Synology's 2025 lineup refresh brought meaningful updates to the Plus series, and 2026 is the first full year those models are widely stocked in Australia. The DS225+, DS425+, DS925+, DS1525+, and DS1825+ sit alongside older models that are still actively sold, making the buying decision more confusing than it needs to be. This guide cuts through the full current lineup, explains what changed in the 2025 refresh, and tells you which model is worth buying at current AU prices.
In short: The DS925+ ($978) is the mainstream 4-bay pick for home enthusiasts and replaces the DS923+. The DS425+ ($778) suits first-time buyers who want Plus series DSM without the extra cost. The DS225+ ($528) is the entry 2-bay Plus option. For 8-bay, the DS1825+ ($1,698) is the desktop flagship. Check stock at PLE, Scorptec, and Mwave before deciding, as some older generation models are still listed and often discounted.
The 2025 Plus Series Refresh: What Changed
Synology's 2025 refresh updated the naming pattern across the Plus series (the previous 2-bay Plus became the DS225+, the previous 4-bay became the DS925+), and in most cases moved to newer Intel processors with modest performance improvements. The RAM configuration for most Plus desktop models stayed in the 2-4GB range with expansion available via official Synology modules or third-party DDR4 SO-DIMMs on compatible models.
The more significant 2025 development was the drive compatibility controversy. Synology announced in April 2025 that new Plus series models would require Synology-branded or certified drives. The community responded strongly. Synology partially reversed the policy with DSM 7.3 in October 2025, restoring third-party 3.5-inch HDD and 2.5-inch SATA SSD support for desktop Plus models. M.2 NVMe slots still require drives from Synology's official compatibility list. The controversy is worth understanding if you are buying for a large drive pool, as the policy could shift again.
One pricing anomaly worth noting: the DS923+ ($999) and DS925+ ($978) are both currently listed in AU retail, with the newer DS925+ actually slightly cheaper than its predecessor. This reflects the transition period as distributor stock is cleared. If you are comparing these two models, check DSM compatibility tables for your specific workload before defaulting to the older model on price grounds.
Synology Desktop NAS: Full AU Lineup and Current Pricing
Synology Desktop NAS. AU Retail Pricing (May 2026)
| DS225+ | DS425+ | DS725+ | DS923+ | DS925+ | DS1525+ | DS1825+ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bays | 2 | 4 | 2 + expansion | 4 | 4 | 5 | 8 |
| Series | Plus | Plus | Plus | Plus | Plus | Plus | Plus |
| AU price (from) | $528 | $778 | $796 | $999 | $978 | $1,188 | $1,698 |
| Drive restriction (M.2) | Synology list only | Synology list only | Synology list only | Open | Synology list only | Synology list only | Synology list only |
| Drive restriction (HDD) | Open (DSM 7.3+) | Open (DSM 7.3+) | Open (DSM 7.3+) | Open | Open (DSM 7.3+) | Open (DSM 7.3+) | Open (DSM 7.3+) |
| Hyper Backup | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Active Backup | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Drive Bays (expansion) | No | No | Yes (via DX213) | No | No | Yes (via DX213) | Yes (via DX224) |
| Generation | 2025 | 2025 | 2025 | 2023 | 2025 | 2025 | 2025 |
The Value Series: DS223 and DS223J for Budget Buyers
The DS223 ($428) and DS223J (~$428) are the current 2-bay Value series options. These use ARM-based processors rather than Intel and do not include the full suite of Plus-tier DSM features, most notably Active Backup for Business. If you are considering a Value series NAS for basic file sharing, backup, and light Docker use, the DS223 is capable. If Docker or resource-intensive apps are a priority, the DS225+ at $528 is the better long-term investment.
The DS223J at~$528 sits at the most accessible Synology entry point in Australia. It suits home users who want a simple 2-bay NAS for file storage and basic backup with minimal setup complexity. The trade-off is a lower-power ARM processor that will struggle with anything beyond straightforward NAS tasks.
DS923+ vs DS925+: Which 4-Bay Plus to Buy
The DS923+ ($999) used AMD Ryzen R1600 dual-core, which was a notable departure from Synology's typical Intel-based Plus lineup. It offered good compute performance and full PCIe expansion for 10GbE cards. The DS925+ ($978) is the successor and at current AU pricing it is marginally cheaper than the older model.
If both are available when you buy, the DS925+ is the default recommendation as the current-generation model. It will receive DSM updates for longer and has better long-term software support from Synology. The only reason to consider the DS923+ is if it is meaningfully discounted below the DS925+. With both currently within $21 of each other in AU retail, that threshold has not been reached.
For most 4-bay home and homelab buyers, the DS925+ is the mainstream pick in 2026. It handles Plex transcoding, multiple Docker containers, and Hyper Backup without strain. If 4-bay storage is not enough, the DS1525+ at $1,188 adds a fifth bay and expansion port for a $210 premium.
The Drive Compatibility Situation: Current Status
The April 2025 announcement that newer Plus series models would require Synology-certified drives created significant friction in the enthusiast community. The concern was practical: Synology-branded HDDs are not widely stocked in Australia and carry a significant price premium over equivalent Seagate or WD NAS drives.
DSM 7.3 in October 2025 reversed the HDD restriction for desktop Plus series models. Third-party 3.5-inch HDDs (Seagate IronWolf, WD Red Plus) work without warning messages or feature restrictions on current DS225+, DS425+, DS925+, DS1525+, and DS1825+ hardware.
The M.2 NVMe slot restriction remains. If you want to use M.2 NVMe drives for caching or all-flash storage pools on a Plus series NAS, those drives must appear on Synology's official compatibility list. Third-party NVMe drives will trigger warnings and may be rejected, depending on the specific drive and DSM version. This is the most practically relevant restriction for enthusiast buyers who planned to use existing or third-party NVMe drives.
M.2 NVMe restriction still active: Desktop Plus series NAS models from 2025 onward (DS225+, DS425+, DS925+, DS1525+, DS1825+) require M.2 NVMe drives from Synology's official compatibility list. Third-party NVMe drives are not supported for cache or storage pool use on these models under DSM 7.3. If NVMe expansion is part of your plan, verify the specific drives you own or intend to buy appear on Synology's current compatibility list before purchasing.
Which Synology Model Should You Buy in Australia?
First-time NAS buyers: The DS223J ($298) for the simplest 2-bay setup, or the DS425+ ($778) if 4 bays and Plus-tier features are the target. The DS425+ gives access to Active Backup for Business, Hyper Backup, and the full DSM package manager without the higher cost of the DS925+.
Home enthusiasts and homelab users: The DS925+ ($978) is the benchmark choice. Four bays, Intel processor, 10GbE expansion via PCIe, and the full DSM Plus feature set. It is the model most home lab guides and community tutorials will reference in 2026.
Heavy workload or business users: The DS1525+ ($1,188) for 5-bay with expansion capability. The DS1825+ ($1,698) for an 8-bay all-in-one desktop NAS. Both access the same Plus software tier as the DS925+.
High-end buyers: The DS1823XS+ ($3,199) is the desktop flagship with enterprise-class features and 10GbE onboard, suited for users who need maximum storage and performance in a desktop form factor. This sits above the mainstream Plus lineup and is significantly more expensive.
Where to Buy Synology NAS in Australia
Synology has official AU distribution through BlueChip IT, which means Synology products bought from AU retailers have a clearer warranty escalation path than brands without local distributors. PLE Computers, Scorptec, and Mwave are the most reliable sources for Synology desktop NAS in Australia, with consistent stock of the current Plus series. Prices are uniform across retailers at the manufacturer-recommended level.
The older DS923+ may appear at discounted prices as stock is cleared. For buyers comfortable with previous-generation hardware, this can represent reasonable value, but confirm the model's long-term DSM support window before buying.
Related reading: our Synology brand guide.
Is the DS923+ or DS925+ the better buy in 2026?
The DS925+ at $978 is the current generation and marginally cheaper than the DS923+ at $999 in AU retail at time of writing. The DS925+ has a longer forward support window from Synology and is the model that future DSM updates will be tested against. Unless the DS923+ is substantially discounted, the DS925+ is the correct choice for a new purchase.
Can I use Seagate IronWolf drives in a new Synology NAS?
Yes. The DSM 7.3 update in October 2025 restored third-party 3.5-inch HDD compatibility for desktop Plus series models (DS225+, DS425+, DS925+, DS1525+, DS1825+). Seagate IronWolf, WD Red Plus, and other reputable NAS-grade HDDs work without restriction. The M.2 NVMe restriction remains and requires drives from Synology's official compatibility list for cache and storage pool use.
What is the difference between Synology Plus and Value series?
The Plus series uses Intel processors and provides access to the full DSM application suite, including Active Backup for Business (server and VM backup), Surveillance Station's full camera count, and Synology's enterprise-oriented packages. The Value series uses ARM processors and excludes some enterprise-focused applications. For home use with basic file sharing and backup, Value series is sufficient. For Docker, Plex, or business backup tools, the Plus series is required.
How do Synology's 2025/2026 models compare to QNAP equivalents?
The DS925+ ($978) competes with the QNAP TS-464 ($1,059) at the 4-bay enthusiast level. The Synology has a more polished user experience and stronger first-party app ecosystem. The QNAP offers ZFS via QuTS Hero and generally deeper technical customisation. For home users prioritising ease of use, the DS925+ wins. For users who specifically want ZFS or advanced container workloads, the TS-464 on QuTS Hero is the better fit. See the Synology vs QNAP Australia comparison for a full breakdown.
Is there a cheaper 4-bay Synology option than the DS925+?
Yes. The DS425+ at $778 is a 4-bay Plus series NAS at a lower price point than the DS925+ ($978). The DS425+ has a less powerful processor and is better suited for home file storage and backup than heavy compute workloads. For Docker containers, Plex transcoding, or 10GbE expansion, the DS925+ is the more capable choice. For a family or small office NAS focused on storage and backup only, the DS425+ is a reasonable option.
Weighing Synology against QNAP or Ugreen? The full comparison covers every major platform for Australian buyers.
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