As a growing business accumulates files, backups, and shared documents, relying on individual laptops or scattered cloud folders eventually breaks down. Network-attached storage (NAS) gives a team a central, reliable place to store and share files, along with backup and often media or app hosting capabilities. Here are five NAS systems that hold up well for small and medium businesses in 2026.
Synology DiskStation DS923+
Synology is one of the most established names in NAS, known for its polished DSM software that makes managing storage, backups, and permissions approachable even without a dedicated IT person. The DS923+ supports four drive bays with room for expansion, and Synology’s ecosystem includes apps for file sync, surveillance, and virtual machines if the business’s needs grow.
QNAP TS-464
QNAP is Synology’s main competitor in the NAS space, often praised for offering more raw hardware for the price, including hardware transcoding support useful for media-heavy workflows. The TS-464 supports M.2 SSD caching to speed up frequently accessed files, which can matter for a business running shared databases or frequently edited documents.
Synology DiskStation DS1522+
For a growing team that needs more storage headroom, the DS1522+ steps up to five drive bays and can be expanded further with an add-on unit. It’s a good middle ground between a basic four-bay NAS and a full rack-mounted enterprise system, suited to a business that expects its storage needs to keep growing.
TerraMaster F4-424
TerraMaster has positioned itself as a value alternative to Synology and QNAP, offering comparable hardware specs at a generally lower price. The F4-424 includes four bays and reasonably capable software, making it a reasonable choice for a budget-conscious small business that still wants centralized network storage.
Synology DiskStation DS723+
For smaller teams or businesses just starting to outgrow individual hard drives, the two-bay DS723+ offers Synology’s dependable software in a smaller, less expensive package. It supports RAID 1 mirroring for basic redundancy, and it’s expandable later if storage needs increase.
How to Choose a NAS for Your Business
Start with how many drive bays you’ll actually need, more bays mean more storage and better redundancy options, but also a higher upfront cost. For most small teams, a two- or four-bay Synology model like the DS723+ or DS923+ balances ease of use with enough capacity. If your team is already growing quickly, the DS1522+ or QNAP TS-464 leave more room to expand. For more on building out a small business workspace, see our guides to the best home office printers and compact office printers.
What is a NAS and why would a small business need one?
A NAS (network-attached storage) is a dedicated device that stores files centrally on a network, allowing a team to share, back up, and access data from multiple computers instead of relying on individual local drives.
How many drive bays does a small business need?
Two-bay systems work for very small teams needing basic redundancy, while four- or five-bay systems give more storage capacity and flexibility as a business grows.
Is Synology or QNAP better for a small business?
Synology is generally considered easier to use thanks to its polished DSM software, while QNAP often offers more hardware for the price. Both are reputable, well-supported options.
Can a NAS replace cloud storage entirely?
A NAS can reduce reliance on cloud storage and lower ongoing subscription costs, but many businesses use a NAS alongside cloud backup for off-site redundancy in case of local hardware failure or disaster.
