Difference between Synology PLAY, PLUS, XS and J series NAS

Help Choosing the Right Synology NAS for you

 So many NAS servers to choose from. They all look remarkably similar and moreover, all seem to do basically the same thing – but some better than others. Yet for many people who are setting out to buy their first NAS from Synology, it can easily be met with confusion. Two devices such as the DS718+ or DS218, or the DS418PLAY and DS418 look near enough identical and feature specs that seem numerically very similar indeed. It was for reasons like this that Synology came up with a nicely defined classification system, that rivals even the guys at Western Digital with their colours system. Synology feature several series titles in their product name, with each representing the devices speciality and preferred use. That said, all the NAS from synology can perform many, many tasks of the others (Apple TIme machine Backup, Plex, Surveillance, VMs, etc) but it is the fact that it will perform much better at the task, or be suitable for users that are indicated by its title. They are below.

What are the different types of Synology NAS?

The model numbers really can get confusing, but once you have cracked the code, you will be able to instantly identify ANY Synology NAS in a single look. Here is the code:

e.g. Synology DS918+

How it is comprised: Chassis Type – Number of Hard drives you can connect – Which Year/Series it is part of – Intended Use

First is DS, RS or NVR. DS is DiskStation, which is a Desktop NAS. RS means RackStation, which is a Rackmount NAS. Finally there is NVR which means Network Video Recorder, which is a Surveillance specialised NAS with an HDMI out and keyboard/mouse support. So to summarize:

DS = Diskstation, Desktop (e.g. DS918+, DS216j, DS418PLAY)

RS = RackStation, Rackmount  (e.g. RS217, RS815, RS3617xs)

NVR = Network Video Recorder (e.g NVR216, NVR1218)

DX = DiskStation Expansion, an expansion NAS for adding more HDD/SSD to supported Desktop synology NAS (e.g DX517 and DX1215)

RX = RackStation Expansion, another expansion device but designed for Rackmount synology NAS devices (e.g. RX1215)

VS = Visual Station, a serious of more compact Surveillance supporting devices (e.g. VS360HD and VS960HD)

Next there are all those numbers! the first numbers are the maximum number of HDD/SSD that the NAS can be connected with (internally and connected with external expansions)  and the second is the annual series it is for (think of like older car registrations showing the year). So in the case of the RS217, we can ascertain that the unit is a rackmounted 2 Bay from the 2017 model series. Another would be the DS715, which would be a Desktop NAS that can support upto 7 Hard drives (in this case a 2-Bay with a 5 Bay expansion if needed) for the 2015 Series. But what about all this PLUS, XS, PLAY, J Stuff?! That just seems to make things awfully complex. What do they all mean?

What is the Synology PLAY, PLUS, J, Slim, SE and XS NAS Series? What is the Difference?

Finally we can get to the most important part. Every single Synology NAS is part of around seven different classes. Each class is designed to help NAS buyers select a NAS that is not only best for their budget, but also to ensure that they buy a NAS that can do the task(s) they desire most. So regardless of whether you need the NAS or home or business, media or Basic file access, DLNA or Plex, you will be able to narrow your choice from 10+ units down to just 1 oe 2. Below is each Synology NAS class and what they mean:

 Synology SE Series

The most basic Synology NAS devices. Often found at incredibly low prices, but almost always with the weakest hardware

Ideal NAS use: Low frequency access, basic non-critical backups, Download server, low energy use and low demand DLNA media access

$$$$$

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Synology J Series

The most cost-effective Synology NAS devices. Not to be confused with ‘cheap’, the J Series provides great hardware and access to most DSM applications, but with a budget only around 15-20% higher than the SE Series. For that it arrives with ordinarily more than double the specification power and ability

Ideal NAS use: Reliable DLNA Media server for multiple devices (without transcoding), Apple Time machine for 1 or 2 devices, email server, larger download server, low level IP Camera Surveillance with upto 5 cameras,  iTunes or Small Sonos PLAY setup

$$$$$

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 Synology SLIM Series

A relatively new range from Synology are almost identical in terms of software and abilities as the Synology J series, however its big appeal is that it uses 2.5″ Laptop class Hard Drives and SSD. The result is a much smaller, quieter and lower mains powered NAS for those that want the price and simplicity of a Synology J NAS, but in a much more compact and micro form

Ideal NAS use: Physically small and discreet DLNA Media server for multiple devices (without transcoding), Apple Time machine for 1 or 2 devices, email server, larger download server, low-level IP Camera Surveillance with upto 5 cameras for homeor POS,  iTunes or Small Sonos PLAY setup, NAS for small business (SMB) file, CMS and CRM use.

$$$$$

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 Synology Standard Series

Not really a class, as such. The standard value series from synology refers to units that do not have a clear class like play, plus, etc i.e. DS418 or DS116. These are Synology NAS that provide an average support of ALL NAS applications and tasks you need, though it will not excel at one single one, it is designed and priced for those who want to dabble in a little of everything in NAS. However be warned that you will hit a glass ceiling pretty early on if you start to push the hardware hard

Ideal NAS use: A DLNA media server for the home, iTunes server, basic file server, IP Camera surveillance upto 10 cameras, network and/or internet backup, Apple time Machine NAS use and simple business CRM and CMS use.

$$$$$

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 Synology PLAY Series

The Multimedia Specialised Synology NAS, this is the Network attached storage device for photos, films, movies and music as priority 1. In recent years we have seen the introduction of Intel CPUs and 64bit architecture ARM CPU (a rare thing) in order to support key tasks related to multimedia performance on everything from your Smart TV  and iPad, to your Sonos Multi Speaker setup, Bose sound system, iPhone and Android devices. Also the latest devices support 4K Playback and transcoding of H.264 and H.265

Ideal NAS use: Mid range Plex Media Server, high-end DLNA Media server being access by multiple users at once, Music streaming to multiple devices, 4K Playback to small and big devices, CCTV IP Camera surveillance upto 15 cameras

$$$$$

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 Synology PLUS Series

The Flagship Synology NAS range that is designed to do it all. A Synology + NAS can do everything any of the NAS devices above does, but arrives with an extra 1 Year warranty (so 3 years in total compared with 2 years available with the play, J or SE), always an intel x86 CPU, 2GB of memory minimum and upto 8GB, Dual LAN for increased upload and download speeds, lockable HDD trays and FULL access to the Synology DSM NAS Software (the synology operating system found on all units in the ranges) and all the home and business applications, betas and file systems such as BTRFS.

 Ideal NAS use: ALL of the above, plus 1 or 2 Virtual machine use, a full HD Plex Media Server including transcoding, Transcoding natively of upto two 4K media streams, Surveillance camera use of upto 40 IP Cameras, full use and abilities of the home and office applications such as Synology Office, Chat, Docker, Email Servers and multimedia applications. Highest available encryption at AES-NI 256bit encryption and providing the highest speeds of encrypted data transmission, an entire home of network audio setups from the likes of BOSE and SONOS. Most importantly of all, almost all of these can be performed at the same time and a Synology PLUS NAS can handle it.

$$$$$

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Synology XS Series

The top tier Synology NAS Range. If you want the best of the best, that is the Synolgogy XS Series. Arriving with everything from Pentium D CPUs to Xeon too, DDR4 ECC Memory, PCIe expandability, 10GBe in both 10-BASE-T and SFP+ inside, they are designed with MAXIMUM PERFORMANCE in mind. That is not all, to support the boast that the Synology XS range is their best and most faithful unit, they arrive with 5 Years of manufacturers warranty and the Synology Replacement service (SRS) which means they will arrange a replacement of any faulty units the next day, collecting the faulty unit (location dependent of course), reducing any downtime significantly.

Ideal NAS use: Business NAS use of all kinds. With 3 or 4 times the hardware power of the PLUS series, it will support many, many users at the same time, for users looking for long-term security, support and peace of mind. AImed at buyers who want a NAS that will not just last 5 years, but be expandable and usable for upto 10 years.

$$$$$

 

Remember – the above is a guide to the IDEAL purpose for each Synology NAS, but each can do much more. So, if you plan on doing several varied tasks (i.e. Network Attached CCTV Surveillance at home PLUS a Plex Media Server, a good Intel Based PLAY will do this), just work out what the PRIMARY purpose is and go down from there.