The catch
Synology DiskStation DS225+
A separate SSD pool has no onboard M.2 slots to use.
Side by side
Synology DS225+ vs TerraMaster F2-425 Plus Compared: A quicker network link leaves the two-drive mirror the same size
Quick verdict
When the job is a two-drive archive inside Synology DSM and its documented backup workflow, the DS225+ is right. When separate NVMe storage, 5GbE links or 8GB supplied memory are requirements, the F2-425 Plus is right. Two SATA bays come on both, so the faster TerraMaster hardware does not by itself increase a two-drive mirror's protected capacity.
Before you buy
Why, and what it costs you
Keep an SSD application pool from pushing out the archive
With no M.2 slots on DS225+, internal SATA SSDs take over the same two bays meant for hard drives. F2-425 Plus can hold a two-hard-drive mirror and also a separate two-SSD NVMe mirror, and still have one M.2 slot left.
Where this comes from
Two SATA and zero M.2 slots are on DS225+, while TerraMaster has two SATA and three M.2 slots. A two-SSD mirror needs two compatible slots.
The catch
TerraMaster F2-425 Plus N150 8GB
DSM and TOS are different application and backup environments.
Synology DiskStation DS225+
- Why pick it
- Center a two-drive archive on Synology DSM
- Skip NVMe pools and keep hard-drive storage simple
- The catch
- A separate SSD pool has no onboard M.2 slots to use.
TerraMaster F2-425 Plus N150 8GB
- Why pick it
- Put application storage on SSDs and leave the SATA bays alone
- Take the included 5GbE and 8GB memory
- The catch
- DSM and TOS are different application and backup environments.
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What this page compares
A family archive, a separate SSD application pool and a planned 5GbE office connection, weighed across DS225+ and the N150 F2-425 Plus.
When the job is a two-drive archive inside Synology DSM and its documented backup workflow, the DS225+ is right. When separate NVMe storage, 5GbE links or 8GB supplied memory are requirements, the F2-425 Plus is right. Two SATA bays come on both, so the faster TerraMaster hardware does not by itself increase a two-drive mirror's protected capacity.
Which one fits
Pick the situations that sound like you
Hold a hard-drive mirror together with an onboard NVMe mirror
Both drive pairs fit in TerraMaster, since DS225+ has no M.2 slots.
- Synology DiskStation DS225+
- Not suitable
- TerraMaster F2-425 Plus N150 8GB
- Better fit
Use software that documents a minimum of 8GB memory
DS225+'s official 6GB ceiling falls short of the 8GB requirement.
- Synology DiskStation DS225+
- Not suitable
- TerraMaster F2-425 Plus N150 8GB
- Better fit
Keep the backup workflow on Synology DSM
Because TerraMaster runs TOS, the workflow and the migration each need their own validation.
- Synology DiskStation DS225+
- Better fit
- TerraMaster F2-425 Plus N150 8GB
- Depends
Reach 24TB of protected capacity with two 12TB drives in RAID 1
On either model, the mirror gives about 12TB before overhead.
- Synology DiskStation DS225+
- Not suitable
- TerraMaster F2-425 Plus N150 8GB
- Not suitable
In practice
Differences you will notice
Keep an SSD application pool from pushing out the archive
With no M.2 slots on DS225+, internal SATA SSDs take over the same two bays meant for hard drives. F2-425 Plus can hold a two-hard-drive mirror and also a separate two-SSD NVMe mirror, and still have one M.2 slot left.
How we worked this out
Two SATA and zero M.2 slots are on DS225+, while TerraMaster has two SATA and three M.2 slots. A two-SSD mirror needs two compatible slots.
Certain applications set a hard memory threshold
Say an application plan documents an 8GB minimum. The supplied F2-425 Plus memory covers it, but DS225+'s 6GB manufacturer ceiling does not. For that specific requirement, pick TerraMaster instead of assuming a later RAM purchase will make DS225+ equivalent.
How we worked this out
The application requirement of eight gigabytes is hypothetical. DS225+ supports up to 6GB, and the exact TerraMaster listing includes 8GB.
A protected 24TB archive does not come from two 12TB drives
Two equal 12TB drives in RAID 1 give either model about 12TB before overhead, since the second drive mirrors the first. If that is not enough for files, versions and expected growth, pick a chassis with more bays.
How we worked this out
The smaller member sets RAID 1 capacity. Ethernet rates and extra M.2 pools add nothing to the capacity of the SATA mirror.
Option A
Synology, DS225+
Synology DiskStation DS225+
A 2-bay chassis whose fastest documented network path is 2.5 Gbps.
- Best for
- Center a two-drive archive on Synology DSM
Facts we checked
- SATA bays inside: Two
- Slots for M.2: None
- Wired ports: One 2.5GbE and one Gigabit
- Memory included and its limit: 2GB included, up to 6GB
Option B
TerraMaster, F2-425 Plus N150 8GB
F2-425 Plus N150 8GB
Two SATA bays, three M.2 slots and two 5GbE ports come in a compact hybrid NAS. It works for a small SSD workspace alongside a bulk-storage mirror.
- Best for
- Put application storage on SSDs and leave the SATA bays alone
Facts we checked
- SATA bays inside: Two
- Slots for M.2: Three
- Wired ports: Two 5GbE
- Memory included and its limit: 8GB included
Spec by spec
Where they really differ
| Spec | Synology DiskStation DS225+ | TerraMaster F2-425 Plus N150 8GB | In practice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internal SATA bays | Two | Two | Nominal capacity is identical for the same equal-drive mirror. |
| M.2 slots | None | Three | TerraMaster alone can take onboard NVMe without giving up a SATA bay. |
| Ethernet | One 2.5GbE and one Gigabit | Two 5GbE | Both the second port and the fastest single-link rating are different. |
| Supplied memory and ceiling | 2GB supplied, up to 6GB | 8GB supplied | Synology's documented ceiling is below a workload that has an 8GB minimum. |
| Software environment | Synology DSM | TerraMaster TOS | Before changing platforms, check the actual backup and application workflow. |
Trade-offs
What each pick costs you
With Synology DiskStation DS225+
- An 8GB minimum requirement is ruled out by the documented 6GB memory ceiling.
With TerraMaster F2-425 Plus N150 8GB
- More SSD slots leave the two-SATA-drive mirror the same size.
Change of plan
When the answer changes
My application needs a minimum of 8GB memory
Go with TerraMaster F2-425 Plus N150 8GB. DS225+ officially tops out at 6GB, and the selected TerraMaster includes 8GB.
A hard-drive archive is all I need, and I want Synology DSM
Go with Synology DiskStation DS225+. That two-bay DSM plan suits DS225+ and needs no NVMe storage pool.
Decision guide
How to decide
Keep an SSD application pool from pushing out the archive
With no M.2 slots on the DS225+, internal SATA SSDs take over the same two bays meant for hard drives. The F2-425 Plus can hold a two-hard-drive mirror and a separate two-SSD NVMe mirror, with one M.2 slot to spare. Choose TerraMaster if that separation is part of your plan. Choose Synology if the job stays an ordinary hard-drive archive and the DSM workflow is why you are buying.
Certain applications set a hard memory threshold
A documented 8GB minimum for your application plan fits within the memory supplied with the F2-425 Plus, but it exceeds the 6GB manufacturer ceiling on the DS225+. For that specific requirement, choose TerraMaster instead of assuming a later RAM purchase will make the DS225+ equivalent. If your backup workload does not need that much memory, compare the software workflow first. None of this estimates how many containers or users either NAS can handle.
A protected 24TB archive does not come from two 12TB drives
Two equal 12TB drives in RAID 1 give either model about 12TB before overhead, since the second drive mirrors the first. If that is not enough for files, versions and expected growth, choose a chassis with more bays. The faster network on the F2-425 Plus can raise the available link rate, but it cannot change this mirror arithmetic or stand in for a separate backup copy.
What this page can’t tell you
- Hardware alone does not support any claim of easier setup or better software. Memory examples are conditional requirements. No workloads were measured.
By the numbers
What the data shows
What we found across the NAS devices we compare, plus the checked facts behind each finding.
Show the facts and the math
| Product | Needs it meets | Facts we checked | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Synology DiskStation DS225+ |
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| |
| TerraMaster F2-425 Plus N150 8GB |
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Ready to buy
See today’s price and what owners say
Open either model on Amazon for the current price, customer reviews and delivery options.
Synology DiskStation DS225+
Center a two-drive archive on Synology DSM
See price & reviews on AmazonTerraMaster F2-425 Plus N150 8GB
Put application storage on SSDs and leave the SATA bays alone
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