Mini PC vs Synology NAS — Which Should You Buy for Home Storage? | Mini PC Lab
By Mini PC Lab Team · March 16, 2026 · Updated March 27, 2026
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Synology makes excellent NAS devices. Mini PCs running TrueNAS, OMV, or Unraid are a capable alternative. The right choice depends on what you actually want to run — and whether you want an appliance or a platform.
The Short Answer
Buy a Synology if: You want plug-and-play NAS with a polished UI, long-term OS support, and Synology’s app ecosystem (Drive, Photos, Video Station) without any Linux administration. You accept the premium pricing and closed ecosystem.
Buy a mini PC (with TrueNAS/OMV) if: You want full ZFS control, open-source software, the ability to run Docker containers alongside NAS duties, and you’re comfortable with a Linux-based system. You get more flexibility at lower hardware cost.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Synology DS923+ | Mini PC (MS-01) + TrueNAS SCALE |
|---|---|---|
| Drive bays | 4× 3.5” SATA | 0 built-in (add USB/PCIe enclosure) |
| Max storage capacity | 4× 20TB = 80TB raw | Depends on enclosure |
| CPU | AMD Ryzen R1600 (2C/4T) | Intel Core i9-13900H (14C/20T) |
| RAM | 4GB DDR4 (upgradeable to 32GB) | 32–96GB DDR5 |
| Networking | 2× 1GbE + optional 10GbE add-in | 2× 2.5GbE + 10GbE (built-in) |
| OS | Synology DSM (proprietary) | TrueNAS SCALE (open source) |
| Docker support | Synology Container Manager (limited) | Full Docker + Kubernetes |
| App ecosystem | DSM packages (Synology + third-party) | Entire Linux ecosystem |
| Power (idle) | ~20–25W | ~25–35W |
| Purchase price | ~$500–600 (no drives) | ~$500–600 (no storage enclosure) |
| Drive cost | Drives sold separately | Drives sold separately |
Detailed Breakdown
Storage: Synology’s Structural Advantage
Synology NAS units are purpose-built storage appliances with SATA bays built in. A DS923+ has 4× 3.5” SATA bays and accepts standard drives — fill it with 4× 16TB drives for a 48TB usable RAID-5 volume.
Mini PCs don’t have built-in SATA bays. To add spinning drives, you need a USB 3.2 enclosure or a PCIe HBA card (Minisforum MS-01 has a PCIe x4 slot). This adds cost and complexity. For storage-focused builds, Synology’s architecture is more natural.
Winner for pure NAS use: Synology
Software: Mini PC’s Structural Advantage
Synology DSM is excellent software — intuitive, reliable, regularly updated. But it’s a proprietary OS locked to Synology hardware with Synology’s app catalog.
TrueNAS SCALE on a mini PC runs the entire Linux ecosystem. Every Docker image, every Kubernetes app, every self-hosted service is available. ZFS provides the same data integrity as Synology’s implementation, plus more flexible configuration options (RAID-Z1, RAID-Z2, dRAID).
If you want to run Nextcloud, Immich, Vaultwarden, Gitea, and Plex alongside your NAS — and you want them all on one box — TrueNAS SCALE on a mini PC delivers that. Synology can run containers, but its Container Manager is more limited than a full Docker environment.
Winner for app flexibility: Mini PC
CPU and Compute Performance
The DS923+‘s Ryzen R1600 is a 2-core/4-thread Zen 2 processor — enough for basic NAS duties, Plex direct play, and running a few DSM packages. For transcoding, the R1600 struggles: 1080p software transcoding is borderline, 4K transcoding isn’t practical.
The Minisforum MS-01 with a Core i9-13900H has 14 cores, 20 threads, and Intel Quick Sync for efficient hardware transcoding. As a compute platform, it’s in an entirely different class.
Winner for compute: Mini PC by a wide margin
Drive Compatibility and Long-Term Costs
Synology’s drive compatibility list restricts which drives it officially supports. Using drives outside the list triggers warnings in DSM and can affect warranty claims. In practice, most drives work fine, but Synology’s Hybrid RAID (SHR) encourages staying within their ecosystem.
TrueNAS has no such restrictions — any ZFS-compatible drive works. You also get full SMART monitoring, ZFS scrubs, and pool expansion with any compatible disk.
Winner: Mini PC (open ecosystem)
Power Consumption
The DS923+ draws ~20–25W with 4 drives spinning. A mini PC running TrueNAS draws more base power (~25–35W for the MS-01) but scales similarly with drives attached.
At similar drive counts, power consumption is comparable. Synology has a slight edge for pure idle draw with drives spun down.
Winner: Slight edge to Synology
Price and Value
A DS923+ (4-bay) costs ~$500–600 without drives. A comparable mini PC (Minisforum MS-01, ~$500–600) also doesn’t include storage. The hardware acquisition cost is similar.
Where they diverge: expansion costs. Adding drives to a Synology requires additional 5-bay expansion units ($300+). Adding drives to a mini PC requires an external USB or PCIe enclosure ($80–200). Synology’s expansion path is smoother but more expensive.
Over 5 years, Synology’s proprietary hardware and forced upgrade cycles often cost more than an open platform.
Winner: Mini PC for long-term value
Support and Reliability
Synology provides 5 years of DSM support per major version with clear upgrade paths. Updates are reliable and well-tested. Customer support exists.
TrueNAS SCALE is maintained by iXsystems with regular releases. Community support is strong, but you’re relying on open-source project continuity.
For a home NAS where you want set-it-and-forget-it reliability with vendor support, Synology has an edge. For homelabbers comfortable managing their own systems, TrueNAS is equally reliable.
Winner: Synology for “appliance” users, tie for technical users
The Right Choice by Scenario
| Scenario | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Simple photo/video backup for family | Synology (easier) |
| Large media library, multiple drives | Synology (native SATA bays) |
| Plex with 4K transcoding | Mini PC (better CPU) |
| Self-hosted apps + NAS on one box | Mini PC (TrueNAS SCALE apps) |
| Technical user, ZFS power features | Tie — both run ZFS |
| Non-technical user, polished UI | Synology |
| Proxmox VMs + NAS on same hardware | Mini PC only |
| Long-term open platform | Mini PC |
Check Prices
→ Check Current Price: Synology DS923+ on Amazon — 4-bay NAS appliance, polished DSM software → Check Current Price: Minisforum MS-01 on Amazon — best mini PC NAS platform, 10GbE + PCIe x4, 96GB DDR5 → Check Current Price: Beelink Me Pro on Amazon — 2× SATA + 3× M.2, NAS-focused mini PC design
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Synology better than TrueNAS?
For ease of use and plug-and-play NAS functionality, Synology DSM is more polished. For power users who want open-source ZFS, full Docker support, and platform flexibility, TrueNAS SCALE is the better choice. Both run ZFS for data integrity.
Can a mini PC replace a Synology NAS?
Yes, with caveats. You need an external drive enclosure since mini PCs lack built-in SATA bays. TrueNAS SCALE on a mini PC matches or exceeds Synology’s capability but requires more setup. For bulk spinning-drive storage (4+ 3.5” HDDs), Synology’s physical design is more convenient.
Does TrueNAS SCALE have good app support?
TrueNAS SCALE runs Docker containers and supports TrueCharts (a community catalog with hundreds of self-hosted apps). It’s not as polished as Synology’s DSM packages, but the app selection is vastly larger. Any Docker image works.
Is a Synology NAS good enough for Plex?
Synology NAS units with Intel or AMD CPUs support Plex direct play well. For software transcoding above 1080p, performance is limited on entry/mid-range units. For 4K transcoding, a mini PC with hardware transcoding (Intel Quick Sync or AMD VCN) is significantly better.
What’s the best mini PC for a NAS replacement?
The Minisforum MS-01 is the best mini PC for NAS use: three M.2 slots, PCIe x4 slot for an HBA, 10GbE built-in, and 96GB DDR5 support. See our best mini PC for NAS guide for full recommendations.
Final Verdict
Choose Synology if you want a proven NAS appliance, need 4+ spinning-drive bays built-in, and prefer polished vendor software over DIY configuration. The price premium is real but the product is reliable.
Choose a mini PC (TrueNAS SCALE) if you want open-source flexibility, plan to run Docker apps alongside NAS duties, need more compute power (transcoding, VMs), or want the ability to run Proxmox in the future. The setup requires more technical knowledge but the platform is more capable.
For homelab builders who want more than just file storage, the mini PC path delivers better long-term value.
Check Prices
→ Check Current Price: Synology DS923+ on Amazon — 4-bay NAS appliance, polished DSM software → Check Current Price: Minisforum MS-01 on Amazon — best mini PC NAS platform, 10GbE + PCIe x4, 96GB DDR5 → Check Current Price: Beelink Me Pro on Amazon — 2× SATA + 3× M.2, NAS-focused mini PC design
See also: best mini PC for NAS guide | mini PC NAS setup with TrueNAS guide | best mini PC for TrueNAS