication, isolation mode, the list goes on and on. It would be easy to critique the system in saying that it lacks ZFS (with numerous inline features that really benefit SSD use), but then you also remember that Terramaster allows users to use third-party operating systems like UnRAID and TrueNAS, which means that these are not completely off the table anyway!

Overall, I’ve got to say that the Terramaster F8 SSD Plus is a fantastically capable, affordable, and impressive desktop flash NAS system, and in a growing competitive marketplace for these kinds of devices, Terramaster has done a phenomenal job in their introduction of a new SSD-targeted solution in their portfolio. It may lack some of the software pizzazz of a Synology or aggressive hardware of a QNAP, but it manages to do its own thing very well, and as long as you keep your expectations realistic, this is a phenomenal NAS for 2024/2025.

SOFTWARE - 8/10

HARDWARE - 8/10

PERFORMANCE - 7/10

PRICE - 9/10

VALUE - 10/10

8.4

PROS

Compact Size with High Storage Capacity: Despite its small footprint, the F8 SSD Plus can accommodate up to 8 M.2 SSDs, providing significant storage in a compact form factor.
Effective Heat Management: The system features strategic heatsink placement, angled airflow, and SSD performance adjustments to manage heat efficiently.
Affordable Price Point: Offers a cost-effective solution for a flash NAS system, making it accessible to a wide range of users.
Versatile Use: Suitable for prosumers, enthusiasts, small to medium businesses, content creators, photographers, videographers, and those managing fast-moving databases.
Improved TOS 6 Software: The latest TOS 6 software version includes a broad range of features such as RAID support, BTRFS, multi-tiered backup, and more.
Support for Third-Party Operating Systems: Users can install third-party NAS software like UnRAID and TrueNAS, offering flexibility and customization options.
Low Power Consumption: Utilizes an efficient Intel N305 i3 processor, which keeps power usage low while still delivering adequate performance.
Quiet Operation: Despite being a pure SSD system, the fan noise is minimal, making it suitable for quieter environments.
Good Connectivity Options: Includes a 10 GbE port and multiple USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports, allowing for a range of external connections and expansions.
Environmentally Conscious Design: The packaging is mostly recyclable, and the use of external PSUs can help reduce heat and potential e-waste.

CONS

Lacks High-End Business Features: Missing enterprise-level features such as ECC memory and network failover, which are important for more demanding business environments.
Single 10 GbE Port: Only one network port limits redundancy and failover options, potentially creating a bottleneck for data transfer.
Aesthetic and UI Concerns: The new “Windows 11” aesthetic of TOS 6 may not appeal to all users, and the lack of the familiar TOS 5 desktop style might be a drawback for some.
No Native ZFS Support: Although there are alternative file systems available, the absence of native ZFS support, which benefits SSD use with features like data integrity and snapshot capabilities, may be seen as a limitation.

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Honourable Mention 1: The ZimaCube Pro NAS

0-144TB HDD, 0-32TB M.2, Intel 10 Core i5-1235u, 16-64GB DDR5, 6x SATA Slots, 4+6 NVMe, 1x 10GbE, 2x 2.5GbE, 2x TB4/USB4, 2x PCIe Slot, 2 Year Warranty

Current Price/Availability on Amazon – $TBC

Hardware Review – HERE

YouTube Video Review – HERE

The ZimaCube Pro is a well-rounded NAS solution that combines robust hardware with extensive connectivity options, making it a viable choice for users with demanding storage and processing needs. The device’s solid construction and comprehensive storage capabilities make it a reliable option for professionals involved in content creation, data management, and media processing. The dual Thunderbolt 4 ports and multiple Ethernet interfaces enhance its versatility, allowing it to adapt to various use cases and environments. However, the ZimaCube Pro also presents some challenges that potential users should consider. The device’s high noise levels, particularly under load, could be a concern for those who prioritize a quiet operating environment. The aggressive cooling profile, while effective in managing heat, contributes to this noise issue and may detract from the overall user experience. Additionally, the device’s write performance is less consistent than its read performance, which could impact users who require reliable and fast data transfer for write-intensive tasks.

The software functionality, while adequate, may require further refinement to fully leverage the device’s hardware potential. Firmware updates and enhancements could address these limitations, improving the device’s performance and user experience over time. In summary, the ZimaCube Pro shows significant potential as a high-performance NAS solution, particularly for specific user groups like content creators and data professionals. However, users should weigh the pros and cons carefully, considering their specific needs and environments, before investing in this NAS solution. While the device offers a solid foundation, further optimization and refinement could enhance its appeal, making it a more competitive choice in the NAS market.

Honourable Mention 2: The Lockerstor 8 Gen 3 NAS (AS6808T)

0-192TB, AMD Emb.Ryzen V3000, 16-64GB DDR5 ECC, 8x SATA, 4x M.2 Gen4x1 Slots, 2x 10GbE, 2x 5GbE, 2x USB4/TB4, 3 Year Warranty

Current Price/Availability on Amazon – $1799 (Nov/Dec) – Buy Here on Amazon – Buy HERE on B&H

Hardware Review – HERE

YouTube Video Review – HERE

The Asustor Lockerstor Gen 3 is a significant leap forward, showcasing enhanced hardware and connectivity tailored to high-performance storage needs. Built with an AMD Ryzen V3000 Embedded processor, this NAS balances power and efficiency for various data-intensive tasks. Its ECC DDR5 memory ensures data integrity, making it reliable for professional users handling large data volumes. Equipped with dual 10GbE and dual 5GbE ports alongside USB4, the Lockerstor Gen 3 achieves up to 30 Gbps in total network connectivity and offers PCIe Gen 4 M.2 NVMe support, maximizing throughput across multiple high-speed connections. Real-world testing confirmed its capability to reach transfer speeds over 3 GB/s with combined network and USB4 connections. Performance tests on standard HDDs in RAID 5 mode over 10GbE averaged 500–600 MB/s, while NVMe drives in RAID 0 fully utilized dual 10GbE with around 2.5 GB/s speeds.

When directly connected over USB4/Thunderbolt 4 for IP networking, it maintained stable speeds of 1.4–1.6 GB/s per USB4 link, a valuable setup for users in need of direct high-speed connections like video editors. With enhanced heat dissipation—thanks to a copper-finned heat pipe and airflow redesign—this NAS efficiently manages thermal output even with these high-performance components, ensuring a durable, high-speed performance setup in a compact form.

The Lockerstor Gen 3’s software, ADM 5, covers essential data management and security, though it lacks the advanced multimedia and AI features seen in competitors. Its lack of integrated graphics means transcoding support may be limited, but ADM 5 still enables smooth, secure file management, automatic backups, snapshots, and remote access. Asustor has improved default security settings, and ADM’s flexibility also allows for third-party OS installation, making it compatible with solutions like TrueNAS and Unraid for custom storage configurations. With network management features like Wake-on-LAN and Wake-on-WAN, and support for SMB Multichannel, the NAS provides robust options for deployments needing remote access and high-performance file sharing.

In terms of build quality, the Lockerstor Gen 3 combines a sturdy metal frame with low noise levels, even under heavy loads, and maintains efficient power consumption, peaking at 50 watts during active workloads—a notable feat given its power and compact size. The built-in LCD panel for direct monitoring and configuration adds convenience, and the unit’s comprehensive array of connections means it is equipped to handle multi-user, high-bandwidth environments. Overall, with a focus on performance, network flexibility, and reliable design, the Lockerstor Gen 3 is a standout choice for professionals who require scalable, high-speed storage without compromising on build quality or power efficiency.

SOFTWARE - 6/10

HARDWARE - 10/10

PERFORMANCE - 9/10

PRICE - 8/10

VALUE - 8/10

8.2

PROS

High-Performance CPU: Equipped with the AMD Ryzen V3000 Embedded processor, delivering efficient, server-grade performance for demanding tasks.
ECC DDR5 Memory: Includes 16GB of ECC DDR5 memory (expandable to 64GB), ensuring data integrity and reliability.
Comprehensive Connectivity: Dual 10GbE and dual 5GbE ports, along with two USB4 ports, provide a combined bandwidth of up to 30 Gbps for versatile network setups.
Advanced Data Protection: Offers RAID 5 and RAID 6 options for HDDs and NVMe drives, with hot-swappable capabilities and Btrfs support for snapshots.
USB4/Thunderbolt 4 Over IP: Supports direct connection to Mac and Windows systems via USB4 for fast data transfers and point-to-point editing.
Robust Build Quality: Sturdy metal chassis with minimal noise, even during heavy operations, and excellent heat dissipation with a copper heat pipe.
ADM 5 Software: Reliable, secure OS with essential features like snapshots, remote access, and simplified setup; supports third-party OS installations.
Efficient Power Consumption: Peaks at around 50W under heavy load, efficient for the system’s performance class.
Front LCD Display: The configurable LCD panel allows direct monitoring and setup, a handy feature for easy system management.
Excellent for Multi-User Environments: Multi-channel network support and high bandwidth make it ideal for collaborative, multi-client setups.

CONS

High Price Point: At around $1,799, it’s a premium option, potentially limiting appeal for home users and hobbyists.
No Integrated Graphics: Lacks GPU support, limiting multimedia transcoding and high-end streaming capabilities.
Software Limitations: ADM 5 is solid but doesn’t match the multimedia and AI features found in competitors like Synology and QNAP.
M.2 NVMe Slots Limited to PCIe x1: Each NVMe slot is limited to x1 speed, slightly capping potential performance for SSDs.

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Need More Help Choosing the right NAS?

Choosing the right data storage solution for your needs can be very intimidating and it’s never too late to ask for help. With options ranging from NAS to DAS, Thunderbolt to SAS and connecting everything up so you can access all your lovely data at the touch of a button can be a lot simpler than you think. If you want some tips, guidance or help with everything from compatibility to suitability of a solution for you, why not drop me a message below and I will get back to you as soon as possible with what you should go for, its suitability and the best place to get it. This service is designed without profit in mind and in order to help you with your data storage needs, so I will try to answer your questions as soon as possible. Just enter in a few details of your setup, storage requirements and (in the case of buying a new solution) your budget – then me and Eddie the Web guy can help you with your question. This is a completely free service, is NOT provided with profit in mind and is manned by two humans (no bots, no automated replies, etc). Assistance might take an extra day or two (the service gets a lot of visitors) but we do try to answer every message. If you want to support this service, you can find out how to donate HERE. Otherwise, you can still just message us for free advice anyway!

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The Best 2 HDD NAS of 2024

When searching for a new data storage solution, a 2-bay NAS often strikes the perfect balance between affordability and capacity, especially for beginners or first-time server owners. While the initial drawback of a 50% storage loss with RAID 1 (mirroring across two drives) remains, recent advancements have made 2-bay NAS systems much more appealing. Previously undervalued until about 2017-2018 due to their limited capacity and performance, these systems have come a long way. The latest models, including those released in 2024, now feature cutting-edge options like 10GbE connectivity. Plus, with NAS-specific drives such as Seagate Ironwolf and WD Red reaching up to 24-26TB, these compact systems offer both power and substantial storage. This guide will help you explore the best 2-Bay NAS options for 2024, highlighting top models in terms of software, hardware, and overall value to find the right fit for your home or business.

Best 2-Bay NAS of the Year UnifyDrive UT2 NAS $399 – Back HERE on Kickstarter QNAP TS-253E NAS $499– Buy Here on Amazon  – Buy HERE on B&H Terramaster F2-424 NAS $379 – Buy Here on Amazon – Buy HERE on B&H (Best Software) Synology DVA1622 NAS $550-559 – Buy Here on Amazon – Buy HERE on B&H

Important – The Minimum Requirements for a 2-Bay NAS

Despite the variety of 2-Bay NAS drives available, not all are created equal. Many budget options may seem appealing but often compromise on quality and reliability. Here are the key features that set the best NAS systems apart, whether you’re looking at our top picks or exploring other options in 2024:

• Integrated Hardware and Software: Comes with a full suite of apps for web, mobile, and desktop, including backup, media, and file management tools.
• Cross-Platform Compatibility: Works seamlessly with Windows, Mac, Android, and Linux.
• Warranty: Offers 2-3 years of coverage, with an option to extend to 5 years.
• Local and Remote Access: Supports both secure local and remote access with no extra fees.
• Support for Large Drives: Compatible with the latest 24TB-26TB NAS hard drives.
• RAID Support: Multiple RAID configurations for performance and data protection.
• Regular Updates: Ensures up-to-date security and features.
• Cloud Sync: Integrates with cloud services like Google Drive, Dropbox, and business platforms like AWS and Azure.
• Shared Drive Hosting: Syncs with your PC’s native file manager for easy access.
• Direct Ethernet Access: Allows for fast direct connections to your computer via Ethernet.
• Backup Tools: Includes software for regular backups and data sync.

These features ensure you’re getting a reliable and future-proof NAS for 2024.

The QNAP TS-253E NAS – Best 2-Bay NAS for ZFS!

0-28TBTB, 2-Bays, QTS or QuTS Software, Intel J6412 4-Core CPU, 8GB Memory, 2x 2.5GbE, 2x M.2 Gen 3×2 NVMe, HDMI 4K 60FPS, USB 3.2 10G x3, 3 Year Warranty

Current Price/Availability on Amazon – $499 on Amazon

Hardware Review – LINK

YouTube Video Review – Watch

What I said in my review Nov ’22 of the TS-453E:

The QNAP TS-253E is featured in my Best 2-Bay NAS of 2024 list due to its impressive balance of performance, features, and value – but MOST of all because of the recent change by QNAP on their software support. Powered by the Intel Celeron J6412 processor and 8GB of DDR4 RAM, this NAS delivers a solid performance for small businesses and home offices. It includes dual 2.5GbE LAN ports, M.2 NVMe PCIe slots, and ZFS support via the QuTS hero OS, offering advanced data management features such as inline deduplication, compression, and enhanced RAID configurations. Additionally, its dual HDMI outputs and Intel OpenVINO AI acceleration make it ideal for multimedia applications and AI-powered surveillance, distinguishing it as a versatile and future-proof solution for users looking for both high-performance storage and advanced functionality in a compact package.

What sets the TS-253E apart is its support for a wide array of applications, including Docker containers and multimedia management, making it more than just a traditional file server. Its long-term availability until 2029 makes it a reliable investment for businesses needing continuity in their IT infrastructure. The ability to handle demanding workflows like AI image recognition, surveillance tasks, and 4K video transcoding, along with robust backup and security solutions, further enhances its appeal. While the hardware is not the most exciting on its own, the integration of QNAP’s powerful ZFS-based QuTS hero platform solidifies the TS-253E’s position as one of the best 2-bay NAS options for both business and personal use in 2024.

SOFTWARE - 8/10

HARDWARE - 10/10

PERFORMANCE - 9/10

PRICE - 8/10

VALUE - 9/10

8.8

PROS

Exceptional CPU choice for the Scale/Tier
8GB of DDR4 Memory
2.5GbE (x2) Ports on Day 1
Two USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gb/s) Ports!
2x M.2 NVMe Slots alongside those 4x SATA Bays for Storage (Caching, Tiered Storage or standalone Pools)
Includes VM, Surveillance (8 licenses and upto 32 Cams), Backup, Sync, Multimedia, SaaS sync/migration and office tools (some with added AI services)
3-Year Warranty (Can be extended)
VERY Compact, low-impact design
Supports 1-2x Expansions
20TB and 22TB Confirmed Compatibility

CONS

Memory Cannot be Upgraded
M.2 NVMe SSD Slots are Gen 3 x2
Chassis is still a little dated looking

DEAL WATCH – Is It On Offer Right Now? QNAP TS-253E Single Memory 8GB Amazon USA 14.54 OFF (WAS 797) [LINK] These Offers are Checked Daily

The Terramaster F2-424 NAS – Good, Budget Modern NAS Drive

0-48TB, 2-Bays, Intel N95 CPU, 8-32GB DDR5 Memory, 2x 2.5GbE, HDMI 4K 60FPS, 2x M.2 NVMe SSD Gen 3, 2 Year Warranty, BTRFS Software

Current Price/Availability on Amazon – $379

Hardware Review – LINK

YouTube Video Review – Watch

What I said in my review of the F4-424 Pro on Jan ’24:

The TerraMaster F2-424 earned its place in my top 2-Bay NAS drives of 2024 due to its impressive balance of modern features and ease of deployment, making it an ideal choice for SOHO users and tech enthusiasts. It is equipped with dual 2.5GbE LAN ports and two M.2 NVMe PCIe 3.0 slots, which allow for SSD caching and significantly enhance its performance capabilities. These features, combined with 8GB of DDR5 memory and Intel’s N95 processor, offer enough power for high-performance tasks, such as virtualization and heavy database operations. The F2-424 is particularly suitable for users seeking a balance between affordability and functionality, offering a streamlined option for those not requiring excessive storage capacity.

Despite its robust feature set, the F2-424 has some limitations. It lacks the build quality and premium design elements seen in competitors like the Ugreen DXP2800, such as metal construction and lockable drive trays. The enclosure is plastic, and the absence of locks on the trays could pose a risk for users relying on RAID 0 or JBOD configurations. Still, TerraMaster delivers dual USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports and impressive data transfer speeds with link aggregation, which allows up to 5Gbps network bandwidth, making it suitable for multiple concurrent users and a wide range of workloads.

One of the F2-424’s biggest strengths is its compatibility with Docker containers and third-party NAS operating systems like TrueNAS and unRAID, offering a high level of flexibility for developers or users with specific requirements. However, the price of $380 makes it a bit less competitive than some alternatives, especially given that newer NAS models from brands like Asustor and Ugreen offer comparable or better specs at slightly lower prices. Overall, the TerraMaster F2-424 is a solid option for those seeking a dual-bay NAS with excellent networking features and SSD cache support, despite its slightly higher price point and basic design.

SOFTWARE - 7/10

HARDWARE - 8/10

PERFORMANCE - 9/10

PRICE - 10/10

VALUE - 10/10

8.8

PROS

Powerful Hardware:** Equipped with an Intel i3 N300 CPU and 32GB DDR5 memory, delivering robust performance.
Redesigned Chassis:** Improved design for better cooling, hot-swapping, and internal accessibility.
TOS 5 Software:** TerraMaster\'s TOS 5 software offers a clear GUI, enhanced backup tools, expanded storage options, and improved security features.
Affordable Price:** Competitive pricing under $699 makes it an attractive option for its hardware and software capabilities.
Flexible RAID Support:** Supports various RAID configurations, including TRAID for flexible disk array setup.
Multiple Client Sync:** TerraSync tool efficiently synchronizes data across multiple users and devices.
CCTV Surveillance:** Surveillance Manager offers video recording and monitoring features for added security.
AI Photo Recognition:** Terra Photos uses AI algorithms to classify and manage photos effectively.

CONS

No 10GbE Support:** Lacks 10GbE support, potentially limiting network speed for some users.
Memory Over-specification:** The inclusion of 32GB memory may raise concerns, given the CPU\'s maximum support of 16GB.
Limited Packaging Quality:** Packaging and presentation are basic and may not match the standards of competitors.

DEAL WATCH – Is It On Offer Right Now? These Offers are Checked Daily

Synology DVA1622 NAS – Best 2-Bay for NAS Software

0-44TB, 2-Bays, Dedicated NVR HDMI/KVM Output, 8 Camera Licenses, Intel J4125 CPU, 6GB Memory, 1x 1Gbe Port, DSM & Surveillance Station 9, AI Surveillance Tasks and Analysis,  3yr Warranty

Current Price/Availability on Amazon – $550-559

Hardware Review – LINK

YouTube Video Review – Watch

What I said in my review June ’23:

In conclusion, the Synology DVA1622 makes a compelling case for being the best 2-Bay NAS from Synology, despite its price increase over the DS720+ and DS723+. Its ability to run DSM 7.2 on par with its counterparts, while also executing Surveillance Station exceptionally well, sets it apart from the crowd. The added benefits of AI recognition, live AI analysis of recordings, people counting, and intelligent intrusion guidelines are features that can be invaluable to businesses and home users who prioritize their security. Along with these perks, the 8 included surveillance licenses, a significant bump from the 2 that come with other Synology NAS devices, provide excellent value, considering they would cost around $200-250 on their own. The integrated graphics within its CPU offers enhanced multimedia playback capabilities, not only in DSM but also in HEVC recordings in Surveillance Station 9.1. Additionally, the local HDMI/KVM support grants standalone surveillance access, a feature rarely found in other Synology NAS devices. The DVA1622 outclasses the DS720+ by coming with 6GB of memory in its default model, compared to their 2GB. This robust offering, combined with the excellence of Surveillance Station 9.1, one of the world’s best surveillance software, enables the DVA1622 to deliver one of the best experiences of this software. Access to both DSM and Surveillance Station on the DVA1622 equips you with a full suite of NVR/CCTV services, as well as the backup, syncing, sharing, and security capabilities of DSM 7.2.

However, the device isn’t without its limitations. It has only two USB ports, which may limit your flexibility for KVM setup with the HDMI and other USB-dependent tasks. Its single 1GbE port could potentially bottleneck your network, especially when running extensive camera setups and other network-heavy tasks. Additionally, the maximum memory of 6GB could hit a ceiling if you are running several services in DSM 7.2, operating 16 cameras, and managing 2 AI tasks simultaneously, considering the CPU supports up to 8GB. The lack of expandability with the Synology DX517 expansion chassis also limits storage potential, with a 2-Bay NAS typically implying a RAID 1 setup and halving the possible maximum storage. Despite these limitations, the DVA1622 stands as an excellent choice for a 2-Bay NAS. It is highly recommended for both surveillance and standard Synology DSM usage. However, it is essential to remember its lack of local connectivity and scalability when compared to the DS723+, which offers 32GB maximum.

SOFTWARE - 10/10

HARDWARE - 8/10

PERFORMANCE - 8/10

PRICE - 9/10

VALUE - 9/10

8.8

PROS

Runs BOTH Surveillance Station + DSM
All the DVA Task for fraction of DVA3221 Price
Supports Local KVM Standalone Access
8 Camera Licenses Included
No HDD Compatibility Limits
Run VERY Quietly
MASSIVE IP Camera Support List
Easily the \'BEST\' Synology 2-Bay
Surveillance Station 9.1 Is Still BRILLIANT

CONS

Cannot be Expanded
6GB Default/Max Memory is Weird
CPU is a little old
No M.2 NVMe SSD Support
Only 2x AI Tasks at once
Only 1x Network Port (no failover)

DEAL WATCH – Is It On Offer Right Now? These Offers are Checked Daily

Honourable Mention: The UnifyDrive UT2 Mobile NAS

0-16TB, 2-Bay m.2 NVMe 3×1, 2x ARM CPU (Cortex A76 and A55), 8GB LPDDR4X Memory, Internal 2200MAh Battery, 2.5GbE, HDMI 4K 60FPS, 2x SD Card Slots, 2x USB 3.2, 306gram

Current Price/Availability on Amazon – $399 (Important, Crowdfunding Stages)

Hardware Review – LINK

YouTube Video Review – Watch

What I said in my review 25th Sept ’24:

The UnifyDrive UT2 Portable NAS offers a compact, portable storage solution designed for users who need on-the-go data management. Its features include a built-in battery, Wi-Fi 6, 2.5Gb Ethernet, HDMI output, and dual M.2 NVMe SSD slots, which together make it capable of handling media playback, file storage, and real-time collaboration. The UT2 also includes UDR selective RAID, one-touch SD card backups, and an AI-powered photo recognition system, all controlled through a user-friendly mobile app. These features position the UT2 as a versatile device for professionals such as photographers and content creators, who need portable, high-speed data storage and secure file management.

As a crowdfunded product, the UT2 is set to launch on Kickstarter, meaning there are some inherent risks associated with its development. While the hardware and software shown in the review appear polished and near completion, the final product may vary from the reviewed unit, and there is no guarantee of timely delivery or final quality. The early-bird price of $399 may appeal to those looking for a portable NAS, though the full retail price of $599 could place it in competition with larger, full-featured NAS systems. Potential backers should consider these factors when deciding whether to support the project.

You Can See the UnifyDrive UT2 over on Kickstarter to keep track of it’s development – HERE

BUILD QUALITY - 10/10

HARDWARE - 9/10

PERFORMANCE - 8/10

PRICE - 8/10

VALUE - 8/10

8.6

PROS

Compact and Portable: Small, lightweight design makes it easy to carry, ideal for on-the-go professionals.
Built-in Battery: The 2200mAh battery provides up to an hour of runtime without external power, offering flexibility in mobile environments.
Wi-Fi 6 and 2.5Gb Ethernet: High-speed network options ensure fast file transfers and smooth data access.
Dual M.2 NVMe SSD Slots: Supports up to two NVMe SSDs, offering high-speed storage options.
HDMI Output: Enables media playback and control via remote, supporting up to 8K video for a versatile media experience.
One-Touch Backup: Simple SD and CFe card backup with a single button, ideal for photographers and videographers.
User-Friendly Mobile App: Intuitive control via iOS and Android, with detailed system monitoring and management features.
UDR Selective RAID: Offers flexible RAID-like redundancy on a folder level, allowing selective data protection without using the full capacity.
AI-Powered Photo Recognition: Includes facial and object recognition, enhancing media organization.
Multiple Connectivity Options: USB, Ethernet, and wireless options provide flexibility for different use cases.

CONS

Heavily Dependent on Software Support: Long-term functionality and feature enhancements will rely on continuous software updates, which are not guaranteed.
Crowdfunding Risks: As a crowdfunded product, there\\\'s uncertainty about delivery timelines and the final product quality.
Non-Upgradable RAM: The 8GB of RAM is soldered, limiting future scalability as storage or performance needs grow.
Price at Full Retail: At $599, it approaches the cost of larger, more powerful NAS systems, making it less competitive for budget-conscious buyers.

Important disclaimer!

The Unify UT2 is a new product that is currently being listed on the crowdfunding website Kickstarter. As a solution, users can support it via crowdfunding. The UT2 is not a traditional over-the-counter retail purchase, so some discretion is advised when purchasing the device. If it sounds like something you could use, your support is highly encouraged! However, there is no guarantee that a product will be provided to all users who back a project, and although there have been numerous success stories of network-attached storage (NAS) solutions from brands such as YouGreen, ZimaCube, and LincPlus with their own crowdfunded solutions in 2024, there are also numerous examples of failed crowdfunded NAS solutions, such as the infamous Storaxa. So although this review is completely honest and neutral, do remember that it was conducted using a UT2 unit supplied by the brand prior to the start of the crowdfunding campaign, and therefore may not fully represent the final product that will/should be sent to backers when crowdfunding concludes on Kickstarter. Be aware of the risks of crowdfunding on any product you buy, not just this one!

Need More Help Choosing the right NAS?

Choosing the right data storage solution for your needs can be very intimidating and it’s never too late to ask for help. With options ranging from NAS to DAS, Thunderbolt to SAS and connecting everything up so you can access all your lovely data at the touch of a button can be a lot simpler than you think. If you want some tips, guidance or help with everything from compatibility to suitability of a solution for you, why not drop me a message below and I will get back to you as soon as possible with what you should go for, its suitability and the best place to get it. This service is designed without profit in mind and in order to help you with your data storage needs, so I will try to answer your questions as soon as possible. Just enter in a few details of your setup, storage requirements and (in the case of buying a new solution) your budget – then me and Eddie the Web guy can help you with your question. This is a completely free service, is NOT provided with profit in mind and is manned by two humans (no bots, no automated replies, etc). Assistance might take an extra day or two (the service gets a lot of visitors) but we do try to answer every message. If you want to support this service, you can find out how to donate HERE. Otherwise, you can still just message us for free advice anyway!

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A Guide to the Best 4-Bay NAS Drives to Buy Right Now

For professionals moving from cloud storage to private servers, 4-Bay NAS devices have become the go-to choice in 2024. Offering large storage capacities of up to 24TB per drive and enhanced redundancy for data protection, these systems stand out for their reliable hardware and ample space. As NAS technology has advanced, the quality of 4-Bay NAS systems designed for prosumers and small businesses has improved significantly, all while maintaining competitive pricing. After years of reviewing NAS devices, it’s clear that 2024 is a particularly competitive year, with significant innovations shaping the market. Key developments include the integration of M.2 NVMe SSDs for both caching and primary storage, the widespread adoption of 2.5GbE networking, and the introduction of newer, more powerful processors to enhance internal bandwidth. NAS software has also seen continuous upgrades, making these systems more flexible and feature-rich. As we head into 2024, let’s explore the best 4-Bay NAS drives available.

Best 4-Bay NAS of the Year (Best Software) Synology DS923+ NAS $550+ – Buy Here on Amazon – Buy HERE on B&H Terramaster F4-424 Max NAS $899– Buy Here on Amazon – Buy HERE on B&H Lockerstor 4 Gen 3 NAS $1299– Buy Here on Amazon – Buy HERE on B&H (Best Hardware) QNAP TS-464 NAS $550 – Buy Here on Amazon – Buy HERE on B&H

What Have All the Best 4-Bay NAS Drives Have in Common?

As we move into 2025, the market offers a wide variety of 4-Bay NAS drives, but not all are created equal. Many budget options fall short in durability and performance compared to premium brands. When choosing a 4-Bay NAS, whether from my top picks or others, ensure it includes these essential features:

• Support for SATA and M.2 NVMe: A must-have feature for modern NAS systems in 2024.
• Support for Large Drives: Should accommodate up to 24TB drives like Seagate Ironwolf or WD Red.
• RAID Configurations: Ensures better performance and data protection.
• Integrated Hardware & Software: Includes both the NAS device and a software suite with apps for backup, media streaming, surveillance, and file management.
• Cross-Platform Compatibility: Should work seamlessly with Windows, Mac, Android, and Linux.
• Local and Secure Remote Access: Supports both local and secure remote access at no additional cost.
• Direct Ethernet Access: Allows fast, direct access via Ethernet.
• Backup and Sync Tools: Includes tools for regular file and system backups.
• Cloud and Business Sync: Compatible with Google Drive, Dropbox, AWS, and more. As well as SaaS platforms, such as Google Workspace and 365
• Shared Drive Hosting: Easily syncs shared drives with native file managers.
• 2-3 Year Warranty, Extendable to 5 Years: Standard warranty with an option to extend.
• Regular Updates: Keeps the system secure and up-to-date.

Ensure any 4-Bay NAS you consider has these features for the best experience in 2024. Now, let’s look at the top 4-Bay NAS drives to invest at the tail end of 2024.

The Lockerstor 4 Gen 3 – Powerhouse NAS (at a price!)

0-96TB, 4-Bays, AMD V3000 CPU 4-Core/8-Thread, 16-64GB DDR5 ECC, 4xSATA, 4x Gen4 M.2 4×1, 2x 10GbE, 2x 5GbE, 2x USB4 USB-C, 3x USB 10G, 3 Year Warranty

Current Price/Availability on Amazon – $1299

Hardware Review – LINK

YouTube Video Review – Watch

What I said in my review OCT ’24:

The Asustor Lockerstor Gen 3 is a significant leap forward, showcasing enhanced hardware and connectivity tailored to high-performance storage needs. Built with an AMD Ryzen V3000 Embedded processor, this NAS balances power and efficiency for various data-intensive tasks. Its ECC DDR5 memory ensures data integrity, making it reliable for professional users handling large data volumes. Equipped with dual 10GbE and dual 5GbE ports alongside USB4, the Lockerstor Gen 3 achieves up to 30 Gbps in total network connectivity and offers PCIe Gen 4 M.2 NVMe support, maximizing throughput across multiple high-speed connections. Real-world testing confirmed its capability to reach transfer speeds over 3 GB/s with combined network and USB4 connections. Performance tests on standard HDDs in RAID 5 mode over 10GbE averaged 500–600 MB/s, while NVMe drives in RAID 0 fully utilized dual 10GbE with around 2.5 GB/s speeds. When directly connected over USB4/Thunderbolt 4 for IP networking, it maintained stable speeds of 1.4–1.6 GB/s per USB4 link, a valuable setup for users in need of direct high-speed connections like video editors. With enhanced heat dissipation—thanks to a copper-finned heat pipe and airflow redesign—this NAS efficiently manages thermal output even with these high-performance components, ensuring a durable, high-speed performance setup in a compact form.

The Lockerstor Gen 3’s software, ADM 5, covers essential data management and security, though it lacks the advanced multimedia and AI features seen in competitors. Its lack of integrated graphics means transcoding support may be limited, but ADM 5 still enables smooth, secure file management, automatic backups, snapshots, and remote access. Asustor has improved default security settings, and ADM’s flexibility also allows for third-party OS installation, making it compatible with solutions like TrueNAS and Unraid for custom storage configurations. With network management features like Wake-on-LAN and Wake-on-WAN, and support for SMB Multichannel, the NAS provides robust options for deployments needing remote access and high-performance file sharing.

In terms of build quality, the Lockerstor Gen 3 combines a sturdy metal frame with low noise levels, even under heavy loads, and maintains efficient power consumption, peaking at 50 watts during active workloads—a notable feat given its power and compact size. The built-in LCD panel for direct monitoring and configuration adds convenience, and the unit’s comprehensive array of connections means it is equipped to handle multi-user, high-bandwidth environments. Overall, with a focus on performance, network flexibility, and reliable design, the Lockerstor Gen 3 is a standout choice for professionals who require scalable, high-speed storage without compromising on build quality or power efficiency.

SOFTWARE - 7/10

HARDWARE - 10/10

PERFORMANCE - 10/10

PRICE - 7/10

VALUE - 7/10

8.2

PROS

High-Performance CPU: Equipped with the AMD Ryzen V3000 Embedded processor, delivering efficient, server-grade performance for demanding tasks.
ECC DDR5 Memory: Includes 16GB of ECC DDR5 memory (expandable to 64GB), ensuring data integrity and reliability.
Comprehensive Connectivity: Dual 10GbE and dual 5GbE ports, along with two USB4 ports, provide a combined bandwidth of up to 30 Gbps for versatile network setups.
Advanced Data Protection: Offers RAID 5 and RAID 6 options for HDDs and NVMe drives, with hot-swappable capabilities and Btrfs support for snapshots.
USB4/Thunderbolt 4 Over IP: Supports direct connection to Mac and Windows systems via USB4 for fast data transfers and point-to-point editing.
Robust Build Quality: Sturdy metal chassis with minimal noise, even during heavy operations, and excellent heat dissipation with a copper heat pipe.
ADM 5 Software: Reliable, secure OS with essential features like snapshots, remote access, and simplified setup; supports third-party OS installations.
Efficient Power Consumption: Peaks at around 50W under heavy load, efficient for the system’s performance class.
Front LCD Display: The configurable LCD panel allows direct monitoring and setup, a handy feature for easy system management.
Excellent for Multi-User Environments: Multi-channel network support and high bandwidth make it ideal for collaborative, multi-client setups.

CONS

High Price Point: At around $1,299, it’s a premium option, potentially limiting appeal for home users and hobbyists.
No Integrated Graphics: Lacks GPU support, limiting multimedia transcoding and high-end streaming capabilities.
Software Limitations: ADM 5 is solid but doesn’t match the multimedia and AI features found in competitors like Synology and QNAP.
M.2 NVMe Slots Limited to PCIe x1: Each NVMe slot is limited to x1 speed, slightly capping potential performance for SSDs.

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DEAL WATCH – Is It On Offer Right Now? Asustor Lockerstor 2 Gen2 AS6702T - 2 Bay NAS, Quad-Core 2.0 GHz CPU, 4X M.2 Amazon USA 11.97 OFF (WAS 448) [LINK] Asustor AS7110T Lockerstor Pro 10bay Nas Intel Perp Xeon 4c Cpu 8gb Ddr4 2 M.2 S Amazon USA 1070.62 OFF (WAS 3470) [LINK] These Offers are Checked Daily

Best Software 4-Bay NAS Drive – Synology DS923+ NAS

0-96TB, 4-Bays, 2x PCIe Gen 3 M.2 NVMe 2280, Dual Core AMD Emb.Ryzen R1600 CPU, 4-32GB DDR4 ECC Memory, 2x 1Gbe Port, 10GbE Optional Upgrade Slot, 3-5yr Warranty

Current Price/Availability on Amazon – $550+

Hardware Review – LINK

YouTube Video Review – Watch

What I said in my review Nov’22:

Synology has clearly made something of a gamble in the release of the Synology DS923+ NAS. There is no avoiding that making the switch from the Intel Celeron that has historically been the build choice of this product family and opting for the AMD Emb.Ryzen has ruffled some feathers! On the face of it, the R1600 here has a heck of alot of going for it over the previous generation! Higher clock speed, greater PCIe Gen 3 Support throughout, that 4-32GB of DDR4 memory in such a compact system and just generally giving you a lot more horsepower to play with, as well as better bandwidth potential inside and out! But at what cost? The 1GbE standard connectivity in the base model leaves alot to be desired, the proprietary 10Gb upgrade (though incredibly handy) limits the upgradability a tad and the lack of an integrated graphics processor is likely going to result in many long-term Synology advocates to skip this generation. Synology Diskstation Manager (DSM 7.1 at the time of writing) still continues to impress and although the brand still continues to heavily push their 1st party priorities, they have left a little more wriggle room in DSM 7.1 than DSM 7 before it in terms of media compatibility.

In terms of design, I cannot fault Synology on this as the DS923+ chassis still arrives as one of the best-looking and still exceptionally well-structured devices at this physical scale and storage level. As always, a Synology NAS is more about the software than the hardware (and the DS923+ delivers in spades on the software side!) and with DSM 7.2 around the corner improving things. Just always keep in mind that the Synology DS923+ NAS is a system that arrives with the slight emphasis on having to do many things ‘their way’. If you are less technically versed, then you will definitely appreciate this level of user-friendly design and assistance, but more technically minded admins’ main strain a pinch! In short, the DS923+ IS a good NAS drive, but its focus has certainly ebbed more towards the business user this generation than the home.

SOFTWARE - 10/10

HARDWARE - 7/10

PERFORMANCE - 9/10

PRICE - 8/10

VALUE - 9/10

8.6

PROS

DSM 7/7.1 (and DSM7.2 Around the corner) still continues to be an absolute tour-de-force of NAS Software
This latest generation expandable 4-Bay arriving with a 10G Upgrade Option is fantastic
ECC Memory Support and scalability to 32GB is completely unparallel at this price point
The design of the DS923+ NAS still continues to be market-leading
The New CPU architecture allows great PCIe3 bandwidth to be afforded to the rest of the hardware, inside and out
Low Noise, Low Physical Impact and Intelligent Automatic Power Use Adjustment Settings
Increased Support for macOS in Synology Drive and Active Backup Suite (DSM 7.2)
Synology C2 Cloud Services, 1st Party Backup/Sync Tools and Collaboration Suite App = Complete 1st Party Eco-system that can rival Office365 and Google Workspace
PCIe Gen 3 M.2 NVMe SSD Support as Storage Pools!!! FINALLY!
Tremendously User-Friendly!!!

CONS

The AMD Emb.Ryzen instead of a Intel Celeron (with Integrated Graphics) will be a dealbreaker for alot of users
The default 1GbE ports that the system arrives with are tremendously dated
The USB ports on the system are older gen USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5Gb/s) and their support/usability have been quite pared back in recent DSM releases
The continued moves by Synology to prioritize 1st party hardware and software services may put some users off
Plex Support on the Synology DS923+ is still great for native playback, client-side handling and client devices with relevant multimedia licenses in place, but if server-side media conversions are needed - this system will struggle in comparison with the DS920+ before it

DEAL WATCH – Is It On Offer Right Now? Synology DS923+ 4-Bay Diskstation NAS (AMD Ryzen 4 Threads R1600 Dual-Core 4G Amazon UK 763.47 OFF (WAS 2855) [LINK] Synology DS923+ 72TB 4 Bay Desktop NAS Solution, installed with 4 x 18TB HAT5300 Amazon UK 518.72 OFF (WAS 2730) [LINK] These Offers are Checked Daily

Best All Round 4-Bay NAS Drive – QNAP TS-464 NAS

0-96TB, 4-Bays, 2x PCIe Gen 3×1 M.2 NVMe 2280, Intel Celeron N5105 CPU, 4-16GB Memory, 2x 2.5Gbe Port, 1x PCIe Gen 3×2 Slot, 1 HDMI 2.0 4K 6-FPS, 3-5yr Warranty

Current Price/Availability on Amazon – $550

Hardware Review – LINK

YouTube Video Review – Watch

What I said in my review April ’22:

The TS-464 comfortably arrives with the best hardware in its tier of the NAS market and that is something that QNAP has always been quite good at. Even if you rewind just 5 years, the level of hardware scalability and ease of upgradability that the TS-464 provides is frankly incredible and, fast forward to 2022, is still pretty unmatched. A Desktop 4-Bay NAS (eg Prosumer RAID 5 storage) has always been the next confident step for users who are tired of their hands being tied by subscription cloud services from Google, OneDrive and DropBox, who are looking for their own competent, flexible and fully-featured private server. In the TS-464 NAS, you find a system that is unquestionable the best hardware for your money you can possibly get right now. In software, things are a little less straightforward. QTS 5, although massively software and service-rich, arrives as a complete operating system in your web browser with multiple mobile/desktop clients and hundreds of applications and apps that can be installed at the touch of a button – which can all too often be something of a steep learning curve for many.

Lacking the slightly chewable, user-friendly nature of many of their rivals, QNAP and its software/service still have a tendency to be a bit of an information overload that can quickly intimidate the novice. However, for those that are looking for a system that is completely customizable in how/when/where you want data presented to you, as well as a wide degree of 3rd party support, QNAP and QTS 5 still manages to provide a huge degree of brand-unique service that are simply not available elsewhere. Just be prepared to invest your time wisely in its setup and more time ensuring the system is perfect for your needs.

SOFTWARE - 8/10

HARDWARE - 10/10

PERFORMANCE - 9/10

PRICE - 8/10

VALUE - 9/10

8.8

PROS

Very compact chassis design, despite large storage potential
A BIG jump in hardware and scale from the TS-453Be and TS-453D, but with a largely identical RRP at launch
Easily one of the most hardware packed SMB/Mid-range 4-Bay on the market
Up to 16GB of Memory is fantastic
m.2 NVMe SSD Bays AND a PCIe Upgrade Slot (no need to choose one upgrade path)
8x Included Camera Licenses
Includes Anti-virus, Firewall Tool, VPN client tools, Malware Remover, network manager and Security Councilor Tool
3 Different Container/VM tools that also feature image download centers
10Gb/s (1,000MB/s) USB Ports will be incredibly useful
Large range of expansion options in the TR/TL series in 2, 4, 6, 8 and 12 Bays

CONS

The PCIe Slot is PCIe 3×2 and the M.2 SSD Bays are PCIe 3×1 (likely limitations of all this H/W on a Celeron+chipset
QNAP Has had 3 ransomware hits in 2019-2021 (Qlocker, Qsnatch and Deadbolt). Lots of Security app/changes since, but people remember and QNAP needs to win back that trust in 2022/2023

DEAL WATCH – Is It On Offer Right Now? QNAP TS-464 NAS $550 Amazon USA $550 (13% off) [LINK] EARLY DEAL - QNAP TS-464-8G-US Amazon USA $560 - 5% OFF [LINK] QNAP TS-464 (8GB) (BF) Amazon UK $469 (was $589) HERE [LINK] QNAP TS-464 NAS (BF) B&H USA $120 OFF – $471.20 (was $591.20) HERE [LINK] QNAP 4-Bay TS-464U-8G Storage - Intel Celeron N5095 2.9GHz (Quad-Core), 8GB DDR4 Amazon USA 8 OFF (WAS 1718) [LINK] These Offers are Checked Daily

Honourable Mention: Terramaster F4-424 Max NAS

0-96TB, 4-Bays, Intel i5-1235u 10 Core / 12 Thread,  8-64GB DDR5, 4x SATA, 2x Gen 4×4 M.2 NVMe SSD, 2x 10GbE, 3x USB 10G A/C, 2 Year Warranty

Current Price/Availability on Amazon – $899

Hardware Review – LINK

YouTube Video Review – Watch

What I said in my review OCT ’24:

The TerraMaster F4-424 Max is a standout NAS system in TerraMaster’s lineup, offering impressive hardware specifications and solid performance at a price point of $899.99. For users who need high-speed data transfers, intensive compute power, and flexibility in storage configurations, the F4-424 Max is an excellent option. The combination of the Intel i5-1235U CPU, dual 10GbE ports, and PCIe Gen 4 NVMe support ensures that the NAS can handle even the most demanding tasks, whether it’s virtualization, media transcoding, or large-scale backups.

That said, when compared to the F4-424 Pro, which is priced at $699.99, the Max model offers significantly more networking power and potential for speed. However, the Pro model still provides fantastic performance for most home and small office users, making it a more budget-friendly alternative for those who don’t require 10GbE or advanced NVMe functionality.

In terms of software, Synology DSM and QNAP QTS are still more evolved, offering richer multimedia experiences and better integration for business applications. However, TOS 6 continues to improve with every iteration, closing the gap between TerraMaster and these larger players. With new features like TRAID, cloud sync, and improved snapshot management, TOS is becoming more user-friendly and robust. For users prioritizing performance, flexibility, and future-proofing, the F4-424 Max is a strong contender and offers excellent value for money. While there are areas where TerraMaster could improve, such as the lack of PCIe expansion and front-facing USB ports, the F4-424 Max delivers on its promise of high performance and scalable storage solutions.

SOFTWARE - 6/10

HARDWARE - 9/10

PERFORMANCE - 9/10

PRICE - 9/10

VALUE - 8/10

8.2

PROS

Powerful Hardware: Intel i5-1235U with 10 cores and 12 threads for resource-heavy tasks.
Dual 10GbE Ports: High-speed networking capabilities with link aggregation for up to 20Gbps, ideal for large file transfers.
PCIe Gen 4 NVMe Support: Two M.2 NVMe slots offering exceptional performance for caching or additional high-speed storage.
Efficient Cooling: The large 120mm fan ensures quiet and effective cooling, making it suitable for home and office environments.
Improved TOS 6 Software: Enhancements in GUI, backup tools, and overall security bring TOS closer to its competitors.

CONS

Higher Price Tag: At $899.99, it’s more expensive than TerraMaster’s other models, which may deter budget-conscious buyers.
No PCIe Expansion: Lack of a PCIe slot limits potential for future upgrades, such as adding 10GbE cards or more M.2 drives.
Presentation: The software has improved a lot, but still feels inconsistent in places compared with alternatives from brands such as Synology and QNAP.

Where to Buy a Product
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