The Synology DS425+ and QNAP TS-464 are both 4-bay NAS units available in Australia, and they target slightly different buyers. The DS425+ prioritises DSM’s polished ecosystem and Synology’s first-party apps. The TS-464 prioritises hardware flexibility: dual 2.5GbE, a PCIe expansion slot, more base RAM, a faster CPU and stronger Docker support out of the box. At market prices, the Synology DS425+ is about $899. The QNAP TS-464 is about $1,129 and costs more; the rest of this comparison is about whether its extra hardware is worth that.
For a broader overview of this topic, see our complete QNAP ecosystem guide.
In short: Buy the DS425+ for DSM, Synology’s app ecosystem, and simpler management. Buy the TS-464 for dual 2.5GbE, PCIe 10GbE expansion, more base RAM, and stronger Docker support. Both are excellent. The right choice depends on your priority, not the price tag.
NTK Research
Which model fits which buyer?
| Buyer | Synology DS425+ | QNAP TS-464 |
|---|---|---|
| Family photo and PC backupA family backing up phone photos and home computers, set up and run from an app with no command line | Good fit | Good fitPhone photo backup |
Research basis: NTK compares product capabilities, compatibility evidence and current market context where relevant against the requirements of each defined buyer scenario.
10 primary sources
8 primary sources
Specifications Side by Side
Synology DS425+ vs QNAP TS-464: Full Specs (AU)
Synology DS425+
|
QNAP TS-464-8G
|
|
|---|---|---|
| AU market price | about $899 | about $1,129 |
| Cheapest AU listing | $849 (Computer & Parts Land, Computer Alliance, MSY, UMart) | $1,049 (Scorptec) |
| CPU | Intel Celeron J4125 (4-core, 2.0-2.7GHz) | Intel Celeron N5095 (4-core, burst up to 2.9 GHz) |
| RAM | 2GB DDR4 (1 slot, max 6GB) | 8GB DDR4 (2 slots, max 16GB) |
| Drive bays | 4x SATA (hot-swap) | 4x SATA (hot-swap) |
| M.2 slots | 2x M.2 2280 NVMe | 2x M.2 2280 PCIe Gen 3 x1 |
| Network | 1x 2.5GbE + 1x 1GbE | 2x 2.5GbE |
| PCIe expansion | None | 1x PCIe 3.0 x2 (10GbE card) |
| USB ports | 2x USB 3.2 Gen 1 | 2x USB 2.0 + 2x USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gbps) Type-A |
| Operating system | DSM 7.x | QTS 5.x |
| Plex hardware transcoding | Not supported (Plex NAS compatibility list) | Supported with Plex Pass |
| Docker | x86 (Container Manager) | x86 (Container Station) |
| Power (vendor operating test) | 28.25W (Access) | 40.536W (typical; drives fully populated) |
| Warranty (AU) | 3 years | 3 years |
The CPU Difference
Both units use Intel Celeron processors, but not the same one. The DS425+ uses the Intel Celeron J4125, a 14nm Gemini Lake Refresh processor with a 2.0GHz base and 2.7GHz burst frequency. The TS-464 uses the Intel Celeron N5095, a four-core Jasper Lake processor with a burst frequency up to 2.9GHz. In practice the N5095 is measurably faster in multi-threaded workloads. In PassMark's general CPU testing, the N5095 currently scores about 37% higher in multi-threaded CPU Mark than the J4125. Gains in specific NAS workloads will vary and require workload-specific testing. How noticeable any performance difference is depends on the workload and configuration, rather than user count alone.
The RAM Gap
This is the DS425+’s most significant hardware disadvantage. It ships with 2GB DDR4 and has a single memory slot with a 6GB ceiling (2GB plus a user-installed 4GB module). The TS-464 ships with 8GB and has two slots for a 16GB maximum. For a NAS running purely as a file server, 2GB is workable with DSM’s light footprint. Add Plex, a few Docker containers, and active photo indexing, and 2-6GB becomes a real constraint. The TS-464’s 8GB base and 16GB ceiling give substantially more headroom for mixed workloads.
Networking: Where the TS-464 Pulls Ahead
The DS425+ has one 2.5GbE port and one 1GbE port. You can bond them for failover and more total throughput across several clients, or use the 2.5GbE port for main traffic and the 1GbE port as a backup path; bonding does not make any single client faster. The TS-464 has two 2.5GbE ports, and QNAP says it can reach up to 5GbE via port trunking or SMB multichannel. You can also give one workstation a dedicated 2.5GbE link while the other port connects to your switch.
The bigger advantage is the TS-464’s PCIe 3.0 x2 slot. Add a QNAP QXG-10G1T card (bought separately) and the TS-464 becomes a 10GbE NAS. The DS425+ has no PCIe slot and no upgrade path beyond its onboard ports. For anyone with an existing 10GbE switch or planning to build toward one, the TS-464 is the only option between these two. See our 10GbE NAS networking guide Australia for what 10GbE actually delivers in practice.
M.2 NVMe Slots: 2 on Each NAS
The DS425+ has two M.2 2280 NVMe slots for SSD caching and supported M.2 storage pools. The TS-464 has two M.2 PCIe Gen 3 x1 slots for NVMe SSD cache. SSD cache helps most when I/O operations frequently access randomly placed small blocks of data, as in databases, virtual machines and heavily accessed file shares. For backup-only or sequential media streaming workloads, SSD cache provides minimal benefit. See our SSD cache Australia guide for a full breakdown of when caching helps.
Where the DS425+ Wins: DSM and Software
Despite the hardware gap, the DS425+ has a strong case built on software. DSM 7 is the best NAS operating system available by most measures: a cleaner interface, more reliable updates, better first-party apps, and a more predictable support lifecycle. Specifically:
- Synology Photos: a private photo library with facial recognition. Object recognition on the DS425+ requires a memory upgrade to at least 4 GB.
- Synology Drive: a polished personal Dropbox replacement with desktop sync clients for Windows and macOS
- Hyper Backup: the most comprehensive backup solution in the NAS market, with deduplication, versioning, and cloud target support in a single app
- Active Backup for Business: enterprise-grade agent-based backup for PCs and virtual machines, free on DSM
QNAP has equivalents for all of these (QuMagie, Qsync, Hybrid Backup Sync, Backup Station), but Synology’s implementations are more polished and better integrated. For a family or small business that primarily uses the NAS for file storage, backup, and photo management, the DS425+ with DSM delivers a better day-to-day experience.
Plex and Media Server
The TS-464 supports Plex hardware transcoding with Plex Pass, while Plex does not list hardware transcoding support for the DS425+. The TS-464’s N5095 is faster than the DS425+’s J4125. Stream capacity varies with the media and transcoding conditions. The TS-464’s 8GB base RAM is a more comfortable starting point for running Plex alongside other services. See our best NAS for Plex Australia guide for context on transcoding requirements.
Australian Pricing and Availability
The Synology DS425+ has a market price of about $899. The cheapest DS425+ listing is $849 (Computer & Parts Land, Computer Alliance, MSY, UMart). The QNAP TS-464 has a market price of about $1,129. The cheapest TS-464 listing is $1,049 (Scorptec). Prices and promotions can change. Both carry 3-year standard hardware warranties.
Who Should Buy the DS425+?
- Households and small offices prioritising photos, file sync, and backup
- Mac users wanting Time Machine, Synology Photos, and Drive integration
- Users who want the most polished, lowest-maintenance NAS experience
- Budget-conscious buyers for whom the price gap matters
- Anyone already in the Synology ecosystem who wants consistency
Who Should Buy the TS-464?
- Home lab users running multiple Docker containers
- Anyone planning to add 10GbE via the PCIe slot
- Plex users who need hardware transcoding (Plex Pass required)
- Power users who will use all 16GB of RAM headroom
- Users running mixed workloads that benefit from the TS-464’s faster N5095 and larger memory ceiling
Verdict
At market prices, the Synology DS425+ is about $899. The QNAP TS-464 is about $1,129 and costs more. The premium buys dual 2.5GbE, a PCIe expansion slot and 8GB base RAM versus 2GB; both models have two M.2 NVMe slots. That is a significant hardware step up.
The DS425+ wins on software and simplicity. If you’re a Synology user who wants DSM’s ecosystem, Synology Photos, and Hyper Backup, the DS425+ delivers a better user experience than QTS for those workflows. The TS-464 wins on hardware flexibility. For the home lab, the power user, and anyone with a 10GbE switch already in the rack, the TS-464’s expandability justifies the premium. For a full overview of how all Synology 4-bay models stack up, see our best Synology NAS Australia guide.
See all 4-bay NAS options available in Australia with current AU pricing and use-case recommendations.
Related reading: our NAS buyer's guide, our Synology brand guide, and our Synology vs QNAP comparison.
Our RAID Calculator shows usable capacity for both models' 4-bay configurations, and our NAS Power Cost Calculator compares annual running cost at your AU state electricity rate.
Use our free NAS Sizing Wizard to work out how many bays and what size drives you need.
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 QNAP ecosystem guide.
See also: our complete Synology NAS Australia guide.
See also: our complete QNAP NAS Australia guide.
Is the Synology DS425+ or QNAP TS-464 better for Plex in Australia?
The TS-464 uses an N5095, ships with 8GB RAM, and supports Plex hardware transcoding with Plex Pass. The DS425+ uses a J4125 and ships with 2GB RAM, but Plex does not list hardware transcoding support for the DS425+; stream capacity depends on codec, bitrate, subtitles, tone mapping, and configuration. For more demanding Plex setups, the TS-464’s 8GB base RAM and higher performance ceiling give it the edge.
Does the Synology DS425+ have a PCIe slot for 10GbE?
No. The DS425+ has no PCIe expansion slot. Its onboard networking is fixed at one 2.5GbE and one 1GbE port. The QNAP TS-464 has a PCIe 3.0 x2 slot that accepts a 10GbE network card (such as the QNAP QXG-10G1T). If 10GbE is a requirement now or in the near future, the TS-464 is the only option between these two.
How much does the Synology DS425+ cost in Australia?
The Synology DS425+ (diskless) has a market price of about $899. The cheapest DS425+ listing is $849 (Computer & Parts Land, Computer Alliance, MSY, UMart). It requires separate SATA hard drives. For a complete-system estimate, add current NAS and drive prices, then use our NAS Sizing Wizard for capacity planning.
How much does the QNAP TS-464 cost in Australia?
The QNAP TS-464-8G (8GB RAM, diskless) has a market price of about $1,129. The cheapest TS-464 listing is $1,049 (Scorptec). For a complete-system estimate, add current NAS and drive prices, then use our NAS Sizing Wizard for capacity planning.
Which 4-bay NAS has better software: the Synology DS425+ or the QNAP TS-464?
Synology DS425+ with DSM 7 has better software for most users. Synology Photos, Hyper Backup, Synology Drive, and Active Backup for Business are all best-in-class first-party apps. QNAP’s QTS equivalents are functional but less polished and less cohesive. For power users who prefer QTS’s greater configurability, virtualisation depth, and Container Station, QTS is the better fit. For households and small businesses wanting low-maintenance, high-polish software, DSM wins.