Cheaper 2-bay simplicity or 4-bay expansion power?

Display

Neither product has a display or screen, so this category is not relevant in the usual sense. If you mean user interface quality, Synology’s DSM is widely regarded as the cleaner, more polished experience, while QNAP’s QTS is more feature-rich but can feel busier. Winner: Synology DS224+ for simpler day-to-day use.

Performance

Both units use Intel Celeron-class processors aimed at home NAS workloads, but the QNAP TS-464-8G-US has the stronger hardware platform overall. It comes with 8GB of RAM out of the box, dual 2.5GbE ports, and two M.2 PCIe slots for SSD caching or fast storage pools. The DS224+ is more modest: 2 bays, less expansion, and typically a more basic networking setup, though it is still perfectly capable for backups, file sharing, and a Plex server with modest transcoding needs. For multi-user access, VM-style workloads, or heavier media serving, the QNAP wins clearly. Winner: QNAP TS-464-8G-US.

Build quality and design

Both are desktop NAS units with a focus on quiet operation and home-friendly sizing. Synology’s DS224+ is smaller, simpler, and easier to place on a shelf or desk, with a clean industrial design and a reputation for excellent software-hardware integration. The QNAP TS-464-8G-US is physically larger because it has four drive bays, but that extra size buys real flexibility: you can start with two or three drives and expand later without replacing the chassis. If you value compactness and a tidy footprint, Synology wins; if you value long-term hardware flexibility, QNAP wins. Winner: Tie, depending on whether you prioritise compact design or expansion.

Battery life

Neither NAS has a battery in the laptop sense, so this category does not apply. If the intent is power efficiency, the Synology DS224+ is generally the better fit for a low-power home setup because it has fewer bays and a simpler platform. The QNAP will typically draw more power once populated, especially with four HDDs and NVMe cache installed. Winner: Synology DS224+ for lower likely running costs.

Price and value for money

This is where the decision becomes very clear. The DS224+ costs £478.09, while the TS-464-8G-US costs £725.00, a difference of £246.91. For that extra money, QNAP gives you two additional drive bays, 8GB RAM, dual 2.5GbE, and M.2 PCIe slots, which is strong value if you know you’ll use those features. But if your needs are basic NAS storage, backup, and occasional streaming, the Synology is the better-value buy because you are not paying for capacity and connectivity you may never use. Winner: Synology DS224+ for most buyers; QNAP only wins if you need the extra hardware.

Game library/features

These are NAS devices, not gaming products, so there is no game library. Translating this to features, QNAP is the more feature-dense platform: 4 bays, NVMe support, and 2.5GbE make it better for advanced storage layouts, faster file transfers, and future growth. Synology counters with a more refined ecosystem and a reputation for easier setup, better backup workflows, and less tinkering. If “features” means raw hardware capability, QNAP wins; if it means ease of use and sensible software, Synology wins. Winner: Tie, with QNAP for hardware features and Synology for software experience.

Overall user experience

For most home users, Synology delivers the smoother experience. DSM is usually easier to learn, easier to maintain, and less likely to overwhelm you with options, which matters if you want a NAS that just works for Time Machine, PC backups, photo storage, and Plex libraries. QNAP’s TS-464-8G-US is the better machine for enthusiasts who want to grow into faster networking, SSD caching, and larger RAID arrays such as RAID 5 or RAID 10 across four drives. It is the more capable platform, but it also asks for a bigger upfront investment and a bit more confidence in configuration choices. If you want a straightforward NAS for a couple of drives, Synology is the safer and smarter buy. If you want a serious home lab NAS with room to expand, QNAP is the stronger long-term platform.

Overall summary: the QNAP TS-464-8G-US is the better NAS on paper, with more bays, more RAM, faster networking, and M.2 support. However, the Synology DS224+ is the better buy for most people because it is much cheaper, simpler, and still fully capable for typical home storage and media tasks. Choose Synology for value and ease; choose QNAP for performance, expandability, and future-proofing.