DS224+ or TR-004: the smarter storage buy for your setup

Display

Neither product has a display in the normal consumer sense, so this category is really about front-panel feedback and usability. The Synology DS224+ is a self-contained NAS with a cleaner, more polished appliance-style experience, while the QNAP TR-004 is a more utilitarian expansion box with basic status indicators. Winner: Synology DS224+. It offers a more complete, user-friendly package because it is designed to operate as the main system rather than just a storage add-on.

Performance

This is where the products diverge sharply. The DS224+ is a full NAS, so it includes its own Intel Celeron-class processor, runs Synology DSM, supports apps, file services, media handling, backups, and can act as a Plex server, Docker host, or general home-lab file server. The TR-004 does not have the same role: it is primarily a USB-C attached expansion enclosure with 4 bays, meant to extend storage rather than provide computing power. If used in direct-attached mode, performance is limited by the host connection and the capabilities of the computer or NAS it is attached to. Winner: Synology DS224+, by a wide margin, because it is an actual NAS platform rather than just a disk shelf.

Build quality and design

Both are desktop units, but they are built for different jobs. The DS224+ is compact and tidy, with 2 bays, a small footprint, and Synology’s typically restrained industrial design. The TR-004 is larger because it houses 4 drives, and it is built more like a storage expansion chassis than a complete appliance. If your priority is a neat all-in-one box on a shelf or in a home office, the Synology feels more integrated. If your priority is maximum drive count per pound and you already have a host device, the QNAP’s simpler design is perfectly functional. Winner: Synology DS224+ for overall refinement, though the TR-004 is practical and straightforward.

Battery life

Neither product has a battery, so this category does not apply in the usual consumer-electronics sense. In a storage context, the more relevant issue is power continuity and data safety. The DS224+ is the better choice for a complete storage system because it can be paired with UPS management, scheduled shutdowns, and integrated software alerts through DSM. The TR-004 depends on the host system for those protections and offers less standalone intelligence. Winner: Synology DS224+, because it provides better control and safer shutdown behaviour as part of a complete NAS stack.

Price and value for money

On sticker price alone, the QNAP TR-004 wins easily at £290.76 versus £490.67 for the Synology DS224+, a difference of £199.91. That lower price is meaningful if you already own a NAS or PC that needs more bays, because you are paying mainly for 4 additional drive slots rather than a whole operating system and CPU platform. But value is not just about upfront cost. The DS224+ includes the core NAS functionality you would otherwise need to buy elsewhere: storage management, shared folders, backups, user accounts, apps, and remote access. For a first-time buyer, the Synology is the better value overall because it is a complete solution; for an existing NAS owner needing expansion, the QNAP is the cheaper and more sensible purchase. Winner: tie, depending on your starting point.

Game library/features

If by features we mean the software ecosystem, this is a clear Synology win. The DS224+ runs Synology DSM, which is one of the strongest NAS operating systems for home users and small businesses, with excellent backup tools, snapshots, media services, file sync, and broad app support. It is also a much better fit for Plex and self-hosting tasks, thanks to its onboard CPU and the flexibility of a true NAS OS. The TR-004 has far fewer features because it is not intended to be a standalone server; its job is to present disks to another system. It can be used as DAS, RAID expansion, or a simple storage enclosure, but it does not compete on software depth. Winner: Synology DS224+.

Overall user experience

The DS224+ is the easier product to recommend for most buyers because it is the one that actually gets you to a working NAS with minimal fuss. You install drives, configure DSM, and immediately have a proper storage server for Time Machine, PC backups, media streaming, and remote access. The TR-004 is best understood as a specialist accessory: excellent if you already have a compatible NAS or workstation and simply need four more bays, but not a substitute for a NAS on its own. In a head-to-head comparison for someone choosing a primary storage device, the Synology delivers a far better out-of-the-box experience. Winner: Synology DS224+.

Overall summary: if you want a complete, dependable NAS for home or small-office use, the Synology DS224+ is the clear winner. If you already have a host system and just need cheap extra capacity, the QNAP TR-004 is the better value. For most people searching these two products as direct alternatives, the Synology is the safer and more capable buy.