Query

[Enquiries]

I have enjoyed watching the NAS review videos on YOUTUBE and have seen probably about 100 or so by now. These are great! by the way. I have a question that is of concern before committing to a NAS device. I was burned by purchasing a NETGEAR STORA device to use as external storage. To get access to the device through the web requires logging onto the NETGEAR servers. Apparently, this function is no longer supported and my STORA is now a brick. I am looking at the TERRAMASTER 424 or maybe the SYNOLOGY 423. Am I going to be burned by the same issue if these companies go offline? I hesitate to buy because of this and cannot find anything addressing this issue in any of the videos.

[ed]

Thank you for reaching out and for your kind words about the YouTube reviews—it’s great to hear you’ve enjoyed them!

I completely understand your concern regarding the longevity of accessing your NAS, especially given your experience with the Netgear Stora. It's a valid concern, as no one wants to invest in a device only to find it dependent on a service that could be discontinued.

The good news is that with both the TerraMaster F4-424 and the Synology DS423, you have options to avoid such a situation. Both devices allow for direct access on your local network without needing to rely on the manufacturers' servers.

For remote access, both brands provide built-in tools—like TerraMaster’s TNAS Online and Synology’s QuickConnect. While these are convenient, they aren't mandatory. You can configure your NAS for remote access using alternatives like:

Dynamic DNS (DDNS): Set up your own DDNS service to access your NAS without relying on vendor-specific solutions.
VPNs: You can create a secure VPN connection to your home network, ensuring remote access even if the manufacturer discontinues their remote services.
Self-Hosted Solutions: With Synology or TerraMaster, you can run apps like Tailscale or Zerotier, which are independent of the NAS vendor and provide secure access over the internet.
Synology, in particular, has a strong reputation for long-term software support and updates, which makes it a safer bet for reliability. That said, TerraMaster also provides flexibility and a good price-to-performance ratio for those looking for value.

If maintaining complete independence from any proprietary service is your priority, Synology’s user base and extensive community support make it the better choice.