Running a successful small business these days means dealing with loads of data. Between financial files, inventory spreadsheets, customer databases, invoices, as well as all that digital content for your website and marketing efforts – it adds up fast!
Relying on consumer-grade external drives or basic cloud storage just won‘t cut it anymore at your company‘s scale. You need secure, centralized data storage that your whole team can access quickly, with plenty of capacity that can continue expanding as your operations grow.
Enter the business-class network-attached storage (NAS) device – your scalable data hub solution! I‘ve put together this guide just for you as a small business owner to highlight the 5 best NAS systems to consider for 2024. I‘ll go over:
- Key specs, pros and cons of each recommended NAS
- Factors to help select the right one for YOUR specific needs
- Tips for getting the most out of on-site NAS data storage
- And how NAS can save you some serious money over cloud services!
Let‘s get started!
An Inside Look at Business-Grade NAS Devices
NAS systems are essentially specialized high-capacity computer servers designed specifically for data storage that connect to your local network. Within their box you‘ll find:
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Hard disk drives (HDDs) – These traditional mechanical drives store tons of data affordably. NAS units usually allow installing multiple HDDs.
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Solid state drives (SSDs) – These modern Flash-based drives are pricier but MUCH faster for data access and transfer speeds. Many NAS supports adding SSDs in specialized slots.
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Processor & RAM – NAS devices contain one or more central processing units (CPUs) and megabytes of RAM just like desktop PCs to handle file storage/access operations and sometimes, additional applications.
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Connectivity ports – NAS systems allow connecting to other devices to upload/download data through Ethernet, USB 3.0/3.1, HDMI and Thunderbolt ports. Many also have WiFi capability.
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Specialized software features – From data protection to backups, synchronization and organization, NAS operating systems incorporate all kinds of business-focused capabilities.
With those fundamentals covered, let‘s get into the 5 top NAS recommendations I‘ve put together for 2024! All prices shown are at the time of writing.
#1 Best for Scalability: Synology DiskStation DS1522+ (Starting $699)
Key Specs:
- Dimensions: 7.87 x 11.81 x 10.00 inches
- Weight: 9.92 pounds
- AMD RyzenTM R1600 CPU (2.6 GHz base, up to 3.1 GHz burst)
- 8GB DDR4 RAM
- Drive Bays: Up to 15 total with expansion units
- 4 x 1GbE LAN ports, 2 x USB 3.2 gen 1 ports
- 216 MB/s write / 224 MB/s read (RAID 5 configuration)
Overview
If you‘re looking for a NAS solution that can grow alongside your storage needs for years to come, the Synology DiskStation DS1522+ is an outstanding choice.
It starts with five drive bays that support both 3.5-inch and 2.5-inch HDDs plus SSDs, while expansion units can add up to 10 extra bays down the line. The AMD quad-core CPU & 8GB of DDR4 RAM deliver excellent performance too.
Pros
- Highly expandable storage (up to 150TB raw capacity)
- Optional 10GbE network card for faster speeds
- Runs lots of business applications natively or through Docker app support
- Advanced data protection and security features
Cons
- Higher starting cost than smaller units
- External power brick design
The DS1522+ strikes an ideal balance of future-proof scalable storage and robust computing capabilities for growing SMBs.
It earns its place as my top NAS recommendation for enabling small business data infrastructure growth over time without needing to migrate data to new systems.
#2 Best Plug & Play NAS: QNAP TS-h2490FU (Starting $1,799)
Key Specs:
- Dimensions: 11.22 x 9.06 x 9.17 inches
- Weight: 11 pounds
- AMD RyzenTM 7 2700 Processor (8 Cores, 3.2 GHz)
- 16GB DDR4 RAM
- Drive Bays: 8 + 4 SSD slots
- 2x 10GbE LAN, 4x GbE LAN, 4x USB 3.2 gen 2 ports
- 1149 MB/s write / 2876 MB/s read (SSDs in RAID 0)
Overview
The QNAP TS-h2490FU breaks the mold of traditional NAS devices. It‘s built more like a compact server with extremely powerful AMD 8-core processing, great for supporting actual server workloads.
You get four SSD bays for lightning quick response times, plus eight HDD bays for mass storage – incredible flexibility! The 10GbE connectivity takes full advantage of the blazing SSD performance.
It‘s the easiest to use high-performance NAS on the market thanks to QNAP‘s clever QTS operating system. The App Center gives you one-click installation of 100+ apps too.
Pros
- Server-class CPU performance
- Ultra-fast PCIe 4.0 SSD cache support
- Great mix of storage drive bay options
- Built-in virtualization and container app capabilities
Cons
- Much higher cost than typical SMB NAS
- Overkill specs if you just need basic file storage
If you‘re looking for a NAS to handle serious high-performance business applications, the TS-h2490FU easily justifies its premium price tag.
No other NAS matches its processing capabilities plus storage flexibility straight out of the box. QNAP QTS brings it all together into one cohesive powerful yet easy to manage platform.
#3 Best Budget NAS: TerraMaster F5-422 (Starting $359)
Key Specs
- Dimensions: 7.87 x 7.75 x 9.45 inches
- Weight: 11 pounds
- Intel Celeron N5095 quad-core CPU (2.0 GHz base, 2.9 GHz burst)
- 8GB DDR4 RAM
- Drive Bays: 5
- 2x Gigabit Ethernet, 3x USB 3.2 ports
- 264 MB/s write / 352 MB/s read (SSDs in RAID 0)
Overview
The TerraMaster F5-422 brings excellent value packing great performance and connectivity into a compact stylish chassis.
It comes diskless to allow choosing your preferred storage drives, keeping starting costs down. Five bays offer flexible storage potential, while the newest Intel 10nm quad-core Celeron CPU and 8GB of RAM deliver smooth operation.
Dual Ethernet ports allow link aggregation for extra throughput, USB 3.2 ports enable fast direct backups, and 4K HDMI even lets you connect as a media player.
Pros
- Great price-to-performance ratio
- Energy efficient 10nm Intel processor
- Link aggregation & USB 3.2 for fast file transfers
- Versatile 4K media playback usage
Cons
- Still an investment for very tight budgets
- No SSD caching capabilities
If you need capable reliable networked storage on a budget, the TerraMaster F5-422 checks all the boxes without breaking the bank. For general file serving and backup needs, this value-packed NAS has you covered!
#4 Best Desktop NAS: Asustor AS5304T (Starting $359)
Key Specs
- Dimensions: 9.06 × 7.87 × 7.24 inches
- Weight: 5.95 pounds
- Intel Celeron N5105 quad-core CPU (2.0 GHz base, 2.9 GHz burst)
- 4GB DDR4 RAM
- Drive Bays: 4
- USB 3.2 Gen1, USB 2.0 , HDMI ports
- 231 MB/s write / 398 MB/s read (HDDs in RAID 5)
Overview
The Asustor AS5304T packs a lot of business-focused features into a compact cube-style desktop chassis.
It ships diskless to customize your drive makeup as needed. The Intel Gemini Lake quad-core processing provides smooth everyday operation, while the connectivity options handily cover remote access, backups and media serving basics.
Asustor‘s ADM operating system shines too with native document, image, AV and website hosting features plus solid security protections like ransomware recovery.
Pros
- Lots of ports for direct connectivity
- Integrated business apps add value
- Easy remote access via internet
- Ransomware protection
Cons
- Performance lags with heavy workloads
- No advanced NAS features like caching
For small teams that primarily need shared file access and automated backups, the ADM OS capabilities make the Asustor AS5304T a usefully well-rounded office NAS solution.
#5 Best for Remote Access: Synology DS220j (Starting $169)
Key Specs
- Dimensions: 5.91 x 4.33 x 8.23 inches
- Weight: 2.03 pounds
- Dual-core CPU (2.0 GHz burst)
- 2GB RAM
- Drive Bays: 2
- 1x Gigabit Ethernet, USB 3.0, USB 2.0 ports
- 111 MB/s write / 112 MB/s read
Overview
The Synology DS220j proves you don‘t need to spend big to start enjoying centralized NAS storage.
It saves money with a basic dual-core Arm-based chip and just 2GB of RAM but still connects easily to your network like any other NAS. Swift setup takes only minutes thanks to the excellent DSM OS experience that Synology excels at.
Formerly remote workers or satellite office teams will especially love the anywhere access capabilities its cross-platform mobile apps enable. You can rely on this little NAS for backing up critical data automatically too.
Pros
- Very affordable starting price
- Quality software experience
- Easy remote access features
- Compact and portable
Cons
- Underpowered for multiple concurrent users
- No redundancy or failover
This miniature NAS delivers excellent value for solo users and tiny teams that just need shared storage access plus remote backups – all while spending minimally!
Key Factors for Picking the Right NAS System
With highlights of the top options fresh in mind, let‘s discuss the main factors to consider when choosing a NAS for YOUR small business:
Storage Capacity
Total drive bays – Consider how much capacity you need not just now but for future growth. NAS bays range from just 2 all the way up to 16+ in enterprise systems. Most SMBs look at 4 to 8 typically.
Supported drive types – Almost all NAS supports classic hard drives, while many also accommodate SSDs in dedicated slots for improved performance. Some support a mix of both for tiering data across drive types.
RAID data protection – RAID safeguards against disk failures by distributing redundant copies of your files across drives. But more drives are need for maximum protection.
Processing Performance
CPU cores/speed – Faster and/or multi-core processors allow more users and concurrent tasks without slowdowns. Look for quad core chips with 2.0+ GHz speeds at a minimum.
RAM capacity – More RAM aids running multiple applications efficiently and allows larger file handling capability. At least 4GB is recommended, with 8GB or 16GB better for demanding usage.
Storage caching – Some NAS systems use SSD slots for high-speed caching to accelerate HDD access. This tech significantly boosts workload capability.
Connectivity & Expansion
Network ports – Multiple Ethernet ports enable link aggregation for increased bandwidth, or simply redundancy. 10GbE offers major speed boosts with support for latest WiFi 6/6E access points.
Peripheral ports – USB 3.2 Gen 2 and Thunderbolt 4 allow direct speedy backups plus storage expansion, while HDMI enables using the NAS as a media server.
Scalability – Some NAS chassis allow expanding storage capacity non-disruptively using external drive enclosures. This allows easily adding more drives down the road.
Business-centric Features
Access controls – Managing user access permissions is crucial for securing sensitive company data. Active Directory/LDAP integration takes access management to the next level.
Backups & snapshots – Automated backup jobs to external drives for offsite storage provide an extra layer of protection against data loss incidents, along with fast snapshots.
Native apps & virtualization – Many NAS platforms allow installing or running business applications directly within the OS without needing extra servers. Virtual machine support is also common.
Those are the key factors I always examine when spec‘ing out a NAS for a small business. Keep YOUR unique priorities and future plans in mind as you run through these facets during the selection process!
Tips for Maximizing Business Value From Your NAS
Beyond the hardware itself, properly implementing your new NAS storage solution is critical too for realizing the full benefits. Here are my top strategic tips:
#1 – Centralize company storage ASAP
Move all existing distributed Dropbox/Google Drive cloud sync folders and external drives over to centralized NAS shares right away. This simplifies the backup process also using native tools.
#2 – Establish structured permissions
Set all staff to individual user accounts on the NAS using AD/LDAP imports if available. Carefully designate file & folder permissions based on roles to maintain high security.
#3 – Automate hot data protection
Schedule automatic daily snapshot jobs of critical databases, transaction logs, special projects and other hot folders that change often. This allows fast restores without needing full backups.
#4 – Handle cold data archiving
Archive older inactive project folders and other stale data to low-cost external HDDs that get disconnected for air-gap protection. This cost-effectively moves cold data out while keeping capacity available.
#5 – Build an offline backup rotation
Configure a weekly full backup from the NAS to external HDDs that get rotated offsite for geographic redundancy. This covers comprehensive disaster recovery.
If you strategically implement these fundamental best practices above, your NAS device will deliver outstanding business value protecting vital data while empowering users with optimized secure access!
Why a NAS System Beats Cloud Storage for Small Business
I get it – between Google Drive, Dropbox, iCloud and classic NAS hardware, there‘s a ton of potential data storage approaches available now. But I strongly believe an on-site NAS system offers significant advantages meeting a typical small business‘s needs in 2023 and beyond:
Cost Savings – Avoiding ongoing monthly/annual cloud storage subscription fees offsets the one-time NAS hardware investment in a matter of months to years in most cases.
Faster File Access – Transferring hundreds of gigabytes via internet to cloud providers takes FOREVER. Local NAS access over LAN/WiFi happens at much closer to full-rated speeds.
Always-on Availability – Cloud services can experience occasional outages. But a properly implemented local NAS stays accessible 24/7 for continuous business operation.
Enhanced Security – Keeping sensitive company files inside your own controlled systems is inherently more secure than wholesale cloud storage depending on strangers.
Scalability – While cloud capacity seems infinitely elastic, downloading all your now huge data archives to migrate providers is highly impractical. NAS storage can simply be expanded as needed.
Clearly for most small businesses, an on-prem NAS system like one of my top recommendations here aligns better to true data access and handling requirements. The cloud still plays an important backup role – but I see NAS sitting firmly between end users and cloud providers for optimum overall IT infrastructure value.
I hope this guide gives you great NAS options to consider for empowering your business‘s expanding data storage needs in the years ahead! Let me know if any questions come up about picking the ideal system.
