There is no universal winner: the TerraMaster F4-424 is the stronger hardware-first fit if you can use its two built-in 2.5GbE ports or need NAS-side media transcoding, while the Synology DS923+ better suits buyers who prioritize DSM’s documented storage and backup tools, including SHR and Hyper Backup. The right choice depends on your network, media workflow, drive plans, and preferred software—not on a proven reliability or ease-of-use advantage.
How the TerraMaster F4-424 and Synology DS923+ compare
These are both four-bay NAS systems, but their published specifications point to different strengths. TerraMaster’s F4-424 pairs an Intel N95 with 8 GB of DDR5 memory, two 2.5GbE ports, two M.2 NVMe slots, and listed hardware transcoding. Synology’s DS923+ uses an AMD Ryzen R1600 and has 4 GB of DDR4 ECC memory; its datasheet also describes optional expansion features.
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| Feature | TerraMaster F4-424 | Synology DS923+ |
|---|---|---|
| Drive bays | 4 SATA drive bays. TerraMaster product page | 4 bays. Synology product page |
| Processor and memory | Intel N95; 8 GB DDR5. TerraMaster specifications | AMD Ryzen R1600; 4 GB DDR4 ECC. Synology product page; DS923+ datasheet |
| Built-in networking | Two 2.5GbE ports. TerraMaster specifications | Do not assume 2.5GbE is built in: faster networking is described as an optional feature in the datasheet. Synology DS923+ datasheet |
| M.2 NVMe | Two M.2 NVMe slots. TerraMaster specifications | NVMe features are listed; check the datasheet for the supported configuration. Synology DS923+ datasheet |
| Storage and snapshot features | Btrfs/EXT4, TRAID and other RAID types, plus snapshots are listed. TerraMaster specifications | DSM documents Btrfs/ext4, SHR and conventional RAID options, snapshots, and storage management. Synology storage documentation |
| Backup software | Backup applications and snapshot features are listed. TerraMaster specifications | DSM includes Hyper Backup and snapshot capabilities. Synology backup documentation |
The specifications establish what each vendor lists, not how fast the NAS will be in your home or which interface is easier to use. No independent comparative setup, performance, reliability, noise, or support-response testing is established here.
Which NAS is better for home use?
Choose the TerraMaster F4-424 if its hardware matches your setup
- Your home network has 2.5GbE equipment and you want two such ports built into the NAS.
- You need hardware transcoding for a media-server workflow that actually requires the NAS to convert video.
- You want the listed combination of 8 GB DDR5, two M.2 NVMe slots, and four SATA bays.
Choose the Synology DS923+ if DSM’s workflow matters more
- You want Synology’s documented storage options, including SHR, and its Hyper Backup application.
- You prefer to choose from DSM’s documented storage management and backup integrations.
- You are willing to confirm drive compatibility and account for any optional expansion hardware your setup needs.
These are fit-based recommendations from published features. They do not establish that one platform is more reliable, more secure, or simpler to configure than the other.
#1 Best Overall
- High Speed Data Transmission: The D2-320 hard drive enclosure (a DAS, NOT a NAS) adopts USB 3.2 Gen2 protocol for high-speed data transmission up to 10Gbps. With 2 hard drives in RAID 0, the read/write speed can reach up to 521MB/s (SATA III HDD 8TB x 2). With 2 SSD's in RAID 0, the read speed can reach 1075MB/s (SATA III 1TB SSD x 2)
- Multiple RAID Configurations: The D2-320 is a hardware RAID enclosure and it supports RAID 0, RAID 1, JBOD and SINGLE which can better satisfy various demands of users. In RAID 1, data will be in a mirror backup. When there is a damaged hard drive, you can directly replace the hard drive, and the data will be recovered automatically. This provides an absolute security for the data
- Super-Large Storage Capacity: The D2-320 USB storage enclosure can support up to two 3.5" and 2.5" SATA HDD, as well as 2.5" SATA SSD, with a maximum capacity of 22TB per drive, providing users with up to 44TB (22TB x 2) of storage space
- Intelligent Temperature Control: The D2-320 HDD enclosure has an intelligent temperature-controlled and low-noise fan that automatically adjusts its speed based on the temperature of the hard disk. This feature ensures that the hard disk operates at its best temperature and provides better heat dissipation
- Tool-Free Hard Drive Installation: The D2-320 external hard drive enclosure features a tool-free hard drive tray design that allows for easy installation and removal of hard drives without the need for any tools. Furthermore, the D2-320 incorporates a brand new Push-lock unique design from TerraMaster, which automatically locks the hard drive tray when you insert the hard drive, preventing the hard drive from falling out or disconnecting
Which is better for Plex or home media streaming?
The F4-424’s specifications list hardware transcoding up to 4K (4096 × 2160) at 60 fps under TerraMaster’s stated codec specifications. That makes it the more directly documented choice if your media workflow requires NAS-side transcoding. It does not guarantee that every file will play or transcode successfully: codec support, client capabilities, software configuration, and whether transcoding is needed all matter.
The DS923+ datasheet identifies its Ryzen R1600 platform, but that fact alone does not support a blanket claim about playback or transcoding performance. If your clients can direct-play your media, NAS-side transcoding may not be necessary; check your specific server software, codecs, and playback devices before choosing on this basis.
Rank #2
- Innovative Storage: The D8 Hybrid 2 hdd enclosure can hold 4 SATA HDDs/SSDs and 4 M.2 2280 NVMe SSDs, supporting up to 152TB (30TB×4 + 8TB×4). It combines the advantages of HDDs’ massive capacity and SSDs’ high-speed performance simultaneously. Free TPC Backupper software is included for easy backup and data security.
- 8 Independent Drives: The D8 Hybrid 2 USB storage Supports 4 independent HDDs and 4 independent M.2 SSDs, no built-in RAlD. Enjoy flexible storage expansion, simpler file management, and easier drive maintenance. Third-party RAID software supported if needed.
- One-Touch Power Mode Switch: TPM (TerraMaster Power Management) is a proprietary power management technology developed by TerraMaster specifically for USB direct attached storage (DAS) devices. As a unique innovation, it is engineered to optimize power efficiency, enhance operational safety, and deliver faster data response in everyday storage scenarios. Easily switch between Power Save Mode and Active Mode for the perfect balance of energy efficiency, faster drive wake-up, and always-on workflow performance.
- 10Gbps High-Speed Performance: The D8 Hybrid 2 hard drive enclosure adopts USB 3.2 Gen2 protocol for high-speed data transmission up to 10Gbps. Read speeds reach up to 1020 MB/s with a single M.2 SSD. A 5GB HD movie file can be transferred in approximately 5 seconds, significantly improving workflow efficiency. This high-speed performance ensures smoother video editing, faster large file exports, and more efficient multitasking, reducing wait times and enhancing overall productivity.
- Plug and Play, Highly Compatible: The D8 Hybrid 2 external hdd enclosure is a plug-and-play device that doesn't require drivers to work. It is highly compatible with macOS, Windows, Linux and NAS operating systems. It has a USB Type-C interface and comes with a Type-C to Type-C cable. The device is compatible with various computer interfaces, including USB 4.0, USB 3.2, USB 3.1, USB 3.0, Thunderbolt 5, Thunderbolt 4, and Thunderbolt 3.
Network speed and expansion: what should you check?
The F4-424 lists two built-in 2.5GbE ports. They are useful only if the connected switch, router, client, cabling, and workload can take advantage of that link speed; a faster NAS port by itself does not make every transfer faster.
The DS923+ datasheet lists faster networking and expansion as optional features. Do not treat those options as built-in 2.5GbE. If you need a faster connection or future expansion, confirm the required accessory, compatibility, and total cost for your intended configuration before purchase.
Rank #3
- Innovative Storage: An innovation of an 8-bay hybrid HDD NVMe SSD enclosure. The D8 Hybrid can hold 4 SATA HDDs/SSDs and 4 M.2 2280 NVMe SSDs, with a capacity of 30TB a drive, and 8TB per M.2 SSD, providing users with up to 152TB (30TB x 4 + 8TB x 4) of storage space, combining the advantages of HDDs’ massive capacity and SSDs’ high-speed performance simultaneously! With TERRAMASTER's TPC Backupper software, you can easily schedule backups of important data to enhance data security.
- Ideal Solution for Hot and Cold Data: Tailor your storage setup to your data’s needs and usage patterns. Leverage the large capacity advantage of mechanical hard drives and the high-speed read/write performance of M.2 SSDs. Users have the flexibility to manually select where to store their data based on type and frequency of usage, optimizing storage efficiency and access speed. This approach ensures swift access to hot data stored on high-speed SSDs, while cold data is stored economically and efficiently on HDDs.
- 10Gbps Transfer Bandwidth: The D8 Hybrid hard drive enclosure adopts USB 3.2 Gen2 protocol for high-speed data transmission up to 10Gbps. With an SSD, the speed can reach up to 521MB/s, and using an NVMeM.2SSDs, it can reach up to 980MB/s.
- Convenient to swap hard drives: The M.2 SSD enclosure features a tool-free hard drive tray design that allows for easy installation and removal of hard drives without the need for any tools. Furthermore, this USB storage incorporates a brand new Push-Lock unique design from TERRAMASTER, which automatically locks the hard drive tray when you insert the hard drive, preventing the hard drive from falling out or disconnecting.
- Better Heat Dissipation: This HDD enclosure has an intelligent temperature-controlled and low-noise fan that automatically adjusts its speed based on the temperature of the hard disk. This feature ensures that the hard disk operates at its best temperature and provides better heat dissipation. The D8 Hybrid direct attached storage also features power on recovery, it automatically reboots after abnormal power loss while staying off after normal shutdown, enabling unattended operation.
Drive compatibility, storage, and backup planning
Both systems require separate drive planning. TerraMaster lists SATA HDD support and Btrfs/EXT4, TRAID, and other RAID types for the F4-424. Synology documents Btrfs/ext4, SHR, and conventional RAID options for DSM. The feature lists do not determine which drive arrangement is best for your data; choose capacity and redundancy around the files you need to protect and the cost of replacing a disk.
Synology maintains a DS923+-specific drive compatibility list and says support is limited for drives outside it. Check the exact drive model on that list before buying. For TerraMaster, verify that the specific drive is suitable for the F4-424 and the intended NAS workload. Budget for disks separately: current pricing and retailer bundles are volatile, and the product specifications do not establish a complete purchase cost.
Rank #4
- Powerful Performance: Equipped with an Intel x86 quad-core processor and 4GB RAM, the F4-425 network attached storage effortlessly handles 4K transcoding and multitasking. The 2.5GbE port ensures ultra-fast file transfers and supports multi-user concurrent access
- Home Multimedia Hub: The F4-425 media server supports hardware-level 4K H.265 decoding, compatible with Plex, Emby, and Jellyfin for smooth HD video playback, with DLNA for seamless multi-device streaming. The Photos app features AI smart album and efficiently organizes millions of photos
- TNAS Mobile Full Control: Initialize setup for your F4-425 NAS storage via the TNAS Mobile app without a PC. The mobile app supports automatic photo and video backups, plus real-time local/remote synchronization, all managed through a single client
- Ultra-Quiet & User-Friendly: The F4-425 NAS server operates at just 21dB(A), suitable for quiet environments like bedrooms. Its tool-free Push-Lock design HDD trays enable to install HDDs in 10 seconds
- Massive Storage & Security: The F4-425 4-bay NAS supports up to 120TB storage (4 x 30TB for each bay), 50+ independent user accounts, and flexible TRAID / TRAID+ arrays, 30% more storage space than traditional RAID while ensuring data redundancy. SPC module and CloudSync (compatible with Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox) enable seamless cross-platform synchronization and uninterrupted data access. Additionally, TerraSync enables two-way sync between the F4-425 and PCs/Macs
RAID is not a backup. A redundant drive arrangement can help keep a system available after some drive failures, but it does not replace a separate backup copy. Both vendors list backup and snapshot functions; plan an additional copy appropriate to your data, recovery needs, and budget.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsWhich NAS is easier to set up?
The available product specifications and software documentation do not establish that TOS or DSM is easier for a first-time owner. Both vendors document storage and backup capabilities, but ease depends on what you need to configure and how familiar you are with each workflow. If setup simplicity is decisive, compare the current setup guides and application workflows for your actual tasks rather than inferring usability from a feature list.
What to decide before buying
- Check your network: identify the speed of your NAS connection, switch or router, and the computers that will access it. The F4-424 lists two 2.5GbE ports; DS923+ faster networking is optional.
- Map your media workflow: determine whether your devices can direct-play your files or whether a server must transcode them. The F4-424 lists hardware transcoding up to 4K/60 fps under its stated codec specifications.
- Choose the software workflow: compare the storage, snapshot, and backup features you will actually use in TOS and DSM. Do not treat feature documentation as a usability test.
- Confirm drives and expansion: check exact drive models, compatibility, and any adapters or expansion hardware before adding them to your budget.
- Budget for protection: include the disks and a separate backup destination or service, not just the NAS enclosure.
TerraMaster’s vendor-authored comparison article, dated July 16, 2026, should be read as the company’s view rather than an independent verdict. Product pages and compatibility information can change; verify the current specifications and drive list when you are ready to buy.
Quick Recap
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