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NAS Configurator

Get to the right NAS in four steps – with a concrete model pick, drives, and a full cost breakdown.

Why run your own NAS?

A NAS (network-attached storage) is your own private cloud server at home. Instead of paying every month for Google Drive, iCloud, or Dropbox, you store everything locally – with full control over privacy and access. Modern units from Synology and QNAP do far more than store files: media server, photo cloud, Docker containers for Home Assistant, even security-camera recording.

The hard part isn’t the software – it’s picking the right hardware for your needs and budget. This configurator analyzes what you want to do and recommends a concrete setup with an enclosure, drives, and a RAID layout, all tuned to what you’re willing to spend.

Answer the four steps below. You’ll get a specific model, the drives to pair with it, the RAID level, usable capacity, and the total cost – no vague “it depends” answer.

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NAS Configurator

Step 1 of 4

1. What will you use the NAS for?

Select all that apply.

Frequently Asked Questions

Synology or QNAP — which is better for beginners?
Synology's DSM is widely considered the more beginner-friendly and stable option. The interface is intuitive and updates go smoothly. QNAP often gives you more hardware for the money (more RAM, an HDMI output). For pure backup and a photo cloud, Synology is the safer pick. For a media server with direct HDMI output, QNAP can be more interesting.
What is SHR and why do you recommend it?
SHR (Synology Hybrid RAID) is Synology's flexible RAID system. The advantage: you can mix drives of different sizes and still have redundancy. With classic RAID 5, all drives must be the same size — with SHR they don't. It's also easier to expand later.
Are 2 bays enough to start?
For backup, a photo cloud, and office files, 2 bays in RAID 1 (mirroring) are plenty. But if you want a media server with a large movie library, security cameras, or Docker containers, we recommend at least 4 bays. The extra cost pays off long term because you won't hit a wall so quickly.
How much power does a NAS use?
A typical 2-bay NAS like the DS224+ draws about 15–20 watts running, and only 5–8 watts idle (with HDD hibernation). A 4-bay unit runs 25–35 watts. At 24/7 and $0.16/kWh, a 2-bay NAS costs roughly $2–3 of electricity a month — far cheaper than any cloud subscription.
WD Red or Seagate IronWolf — which NAS drive?
Both lines are built for 24/7 NAS duty with vibration sensors and a higher MTBF (failure resistance). WD Red Plus and Seagate IronWolf are priced neck and neck. Important: don't buy desktop drives (WD Blue/Green, Seagate Barracuda) — they aren't rated for 24/7 operation and fail much faster in a NAS.

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