Synology DiskStation DS423+ 4-Bay (Diskless) vs QNAP TS-233 2-Bay Desktop NAS (Diskless)
We compare the Synology DiskStation DS423+ 4-Bay (Diskless) and QNAP TS-233 2-Bay Desktop NAS (Diskless) head-to-head on performance, features, value, and more. Here's which one wins.
Synology DiskStation DS423+ 4-Bay (Diskless)
Scored 9.3/10 in our testing
Synology DiskStation DS423+ 4-Bay (Diskless)
Best 4-bay NAS for Plex media servers, virtual machines, and multi-user access
QNAP TS-233 2-Bay Desktop NAS (Diskless)
Best QNAP 2-bay NAS — lower price than Synology with solid QTS software for advanced users
Score Breakdown
| Synology DiskStation DS423+ 4-Bay (Diskless) | Category | QNAP TS-233 2-Bay Desktop NAS (Diskless) |
|---|---|---|
| 9.5/10 ✓ | Performance | 8.8/10 |
| 9.5/10 ✓ | Features | 9.3/10 |
| 9.3/10 ✓ | Ease of Use | 8.5/10 |
| 8.8/10 | Value | ✓ 9.3/10 |
| 9.3/10 ✓ | Overall | 9/10 |
Specs Comparison
| Synology DiskStation DS423+ 4-Bay (Diskless) | Spec | QNAP TS-233 2-Bay Desktop NAS (Diskless) |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (diskless) | Bays | 2 (diskless) |
| Intel Celeron J4125 Quad-core 2.0GHz | CPU | Realtek RTD1619B Quad-core 1.7GHz |
| 2GB DDR4 (expandable to 6GB) | RAM | 2GB DDR4 |
| 2× 1GbE | Network | 1× 1GbE |
| Hardware-accelerated 4K Plex transcoding | Transcoding | QNAP QTS OS |
Synology DiskStation DS423+ 4-Bay (Diskless)
Pros
- + Hardware-accelerated 4K Plex transcoding — critical for media servers
- + 4 bays = large capacity expandability (up to 4×20TB)
- + Intel Celeron performs significantly better than ARM-based alternatives
- + RAM expandable to 6GB for VMs and more apps
Cons
- − Expensive diskless — drives add significant total cost
- − 2× 1GbE (not 2.5GbE) limits single-connection transfer speed
- − Power consumption higher than 2-bay units
QNAP TS-233 2-Bay Desktop NAS (Diskless)
Pros
- + Lower price than comparable Synology unit
- + QTS offers more advanced features than DSM for power users
- + Same Realtek CPU as Synology DS223
- + Large QNAP app center
Cons
- − QTS is more complex than Synology DSM for beginners
- − QNAP has more frequent security vulnerability disclosures
- − Community support smaller than Synology
Our Verdict
Based on our scoring, the Synology DiskStation DS423+ 4-Bay (Diskless) comes out on top with an overall score of 9.3/10. The DS423+ scales Synology's excellent DSM to 4 bays with an Intel Celeron processor capable of hardware-accelerated 4K video transcoding — the most important capability for Plex media server use. Hardware transcoding means Plex can convert 4K H.265 to 1080p H.264 for older TVs and remote streaming without taxing the CPU. Dual 1GbE ports enable link aggregation for higher throughput. Expandable RAM supports more concurrent users and virtual machines.
Buy the Synology DiskStation DS423+ 4-Bay (Diskless) on AmazonRead the full Best NAS Drives 2026 guide for complete reviews of all 10 products.
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