6% OFF
$285.99
$304.99
Updated November 2026
Data from the official Synology site.
2026 verdict
The short version: the Synology DS225+ is the better two-bay NAS, because its Intel Celeron J4125 unlocks virtual machines and hardware transcoding that the ARM-based Synology DS223 cannot run.
It also adds a 2.5 GbE port, memory that expands to 6 GB, a 25-camera surveillance limit and a three-year warranty. The Synology DS223 is the lower priced of the two, the quietest at 14.6 dB and has three USB ports, and it stays a fine file server and photo backup for a household that only needs storage. Both are 2-bay desktop units with Btrfs, snapshots, Synology Hybrid RAID, 40 TB of raw capacity and hot-swappable bays. Buy the Synology DS225+ if you want to run apps and stream video, and the Synology DS223 for quiet, simple file storage.
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| Feature | Synology DS223 | Synology DS225+ | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $285.99 | $364.29 | Synology DS223 |
| Warranty | 2 years | 3 years | Synology DS225+ |
| Processor | Hardware Encryption Engine | Hardware Transcoding, Hardware Encryption Engine | Synology DS225+ |
| Network | Wake on LAN | Link Aggregation, Wake on LAN | Synology DS225+ |
| Apps & Virtualization | Docker Containers, Plex Media Server, Surveillance App, AI Photo Recognition | Docker Containers, Virtual Machines, Plex Media Server, Surveillance App, AI Photo Recognition | Synology DS225+ |
| Rating | 4.6 | 4.6 | Tie |
| Memory Capacity | 2 GB | 2 GB | Tie |
| Storage | Hot Swappable | Hot Swappable | Tie |
What the differences mean
Processor and apps
Both run Docker through Container Manager, but only the Synology DS225+, with its x86 Intel Celeron J4125, runs virtual machines. The Synology DS223 has an ARM Realtek RTD1619B with no Virtual Machine Manager.
Video transcoding
Only the Synology DS225+ lists hardware transcoding. If you stream Plex to phones and TVs that need converted files, the Synology DS223 will struggle.
Memory
Both ship with 2 GB of DDR4. The Synology DS225+ can grow to 6 GB, while the Synology DS223 is fixed at 2 GB, which is what limits containers and heavier apps.
Networking
The Synology DS225+ has a 2.5 GbE port next to a Gigabit one, and the Synology DS223 a single 1 GbE port. The faster port helps only if your switch and computer support 2.5G.
Noise and power
The Synology DS223 is rated 14.6 dB and the Synology DS225+ 19.6 dB, both quiet, and their power draw of 17.34 W and 16.98 W is nearly the same. The quieter one matters mostly in a bedroom or a living room.
Cameras and backup
The Synology DS225+ handles 25 surveillance cameras against 20, and adds endpoint backup and a USB copy button, which the Synology DS223 does not list.
Which one to buy if
- you want to run virtual machines or a large stack of containers
The Synology DS225+ has an x86 processor for Virtual Machine Manager and memory that grows to 6 GB for Container Manager, while the ARM-based Synology DS223 runs no virtual machines and stays at 2 GB.
- you stream Plex to devices that need transcoding
The Synology DS225+ lists hardware transcoding.
- you only want quiet file storage and photo backup
The Synology DS223 is the lower priced and the quieter at 14.6 dB, and covers files, snapshots and backup.
- you have a 2.5G network
The Synology DS225+ is the one with a 2.5 GbE port.
- you want the longer warranty
The Synology DS225+ carries 3 years against 2 years for the Synology DS223.
6% OFF
$285.99
$304.99
- + Price: $285.99
- - Warranty: 2 years vs 3 years
- - Processor: Hardware Encryption Engine vs Hardware Transcoding, Hardware Encryption Engine
Winner
$364.29
- + Warranty: 3 years
- + Processor: Hardware Transcoding, Hardware Encryption Engine
- + Network: Link Aggregation, Wake on LAN
- - Price: $364.29 vs $285.99
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better overall: Synology DS223 or Synology DS225+?
The Synology DS225+, thanks to its x86 processor, virtual machine support, hardware transcoding, 2.5 GbE port and three-year warranty. The Synology DS223 is the better choice only if you want the lowest price and quietest file server.
What is the biggest difference between the Synology DS223 and Synology DS225+?
The processor. The Synology DS225+ uses an Intel Celeron J4125 that runs virtual machines and transcodes video in hardware, while the Synology DS223 uses an ARM chip that does neither.
Does the Synology DS223 support Docker like the Synology DS225+?
Yes. Synology lists the Synology DS223 among the models that install Container Manager, its Docker package, so both run containers. The difference is virtual machines, which only the Synology DS225+ supports, and memory, fixed at 2 GB on the DS223 and expandable to 6 GB on the DS225+.
Can the Synology DS223 or Synology DS225+ use RAID 5?
Neither. Both have two bays, so they offer Synology Hybrid RAID with mirroring and no RAID 5 or RAID 6. Both use Btrfs with snapshots.
Who should buy the Synology DS223?
Households that want a quiet, simple two-bay NAS for file sharing, photo backup and a few cameras, and that do not need virtual machines or video transcoding.
Who should buy the Synology DS225+?
Buyers who want a home server: Docker apps, a virtual machine, Plex transcoding, more surveillance cameras and a 2.5 GbE connection, backed by a three-year warranty.
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