Synology

First-time NAS buyers who want the lowest learning curve. Small businesses that value stable first-party backup and sync tools. Home users who want photos, drive sync, backup and file sharing without too much tinkering. Users who prefer a controlled appliance over a more open but complex platform.

Power users who want ZFS, tiering, more hardware variety or deeper storage control should look at QNAP. Value buyers who want modern hardware and a rapidly improving DSM-style interface should consider UGREEN. UniFi network owners who only need simple shared storage should consider UNAS. Budget-focused users willing to track firmware maturity should keep TerraMaster on the list. Users who value consistency and third-party OS flexibility should not overlook ASUSTOR.

Synology is still best known for NAS hardware, DSM, backup software, private cloud storage, surveillance, and business data management, but its router range has always been an interesting side branch of the wider ecosystem and one that I have genuinely enjoyed reviewing. Products such as the RT2600ac, MR2200ac, WRX560 and RT6600ax appealed to users who liked the Synology software experience and wanted a router interface that felt closer to DSM than the usual consumer router web panel. SRM, or Synology Router Manager, gave users features such as Safe Access, Threat Prevention, VPN tools, mesh s

Synology’s camera licensing policy has changed for part of its 2026 camera generation. The BC510, TC510, and BC800Z are now listed by Synology as requiring a Surveillance Device License, with Synology’s license documentation stating that these models require 1 license per camera. This means these Synology-branded cameras are now treated in the same basic licensing structure as regular IP cameras, where each camera consumes 1 available Surveillance Station camera license. This is a significant change because Synology’s own cameras previously had a clear licensing advantage inside Surveillance S