Synology DS224+ vs DS225+

Keep a working Synology DS224+ if it already finishes your backups and file transfers comfortably; choose the DS225+ for a new purchase when its faster network port serves your setup. Synology's specifications give both the same Intel Celeron J4125 processor, while Ethernet changes from two 1GbE ports to one 2.5GbE plus one 1GbE port. Our upgrade recommendation therefore depends on the network path and workload, rather than the model year: DS224+ specifications, DS225+ specifications.

Quick picks

Compare specifications and all conditions

Happy DS224+ owner

Our pick

Keep it

What should decide it

Identify a task that actually needs improvement before replacing the enclosure.

First NAS, choosing between these models

Our pick

DS225+

What should decide it

Its 2.5GbE port gives a faster wired connection when the rest of the path supports it.

Large local copies already limited by a gigabit connection

Our pick

Consider DS225+

What should decide it

Confirm the switch, computer adapter and storage can benefit.

Found a DS224+ old-stock offer

Our pick

Conditional purchase

What should decide it

Verify exact contents, seller, condition and warranty eligibility; see the regional availability conflict below.

Need more drive bays or a different CPU

Our pick

Broaden the shortlist

What should decide it

Both have two bays and the same processor; see our home NAS guide.

Full comparison table ↔

Swipe to compare. Row labels stay visible.

Your situation	Our pick	What should decide it
Happy DS224+ owner	Keep it	Identify a task that actually needs improvement before replacing the enclosure.
First NAS, choosing between these models	DS225+	Its 2.5GbE port gives a faster wired connection when the rest of the path supports it.
Large local copies already limited by a gigabit connection	Consider DS225+	Confirm the switch, computer adapter and storage can benefit.
Found a DS224+ old-stock offer	Conditional purchase	Verify exact contents, seller, condition and warranty eligibility; see the regional availability conflict below.
Need more drive bays or a different CPU	Broaden the shortlist	Both have two bays and the same processor; see our home NAS guide.

Your situation	Our pick	What should decide it
Happy DS224+ owner	Keep it	Identify a task that actually needs improvement before replacing the enclosure.
First NAS, choosing between these models	DS225+	Its 2.5GbE port gives a faster wired connection when the rest of the path supports it.
Large local copies already limited by a gigabit connection	Consider DS225+	Confirm the switch, computer adapter and storage can benefit.
Found a DS224+ old-stock offer	Conditional purchase	Verify exact contents, seller, condition and warranty eligibility; see the regional availability conflict below.
Need more drive bays or a different CPU	Broaden the shortlist	Both have two bays and the same processor; see our home NAS guide.

DS224+ vs DS225+: the differences that matter

These are manufacturer specifications, not measured performance. The linked specification PDFs above supply the hardware and software rows; current support entries are explained below.

The DS225+ adds neither drive bays nor a higher supported RAM ceiling. Our reading: it is a useful connection upgrade for the right owner, with little specification-based reason to expect a transformation in CPU-bound jobs. Check your required applications and their memory requirements before changing hardware.

Best new purchase of these two: Synology DS225+

For a first purchase, we favor the DS225+ for its 2.5GbE connection and longer standard hardware warranty. Its second Ethernet port remains gigabit, so identify the faster socket when wiring it up. The official product page shows the port positions.

Buy it to improve a suitable wired storage connection, or to start a new DSM setup. If your reason is a more powerful processor, greater memory capacity or more drive slots, use the comparison table to reconsider the shortlist.

Best value for a satisfied owner: keep the DS224+

We would keep it for workloads that already meet their deadlines. Both models list Drive, Photos, Hyper Backup and Snapshot Replication; moving boxes is unnecessary just to retain those applications. If transfers are slow, diagnose the cause before treating the newer enclosure as the remedy.

Support is separate from availability. Checked November 2, 2026, Synology's US status page lists the DS224+ as Generally Available, while its global status page lists Discontinued. Both list Full firmware/software updates and Full technical support. Synology defines discontinued as no longer manufactured, and full technical support includes repair/replacement within the warranty period. These entries establish neither a seller's inventory nor a dated promise of future updates.

For an old-stock offer, request the exact model, condition, included drives, invoice and applicable warranty terms before ordering. The standard DS224+ hardware warranty is two years versus three for DS225+, and Synology says the period starts from the purchase date on the receipt. Evaluate the whole purchase, including disks and backup equipment. This guide does not verify any DS224+ listing or current stock.

Trace the connection to your own computer

For an ordinary single-connection transfer, our wiring rule is to check every Ethernet link on the actual path. The DS225+'s 2.5GbE socket alone cannot establish a faster end-to-end connection. Synology's transfer troubleshooting guide calls for checking negotiated link speed, the switch/router, cable and client, as well as NAS storage and CPU utilization.

These are connection deductions, not throughput forecasts. For local storage, sketch the path from NAS to computer rather than starting with your internet subscription. Our suggested layout is to put both devices on the same multi-gig switch; mark any intervening router or switch uplink if your layout differs.

An optional companion is the QNAP QSW-1108-8T-R2: QNAP specifies eight 2.5GbE RJ45 ports, unmanaged operation and a fanless design. Match the R2 suffix. Check each computer's adapter separately; the switch negotiates speeds according to connected devices. See multi-gig switches for other layouts.

1. 1

   NAS socket

   Record the socket used and negotiated speed in DSM Control Panel → Network → Network Interface.

2. 2

   Switch path

   Record each port and uplink between the NAS and computer, then the computer adapter's negotiated speed.

3. 3

   Workload

   Copy representative files and inspect CPU and disk utilization in Resource Monitor before buying replacement hardware.

What about the DS224+'s two Ethernet ports?

Synology distinguishes SMB3 Multichannel from Link Aggregation. Multichannel can enhance a single client's SMB throughput using multiple connections; link aggregation targets aggregate server throughput across users and devices. Simply connecting both sockets does not configure either feature.

For an owner willing to configure compatible clients and interfaces, investigate Multichannel before replacing the DS224+. Follow Synology's linked DSM/client requirements and deployment rules. Do not add the DS225+'s mixed-speed ports together and treat that sum as a single file-transfer speed.

Separate a network limit from a storage or workload limit

Follow Synology's diagnostic order: compare clients, check the connection, then inspect the storage pool, drives and system load. Its guide specifically calls out pool repair/expansion activity, high drive utilization and high CPU utilization. Use a representative large-file copy and your usual file set to judge whether the change would address your actual work.

Our decision rule: if storage or CPU is already the constraint, establish why before replacing a machine with the same processor and supported RAM ceiling. For a media server, assess the playback job you need rather than assuming a newer model number guarantees better transcoding.

• Yes: Consider upgrading: a useful transfer is network-limited and the computer and switch path can use the faster port.
• Partly: Diagnose first: drives, pool maintenance or a busy CPU appear to be the constraint.
• No: Broaden the shortlist: you need additional bays or a higher supported memory ceiling.

Diskless, drive bundles and third-party drives

Treat enclosure model and included storage as separate buying decisions. Synology states that DS224+ storage drives are sold separately; the DS225+ packaging list specifies the main unit, accessories, power equipment and LAN cables. For any reseller bundle, verify the exact drive models, quantities and condition instead of treating a capacity in the title as usable mirrored space.

Both support RAID 1. Synology's RAID explanation gives its capacity as the smallest drive's size: with two equal drives, plan on one drive's nominal capacity before filesystem overhead. Budget for a separate recoverable backup as well.

Drive policy depends on DSM. Synology's current compatibility policy allows third-party HDDs and 2.5-inch SATA SSDs for new storage pools on 2025 DiskStation Plus models with DSM 7.3 and above; drives on its incompatibility list remain excluded. The policy says it does not apply retroactively to earlier systems. Confirm the destination DSM version and exact drive eligibility before buying or migrating.

One wording conflict matters: the DS225+ datasheet requires compatible drives, while the DSM-specific policy explicitly permits unlisted HDDs in its DS Plus table. Use the policy for your installed DSM and distinguish installation permission from validation.

An optional drive example is the WD Red Plus 8TB WD80EFPX. WD's model-specific specifications identify it as a 3.5-inch SATA CMR drive. Match WD80EFPX, rather than only “Red Plus” or capacity, and check the Synology compatibility list for your NAS. An allowed third-party drive and an individually validated drive are different checks. More choices: NAS hard drives.

Plan migration before touching the drives

Synology's CPU and package-architecture list identifies DS224+ as Geminilake and DS225+ as Geminilakenk. Both appear in Group 3 of its migration matrix. Our reading is that HDD migration merits consideration, subject to that matrix's exceptions, drive compatibility and supported DSM/file systems.

HDD migration preserves the pool and volume settings and requires reinstalling DSM and packages, with some data/settings lost or reset. If changing drives or storage layout, compare Migration Assistant and Hyper Backup against their requirements instead. Read the complete official HDD migration procedure before proceeding.

The procedure calls for exporting configuration, finishing a Hyper Backup task, retaining encryption recovery keys where applicable, shutting down both systems and preserving drive order. Add our recoverability check: restore sample files to another location before moving anything. Keep only the source drives installed during migration, and stop if setup offers to format or erase them. Afterward, check packages, access and network settings; Synology says HDD migration does not transfer network-related settings.

1. 1

   Back up and prove recovery

   Export configuration, complete the backup, restore sample files elsewhere and retain any encryption keys.

2. 2

   Check eligibility

   Read the model, drive, DSM and file-system requirements and the migration exceptions.

3. 3

   Move the complete set safely

   Shut down both systems, preserve drive order and complete migration before adding new drives.

4. 4

   Verify services

   Confirm a migratable system, stop at any erase warning, then check packages, network access and backup jobs.

How we choose

This comparison uses official Synology specifications, support status and migration documentation, plus QNAP and WD specifications for the optional companions, checked November 2, 2026. Recommendations and connection deductions are ours; no physical product testing informs them. Full method: How we choose.

Verdict

Keep the DS224+ when it meets your needs. Buy the DS225+ when starting fresh between these two, or when a confirmed network bottleneck and compatible equipment justify its faster port. For old stock, resolve contents, warranty and the regional availability discrepancy first. Verify your backup and migration plan before moving drives.