Synology DS925chat_bubble_outlineFrom real comments

The dominant complaint is that the DS925+ blocks initialization of non-Synology-branded HDDs and SSDs, including trusted NAS drives from WD, Seagate and Toshiba. Commenters call it anti-consumer vendor lock-in that broke years of trust in the brand.

@harrisonandrew

I’m late to the party and was very interested in this model in particular. All of the info I had up to seeing this video is that you could use 3rd party disks but you would get the warning and wouldn’t get the automated health check and firmware upgrade. This video says it is not possible to even initialise 3rd party disks. That is a deal breaker for me, especially given the cost of Synology’s own disks vs WD for example.launch

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August 26, 2026

@Raymond.Jansen

After restricting 3rd party drives, and only reversing it after too much backlash, Synology has lost my trust.launch

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November 20, 2025

@carlharrison3637

Synology has ruined it for me if I cannot use a brand of drive I want to use i.e. I love the Toshiba's that I have - I think they're N300s? 15gb drives, I'm running short on space, I want to upgrade and I want to just pop the drives in but if Synology is going to refuse my tosh's then I'm going to have to go to a different NAS brand which is a shame as I have gotten use to the Synology and Plex runs well on there so I'm pretty gutted about Synology's choice with HDDs. Its a real shame.launch

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May 8, 2025

@arrow8516

Thanks for your summary review of an actual 925+. I have been planning to upgrade from my old Netgear ReadyNAS units and based on what the older 923+ offered hoped to enter the Synology ecosystem with a more recent model. But the 925+ is a disaster - no 10Gbe upgrade path, drive lockin on HDD's and NVMe's - I can't afford to invest a substantial sum for such a restricted hardware platform when there are other open systems with better hardware and s/w that is almost DSM waiting in the wings. No amount of dangling the possibility of expanding the approved hardware list will convince me to buy Synology now. The hardware in the 925+ has been deployed by Synology in previous NAS's and Ironwolf has been a de-facto standard NAS HDD for years and so why would these not be automatically approved - the only answer is Synology is trying to do a cash grab.launch

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May 3, 2025

Several commenters note the DS925+ removed the 10GbE upgrade option that the older DS923+ offered, replacing it only with 2.5GbE, which many view as a downgrade rather than an improvement.

@arrow8516

Thanks for your summary review of an actual 925+. I have been planning to upgrade from my old Netgear ReadyNAS units and based on what the older 923+ offered hoped to enter the Synology ecosystem with a more recent model. But the 925+ is a disaster - no 10Gbe upgrade path, drive lockin on HDD's and NVMe's - I can't afford to invest a substantial sum for such a restricted hardware platform when there are other open systems with better hardware and s/w that is almost DSM waiting in the wings. No amount of dangling the possibility of expanding the approved hardware list will convince me to buy Synology now. The hardware in the 925+ has been deployed by Synology in previous NAS's and Ironwolf has been a de-facto standard NAS HDD for years and so why would these not be automatically approved - the only answer is Synology is trying to do a cash grab.launch

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May 3, 2025

@DeaconGames

I’m no longer buying any Synology products, they removed all freedom of using any drive you want, they removed 10gbe, removed igpu’s, removed many first party apps and removed support for third party usb devices like Ethernet adapters\n\nWhat a terrible way to go.\n\nI’m in the mids of creating my 16 core threadripper unraid server (I might also try truenas before committing to unraid) where I have as much freedom as i want to use any hardware I want.\n\nI also have a ugreen dxp4800 plus which is so much better in terms of hardwarelaunch

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May 2, 2025

@HaydonRyan

My ds1819+ is my last synology. I’m not seeing value in why I would upgrade to newer models. Sybokogy needs to learn it needs to show value for existing people for them to upgrade. 2.5G should have been standard years ago. 10gbit and dedicated nvme. Rack mount still doesn’t have it on the base. Over time I’ve found that I use my synology mostly as a docker host plus basic nas functions. A second hand dell R240 in my opinion beats this hands down. \n\nShow people the new value your devices are providing and you’ll sell more. It’s clear synology are trying to maximize their profits and reduce their costs. Compared to my existing 6 year old unit i get, slightly faster cpu, same power consumption, same noise, less network, same software. Why would i upgrade (I realize I’m not comparing the same products. While I’m interested in what the new DS1825+ I would never buy one.launch

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May 2, 2025

@johna2640

Many thanks, great video :)\n\nGood box for SMBs but for home use, no. I was considering this and the DS1525, over the last 5 years, Synology has removed so many options and features since I purchased the DS systems so best I get something else :(\n\nSynology appear to be so many years behind everyone else with the hardware. As Synology has stated, they are a business appliance provider. I suspect the 10gbe option has been removed all the DS models except the DS1825xx models, time will tell ?\n\nI just can't justify the additional cost of Synology branded HDD/SSD/NVMe/Memory.launch

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May 2, 2025

Buyers point out steep markups on Synology-branded HDDs and RAM versus third-party equivalents, with one pricing example showing a 20TB Synology drive costing far more than comparable Seagate, WD or Toshiba drives.

@richardporritt5031

My biggest problem is not with Synology HDDs, but with the exorbitant cost of Synology RAM. Synology HDDs can be bought at a reasonable(not too much of a premium) cost if you shop around. I have always used Micron or Kingston RAM, both ECC and non-ECC, in PCs, laptops and have had zero issues over 20+ years so I don't understand why Synology don't approve of them save to make more profit. I have bought a DS925+ and I think there is tremendous value in the software. There is even an utility to offload transcoding to the host system/PC so not having an on-chip GPU is not an issue. The big plus for me is the ECC RAM despite the cost-I have 16GB(2x8GB).launch

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June 19, 2025

@DaystromDataConcepts

Well, today I was searching a top UK etailer's site and I spotted that Synology now offer a 20Tb HAT5310 hard drive. Prior to this, I think they're branded drives topped out at 16 or 18Tb.\n\nSo, how much does Synology think using their rebranded drive should cost compared to the third-party NAS certified equivalents?\n\nEven I was shocked at Sinology’s markup, a sign of their hubris.\n\nSeagate Exos 20Tb : £336\nSeagate IronWolf Pro 20Tb: 395£\nWD Red Pro 20Tb : £500\nSynology HAT5310 20Tb: £864\n\nIt seems you really pay through the nose to save Synology those extra support tickets.launch

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June 5, 2025

@carlharrison3637

I;'d rather cough up an extra £100 for the device as long as I can stick whatever brand drives I want in there. With 20TB Synology drives going for £800 and Tosh doing 20TB drives for £320 - its a no brainer to spend that extra on the device itself while saving HUNDREDS on drives. Heck, Id probably get the expansion and fill that up with 20TB tosh drives too. I've reached the limit on my current setup (ds718+ and a ds218j) so NEED to expand but QNAP might be where I'm heading from what I am seeing. Expensive device but better hardware and better drive support.launch

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May 8, 2025

@coolcat23

18:03 \"But for new users, this is all nothing\" (paraphrased). Of course it matters to new users as well, which options they have. New users won't be able to choose the drive manufacturer they trust most. They won't be able to buy the drives that are available in their region, are on sale, etc. They won't be able to use drivers larger than those Synology supports and the moment the largest Synology drives are not very large. Finally, even new users will be forced to pay the Synology tax on hardware, they could buy from the OEM (Toshiba?!) for less money.launch

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May 2, 2025

Long-time Synology owners, some with 15+ years of loyalty and multiple past purchases, say the DS925+'s policies have permanently damaged their trust, with many vowing never to buy Synology again regardless of future changes.

@MaartenT

It can be the best NAS ever created, I am not touching Synology stuff ever again and I have had 5 or 6 of their units over 15 years or so (I am still running 3 of them). The trust is gone with their anti-consumer bs.launch

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May 2, 2025

@salmp7

This is the end of synology. Sad but truth. Not gonna buy anymore from them.launch

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May 2, 2025

@MattAK

My DS923+ was my first and last Synology. Too bad, as it's been a decent NAS for what I need but I'll be going back to DIY once this one is ready for replacement.launch

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May 2, 2025

@Driveby-Viktum

i'm running an old DS918+ and love it. i was given it used, as a gift, and thought Synology was a rockstar with their NAS devices (2020 or so). Now? Yeah, no , I'll be building my own from now on. What a horrible company.launch

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May 2, 2025

Several reviewers note the DS925+ reuses a similar chassis and CPU generation as prior models for years, with one estimating the actual cost increase for upgraded ethernet is minimal, suggesting the price hike is more about drive-lock profit than real hardware advancement.

@dekallo

I've been a Synology owner for 9 years and have been anxiously awaiting the release of a new 4-bay for a year at least. But recycling the same CPU they've been using since the x21 series and blocking DSM install + future upgrades using even high-quality NAS drives like WD Red Pro has left me very disappointed. At the higher capacities Synology-branded hard drives are so much more expensive than WD's NAS line that Synology drives are no longer a viable option.launch

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May 2, 2025

@yitspaerl7255

For years, Synology was a reliable choice for me and many of my customers—simple, intuitive, and stable.\n\r\nHowever, over time, Synology's hardware began to fall behind. Sluggish CPUs, insufficient memory, limited expandability—until the point where I could no longer support virtualization on high-end Synology NAS systems. And these were expensive systems.\n\r\nSynology continued to release devices with underpowered processors and limited RAM, while also failing to adopt higher ethernet speeds. That’s where they lost me—and my customers.\n\r\nAt first glance, their new hardware seems promising. But it comes with a restrictive policiy. Synology now requires me to purchase their proprietary disks. Sorry, but I prefer to choose my own.\n\r\nHow do I explain to a customer that, after a system crash, their NAS only accepts Synology-branded disks and refuses others from reputable manufacturers? How do I tell them—while their business is at a standstill—that they must wait three days (example only) for Synology disks before they can resume operations?\n\r\nThe customer will decide for themselves. This leaves me no choice.\n\r\nAnyway, thanks again for another excellent review.launch

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May 2, 2025

@DaystromDataConcepts

I seriously doubt Synology is making a loss or just breaking even on this hardware. They've used the same chassis for years, dropped 10GbE connectivity and replaced 1GbE Ethernet with 2/5GbE Ethernet at an additional cost to them of probably under $10. What you're paying for, what you've always paid for with Synology, is DSM.launch

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May 2, 2025

@HaydonRyan

My ds1819+ is my last synology. I’m not seeing value in why I would upgrade to newer models. Sybokogy needs to learn it needs to show value for existing people for them to upgrade. 2.5G should have been standard years ago. 10gbit and dedicated nvme. Rack mount still doesn’t have it on the base. Over time I’ve found that I use my synology mostly as a docker host plus basic nas functions. A second hand dell R240 in my opinion beats this hands down. \n\nShow people the new value your devices are providing and you’ll sell more. It’s clear synology are trying to maximize their profits and reduce their costs. Compared to my existing 6 year old unit i get, slightly faster cpu, same power consumption, same noise, less network, same software. Why would i upgrade (I realize I’m not comparing the same products. While I’m interested in what the new DS1825+ I would never buy one.launch

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May 2, 2025

Commenters cite the loss of Intel Quick Sync hardware transcoding, several first-party apps, and third-party USB device support compared to earlier Synology generations, reducing the unit's usefulness for media and general home tasks.

@DeaconGames

I’m no longer buying any Synology products, they removed all freedom of using any drive you want, they removed 10gbe, removed igpu’s, removed many first party apps and removed support for third party usb devices like Ethernet adapters\n\nWhat a terrible way to go.\n\nI’m in the mids of creating my 16 core threadripper unraid server (I might also try truenas before committing to unraid) where I have as much freedom as i want to use any hardware I want.\n\nI also have a ugreen dxp4800 plus which is so much better in terms of hardwarelaunch

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May 2, 2025

@Unamatrix01

As a mechanical engineer that uses NAS devices from Synology,Western Digital,D-Link and QNap in my home office as well as professionally.I think Synology's hard drive mandate along with the removal of support for on device real-time transodeing is a mistake.I understand the reduced trouble shooting for their customer service department along with reduced RMA requests.However not allowing the use of NAS hard drives from Western Digital Red and Seagate Iron Wolf drives is quite perplexing.I think Synology will see a reduction in their NAS devices being purchased for home use as a primary function of home NAS setups is to stream media across a network to other devices.This creates an opportunity for other NAS device manufacturers such as Western Digital,QNap,Ugreen and others to fill the void.launch

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April 24, 2025

@hardydrachmann8038

920+ had intel quick sync which was a win for media server usage, that we lost in the 923+, then they removed a lot of the great synology apps, no we got the hdd restrictions with the 925+ and they arent even synology manufactured drives. Its pretty clear to me they are moving towards a business oriented marked instead. Is it wise... Time will tell, i for one will not go synology anymore. \n\nThanks for the vid.launch

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April 24, 2025

One commenter singles out the power connector as poorly designed, noting the cable can drop out from the back of the unit.

@mvp_kryptonite

The worst power connector on earth. You look at the back of it and the cable drops outlaunch

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May 2, 2025