Synology vs DIY NAS
Synology vs building your own NAS: cost, performance, software, flexibility and which route suits you.
A Synology is the appliance experience: buy it, plug it in, done. A DIY NAS with TrueNAS or OMV costs less per terabyte, is far more powerful, and teaches you a lot — at the price of more setup.
Our pick
Synology for convenience; DIY for value and power
Key differences
| Feature | Synology | DIY NAS |
|---|---|---|
| Setup effort | Minimal | Moderate to high |
| Cost per TB | Higher | Lower |
| Performance | Modest CPUs | As powerful as you build |
| Software | Polished DSM | TrueNAS / OMV |
| Upgradability | Limited | Full |
Verdict
Buy a Synology if you want a polished, low-effort appliance with great apps and don't mind paying a premium. Build your own if you want more performance per euro, full control, and the flexibility to run anything.