For Mac video editors, the QNAP vs Synology decision is simpler than most NAS comparisons suggest. And it hinges on a single hardware fact that most buyers don't discover until after purchase: Synology does not make any NAS with a Thunderbolt port. If you're a Mac editor who needs direct-attach speed for ProRes or high-bitrate BRAW workflows, that one fact eliminates Synology from the shortlist entirely. If you're running a collaborative studio on 10GbE Ethernet, Synology becomes genuinely competitive again. This guide gives you the straight comparison so you can make the right call the first time.
For a full overview covering hardware, setup, and workflow planning, see our complete NAS video editing guide.
In short: Sole Mac editor cutting ProRes or high-bitrate footage → QNAP (only brand with Thunderbolt). Collaborative studio on 10GbE, or any Windows-first workflow → Synology competes on equal footing and wins on software ease. Mac editors who came from Drobo → QNAP, which matches Drobo's Thunderbolt advantage.
The Thunderbolt question: why it matters for Mac editors
Mac editors have been spoiled by Thunderbolt. Current Thunderbolt 3 and Thunderbolt 4 Macs support up to 40 Gbps, while Thunderbolt 2 Macs sold within the past decade were limited to 20 Gbps. Enough for direct-attach storage that behaves like an internal SSD. Drobo built its creative professional reputation on Thunderbolt. When Drobo ceased operations in 2023, it left a large cohort of Mac editors looking for a replacement that offered the same direct-attach capability.
Synology offers no Thunderbolt NAS; QNAP supports Thunderbolt Networking on select models, but QNAP is not the only NAS brand shipping Thunderbolt-equipped hardware. QNAP's Thunderbolt models connect directly to a Mac via Thunderbolt cable. No switch or separate Ethernet cable is required, but QNAP implements the Thunderbolt link as Thunderbolt-to-Ethernet networking; Finder mounts an SMB network share rather than a block-level directly attached drive. With an HDD RAID, the disks may be the bottleneck; QNAP Thunderbolt Networking is itself capped at 20 Gbps, so sufficiently fast SSD configurations can become connection-limited.: actual read performance varies with the NAS, storage configuration, workload and cache state.
Synology's absence from Thunderbolt is a deliberate product decision, not an oversight. Synology targets SMB IT environments where Ethernet is universal and Thunderbolt is irrelevant. For those environments, this is a sensible focus. For Mac creative professionals, it's a hard constraint.
QNAP vs Synology: Mac Video Editing Comparison
| QNAP | Synology | |
|---|---|---|
| Thunderbolt support | Yes (select models. TVS-h674T, TVS-h874T) | No. Ethernet only |
| Max direct-attach speed | Up to 2,000+ MB/s (NVMe cache + Thunderbolt) | N/A. No direct attach |
| 10GbE support | Yes (most h-series, x-series) | Yes (xs+, x-series, expansion card on some) |
| Mac SMB compatibility (Ventura/Sonoma) | Good. QTS SMB signing configurable; known issues, documented fix | Good. DSM SMB signing configurable; similar issues, documented fix |
| Operating system | QTS (feature-rich, complex, Windows-like UI) | DSM (cleaner UI, praised for intuitiveness) |
| AU availability | BlueChip (primary), some Dicker Data; well-stocked at Scorptec, PLE | BlueChip, MMT; well-stocked at Scorptec, PLE, Mwave |
| Drobo replacement | Direct replacement. Thunderbolt, BeyondRAID-equivalent via QNAP VJBOD and SHR-like pools | Partial. No Thunderbolt, but Synology Hybrid RAID (SHR) replicates BeyondRAID storage flexibility |
| Typical 4-bay AU price (mid-range) | $800-$1,500 AUD (non-Thunderbolt); $2,200-$2,500 AUD (Thunderbolt) | $700-$1,400 AUD |
| Best for | Sole Mac editor (Thunderbolt), mixed-protocol studios, power users who want app ecosystem | Collaborative Ethernet studios, Windows/Mac mixed environments, users who want simpler administration |
Where QNAP wins
Thunderbolt. This is QNAP's decisive advantage for the Mac creative professional market and it has no equivalent at Synology. The QNAP TVS-h674T (6-bay) and TVS-h874T (8-bay) are the models to know. Both ship with Thunderbolt 4 and dual 2.5GbE ports; adding 10GbE or 25GbE requires a compatible PCIe network card., which means they can serve as a sole editor's direct-attach NAS today and scale to a 10GbE collaborative studio later without replacing the NAS. Available from Scorptec and PLE in the $2,200-$4,500 AUD range depending on bay count.
App ecosystem. QNAP ships with a wider range of built-in and installable applications than Synology. For creative professionals, relevant applications include QuMagie, Video Station, myQNAPcloud, and QVR Elite; Surveillance Station was discontinued in July 2024. If you want your NAS to do more than store files, QNAP's app library is broader.
Drobo replacement story. Former Drobo users moving to QNAP find familiar concepts: drive pool expansion, redundancy without fixed RAID levels, and Thunderbolt connectivity. QuTS hero can expand supported RAID groups by adding disks, but it rebuilds the RAID group; VJBOD is iSCSI-based remote expansion, not a BeyondRAID equivalent.
Where Synology wins
DSM software. Synology's DiskStation Manager consistently ranks ahead of QNAP's QTS in user experience. DSM is cleaner, faster, and more intuitive. Particularly for users who don't want to manage complex network settings, app installations, and container configurations. If your editing team includes people who aren't technically minded, Synology's interface is easier to manage and troubleshoot. The administration overhead is lower, which matters for small studios without dedicated IT support.
Reliability reputation. Synology has a strong track record among SMB IT administrators for stability and firmware update quality. QNAP's more feature-rich platform comes with higher complexity and, historically, slightly more firmware-related issues. This gap has narrowed in recent years, but if reliability-over-features is your priority, Synology's reputation is the better one.
10GbE on a budget. On a 10GbE Ethernet studio where Thunderbolt is irrelevant, Synology's mid-range models (DS1525+, DS925+) compete directly with QNAP on price and often win on DSM quality. The DS925+ has two built-in 2.5GbE ports and does not support the E10G22-T1-Mini 10GbE module. A cost-effective way to get 10GbE without buying a premium model. Synology's approach lets you add 10GbE when you're ready rather than paying for it upfront.
Synology Hybrid RAID (SHR). For Drobo refugees who valued BeyondRAID's flexibility with mixed drive sizes, SHR is the closest equivalent in the market. SHR allows mixed-capacity drives in a redundant pool and lets you expand by adding larger drives over time. It's not identical to BeyondRAID but addresses the same use case. Which is why Synology is worth considering even for former Drobo users who don't need Thunderbolt.
macOS SMB compatibility: the issue both brands share
SMB signing was not newly enabled by Ventura or Sonoma; vendor documentation traces the default client-signing performance issue to OS X 10.11.5, while current SMB 3 sessions may also negotiate signing.
Both vendors have addressed this in their operating systems and published firmware updates. The fix requires aligning the SMB signing setting on both the NAS and the connecting Mac.
Do not change SMB signing settings as a blanket performance fix. First inspect the negotiated SMB session with smbutil statshares -a, then follow the current vendor guidance for your DSM, QTS or QuTS hero and macOS versions. In DSM 7.2 and later, go to Control Panel → File Services → SMB → Advanced Settings → Server signing status and choose from Force, Client defined, or Disable SMB1 signing only; SMB signing cannot be fully disabled there. QNAP's published macOS performance procedure instead changes the Mac client by setting signing_required=no in /etc/nsmb.conf, and QNAP warns that disabling signing can reduce file-transfer security. Consider that change only on a trusted LAN after confirming signing is the bottleneck.
If issues persist after firmware update and configuration change, check whether your macOS version requires signing by running smbutil statshares -a in Terminal. Both vendors document this issue in their support knowledge bases. Neither brand has a meaningful advantage here. It's a macOS change that both have adapted to.
The collaborative studio scenario: does Thunderbolt matter?
Each Thunderbolt connection is point-to-point, but a QNAP NAS with multiple Thunderbolt ports can serve more than one directly connected workstation while also serving Ethernet clients. Thunderbolt is no longer the shared access method; the NAS's Ethernet ports are.
A 10GbE connection puts suitably configured models from both brands in the same link-speed class, but it does not guarantee equivalent real-world performance; results depend on the NAS, drives, RAID, workload and number of clients. The 10GbE NAS port carries traffic from all editors simultaneously, and the switch manages concurrent sessions. A QNAP Thunderbolt NAS can still be the primary editor's direct-attach while the second editor connects over 10GbE. The TVS-h674T and TVS-h874T support this configuration. But you could achieve comparable collaborative throughput with a non-Thunderbolt QNAP or a Synology at lower cost.
For collaborative studios where budget matters and Thunderbolt isn't required, Synology's 10GbE models close the performance gap entirely and may have the edge in ease of administration. For the sole Mac editor who might grow into a studio later, the QNAP Thunderbolt models provide a growth path. Solo Thunderbolt today, 10GbE studio tomorrow. Without replacing the NAS. See the Thunderbolt vs 10GbE guide for the full connection decision breakdown.
AU pricing and availability
Both brands are well-stocked by Australian distributors. BlueChip distributes both QNAP and Synology in Australia; retailer stock and distributor lead times vary and should be checked for the specific model before purchase.
| QNAP TVS-h674T (6-bay, Thunderbolt 4) | ~$4,500-$5,400 AUD. QNAPSHOP, Scorptec and other Australian retailers. |
|---|---|
| QNAP TVS-h874T (8-bay, Thunderbolt 4) | ~$3,500-$4,500 AUD. Scorptec, PLE |
| QNAP TS-464 (4-bay, 2.5GbE, no Thunderbolt) | ~$700-$850 AUD. Scorptec, Mwave, Umart |
| QNAP TS-h886 (8-bay, dual 10GbE, no Thunderbolt) | ~$1,500-$1,900 AUD. Scorptec, PLE |
| Synology DS925+ (4-bay, dual 2.5GbE; no 10GbE upgrade slot) | ~$1,000-$1,200 AUD. Check live retailer pricing before purchase. |
| Synology DS1525+ (5-bay, dual 2.5GbE + optional E10G22-T1-Mini 10GbE module) | ~$900-$1,100 AUD. Scorptec, Mwave, PLE |
| Synology DS1823xs+ (8-bay, 10GbE built-in) | ~$2,200-$2,600 AUD. Scorptec, PLE |
| 10GbE expansion card for DS925+/DS1525+ | ~$130 AUD (E10G22-T1-Mini). Scorptec, Mwave |
Australian Consumer Law (ACL) protections apply to all NAS purchases from Australian retailers. Both brands have local warranty support via their distributors. BlueChip for both QNAP and Synology. For high-value purchases ($2,000+), buying from an Australian retailer with a track record in the category (Scorptec, PLE, DeviceDeal) provides a meaningful support advantage over marketplace sellers. For more on what drives to fill them with, see the NAS drive compatibility guide.
The verdict: which one for Mac video editors
Decision guide:
- Sole Mac editor, ProRes workflow, or came from Drobo → QNAP TVS-h674T or TVS-h874T (Thunderbolt 4). Clear winner for this use case.
- Do not size the connection from the codec name alone; compare resolution, frame rate, compression, stream count and measured end-to-end throughput. Some BRAW formats exceed a 2.5GbE link. QNAP TS-464 or Synology DS925+. Synology wins on software ease; QNAP wins on app ecosystem.
- Two or more editors, 10GbE studio → Either brand competes equally. Synology DS1823xs+ or QNAP TS-h886 at comparable price. Choose based on which OS your least technical admin can manage. Most will find Synology DSM easier.
- Planning to grow from sole to collaborative studio → QNAP TVS-h674T. Start on Thunderbolt, add 10GbE switch when you hire. NAS stays in place.
Related reading: our NAS buyer's guide, our Synology brand guide, and our Synology vs QNAP comparison.
Our File Transfer Speed Estimator shows the real-world LAN throughput difference between Thunderbolt, 10GbE, and 2.5GbE for large video file workflows, and our RAID Calculator compares usable capacity across both brands' drive configurations.
Use our free NAS Sizing Wizard to get a personalised NAS recommendation.
Once you have chosen your NAS, get a second opinion on the full build. Drives, RAID type, network setup, and backup strategy. Before committing. $149 AUD, delivered within 3 business days.
See also: our complete Synology NAS Australia guide.
See also: our complete QNAP NAS Australia guide.
See also: our full Photo and Video Storage guide.
Will Synology ever add Thunderbolt support?
Without a public statement from Synology, it isn't possible to say whether Thunderbolt is planned or how the company prioritises Mac creative professionals. QNAP has built its creative professional identity partly on Thunderbolt exclusivity in the NAS space. It's a meaningful differentiator they're unlikely to lose soon. If Thunderbolt matters to your workflow, don't wait on Synology.
Can I use a Synology NAS with a Mac and get good performance?
Yes. Over 10GbE Ethernet. Synology NAS units connect to Macs via SMB, the same file-sharing protocol used by all NAS devices on a network. With 10GbE, you'll see 850-950 MB/s throughput. More than enough for ProRes 4K workflows with a single editor, and sufficient for multi-editor studios up to about four simultaneous streams. The Mac compatibility issue is limited to Thunderbolt: Synology can't match QNAP's direct-attach performance because it doesn't have the port. On Ethernet, it's competitive.
Is QNAP QTS harder to use than Synology DSM?
Generally yes, QTS has a steeper learning curve. QNAP's operating system is more feature-rich, which means more settings, more configuration options, and more places things can go wrong. DSM is praised for its clean UI and straightforward setup. For a technically confident editor who wants maximum control and a broad app ecosystem, QTS is manageable and rewarding. For a studio where the least-technical person will sometimes need to manage the NAS, DSM's simplicity is a meaningful operational advantage. Both systems handle core file-sharing reliably. The difference shows up in ongoing administration.
What about QNAP vs Synology for Drobo replacement?
Both are valid replacements for different Drobo users. QNAP is the better match for Drobo users who relied on Thunderbolt. It's the only NAS brand that replicates that connection. Synology is the better match for Drobo users who valued BeyondRAID's flexible mixed-drive storage pools. Synology Hybrid RAID (SHR) is the closest equivalent to BeyondRAID in the current market. If you had a Drobo 5D or 5Dt (Thunderbolt models), go QNAP. If you had a Drobo 5N or 5N2 (Ethernet models), Synology or QNAP are both viable, and Synology's DSM may feel more familiar in terms of simplicity. See the Drobo alternatives guide for the full migration breakdown.
Can I mix QNAP and Synology in the same studio?
Yes. Both brands use standard SMB file sharing, which means they can coexist on the same network and serve files to the same Mac or Windows clients without conflict. Some studios use QNAP for the primary editing NAS (Thunderbolt for the lead editor, 10GbE for others) and Synology for backup or archive storage where DSM's simplicity and Synology's backup software (Hyper Backup) is an advantage. There's no technical requirement to standardise on one brand. Choose the best tool for each role.
Which brand has better AU warranty and support?
Both are comparable in practice. QNAP and Synology both warranty their products through Australian distributors (primarily BlueChip for both brands). Standard warranty is 2-3 years depending on model. Return-to-base service turnaround through BlueChip varies depending on the product, fault, parts availability, and service workload. Neither brand maintains a walk-in service centre in Australia. For business-critical deployments, both offer extended warranty options. Check with your retailer at time of purchase. Australian Consumer Law provides additional protections beyond manufacturer warranty, meaning consumer-law remedies apply even after the manufacturer warranty expires if the product fails prematurely for its price and purpose.
Whichever NAS you choose, the drives you fill it with matter as much as the enclosure. Incompatible or mismatched drives are the most common cause of new NAS performance problems.