In April 2025, Synology a leading provider of network-attached storage (NAS) solutions announced a significant policy change that’s stirring debate across the tech community. Starting with its new 2025 Plus series models, only Synology-branded or Synology-certified hard drives will be fully supported. This move marks a major shift from Synology’s previously open stance on third-party hardware.
In this article, we’ll break down exactly what’s changing, why Synology is doing this, how it affects you, and what your options are moving forward.
What’s Changing?
According to Synology’s official statement (first published on its German website on April 16, 2025), the new policy applies to all 2025 Plus series NAS devices. Here are the highlights:
- Mandatory Certified Drives: Only Synology-branded or officially certified third-party hard drives will enable full functionality. Using unsupported drives may block key features such as storage pool creation, volume-wide deduplication, drive health monitoring, and automatic firmware updates.
- Previous Models Unaffected: This change won’t affect Plus series devices released before 2025 (except for rack-mounted and XS Plus models, which already had similar limitations). Entry-level J and Value series models, like BeeStation, are also exempt.
- Drive Migration Allowed: You can migrate existing third-party drives to new 2025 Plus series models without losing functionality—provided they were used previously in a supported Synology NAS.
- Limited Third-Party Options (Initially): At launch, Synology-branded drives will be the main supported option. More third-party drives may be added to the compatibility list as Synology conducts testing.
Why Synology Is Making This Move
Synology cites several reasons for this shift—some technical, some strategic. Here’s a breakdown of their stated goals, plus some critical perspectives.
1. Improved Reliability & Performance
Synology claims that certified drives reduce hardware failures and incompatibilities. The company says it performed 7,000 hours of internal testing, resulting in a 20% drop in support tickets related to drive issues.
Critics say this benefit may be overstated—after all, Synology’s drives are rebranded from top-tier manufacturers like Seagate and Toshiba. Competing NAS-optimized drives (e.g., Seagate IronWolf, WD Red Pro) already offer high reliability without the proprietary markup.
2. Simplified Support & Lower Costs
Standardizing drive types helps Synology streamline support and reduce troubleshooting complexity—especially with varying technologies like SMR vs. CMR drives.
But the trade-off? Users lose flexibility and may face higher costs. Enthusiasts who prefer selecting drives based on price, use case, or brand loyalty could feel boxed in.
3. More Revenue from Hardware Sales
Let’s face it—Synology has a strong financial incentive. Branded drives typically carry a premium, and requiring them boosts recurring revenue as users buy multiple high-capacity drives per NAS.
Some users see this as a “Synology tax,” especially since there's little concrete evidence that the drives offer better warranties, MTBF, or actual performance advantages.
4. Tighter Ecosystem Control
This policy mirrors strategies seen in other industries—Apple’s ecosystem or printer brands restricting third-party ink. By controlling both hardware and software, Synology can create a seamless, enterprise-like experience.
Critics warn of vendor lock-in and reduced consumer choice. Competing platforms like QNAP or TrueNAS still offer more flexibility for custom NAS builds.
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5. Response to Industry-Wide Issues
With increasing reports of counterfeit, refurbished, or incompatible drives causing issues in NAS environments, Synology’s move may be preemptive quality control.
Still, many argue this blanket restriction is overkill. A smarter solution might involve more detailed warnings, not mandatory limitations.
Workarounds & Alternatives
Don’t want to be tied to Synology drives? Here are your options:
- Buy older or unaffected Synology models
- Switch to open NAS brands like QNAP or build your own with TrueNAS
- Use unofficial workarounds or mods (note: risky and unsupported)
- Wait for community firmware patches (if they emerge)
Final Thoughts: Smart Strategy or Cash Grab?
Synology’s decision is a double-edged sword. It could lead to better reliability and streamlined support but also limits user freedom and raises long-term costs.
For businesses focused on uptime, this shift may be worth the price. But tech-savvy users and budget-conscious DIYers may find the change too restrictive.
If you're eyeing a new Synology NAS in 2025 or later, check the compatibility list carefully—and factor in the price of certified drives.
What’s Your Take?
Do Synology’s restrictions improve reliability or are they just another way to lock in customers? Drop your thoughts in the comments!
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