FreeNAS and Synology Diskstation are both Network-Attached Storage (NAS) solutions that provide a server specializing in storage and file sharing/serving. FreeNAS is a free operating system that can be installed on most hardware to create a centralized location for data access. In contrast, Synology DiskStation provides a complete hardware and software NAS device out of the box. Both NAS solutions are most popular with mid-sized and larger businesses, though they can also be used by smaller businesses.
Features
Both FreeNAS and Synology Diskstation are functional NAS solutions, but they also have some features that set them apart from each other.
FreeNAS is a free to use software with flexible implementation options. While it usually does not come with any hardware of its own, it can be used on almost any hardware platform to create a NAS solution, so businesses are enabled to create their own solutions. Since FreeNAS is installed on custom hardware, it is easier to upgrade compared to prebuilt hardware options. FreeNAS is a strong choice for businesses looking for an affordable, or highly customizable solution.
Synology Diskstation provides software and hardware in a single, complete package. One major benefit of Synology Diskstation is simplicity. If there is any issue with the hardware or software, no troubleshooting is required as Synology will handle that for you since all parts are from them. Synology Diskstation also provides a more power efficient, quieter solution, compared to the custom hardware rigs that utilize FreeNAS. For businesses looking for a simple, ready to go solution out of the box, FreeNAS is a strong choice.
Limitations
Though FreeNAS and Synology Diskstation offer feature rich NAS solutions, they also have some limitations that are important to consider.
FreeNAS is a free to use, highly customizable solution, but it doesn’t offer a complete, one time purchase solution. Businesses that don’t want to build their own hardware may prefer other solutions. Additionally, since FreeNAS rigs are built using custom hardware, the systems are generally less power efficient compared to Synology Diskstation. Businesses looking for a powerful, lightweight solution may prefer Synology Diskstation.
Synology Diskstation provides an easy to implement, complete solution with hardware and software, but this means it isn’t as customizable as FreeNAS. Businesses that want to choose their own hardware, or have highly specific spec requirements may prefer a more open software that can be applied to custom hardware. Businesses may also prefer the free pricepoint of FreeNAS, particularly if they already have hardware available for FreeNAS.
Pricing
FreeNAS is a free to use, open-source software, though they also offer some hardware solutions that start at $700.
Synology Diskstation offers a wide variety of solutions with different specs. These solutions start as low as $160, and reach well above $1,000 depending on the needs of the buyer.
