The Synology DiskStation DS923+ is ideal for users needing local, high-performance storage with advanced data redundancy and control. Google Drive is better suited for those prioritizing accessibility, ease of use, and integration with Google's ecosystem.
| Attribute | Synology DiskStation DS923+ | Google Drive |
|---|---|---|
| Storage Capacity | 4 bays (2.5"/3.5" SATA HDDs/SSDs), Max internal storage: 72TB (4 x 18TB), Expandable to 9 bays/152TB with DX517 | Every Google Account starts with 15 GB of free storage, shared across Google Drive, Gmail, and Google Photos. You can increase this by subscribing to Google One, with plans ranging from 100GB to 30TB. |
| Data Redundancy Options (RAID) | Synology Hybrid RAID (SHR), Basic, JBOD, RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, RAID 6, RAID 10 | Google maintains backups of primary data for disaster recovery and business continuity, protecting against hardware failure, data center outages, and natural disasters. They guarantee 99.9% application uptime and may offer financial compensation for failures on their end. Google Drive does not use RAID. |
| File Sharing Capabilities | SMB/AFP/NFS file sharing, Synology Drive for secure file access and collaboration | You can share files and folders stored in Google Drive with anyone. When sharing, you can control whether people can edit, comment, or only view the file. You can share with specific people via their email addresses or create shareable links. |
| Remote Access Features | Synology Drive (private cloud), VPN connection | Google Drive allows you to access your files from any device with an internet connection. You can use the Google Drive website or the mobile app. Selected files can also be accessed offline. |
| Data Security Measures (Encryption) | Hardware encryption, data encryption for sensitive folders/volumes | Google Drive uses encryption to protect your data. Data is encrypted in transit using 256-bit SSL/TLS encryption and at rest with AES-128 encryption. Two-factor authentication (2FA) is also supported. |
| Backup and Recovery Options | Synology Active Backup Suite (Windows/Linux, VMs, Microsoft 365/Google Workspace), Snapshots, Hyper Backup | You can manually back up Google Drive data. Google Takeout can be used for full data exports. Third-party backup solutions can automate backups and offer ransomware protection. Administrators can recover deleted items within 25 days after a user empties their trash. |
| Scalability | Expandable storage with DX517, Upgradeable RAM | Google Drive is highly scalable, with storage capacity that can be increased as needed. Google Cloud Storage is designed to store and manage large amounts of data efficiently, scaling from gigabytes to petabytes. |
| Operating System and Software Features | Synology DiskStation Manager (DSM), Package Center (Synology and third-party apps) | Google Drive integrates with other Google services like Gmail, Google Docs, Google Sheets, and Google Slides. It's available on various operating systems, including Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. |
| Hardware Specifications (Processor, RAM) | CPU: AMD Ryzen R1600 Dual-Core (2.6 GHz / 3.1 GHz), RAM: 4GB DDR4 ECC SODIMM (expandable to 32GB) | Not applicable |
| Connectivity Options (USB, Ethernet) | 2 x 1GbE LAN (Link Aggregation/Failover), 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 1, 1 x eSATA, 1 x PCIe Gen3 x2 (10GbE optional), 2 x M.2 2280 NVMe SSD slots (caching) | Not applicable |
| Mobile App Availability | Yes | Google Drive offers mobile apps for Android and iOS devices. These apps allow you to access, manage, and share your files on the go. |
| Usable storage capacity after RAID | 27.3TB usable with 4 x 18TB drives, SHR, and Btrfs file system | Not available |
| Read and Write Speeds | Sequential read speeds up to 625 MB/s, sequential write speeds up to 559 MB/s, 1.16GB/s read and 941MB/s write in SMB (large-block sequential tests) | Not available |
| Setup Ease | Easy setup with quick start guide and DSM setup wizard | Easy to use |
| Price | $599.99 (diskless) | Starting at $1.99/month |
| Ratings | Overall: Not available, Performance: Fast file transfer performance | Not available |
| Pros | Scalable storage capacity, Versatile RAID options, Secure remote access, Comprehensive backup solutions, User-friendly DSM operating system, Fast file transfer performance, Easy setup | User-friendly interface, Easy to use, Seamless integration with other Google services, Available on various devices and platforms, Comprehensive solution for file storage, sharing, and collaboration |
| Cons | Long-term costs (maintenance, upgrades, drive replacements) | None |