Synology vs UniFi NAS Comparison
UPDATE – The UniFi UNAS Pro NAS is now available and can be found HERE
In the world of Network Attached Storage (NAS), Synology has been a dominant player for over two decades, recognized for its extensive range of products, robust features, and seamless user experience. UniFi, by contrast, is a newcomer in the NAS market, having built a reputation for excellence in networking solutions under the umbrella of Ubiquiti. With the recent release of the UniFi UNAS Pro, the company is entering a highly competitive space dominated by established NAS providers like Synology. This article takes an in-depth look at both Synology’s NAS solutions and UniFi’s first NAS system. It compares the two across key aspects such as price, hardware, software, expandability, and company history, offering insights for both casual users and IT professionals considering which NAS system is right for them.
UniFi UNAS Pro vs Synology NAS – Price
When it comes to pricing, Synology and UniFi are positioned at different ends of the spectrum, catering to a wide variety of users with different needs and budgets.
UniFi‘s UNAS Pro, priced at $499, offers a 7-bay rackmount NAS with 10GbE networking capabilities, making it a highly competitive option, particularly for users already embedded in the UniFi ecosystem. This pricing is aggressive for a rackmount system, as most NAS systems with similar features are priced higher. The UNAS Pro is designed to offer an affordable entry point into the world of NAS for small businesses, IT enthusiasts, or existing UniFi users looking to expand their infrastructure with file storage.
By comparison, Synology offers a wide range of NAS devices, starting with affordable 2-bay home systems and scaling up to high-end rackmount systems designed for large enterprises. For example, the Synology DS923+, which retails around $499, provides a 4-bay desktop solution with expandable 10GbE support and an x86 processor, giving it a slight edge in performance over the UNAS Pro for the same price. However, Synology’s rackmount offerings, such as the RS422+, start at $599 for a 4-bay system, and prices quickly rise for larger models with more features and higher-end hardware.
The price difference between these two brands becomes more apparent as you explore Synology’s higher-end options. Their enterprise-grade NAS systems with features like redundant power supplies, dual controllers, and PCIe expansion slots can cost well over $1,000, whereas UniFi’s UNAS Pro remains a single, relatively fixed offering at the lower end of the price range.
In terms of long-term value, UniFi clearly offers a more affordable entry into the NAS market, particularly for users who already use UniFi’s networking products. However, Synology provides a much broader pricing structure, with options that allow users to scale up based on their growing needs—whether for home, SMB, or enterprise use.
Synology vs UniFi NAS – Hardware / Range / Value for Money
The hardware offered by both Synology and UniFi reflects their differing approaches to the NAS market. UniFi’s UNAS Pro is positioned as an affordable 7-bay rackmount solution, with a focus on simplicity and integration into the broader UniFi ecosystem. The UNAS Pro features a quad-core ARM Cortex-A57 processor, 8GB DDR4 memory, and a 10GbE port with an additional 1GbE port. Its hardware is designed to deliver adequate performance for tasks like file storage, backups, and basic networking, but it lacks advanced features like NVMe SSD support or expandable RAM. This makes it a good fit for users who want reliable storage without the need for heavy processing power or extensive scalability.
Synology, on the other hand, offers an extensive range of hardware, from small 2-bay models for personal use to enterprise-grade solutions. Synology’s systems often feature Intel or AMD processors, expandable RAM, and support for NVMe SSD caching. For example, the Synology DS923+ comes with an AMD Ryzen R1600 processor, expandable RAM, and optional 10GbE support, making it more powerful and flexible than the UNAS Pro for users needing higher performance. Additionally, Synology’s rackmount models like the RS422+ offer robust hardware for business environments, with support for redundant power supplies and PCIe slots for expansion.
Where Synology truly shines is in the variety of hardware it offers, allowing users to select devices that suit their exact needs, whether it’s a small 2-bay NAS for personal backups or a large-scale rackmount NAS for a data-heavy business. Synology’s hardware flexibility ensures that users can start small and scale up over time, adding more storage, faster networking, or additional computing power as needed. The comparison below highlights the differences in hardware between UniFi and 1 Synology NAS at a similar price point (DS923+), and another that is similar in hardware (RS422+:
| Feature | UniFi UNAS Pro
|
Synology DS923+
|
Synology RS422+
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $499 | $500-550 | $599-699 |
| Bays | 7 SATA | 4 SATA | 4 SATA |
| Processor | ARM Cortex-A57, Quad-core, 1.7GHz | AMD Ryzen R1600, Dual-core | AMD Ryzen R1600, Dual-core |
| Memory | 8GB DDR4 (Non-upgradable) | 4GB DDR4 (Expandable to 32GB) | 2GB DDR4 (Expandable to 32GB) |
| Networking | 1x 10GbE, 1x 1GbE | 4x 1GbE (Upgradeable to 10GbE) | 4x 1GbE |
| Redundant Power Supply | No | No | No |
| NVMe Support | No | Yes (for SSD cache) | Yes (for SSD cache) |
Verdict on Hardware: While the UNAS Pro provides excellent value for its price, especially with its 7-bay capacity, Synology offers a broader and more flexible range of hardware options. Synology’s systems are better suited for users who need scalability, processing power, and more advanced features like NVMe SSD caching and expandable RAM.
UniFi NAS vs Synolgoy NAS – Software Presentation
The software interface of a NAS system is crucial to its usability, and here, the differences between Synology and UniFi are stark. Synology’s DiskStation Manager (DSM) is known for its user-friendly, graphical interface that feels similar to using a desktop operating system. DSM provides users with a desktop-like environment, complete with drag-and-drop functionality, customizable wallpapers, and a taskbar for quick access to applications. This layout makes it easy for both novice and experienced users to navigate the system, install applications, manage files, and perform backups. The interface is intuitive, with large icons and a clean, modern design that encourages exploration and productivity.
In contrast, UniFi’s UNAS OS is designed with a more text-based, data-centric approach. Borrowing from UniFi’s successful networking interfaces, the UNAS OS focuses heavily on analytics and system monitoring, making it ideal for users already familiar with UniFi’s ecosystem. The interface provides detailed insights into system performance, file transfer speeds, and network activity, which are displayed in simple, granular dashboards. While it may not have the graphical polish of Synology’s DSM, the UNAS OS excels in presenting network data and providing tools for IT administrators who prioritize system efficiency over aesthetics.
UniFi’s single-pane design keeps all relevant information within reach, but it lacks the app-based approach that Synology users are accustomed to. Synology’s DSM, on the other hand, organizes features into discrete applications, making it easy to jump between tasks like file management, backup scheduling, and multimedia streaming. Below is a table that summarizes the key differences in software presentation between UniFi and Synology at a glance (bigger chart soon, don’t worry!):
| Feature |  |
 DSM 7.2 |
|---|---|---|
| User Interface Style | Text-based, network analytics | Desktop-like, graphical interface |
| Customization | Minimal | Quite customizable (wallpaper, layout, shortcuts) |
| Mobile App Support | Limited | Extensive |
| Third-Party App Store | No | Yes (Synology Package Center) |
| Storage Interface | Simplified, easy to use | Comparatively Advanced, easy-to-use |
Verdict on Software Presentation: Synology’s DSM clearly offers a more engaging and customizable user experience, while UniFi’s UNAS OS focuses on providing a streamlined, efficient interface for users already familiar with the UniFi ecosystem. Users looking for an intuitive, desktop-like experience will prefer DSM, while those focused on networking performance and integration may find the UNAS OS more suitable.
Synology vs UniFi – Software Security
Security is paramount for NAS systems, as they often store sensitive data and operate in environments where external access is necessary. Both UniFi and Synology offer security features, but they take different approaches based on their respective ecosystems.
Synology DSM offers a full suite of security features, including two-factor authentication (2FA), firewall configuration, and behavioral analysis to monitor suspicious activities. DSM allows users to integrate third-party security tools, such as Google Authenticator or OTP services, providing flexibility for businesses that already use external authentication systems. Additionally, DSM includes SSL certificates and IP blocking, ensuring that only trusted users can access the system. Synology also has an inbuilt security scanner that checks the system periodically (ad hoc if you want too) for potential weaknesses in the system configuration,which can be set to a home or business class standard (custom too).
UniFi’s UNAS Pro integrates security measures more closely tied to the broader UniFi ecosystem. 2FA is also available but typically relies on UniFi’s own authentication services, such as the UniFi Identity App. This may be limiting for users who prefer third-party authentication tools. The UNAS OS benefits from UniFi’s enterprise-grade network security tools, such as IP monitoring and network relay services, which are crucial for maintaining the integrity of the entire network infrastructure. However, its NAS-specific security tools, such as DOS protection and auto-lock, are less extensive than Synology’s.
UniFi’s focus on network-level security makes it ideal for businesses that already use UniFi networking hardware, as the UNAS Pro can integrate seamlessly with UniFi switches and security gateways.
However, Synology’s in-system security tools are more comprehensive, making DSM a better choice for users who prioritize NAS-specific security features. It’s also worth remembering that the majority of remote access security features of the UniFi UNAS Pro are locked into use with he UI.COM / UniFi account system. You cannot use 3rd party 2FA/OTP applications or use 3rd party remote access services like Tailscale or Teamviewer.
That said, BOTH systems provide a regular rotation of security and feature system updates over the years that they will be in operation, so the latest security fixes and improvements that are needed to combat vulnerabilities that appear i nthe wild can be automatically adjusted for. However, UniFi does provide a little something extra with simple modular update control. Synology DOES allow you to install updates on the whole OS and/or individual Apps (or be alerted about them but action when it best suits your needs for a restart), but the UniFi UNAS Pro presents this in a much easier to action single option, that allows for full update control to be more granular for either the OS or the application service(s). It’s no more/less than the synology DSM option, but it is presented a great deal more cleanly.
UniFi NAS OS vs Synology DSM – Software Features
When comparing the software features of Synology and UniFi, it’s clear that Synology has had years to develop a rich, feature-packed operating system, while UniFi‘s UNAS OS is still in its infancy. Synology DSM (DiskStation Manager) is known for its vast ecosystem of first-party and third-party apps, which provide a wide array of functionalities beyond basic file storage.
By contrast, UniFi UNAS OS focuses on core NAS functions, offering fewer features but maintaining tight integration with UniFi’s networking solutions.
Synology DSM is renowned for its wide range of software features that cater to home users, small businesses, and enterprise environments. DSM is designed to be a complete solution, offering robust support for file management, multimedia streaming, backup solutions, virtualization, and containerized applications. There is even support of a 3rd Party App center that can be added in less than a minute to add even further applications and services to your Synology NAS system:
One of the standout features of DSM is its application center, known as the Synology Package Center. Here, users can find hundreds of first-party and third-party apps that can be easily installed to extend the functionality of their NAS. These apps cover a broad spectrum of use cases, including:
- Plex Media Server / Video Station (for now!) / Audio Station / Synology Photos for media streaming to smart TVs and mobile devices.
- Synology Active Backup for High-end license-free backup management across hundreds/thousands of devices
- Hyper Backup to manage domestic backup Operations
- The Office Collaboration Suite for an email manager, user chat facilities, office package and more
- Synology Container Manager / Docker for running containerized applications, which is essential for developers or businesses needing to test software in isolated environments.
- Virtual Machine Manager (VMM), allows users to run multiple operating systems, including Windows, Linux, and DSM Virtual Appliances, on a single NAS.
For businesses, Synology offers Active Backup for Business, a powerful backup solution that supports PCs, physical servers, virtual machines, and even cloud services like Office 365 and Google Workspace. This makes Synology DSM an attractive option for organizations looking for a comprehensive, multi-platform backup solution. DSM also excels in multimedia management. Apps like Synology Photos and Audio Station allow users to organize and access their photos, music, and videos from anywhere. Video Station, though recently phased out in favor of third-party options like Plex, has historically provided an easy-to-use platform for media streaming and management.
For surveillance needs, Synology offers Surveillance Station, which allows users to turn their NAS into a full-fledged NVR (Network Video Recorder), supporting IP cameras from a wide variety of manufacturers. This feature makes Synology NAS systems a compelling choice for businesses or homeowners who need both data storage and security monitoring.
While UniFi UNAS OS lacks the extensive feature set of DSM, it provides essential NAS features for file storage, snapshot management, and backup scheduling. It’s clear that UniFi’s focus is on simplicity and integration with their broader UniFi ecosystem. Drive is the primary app available on UNAS OS, offering basic file storage and sharing capabilities with snapshot and backup support.
Currently, UNAS OS does not support advanced features like Docker, virtual machines, or third-party media server apps such as Plex. This limits its appeal to more advanced users who need the ability to run multiple services or applications from their NAS. However, UniFi’s focus on network-level integration could be seen as a strength for businesses that already use UniFi networking hardware and want a NAS that fits seamlessly into their existing infrastructure.
There’s also potential for future growth. UniFi has a robust history of adding new features to their products post-launch, and it is possible that UNAS OS could see support for containerized applications like Docker or surveillance software such as UniFi Protect in the future. However, currently UniFi has not allowed Protect to be deployable on the UNAS Pro system – however you can use the UNAS Pro as a targetted storage system for your existing UNVR or UDM system. Most of the features of the UniFi UNAS Pro are not presented as ‘applications’ or ‘optional services’, but rather they are backed into the UX of the NAS OS already. Snapshots, Shared Drives, Security management, SMB file/folder management, Encrypted Drives, etc – all of it is in the OS already. That said, it still feels comparatively feature dry vs the Synology NAS pplatform.
I know I seem to be hammering the UniFi’s UNAS OS hard here, but currently it lacks many of the popular/current advanced capabilities that may appeal to users, favouring their simple and integrated experience over a large feature set. For perspective, here is a full list of what is there and what isn’t:
| Software / Service | |
|
|---|---|---|
| Operating System | DiskStation Manager (DSM) 7.x | UniFi OS (UNAS-specific OS layer) |
| User Interface | Highly polished, desktop-like interface, intuitive | Simplified interface, single-pane dashboard, focused on network metrics |
| Mobile Apps | DS Finder, DS File, DS Cloud, DS Photo, DS Video, and more | UniFi Mobile App (Drive management, Snapshots, Backups) |
| Virtualization | Virtual Machine Manager (Supports Windows, Linux, and DSM Virtual Appliance) | No virtualization support |
| Container Support | Docker via Container Manager | No Docker or container support |
| Surveillance | Surveillance Station (2 free camera licenses, additional paid licenses) | No support for UniFi Protect (at launch) |
| Multimedia Streaming | Plex, Synology Photos, Video Station, Audio Station | No multimedia apps (no Plex or streaming apps support) |
| RAID Support | Synology Hybrid RAID (SHR), RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, Basic, JBOD | RAID 1, 5 and 10 (with RAID 6 coming soon after launch) |
| Snapshot Support | Yes (Btrfs for supported models), Advanced Snapshot Replication | Yes (Snapshots with scheduling and backup options) |
| Cloud Backup | Synology C2, Amazon S3, Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive | Google Drive (Limited cloud backup options) |
| Local Backup Solutions | Hyper Backup, Snapshot Replication | Local NAS backups supported (NAS to NAS) |
| File Synchronization | Synology Drive (Supports syncing with Windows, macOS, and Linux) | SMB, basic file synchronization with mobile app |
| Backup for PCs | Active Backup for Business (PCs, Servers, VMs, SaaS, NAS, and Cloud) | Basic backup for Windows, no advanced backup suite |
| Backup for macOS | Time Machine Support | Time Machine support (via SMB) |
| External Backup | USB and eSATA Backup | No external backup support |
| Cloud Integration | Synology Cloud Sync (Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, etc.) | Google Drive cloud sync only |
| Security Features | 2FA, firewall, SSL certificates, VPN, Active Insight monitoring | 2FA, SSL certificates, integration with UniFi Identity for SSO |
| Encryption | Full-volume encryption, Folder encryption | Full-volume and folder encryption |
| Multimedia Apps | Synology Photos, Video Station, Audio Station, Plex | No multimedia apps available |
| Third-Party App Store | Synology Package Center | No third-party app store |
| Mobile Backup | Synology Drive (For mobile devices) | Basic mobile backup via UniFi Drive |
| Cloud Sync | C2 Cloud Sync, Dropbox, Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive | Google Drive only |
| Collaboration Tools | Synology Office (Similar to Google Docs, Excel) | No collaboration tools |
| Virtualization Backup | Active Backup for Business (VMware, Hyper-V) | No virtualization backup |
| AI-Powered Apps | Synology Photos (AI-based photo organization) | No AI-powered apps |
| High Availability (HA) | Synology High Availability (for redundancy) | No high availability features |
| NAS as VPN Server | Yes (VPN Plus Server, supports PPTP, OpenVPN, L2TP/IPsec) | Yes (VPN integration with UniFi Gateway and Identity Enterprise) |
| App Virtualization | Docker, DSM Virtual Appliances | No virtualization or Docker support |
| Remote Access | QuickConnect (secure remote access without complex configuration) | UniFi cloud access (requires UI.com account) |
| Cloud Applications | Synology Cloud Station | No cloud applications beyond Google Drive sync |
| Video Editing | No built-in tools, use third-party apps like Plex | No video editing or AI tools |
| Remote Replication | Snapshot Replication (Supports replication between NAS devices) | NAS-to-NAS backup and remote replication supported |
| Multi-Version Backups | Hyper Backup (Supports multi-versioned backups) | Yes (multi-versioned backups via Snapshots) |
| Email Server | Synology MailPlus | No email server functionality |
| Web Server | Web Station (Supports hosting multiple websites) | No web server support |
| Music Streaming | Audio Station, Plex | No music streaming or audio apps |
| Drive Health Monitoring | Disk Health Monitoring (SMART, regular drive checks) | SMART drive monitoring |
| Antivirus | Synology Antivirus Essential, third-party apps | No antivirus tools available |
| PCIe Expansion | Yes (for some models, supports 10GbE cards, M.2 SSD cache cards) | No PCIe expansion options |
| Thunderbolt Support | No Thunderbolt support | No Thunderbolt support |
| SSD Caching | Yes (supports NVMe and SATA SSD caching on select models) | No SSD caching |
| ZFS File System | No (Uses EXT4 or Btrfs on supported models) | No ZFS support, BTRFS |
| Ransomware Protection | Yes (dedicated security updates, Snapshot Replication) | Yes (Snapshots, network security via UniFi Gateway integration) |
| Browser-based access | Yes (Full access via web browser, similar to desktop) | Yes (Single-pane UI via web browser) |
| NAS-to-NAS sync | Yes (via Synology Drive and Snapshot Replication) | Yes (Basic NAS-to-NAS sync) |
| Plex Media Server | Yes (App available in Synology Package Center) | No Plex or multimedia server support |
| Built-in AI Tools | Synology Photos (AI-powered photo management) | No AI-powered tools |
Synology NAS H/W vs UniFi UNAS Pro – Hardware and Storage Expandability
Hardware and storage expandability is a critical factor for users looking to invest in a NAS system, especially for businesses or power users who expect their storage needs to grow over time. In this area, Synology excels, providing a broad range of options that allow users to easily expand their storage capacity and enhance system performance. On the other hand, UniFi’s UNAS Pro offers more limited expandability, focusing instead on offering a compact, all-in-one solution without much room for future upgrades.
Synology NAS systems are designed with scalability in mind. Many of their models, especially in the DS and RS series, allow for storage expansion via external expansion units. For example, the Synology DX517 expansion unit can add up to 5 additional drive bays to models like the DS920+, increasing the total number of drives and overall storage capacity. Similarly, Synology’s rackmount NAS solutions like the RS1221+ can connect to RX418 expansion units, enabling businesses to significantly increase their storage capacity as their data needs grow.
Additionally, Synology’s rackmount models often come with PCIe slots, allowing users to add features such as 10GbE networking, SSD caching, or even NVMe drives for high-speed storage pools. This level of hardware flexibility means that Synology systems can grow alongside a business’s needs, offering features that improve performance and expand storage without requiring a completely new system. For users seeking to maximize performance, Synology also offers support for SSD caching, which can greatly improve read and write speeds by using NVMe SSDs or SATA SSDs to cache frequently accessed data. Models like the DS1621xs+ support dual NVMe M.2 slots for SSD caching, giving users the ability to enhance performance even further without sacrificing drive bays for traditional hard drives.
Beyond the hardware expandability, Synology’s storage management features are equally powerful. Synology’s Hybrid RAID (SHR) technology allows users to mix and match drive sizes, making it easy to upgrade individual drives over time without losing data. SHR automatically optimizes storage space and provides RAID-like redundancy, ensuring data is protected even if drives fail.
In contrast, the UniFi UNAS Pro is designed as a more compact, self-contained unit. The 7-bay capacity offers a solid amount of storage from the outset, especially for SMBs and home users. However, the expandability options are much more limited when compared to Synology. For instance, the UNAS Pro does not support external expansion units, meaning that users are confined to the 7-bay configuration from the start.
Moreover, the UNAS Pro lacks PCIe slots or NVMe support, limiting its ability to be upgraded with features like 10GbE or SSD caching. This is particularly noticeable when comparing the UNAS Pro to Synology models that allow for these kinds of hardware upgrades. While 10GbE is included on the UNAS Pro, its lack of PCIe expandability means users cannot add additional features like dual 10GbE ports or SSD caching to further improve performance. Another limitation of the UNAS Pro is the inability to upgrade the RAM. While 8GB of DDR4 RAM is included, this cannot be expanded, which may be a limiting factor for users who want to run more intensive applications or serve multiple users simultaneously. In comparison, many of Synology’s NAS devices, such as the DS1821+, come with expandable memory, allowing users to increase RAM up to 32GB or more depending on the model.
Overall, UniFi’s UNAS Pro offers sufficient storage capacity for most small businesses and home users, but its lack of expandability makes it a less flexible solution for those who anticipate needing more storage or advanced features in the future.
Key Examples of Synology’s Expandable Hardware Features:
- DX517 Expansion Unit: Adds 5 additional bays to compatible DS series NAS devices.
- PCIe Slots: Found in models like the DS1621+, allowing for 10GbE upgrades, SSD caching, and more.
- NVMe Support: NVMe SSD caching is available in devices like the DS1621xs+, improving I/O performance.
HOWEVER, we also need to factor in that Synology has recently been reducing the number of 3rd party HDDs and SSDs that are listed as ‘compatible’ and ‘supported’ on their product advice pages. The majority of 2024/2025 systems now either list ONLY Synology HDD/SSD media (such as the HAT5300, SAT5210, SNV3410, etc) or list only a handful of storage media from established brands such as Seagate and WD (around 15-18 – out of potentially hundreds), despite them being proven to work successfully. UniFi has it’s own range of storage media drives for their UNAS Pro, UDM and UNVR systems, however they also widely support 3rd party drive utilities.
This would not be an issue in the case of Synology if their own branded storage media was the same price or superior – but the reality is that Synology storage media IS more expensive and in many cases a better, faster and/or larger drive from Seagate/WD is available at the same and/or lower price. This is less true on the entry NAS class of HDDs (eg Seagate Ironwolf vs Synology HAT3300, with only 2-4% difference), but once you look at higher capacity HDDs and more durable HDDs and SSDs, the price difference is kinda crazy:
Synology promotes their solutions are ‘all on one’ solutions and focus all their development towards a single NAS ecosystem, so focusing support, compatibility and operations towards their own media makes sense in a development sense. However, many first time Synology NAS buyers who are scaling up from smaller solutions or migrating away from SAAS/PAAS/Cloud storage in a big way might be unaware of the media storage policy they seem to be persuing. By no means a dealbreaker for many, but something to be aware of!
Synology vs UniFi ANS – Verdict and Conclusion
Choosing between Synology and UniFi NAS systems comes down to evaluating your specific needs, the level of software and hardware expandability you require, and whether you prioritize a more established ecosystem or tighter integration with your networking infrastructure. Both brands offer compelling NAS solutions, but they target different user bases and excel in distinct areas. For users who prioritize software features, scalability, and a broad range of applications, Synology is the clear winner. With over two decades of experience in the NAS market, Synology has fine-tuned its DSM (DiskStation Manager) software to offer an impressive array of first-party and third-party applications. Whether you’re a home user looking for a media server or a business seeking comprehensive backup solutions, Synology DSM provides an extensive feature set that meets almost any need. The rich support for virtualization, containerized apps, and backup tools makes it a top choice for advanced users and businesses with diverse requirements. Synology’s hardware lineup is also far more diverse, with options that cater to everyone from entry-level users to enterprises. Their hardware is expandable, supporting PCIe slots, NVMe caching, and external expansion units, which makes them suitable for users with growing storage needs or demanding performance requirements. Moreover, Synology’s Hybrid RAID (SHR) and flexible storage management tools are ideal for users who need to easily expand their storage without dealing with complex RAID setups. The downside of Synology, however, is its cost. While its hardware is packed with features, it comes at a higher price point, especially as you move up the product range. Additionally, some users have criticized Synology’s recent push to restrict third-party drive compatibility in newer models, which could be a drawback for users looking for more flexibility in their hardware choices.
UniFi’s UNAS Pro series is a newer player in the NAS field but leverages Ubiquiti’s expertise in networking to provide a product that is tightly integrated with the UniFi ecosystem. If you’re already invested in UniFi’s networking gear, adding a UniFi NAS to your setup can make network management and storage integration much simpler. UniFi’s controller-based system allows users to manage their entire network—including their NAS—from a single dashboard, which is a significant convenience for users in SMB environments. The UNAS OS, while still in its early stages, does an admirable job at nailing down the fundamentals of NAS functionality, such as file storage, snapshots, and backups. However, it currently lacks the depth and range of applications found in Synology DSM. This makes UniFi a better choice for users who are looking for simple storage solutions rather than advanced features like Docker, virtual machines, or third-party multimedia apps. When it comes to hardware expandability, UniFi lags behind Synology. The 7-bay UNAS Pro offers a decent starting point for storage, but the lack of PCIe slots, NVMe support, or external expansion units limits its long-term scalability. Furthermore, the inability to upgrade RAM or add additional 10GbE ports means that UniFi’s NAS might not grow as effectively with your needs over time. However, it does come with built-in 10GbE, which could be a compelling feature for users looking to take advantage of higher network speeds out of the box.
Which NAS Should You Choose?
- If you’re a business or power user who needs a highly customizable, feature-rich NAS with long-term expandability, Synology is likely the better choice. Its DSM software, extensive hardware options, and proven reliability make it a solid investment for users who want full control over their storage and the ability to run advanced applications.
- On the other hand, if you’re already embedded in the UniFi ecosystem and prioritize network integration over advanced NAS features, UniFi’s UNAS Pro may be more appealing. Its ease of use and seamless integration with other UniFi devices make it a great option for SMBs and users who prefer simplicity over extensive customization.
Ultimately, the decision between Synology and UniFi NAS depends on whether you value software flexibility and advanced applications (Synology) or seamless integration and simplicity (UniFi).
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| PROS | PROS |
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| CONS | CONS |
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Check Amazon Below for the Latest Synology NAS
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Visit the UniFi Store for your UNAS Pro Below
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Synology stands out for users seeking a high-performance and highly expandable NAS system with a mature software ecosystem, while UniFi shines in integrated network solutions for those looking for simplicity and efficiency in small business and home office environments.
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