Synology just revealed the DS925+, the successor to the popular DS923+ 4-bay NAS. At first glance, both models look nearly identical — same chassis, same number of drive bays, and the same 4 GB ECC RAM by default. But under the hood, Synology has made some bold changes .

Let’s break down the four biggest differences that matter if you're deciding between the DS925+ and the DS923+.

1. From 1GbE to Dual 2.5GbE LAN Ports

One of the most welcome upgrades: the DS925+ swaps out the aging 1 Gigabit Ethernet ports on the DS923+ for two 2.5GbE ports. That’s a 2.5× speed boost per port — and with Link Aggregation, users can now push up to 5 Gbps across both ports simultaneously.

If you're editing large files directly from the NAS or backing up multiple devices at once, this makes a huge difference. And it’s great news for businesses upgrading to 2.5GbE switches, which are now much more affordable than 10GbE infrastructure.

2. Expansion Moves to USB-C

The DS923+ used a proprietary eSATA port to connect to the 5-bay DX517 expansion unit. In contrast DS925+ uses a USB-C based expansion system, compatible with the new DX525. Not a big deal about the interface, but if you have an older expansion unit, you wont be able to use it.

3. No More Slot for 10GbE Expansion

The DS925+ comes with dual 2.5GbE ports — and that’s it. There’s no option to upgrade to 10GbE like there was on the DS923+, which supported it via an add-on network card. In practice, this may not be a deal-breaker. From what I’ve seen, only about 2–3% of DS923+ users actually went for the 10GbE upgrade. Still, it was a nice option to have — something that made the NAS feel future-ready, even if you didn’t use it right away. With the DS925+, that flexibility is gone.

4. The Biggest Change: Strict Drive Compatibility

The most significant — and controversial — change in the DS925+ is Synology’s enforcement of drive compatibility.

While the DS923+ allowed you to use most 3.5 inch HDDs or 2.5 inch SSDs (including third-party brands), the DS925+ requires Synology-verified drives for full functionality. This includes their HAT5300 HDDs, HAT3300 HDDs, SAT5200 SATA SSDs, and SNV3400 NVMe SSDs.

You can still physically install third-party drives, but Synology’s DSM will display compatibility warnings—and certain features like NVMe storage pools or detailed drive health monitoring may be disabled. While it's possible to work around these limitations by editing system files or using community-developed scripts, these methods are unofficial and unsupported. Out of the box, Synology clearly intends for users to stick to its officially verified drives.

Final Thoughts

The DS925+ introduces welcome improvements, particularly with faster 2.5GbE networking and a simplified expansion interface via USB-C. It’s a solid step forward for users who prefer a streamlined setup and are comfortable staying within the Synology ecosystem.

While it no longer includes a 10GbE upgrade slot and now requires verified drives for full feature access, these changes reflect Synology’s focus on system stability, long-term support, and tighter hardware-software integration.

If you’re looking for a powerful, future-ready 4-bay NAS with excellent performance out of the box, the DS925+ is a great choice. For those who prioritize broader compatibility and upgrade flexibility, the DS923+ continues to be a versatile option.

Need help choosing the right fit? Contact us at PNP/Satrah — we’re here to help you find the ideal NAS for your workflow, environment, and growth plans.