DiskStation
Cloud content collaboration software
Cloud data security software
Cloud file security software
Cloud security software
- Features
- Ease of use
- Ease of management
- Quality of support
- Affordability
- Market presence
Take the quiz to check if DiskStation and its alternatives fit your requirements.
$179.99 per unit
Free Trial unavailableFree version unavailable
Small
Medium
Large
- Information technology and software
- Manufacturing
- Transportation and logistics
What is DiskStation
DiskStation is Synology’s NAS (network-attached storage) platform delivered as on-premises hardware running DiskStation Manager (DSM) for centralized file storage, sharing, and collaboration. It is used by small and midsize organizations and teams that want to host files and collaboration services in their own environment while still enabling remote access. The platform includes browser-based administration, user/group permissions, shared folders, and optional packages for sync, backup, and productivity workflows. It differentiates from cloud-only tools by emphasizing customer-controlled storage, local network performance, and an extensible appliance model.
Self-hosted file collaboration
DiskStation supports shared folders, granular permissions, and link-based sharing for internal and external collaboration. Organizations can keep primary data on their own hardware while still enabling remote access through Synology services and VPN/reverse proxy configurations. This model can fit teams with data residency or internal control requirements that prefer not to place all content in a third-party SaaS repository.
Integrated security administration
DSM provides centralized controls such as user/group management, access control lists, and security hardening options (for example, firewall rules, account protection, and MFA support depending on configuration). It also supports encryption options for data at rest and TLS for data in transit when properly configured. Compared with many collaboration-first tools, DiskStation places security controls alongside storage and system administration in one console.
Extensible platform via packages
Synology’s package ecosystem adds capabilities such as file sync, backup, snapshots (model/filesystem dependent), and collaboration applications. This allows a single appliance to cover multiple adjacent needs (file services, endpoint/server backup targets, and remote access) without deploying separate servers. The approach can reduce integration work for smaller IT teams that want a consolidated stack.
Not a pure cloud service
DiskStation is primarily an on-premises appliance, so customers must procure hardware, plan capacity, and manage lifecycle tasks such as firmware updates and drive replacements. Availability and performance depend on local infrastructure, networking, and redundancy design. Organizations expecting a fully managed SaaS experience may find the operational responsibility higher than cloud-native collaboration platforms.
Advanced governance can be limited
Compared with document-management-focused platforms, DiskStation’s native capabilities for records management, matter-centric organization, advanced metadata governance, and complex compliance workflows may be less comprehensive. Many governance requirements require additional process design, third-party tools, or custom configuration. This can be a constraint for regulated industries that need deep policy enforcement and audit-ready content controls.
Security depends on configuration
Because DiskStation is internet-reachable in many deployments, misconfiguration (exposed services, weak credentials, outdated packages) can increase risk. Achieving strong security posture typically requires disciplined patching, network segmentation, MFA, and careful remote-access setup. Teams without dedicated IT/security resources may struggle to maintain consistent hardening over time.
Plan & Pricing
| Plan | Price | Key features & notes |
|---|---|---|
| DS124 | $179.99 (MSRP) | 1-bay DiskStation — MSRP listed on Synology official press release; available via Synology partners and resellers. |
| DS223j | $189.99 (MSRP) | 2-bay entry DiskStation — MSRP listed on Synology official press release; available via partners/resellers. |
| DS223 | $249.99 (MSRP) | 2-bay DiskStation — MSRP listed on Synology official press release; available via partners/resellers. |
| DS224+ | $299.99 (MSRP) | 2-bay Plus series DiskStation — MSRP listed on Synology official press release; available via partners/resellers. |
| DS423 | $369.99 (MSRP) | 4-bay Value series DiskStation — MSRP listed on Synology official press release; available via partners/resellers. |
| DS723+ | $449.99 (MSRP) | 2-bay Plus series DiskStation — MSRP listed on Synology official press release; available via partners/resellers. |
| DS423+ | $499.99 (MSRP) | 4-bay Plus series DiskStation — MSRP listed on Synology official press release; available via partners/resellers. |
| DS923+ | $599.99 (MSRP) | 4-bay Plus series DiskStation — MSRP listed on Synology official press release; available via partners/resellers. |
| DS1522+ | $699.99 (MSRP) | 5-bay Plus series DiskStation — MSRP listed on Synology official press release; available via partners/resellers. |
Seller details
Synology Inc.
Taipei, Taiwan
2000
Private
https://www.synology.com/
https://x.com/Synology
https://www.linkedin.com/company/synology/
