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🔹 Introduction: Why NAS are Essential for Small Businesses

Best NAS for small businesses in 2025, data is everything. From customer records to financial files and collaborative documents, reliable storage is essential. But not every company needs a full-blown server room.

That’s where Network Attached Storage (NAS) comes in. A NAS offers:

• Centralised storage.
• Easy file sharing.
• Automated backups.
• Remote access for teams.
• Lower costs than full servers.

This guide highlights the best NAS options for small businesses in 2025, comparing features, performance, and price to help you make the right decision.

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🔹 What Small Businesses Need from a NAS

Before diving into specific models, here are the core features that matter most to small businesses:

• Reliability: Always-on storage with RAID redundancy.
• Scalability: Ability to expand storage as you grow.
• Ease of Use: Simple setup without needing a full-time IT team.
• Remote Access: Secure file access for hybrid/remote staff.
• Integration: Works with Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, and cloud backups.
• Security: Encryption, VPN support, and ransomware protection.

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🔹 Top NAS Devices for Small Business in 2025

Here’s our curated list of the best NAS devices for SMBs this year.

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1. Synology DS923+ (Best All-Rounder)

The Synology DS923+ is one of the most popular small business NAS models in 2025.

Key Specs:

• 4 drive bays (expandable to 9 with DX517).
• AMD Ryzen R1600 CPU, 4GB RAM (expandable to 32GB).
• NVMe cache support.
• Synology DSM 7.2 OS.

Pros:

• Excellent OS (DSM) with built-in apps for backup, file sharing, and collaboration.
• Expandable storage for future growth.
• Hardware encryption for security.
• Active community and regular updates.

Cons:

• No HDMI output (not for media direct-play).
• Higher cost than budget models.

👉 Best for: Small businesses wanting a reliable, scalable NAS with powerful features.

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2. QNAP TS-464 (Best for Power Users)

QNAP is Synology’s main rival, and the TS-464 is their small business powerhouse.

Key Specs:

• 4 drive bays.
• Intel Celeron N5105/N5095 CPU, 4GB RAM (expandable to 16GB).
• Dual 2.5GbE LAN ports.
• HDMI 2.0 output.

Pros:

• Strong hardware performance.
• Virtualisation and container support.
• Great for media-heavy businesses.
• Supports PCIe expansion cards (10GbE, Wi-Fi).

Cons:

• OS (QTS) can be more complex for beginners.
• More power-hungry than Synology.

👉 Best for: Tech-savvy SMBs needing performance, VMs, and multimedia support.

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3. Asustor Lockerstor 4 Gen2 (Best Value)

Asustor offers strong performance at a lower price point.

Key Specs:

• 4 drive bays.
• Intel Celeron N5105 CPU, 4GB RAM.
• Dual 2.5GbE LAN ports.
• HDMI 2.0 output.

Pros:

• Affordable without cutting corners.
• Great app ecosystem.
• Includes HDMI for direct media playback.

Cons:

• Smaller ecosystem than Synology or QNAP.
• OS updates less frequent.

👉 Best for: Budget-conscious businesses needing reliable storage.

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4. Synology DS223 (Best Entry-Level for Small Teams)

If your small business is just starting out, the DS223 is a solid entry-level NAS.

Key Specs:

• 2 drive bays.
• Realtek RTD1619B CPU, 2GB RAM.
• Synology DSM OS.

Pros:

• Affordable price point.
• Great for file sharing and backups.
• Energy efficient.

Cons:

• Limited scalability (2-bay only).
• Not suitable for large teams or heavy workloads.

👉 Best for: Start-ups and small teams on a budget.

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5. WD My Cloud EX4100 (Best Plug-and-Play Option)

Western Digital’s My Cloud line is aimed at users who want simplicity.

Key Specs:

• 4 drive bays (pre-configured with WD Red drives).
• Marvell Armada CPU, 2GB RAM.
• My Cloud OS.

Pros:

• Easy to set up.
• Affordable bundle with drives included.
• Good for basic file sharing.

Cons:

• Limited advanced features.
• OS not as strong as Synology/QNAP.

👉 Best for: Small businesses that want simple, plug-and-play storage.

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🔹 Comparison Table: Best NAS for Small Business 2025

Model	Bays	CPU	RAM	Expansion	Best For
Synology DS923+	4	AMD Ryzen R1600	4–32GB	Up to 9 bays	Best overall SMB NAS
QNAP TS-464	4	Intel Celeron N5105	4–16GB	PCIe + HDMI	Performance & virtualisation
Asustor Lockerstor 4 Gen2	4	Intel Celeron N5105	4GB	2.5GbE + HDMI	Best value
Synology DS223	2	Realtek RTD1619B	2GB	No expansion	Entry-level
WD My Cloud EX4100	4	Marvell Armada	2GB	Preconfigured	Plug-and-play

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🔹 NAS Drives: Choosing the Right Hard Disks

A NAS is only as good as the drives inside. Always use NAS-optimised drives:

• WD Red Plus/Pro – great reliability.
• Seagate IronWolf Pro – excellent performance and warranty.
• Toshiba N300 – cost-effective alternative.

👉 See: [Best Hard Drives for NAS (WD Red vs Seagate IronWolf vs Toshiba N300)]

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🔹 Security Best Practices for SMB NAS

Small businesses are increasingly targeted by cybercriminals. Keep your NAS secure:

• Enable multi-factor authentication.
• Close unused ports and disable UPnP.
• Apply regular firmware updates.
• Use VPN for remote access.
• Encrypt sensitive folders.
• Back up to cloud or offsite NAS.

👉 Related: [NAS Security Best Practices in 2025]

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🔹 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: How many bays do I need for my business NAS?
For most SMBs, 4-bay models offer the right balance of storage, redundancy, and scalability.

Q: Can a NAS replace a traditional server?
Yes, for file sharing and backups. For complex applications (ERP, databases), a server is better.

Q: Do I need an IT admin to manage a NAS?
Not necessarily. Synology DSM and QNAP QTS are user-friendly. However, larger businesses may need admin support.

Q: What’s the average lifespan of a NAS?
Typically 5–7 years with proper maintenance. Drives may need replacing sooner.

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🔹 Final Thoughts

For small businesses in 2025, a NAS is a cost-effective, secure, and scalable storage solution.

• If you want the best all-rounder → Synology DS923+.
• If you’re more technical and want performance → QNAP TS-464.
• If budget is tight → Asustor Lockerstor 4 Gen2.
• If you’re just starting → Synology DS223.
• If you want plug-and-play simplicity → WD My Cloud EX4100.

This guide is part of our Everything NAS hub — explore more here:

• What is a NAS : The Ultimate 2025 Guide
• NAS vs Server: Which Should You Choose?
• How to Set Up RAID on a NAS
• [Best NAS Drives for Plex in 2025]

With the right NAS, your small business can protect its data, collaborate more effectively, and prepare for growth without breaking the bank.