Both are two-bay home NAS units, so the deciding difference is software and upgrade room. Synology's DSM adds more apps and tools, while WD's My Cloud OS is simpler. Both are older models, so confirm current availability and specifications before buying either.
Choosing between the WD My Cloud EX2 Ultra vs Synology DS220+ comes down to software and room to grow: both are two-bay home NAS boxes, but Synology's DSM offers far more apps and tools, while WD's My Cloud OS keeps file storage simple. Both are older models, so confirm the exact version and specifications before buying either.
Pick the Synology DS220+ if you want backups, photo libraries, media streaming and the option to run extra apps. Pick the WD EX2 Ultra if you just want a plain shared drive for the family. Budget around R6,000 to R9,000 for the unit and R2,500 to R6,000 for a pair of NAS-rated drives, and check whether the model you see is diskless.
Synology's DSM is the main reason people choose its boxes. It is a full desktop-style interface with apps for backup, photo management, video streaming, surveillance cameras and cloud sync, and it keeps receiving updates. WD's My Cloud OS covers the essentials, namely file sharing, user accounts, backups and a mobile app, and it is easier to set up in an afternoon.
If you only want to dump files and watch a few videos, the simpler system saves you time. If you plan to back up several PCs, sync phones and perhaps add a docker-style app later, DSM gives you more to grow into.
Check how long the maker still issues security updates for the exact model, because both of these are older designs.
Both are two-bay units, so you get either a mirrored pair, where each drive holds a copy, or two separate volumes. The DS220+ has an Intel processor, memory you can expand and two network ports, while the EX2 Ultra uses a lower-powered chip and one network port. Verify the figures for your exact model before relying on them.
Neither unit fills a gigabit link with spinning drives beyond around 110MB per second, so in practice the drives are rarely the limit. More memory and a faster processor matter if you run apps or transcode video for streaming.
You can reach files from outside the house, but speed depends on your fibre upload, which on many South African lines is far slower than the download. Streaming 4K video from home across the internet may stutter even if it plays smoothly on your home Wi-Fi.
Plug the NAS into your router with a cable, not Wi-Fi. If your home network spreads across a large house, a switch near the router keeps traffic local. Put the NAS in a cool, ventilated spot, because Highveld dust and coastal humidity both shorten the life of drives.
Neither unit is a backup by itself. A mirrored pair survives one drive failing, but not theft, fire or accidental deletion. Keep a second copy of important files on an external drive or offsite.
Buy NAS-rated drives rather than ordinary desktop ones, as they are built to run all day. Browse NAS storage and the diskless NAS units to compare newer boxes, since these two are ageing and a recent model may suit better.
Synology's DSM is generally seen as the deeper platform, with more apps for backup, photos and media. WD's system is simpler for plain file storage and sharing.
Not necessarily. Some versions are diskless and some include drives, so check the exact model before buying and budget for NAS-rated drives.
Yes. A single gigabit link tops out around 110MB per second in real use, so the drives are rarely the bottleneck over a network.
Yes, but speed depends on your fibre upload. Many South African lines upload far slower than they download, so streaming 4K remotely can stutter.
No. A mirrored pair protects against one drive failing, not theft, fire or deletion. Keep a second copy of important files somewhere else.
Expect roughly R6,000 to R30,000 depending on bays and power, and a diskless unit still needs drives. A newer model may suit better than these two.
Ready to set up storage for your home network? Browse the Evetech NAS and diskless NAS categories to compare bays, ports and software before you choose your drives.
Synology's DSM is generally seen as the deeper platform, with more apps for backup, photos and media. WD's system is simpler for plain file storage and sharing.
Not necessarily. Some versions are diskless and some include drives, so check the exact model before buying and budget for NAS-rated drives.
Yes. A single gigabit link tops out around 110MB per second in real use, so the drives are rarely the bottleneck over a network.
Yes, but speed depends on your fibre upload. Many South African lines upload far slower than they download, so streaming 4K remotely can stutter.
No. A mirrored pair protects against one drive failing, not theft, fire or deletion. Keep a second copy of important files somewhere else.
Expect roughly R6,000 to R30,000 depending on bays and power, and a diskless unit still needs drives. A newer model may suit better than these two.
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