Ugreen vs Synology NAS 2026: AI NAS vs Legacy Platform

Key Takeaway

The network-attached storage market has been dominated by established players for decades, with Synology leading the pack for home and small business users. That landscape shifted dramatically at CES 2026, where Ugreen unveiled their next-generation NASync iDX Series, positioning themselves not as a budget alternative, but as a premium AI-powered NAS platform.

Known for charging accessories and computer peripherals, Ugreen has evolved into a serious NAS competitor. The NASync series is now widely available through Amazon, B&H, and major retailers, with their latest iDX models featuring dedicated AI processing capabilities that challenge Synology's software-first approach. Can AI-powered hardware truly compete with two decades of software refinement?

The Hardware Showdown: Where Ugreen Flexes Its Muscles

The 2026 Flagship: Ugreen NASync iDX6011 Pro

At CES 2026, Ugreen unveiled their most ambitious NAS yet: the iDX6011 Pro, featuring a dedicated AI engine and specifications that dwarf previous generations. This isn't an incremental update—it's a complete platform shift targeting video editors, AI researchers, and businesses requiring local AI processing.

iDX6011 Pro Key Specifications:

Processor: Intel Core Ultra 7 255H (AI-optimized architecture)
AI Engine: 96 TOPS dedicated NPU (Neural Processing Unit) for local AI workloads
Memory: 64GB LPDDR5X (standard configuration, not expandable)
Networking: Dual 10GbE ports with link aggregation support
Expansion: OCuLink port for external GPU connectivity (targeting video editing workflows)
Thunderbolt 4: Dual TB4 ports (40Gbps each)
Storage: 6 SATA bays + 2 M.2 NVMe slots
Price: $2,599 MSRP / $1,559 pre-order (limited time)

The OCuLink port is particularly noteworthy—it enables connecting external GPUs for hardware-accelerated video encoding, AI model training, or rendering workloads. This positions the iDX6011 Pro as a workstation-class device, not just network storage.

Specification	iDX6011 Pro (2026)	DS1825+ (2025)
Processor	Intel Core Ultra 7 255H	AMD Ryzen V1500B (2.2GHz)
AI Engine	96 TOPS NPU	None (cloud-dependent)
Memory	64GB LPDDR5X (standard)	8GB DDR4 ECC (expandable to 32GB)
Networking	Dual 10GbE	Dual 2.5GbE
Expansion	OCuLink (external GPU)	PCIe Gen 3 slot
Drive Bays	6 SATA + 2 M.2 NVMe	8 SATA + 2 M.2 NVMe
Drive Policy	Open (any brand)	Restricted (see warning below)
HDMI Output	No	No
Price	$1,559 (pre-order) / $2,599 MSRP	$899-$999

Note on HDMI: Neither the Ugreen iDX6011 Pro nor the Synology DS1825+ include HDMI output. This is a common misconception—Synology removed HDMI from their Plus series models.

Synology DS1825+: The Refined Conservative

Synology's 2025 DS1825+ represents an incremental upgrade from the DS1621+, finally addressing the networking bottleneck with 2.5GbE ports while maintaining their software-first philosophy. The focus remains on DSM (DiskStation Manager) maturity rather than raw hardware specs.

DS1825+ Key Specifications:

AMD Ryzen V1500B quad-core processor (2.2GHz)
8GB DDR4 ECC RAM (expandable to 32GB)
Dual 2.5GbE ports (upgrade from previous 1GbE)
8 SATA drive bays + 2 M.2 NVMe slots
PCIe Gen 3 expansion slot
No Thunderbolt connectivity
No HDMI output (removed from Plus series models)

For a detailed analysis of Synology's complete ecosystem, see our comprehensive Synology NAS review and business implementation guide.

Hardware Verdict: The Power Balance Has Shifted

Ugreen's iDX6011 Pro represents a paradigm shift—this is no longer a value play. At $2,599 MSRP, it's nearly 3x the cost of the DS1825+, but delivers workstation-class specifications. The 96 TOPS AI engine and OCuLink connectivity target professional workflows (video editing, AI development) that Synology doesn't address.

For traditional NAS use cases (file storage, Plex, backups), the DS1825+ delivers better cost efficiency. For AI-intensive workflows or those requiring local processing, the iDX6011 Pro is in a class by itself.

View iDX6011 Pro Specs View DS1825+ Pricing

The Real 2026 Differentiator: Local AI vs Cloud

The biggest shift in 2026 isn't speed—it's intelligence. Ugreen's new iDX Series features a dedicated "Local AI Engine" (NPU - Neural Processing Unit) that runs entirely on the device, delivering 96 TOPS (Trillion Operations Per Second) of AI performance. This enables capabilities that were previously impossible on consumer NAS hardware.

What the NPU Enables:

Universal Search: Find documents by describing concepts rather than filenames. For example, search for "contract with the Chicago client about the warehouse project" without knowing the file is named "Agreement_Final_v3.pdf"
Offline Voice Transcription: Convert meeting recordings to text locally, with no data leaving your network
Smart Photo Organization: AI-powered facial recognition and scene detection that runs on-device
Privacy-First Processing: Medical practices, law firms, and financial services can use AI features without cloud exposure

How Synology's AI Approach Differs

Synology's DSM 7.3 added AI features, but they rely on older CPU processing or cloud offloading. The DS1825+'s AMD Ryzen V1500B can handle some machine learning tasks, but lacks dedicated AI acceleration hardware. Result: slower performance and often requiring Synology's cloud services for heavier AI workloads.

For Privacy-Conscious Businesses:

If you handle sensitive data (legal documents, patient records, financial information), Ugreen's on-device AI processing means your data never touches third-party servers. Synology's cloud-dependent approach for advanced AI features may conflict with HIPAA, GDPR, or client confidentiality requirements.

Who Benefits Most from Local AI?

Law firms: Contract analysis and document search without cloud exposure
Medical practices: HIPAA-compliant transcription and records management
Video production: Real-time scene detection and metadata tagging
Research institutions: Local model training on proprietary datasets

Check iDX6011 Pro Availability

Software: The Great Divide

Synology's DSM: The Gold Standard

Synology's DiskStation Manager (DSM) represents over 20 years of refinement. It's where the company truly shines:

DSM Strengths:

Comprehensive app ecosystem: Hundreds of first-party and third-party applications
Enterprise features: Advanced snapshot technology, IP SAN support, comprehensive backup solutions
Mobile integration: Polished iOS and Android apps for remote access
Security: Robust user management, two-factor authentication, comprehensive logging
Documentation: Extensive guides, tutorials, and community support

Ugreen's UGOS Pro: Promising but Developing

Ugreen's operating system shows promise but clearly needs time to mature:

UGOS Pro Current State:

Clean interface: Modern, intuitive design reminiscent of DSM
Essential features: File management, media streaming, Docker support
Limited app selection: Currently, around 16 applications are available
Missing enterprise features: No snapshot support, limited backup options, no IP SAN
Active development: Regular OTA updates with new features planned

Upcoming UGOS Features (Roadmap):

AI model management and LLM-based chatbot
Enhanced photo organization with AI recognition
Smart meeting summarization
Improved monitoring and security tools

Software Verdict

Synology maintains a substantial advantage in software maturity, but Ugreen's development roadmap and modern architecture suggest the gap will narrow over time.

The Value Proposition Battle

Where Ugreen Wins

1. Hardware Price-to-Performance

Ugreen's DXP6800 Pro offers enterprise-grade hardware at prosumer prices. The dual 10GbE ports alone would cost hundreds to add to a Synology system.

2. The "Synology Drive" Controversy: A 2026 Update

⚠️ Synology's Drive Restriction Attempt

In mid-2025, Synology attempted to lock the DS1825+ to purely Synology-branded hard drives—a move that would have forced users into expensive proprietary storage. After massive community backlash (including threats of class-action lawsuits), they "walked back" this policy in DSM 7.3 (October 2025).

The Current Reality: You can use third-party drives (Seagate/WD) again, but the system may still flag them as "Unverified" in the logs or disable advanced analytics. It's annoying, but no longer a dealbreaker—just be prepared for the warning lights.

Ugreen's Approach: Unlike Synology, Ugreen supports any standard SATA drive or M.2 SSD, giving users complete flexibility in storage choices. This approach aligns with industry standards for storage device compatibility and reduces long-term costs.

Recommended NAS Drives: For reliable RAID storage, consider proven options like WD Red Plus 4TB or Seagate IronWolf 4TB—both work flawlessly in either platform.

3. Future-Proofing

The modern Intel processors, DDR5 memory, and Thunderbolt 4 connectivity ensure these systems will remain relevant longer than competing Synology models. Thunderbolt 4's 40Gbps bandwidth provides substantial headroom for future expansion.

4. Third-Party OS Support

Ugreen officially supports installing alternative operating systems like TrueNAS or Unraid while maintaining hardware warranty coverage.

Where Synology Maintains Advantages

1. Software Ecosystem Maturity

DSM's comprehensive feature set and extensive app library remain unmatched for users who need turnkey solutions.

2. Enterprise Reliability

Two decades of enterprise deployments have proven Synology's reliability and support infrastructure. NAS systems often serve as the backbone of comprehensive business backup strategies, where reliability is paramount.

3. Global Support Network

Established support channels and worldwide service availability provide peace of mind for business deployments.

4. Long-term Updates

Synology's track record of providing software updates for 6+ years ensures long-term value.

Real-World Performance Insights

Based on early user reviews and testing, the performance story is nuanced:

Network Performance: Ugreen's dual 10GbE implementation delivers exceptional throughput, with users reporting sustained transfers exceeding 1GB/s in RAID configurations. This high-speed connectivity becomes especially valuable when upgrading your office network infrastructure to handle multi-gigabit speeds.

Processing Power: The modern Intel processors handle multiple 4K streams and Docker containers more efficiently than Synology's older AMD chips.

Storage Flexibility: Users appreciate the ability to mix different drive types and brands without compatibility warnings or restrictions.

Setup Experience: Both platforms offer guided setup, but Synology's process is more refined and has better error handling and troubleshooting guidance.

Target Audience Analysis

Choose Ugreen If You:	Choose Synology If You:
Need local AI processing for privacy compliance	Need a mature, feature-complete software platform
Want workstation-class performance (video editing, AI development)	Require enterprise-grade backup and snapshot features
Plan to use third-party operating systems	Want extensive third-party app support
Need high-speed connectivity (10GbE, Thunderbolt 4, OCuLink)	Prioritize long-term support and stability
Have technical knowledge and budget for premium hardware	Prefer turnkey solutions and better cost efficiency
Handle sensitive data requiring on-device processing (HIPAA, GDPR)	Don't need AI features or can use cloud-based AI

Shop Ugreen NAS Shop Synology NAS

The Bigger Picture: Market Dynamics

Ugreen's entry represents more than just another NAS option—it reflects changing market demands. According to PCMag reader satisfaction surveys, Synology scores 9.2 out of 10 in overall satisfaction. Yet, Ugreen's availability demonstrates a significant appetite for alternatives, particularly as established companies implement restrictive hardware policies.

The NASync series is now readily available through Amazon, B&H Photo, Micro Center, and other major retailers, making it a viable mainstream alternative rather than a niche, crowdfunded product. This accessibility has positioned Ugreen as a legitimate competitor in the established NAS market.

Synology's recent moves toward vendor restrictions have prompted some customers to explore alternatives, creating an opportunity that Ugreen has addressed effectively. The newcomer's commitment to open hardware compatibility and competitive pricing targets key concerns with existing solutions.

Introducing Ugreen NASync

Retrospective: Did Ugreen Deliver? (2024-2026)

When Ugreen entered the NAS market in 2024, we predicted they would need 2 years to stabilize their software and prove themselves as more than just a hardware provider. Now, at the start of 2026, here's the report card:

Stability: ✅ Passed. UGOS Pro is now stable enough for daily driver use. The early firmware bugs (file corruption risks, random reboots) have been resolved. Small businesses can trust it for production workloads.

App Ecosystem: ⚠️ Mixed Results. Ugreen missed the mark on third-party developer support. The app library remains limited (~25 apps vs Synology's 200+). Power users still rely heavily on Docker containers for functionality that Synology offers natively (automation tools, advanced backup solutions, specialized media servers).

The Surprise We Didn't Predict: The AI pivot. In 2024, we expected Ugreen to compete on price and specs. We didn't anticipate they would pivot so aggressively to local AI processing. The OCuLink port on the iDX6011 Pro proves they're targeting video editors, AI researchers, and creative professionals—not just home users looking for cheap storage.

The Verdict: Ugreen has graduated from "interesting experiment" to "legitimate platform." But they've also abandoned the budget market. The $2,599 iDX6011 Pro isn't competing with the DS1825+ on price—it's competing with Mac Studios and high-end workstations.

View iDX6011 Pro Pre-Order

The Bottom Line

The NAS landscape in 2026 looks dramatically different from 2024. Ugreen's iDX Series represents a strategic pivot from "budget hardware contender" to "premium AI workstation." This isn't your typical Synology alternative anymore.

The New Reality:

Ugreen has evolved into a specialized platform for AI-intensive workflows, video production, and privacy-first computing. At $2,599, the iDX6011 Pro competes with professional workstations, not consumer NAS devices.
Synology remains the safe, mature choice for traditional NAS use cases: file storage, backup, media serving, and turnkey business solutions. Better cost efficiency for standard workloads.

The competition has forced both companies to innovate. Synology had to reverse their drive restrictions. Ugreen had to stabilize UGOS Pro. Both platforms are better for it.

2026 Buying Guide

Buy Synology DS1825+ if:

You want "set it and forget it" reliability with mature software
Don't need AI features or can use cloud-based AI services
Budget is $1,000 or less for the NAS itself
Need extensive app ecosystem and third-party support

Buy Ugreen iDX6011 Pro if:

You need a local AI server for privacy compliance (HIPAA, GDPR)
Want 10GbE speed and workstation-class performance
Plan to connect an external GPU via OCuLink for rendering/encoding
Handle video editing, AI development, or sensitive data processing

Where to Buy

Ugreen NASync iDX6011 Pro: Available for pre-order at $1,559 (limited time) via Ugreen's official store. Regular MSRP will be $2,599. Also available through B&H Photo and Micro Center.

Ugreen NASync (Budget Models): The older DXP series remains available from $296 (DXP2800) to $1,274 (DXP8800 Plus) on Ugreen's store. The mid-range UGREEN DXP4800 offers excellent value for small offices needing reliable 4-bay storage.

Synology DS1825+: Available through Amazon, B&H Photo, and authorized Synology resellers. Typically priced around $899-$999 for the diskless unit (8-bay configuration).

Recommended Hard Drives (for either platform):

WD Red Plus 4TB — Proven NAS reliability, 3-year warranty
Seagate IronWolf 4TB — Optimized for RAID, includes Rescue Data Recovery

Shop UGREEN NAS Shop Synology NAS

The 2026 NAS market offers two distinct philosophies: Ugreen's AI-powered workstation approach for privacy-conscious professionals and creative workflows, versus Synology's proven platform for traditional business storage. Both serve their audiences well—the choice depends on whether you need cutting-edge AI capabilities or battle-tested reliability.

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