Synology DSM vs ActiveProtect – The Future of Synology?

Last updated on 11 Jan 2025 📧 Subscribe
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1 Synology ActiveProtect and the Future of DSM Powered Backup Solutions?
1.1 Synology DSM, AP, BSM, SRM…
1.2 Flexibility in Hardware and Software?
1.3 Synology NAS and Value (TCO and ROI)?
2 Need Advice on Data Storage from an Expert?

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.

Feature DP7400 SA6400
Form Factor Rackmount 2U / 12 bays Rackmount 2U / 12 bays
CPU AMD EPYC 7272 (12 cores, 24 threads) AMD EPYC 7272 (12 cores, 24 threads)
Base/Boost Frequency 2.9 GHz / 3.2 GHz 2.9 GHz / 3.2 GHz
Memory 64 GB DDR4 ECC 32 GB DDR4 ECC (expandable to 512 GB)
Storage Configuration RAID 6 + 1 spare (10 x 20 TB HDDs) + 2 x 3.84 TB SSDs User-configurable (no drives included)
Network Interface 1 x 1GbE RJ-45 (Management) 2 x 10GbE RJ-45
2 x 10GbE RJ-45 (Data Transfer) Expandable with PCIe cards
Expandability TBC Up to 108 drives with expansion units
Storage 10x 10TB Unpopulated (Buy Your Own)
Drive Caching 2 x 3.84 TB SATA SSDs User-configurable caching
Power Consumption 150W (Access) / 60W (Hibernation) 155W (Access) / 62W (Hibernation)
Warranty 5 years 5 years

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.

Feature DP320 DS723+
Form Factor Desktop / 2 bays Desktop / 2 bays
CPU AMD Ryzen R1600 (2 cores, 4 threads) AMD Ryzen R1600 (2 cores, 4 threads)
Base/Boost Frequency 2.6 GHz / 3.1 GHz 2.6 GHz / 3.1 GHz
Memory 8 GB DDR4 ECC 2 GB DDR4 (expandable to 32 GB ECC)
Storage Configuration RAID 1 (2 x 8 TB Synology HDDs) User-configurable (no drives included)
Network Interface 1 x 1GbE RJ-45 (Management) 2 x 1GbE RJ-45
1 x 1GbE RJ-45 (Data Transfer) Optional 10GbE upgrade
Expandability No expandability Expandable with 1 x DX517
Storage 2x 8TB HDD Unpopulated (Buy Your Own)
Drive Caching Not available 2 x M.2 NVMe for caching
Power Consumption 21.07W (Access) / 8.62W (Hibernation) 19.7W (Access) / 4.68W (Hibernation)
Warranty 3 years 3 years

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.

Feature DP340 DS923+
Form Factor Desktop / 4 bays Desktop / 4 bays
CPU AMD Ryzen R1600 (2 cores, 4 threads) AMD Ryzen R1600 (2 cores, 4 threads)
Base/Boost Frequency 2.6 GHz / 3.1 GHz 2.6 GHz / 3.1 GHz
Memory 16 GB DDR4 ECC 4 GB DDR4 (expandable to 32 GB ECC)
Storage Configuration RAID 5 (4 x 8 TB Synology HDDs) User-configurable (no drives included)
Network Interface 1 x 1GbE RJ-45 (Management) 2 x 1GbE RJ-45
1 x 10GbE RJ-45 (Data Transfer) Optional 10GbE upgrade
Expandability No expandability Expandable with 1 x DX517
Storage 4x 8TB HDD Unpopulated (Buy Your Own)
Drive Caching 2x 400GB m.2 NVMe 2 x M.2 NVMe Slots for caching/pools
Power Consumption 31W (Access) / 10W (Hibernation) 35.2W (Access) / 7.96W (Hibernation)
Warranty 3 years 3 years

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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      55 thoughts on “Synology DSM vs ActiveProtect – The Future of Synology?”

      1. Synology is doing what AT&T did with UNIX – They will choke the golden goose, shake it for all the gold – Until, they kill it. Unfortunately, Ultimately, the company will die.
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      2. End of Active Backup? Of course! Probably just like they ended Video Station. In a short time later they will abandon the software support/updates of Synology Active Protect, turning your Active Protect Software – Hardware (mostly hardware) into a heavy cinderblock and come out with something else for you to spend MORE MONEY ON. Brilliant for Synology not too good for the customers.
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      8. If you consider the hardware they run DSM and RSM on, then your pipeline for building out for a product would have to be pretty well tuned.

        However, it does add extra complexity.
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      11. I gave up with ABB ages ago because the client app only supported very old Linux kernels. Only in August this year did they release a new client that supports modern kernels. That was way too late. I’d already moved on. Now use Proxmox Backup Server for all my backup needs. I even run a second PBS server (VM) on my Synology NAS to sync important backups from my main PBS server.
        Synology are just too slow with everything they do. I now mainly only use my Synology primarily as storage and ignore nearly all of Synology’s other software bells and whistles.
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      14. Is this channel trying to be sensationalist in an attempt for views?! If you couple the fact that Active Protect is rackmount only along with ABB being in public beta with v3.0 (like why on earth would they create a whole new version of something they didn’t want to support and move forward with) as you post this I highly suspect you’re grabbing at the gas coming out of your butt.

        I expected better from this channel.
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      15. Do we honestly think Synology is used in anything other then small businesses? It isn’t ….they have exactly ZERO corporate footprint …. DELL EMC slaughters them for # of installations in businesses with over 500 employee’s so they decide to go and compete with the big boys but only have little boy sales,service and support …it’s frankly insane. So with Synology seemingly going insane and Asustor putting up pricetags for their SOHO offerings that their service can’t support I really think it’s going to be ubiquiti …sure they are a cult like Synology but their first effort would have been a game changer if it had Raid 6 support and they will eventually have completely competitive solutions.
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      16. I’m holding my breath for CES to see if Synology will release an update for their DS+ product line like the DS1621+ or DS1821+. This could be my first Synology product and I hope they deliver.
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      17. I have already moved to Unraid DYI NAS with Jonsbo N3 and N5. I am now trying to sell all Synology devices, this company has been going to hell the last few years. QNAP is still fine, but I’d rather virtualize everything myself, what if they decide to go against home users one day too.
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      18. There new business model from what I can tell, is about upselling services, and these fit into 2 categories Consumer, and Business.

        The DS+ models are sat smack in between these 2 point, they sell for “Consumer” prices, but get access to the “Business” software, not only ABB, but also Virtualisation and Directory Auth Services.. and it is these bits of software that Synology want to monetize “as as Service”.

        But they can’t do that with the DS+ range, as pro-sumer owners expect to receive these features as part of the DS+ package and for the life of that product (i.e. 3-5 years), and Synology know these buyers won’t cough up – they got a taste of that backlashe a couple of years ago, when they had all the drama about forcing customers to buy their overpriced rebranded drives.

        My guess is, the reason we have not seen any info on DSxx25+ models is, Synology want to retire this product line… So Consumers get the BSM, and Businesses get DSM… and since there is no longer that bleed-over, they can go to town.
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      21. Im keeping my eyes on ubiquiti and asustor adm being the two competitors to get to a well rounded DSM alternative. When that point happens synology is in the rear view mirror.
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      23. I predict that Synology will consolidate all / most of their backup solutions into a single app. I had to use ABB to bare metal restore one of my desktop PC’s a few months back. All of the talk and strategizing about backing up means very little until you actually have to implement the restore. And the restore was almost as easy as setting up the backups. The only bare metal restore that I have done that was easier was restoring a Windows 11 virtual machine running on my QNAP but I digress… Robbie, thank you so very much for all of your videos this year. I can’t say that they all apply to me but I do try to watch most of them. And, if truth be told, if they don’t, I mute the speaker, open a new tab on my browser, and let the videos run to the end to check the box for the youtube algorithms for a completed viewing. Sorry YT but we too can play your games.
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      24. I don’t know, but the guy always lets out such statements that are not good in terms of synology. I find it most unpleasant how he defends these completely overpriced devices. If you don’t have a Synology HDD, you won’t get any more support. And that’s the case with all new devices, except for a few.

        I’ve been using active backup for quite a while now. There are so many problems and also extremely strange limitations, many secrets. Sudden errors and you don’t know why.
        A small example: about 2 weeks ago we had a file server that was slowly filling up on a virtual esxi disk. We increased the size of the disk. Job done.

        Backup the following night. veeam without problems, size recognised, backup finished.
        Active Backup: ‘Error,’The changed blocks of file server 3 are larger than the capacity of the virtual disk. Go to the hypervisor and extend the capacity of the virtual disk, which must be a multiple of 4 KB.’

        That is the complete message. That is a good thing for a system with five VMs and one virtual disk.

        And that is just a very small example. For a company that is a bit larger, I would never recommend it.

        Active Backup has not been maintained for quite some time. There have been several updates to the backup API of ESXi. NOTHING of this has been adapted in Active Backup. I am surprised that it is still running at all.

        Can’t or won’t he understand that Synology has been shitting on its customers for a long time?

        And Active Protect also sucks! I can’t stand these hoppy admins and tech youtubers anymore. Active Protect is not made to manage >3 servers and two locations. Even then, weird things happen.

        Some of their documentaries are well made. I had a friend who managed to get Docker and his home automation system up and running without my help! GREAT!! But then they don’t go into details or have proper descriptions.
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      25. I do wonder what Synology’s direction will be for 2025, various other vendors entered their space in 2024, so therefore do you shift your product targetting to the next level and leave behind the Plus range. I hope they set their stall out sooner than later as I’m in the market for a new NAS to replace the QNAP TS-873A. I was going to go Synology due to have a DS224+ offsite already.
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      27. Is there anything good from Qnap as alternative? Sounds like there’s no enough competition that synology can just do whatever they can and since business customers are their priority anyway. We’re just in the 1% low for them to even care. I’m hoping for Ugreen, but they have nasync (pun intended).
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      28. I strongly suspect that they have lost their way, and that finding a new one will take too long! You may think that it will be okay, but that is what Kodak thought with their cameras or Nokia with their phones.
        And look what happened! Once high up on the mountain alone, and then not sliding down but falling and never recovering from the impact…
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      36. Great video. I am looking to replace my 5 year old Netgear ReadyNAS 204 with a new Synology 923+ or 1522+. I am primarily using it as a file server but in the future I would probably also use at for automatic backup of our 3 desktop PC’s and 2 laptops.

        hould I consider anything other than these 2?

        It will be connected to a 10 BGit network.
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      39. I understand why they would limit the HDD’s/SSD’s compatibility to avoid misuse but they could at least allow CMR NAS and Enterprise WD and Seagate drives. Btw starting and shutting down a nas everyday what does it do to the disks? Does it prolong the life of the components? Even though they are designed to run 24/7
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      40. Be clear on the SSD storage pools, its not that other units do not support it, they do… Rather, this is just fleecing customers – Synology don’t want to enable on other models, as they want you to believe its “unique” to certain models an encourage you to buy the newer model, and throw the old one out (Yeah, great environmentally-friendly move there!
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      42. Synology Hyper Backup doesn’t even support OneDrive natively. DSM and Synology apps seem consistent, but there also seems to be a walled garden that limits what you can do with a Synology NAS.
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      46. Umm I hate to say it but your wrong on both accounts of BTRFS and encryption. I just got their lowest end current model the ds223j and i have both of these options. I however didnt enable encryption as it will make transfering data slower and im not worried about my NAS getting stolen.
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      49. I have a Synology DS918+, but the way I’ve always tried to use it is to basically make my setup idempotent as it were. What I mean is everything I host on there, I just host it with Docker using Docker Compose, so if I ever got another NAS, or built my own server – whether it was Unraid, TrueNAS Scale, or just plain Debian, I ought to be able to just install Docker on it, then copy my docker folder over to it (which contains the docker-compose.yml and all the persistent storage for my containers), then run: docker-compose up -d, and all my stuff should basically just work, without being dependent on a particular operating system or vendor.

        The only “first party” Synology things I use tend to be monitoring and backup. I do use Hyper Backup to backup my important stuff to Backblaze B2, but I’m wondering if Hyper Backup makes a backup that only a Synology NAS could read. If my NAS died would be be able to recover my data without buying another Synology NAS?
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      51. Great overview mate. My only gripe, as always, is no DTS support on video station. I have to transcode my videos before putting them up on the Nas. Why don’t they simply charge the user a fee for a license to which I am willing to pay? Being I don’t use Plex, does Plex play DTS videos on a Synology NAS? Thanx Robbie & G’day! ????????????????????
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      52. I’m somewhat of a novice and this may be a dumb question, but HDDs seem like plug and play hardware, why would some drives not be compatible with Synology NASes?
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