Synology DS224+ or QNAP TR-004: the right storage choice for your setup

Display

Neither product has a display, screen, or front-panel UI in the way a consumer device might. There is no winner here on display quality because neither is designed around a screen-based experience. Instead, you manage the Synology DS224+ through Synology DSM in a web browser, while the QNAP TR-004 is managed through QNAP’s utility software and whatever host device it is attached to. Winner: tie, because display quality simply does not apply.

Performance

This is where the products diverge sharply. The Synology DS224+ is a full NAS with an Intel Celeron-class processor, 2 drive bays, and enough capability for file serving, backups, media streaming, Docker, and light Plex duties. It connects to your network directly, so multiple devices can access it independently, and it can run services continuously without needing a PC switched on. The QNAP TR-004 has no CPU of its own for NAS duties; it is a 4-bay direct-attached storage enclosure that depends on the host machine for intelligence and file sharing. In pure storage expansion terms, the TR-004 gives you more bays, but in actual system performance the DS224+ wins because it is a complete server rather than a passive box. Winner: Synology DS224+.

Build quality and design

Both products are aimed at practical home-lab users rather than flashy consumers. The Synology DS224+ is a compact 2-bay desktop NAS with a metal chassis and a clean, understated design that fits well in a study, utility room, or living room. It is built to be left on 24/7 and integrates neatly into a network environment. The QNAP TR-004 is also a desktop unit, but it is more utilitarian: four drive bays in a straightforward expansion chassis, with the emphasis on capacity rather than standalone intelligence. If you want a polished appliance that feels like a finished NAS, Synology wins. If you want a no-nonsense box to hold more disks, the QNAP is perfectly sensible, but less elegant as a primary device. Winner: Synology DS224+.

Battery life

Neither product has a battery, so this category does not apply in a literal sense. What matters instead is operational independence and resilience. The Synology DS224+ can stay online as its own always-on storage server as long as it has mains power and network connectivity, while the TR-004 cannot function as a standalone service without a host computer or compatible NAS. In that practical sense, Synology offers far better “always available” behaviour. Winner: Synology DS224+.

Price and value for money

Here the QNAP TR-004 has a major advantage on sticker price: £289.31 versus £707.03 for the Synology DS224+, a difference of £417.72. If you already own a compatible NAS or PC and simply need four additional bays, the TR-004 is far better value because you are paying for storage expansion only. However, if you need a complete NAS from scratch, the DS224+ is not overpriced in the context of what it includes: CPU, OS, apps, network connectivity, and a polished management experience. The QNAP wins on raw price, but only if you truly need expansion rather than a full solution. Winner: QNAP TR-004.

Game library/features

Neither product is a gaming device, so “game library” does not apply. If we translate this to features, the Synology DS224+ clearly wins because it offers a much broader software ecosystem: shared folders, snapshots, backup jobs, remote access, media indexing, surveillance options, and Docker support for many home-lab workflows. The TR-004 is much more limited, functioning mainly as extra storage with RAID support when attached to a host. For Plex users, backup-heavy households, or anyone building a self-hosted stack, the DS224+ is in a different league. Winner: Synology DS224+.

Overall user experience

The Synology DS224+ is the better experience for most people because it is self-contained, easier to integrate into a home network, and more flexible over time. You get a proper NAS that can serve files to computers and laptops, run services, and grow into a more capable home server. The QNAP TR-004 is simpler in one sense, but it relies on another machine and is best treated as an add-on, not a foundation. If your goal is “buy one box and be done,” the Synology is the clear winner. If your goal is “I already have a NAS and need more bays cheaply,” the QNAP makes sense. Overall summary: Synology DS224+ is the definitive choice for a standalone NAS; QNAP TR-004 is the better buy only as an expansion device.