There are three types of computer storage you could use with your Mac . outside storage devices likeSSDsandhard drivescan plug into your Mac and be used to back up your data or to extend your depot . There are also those little USB retentiveness sticks you’re able to use to store or transfer file , these days they can hold up to 2 TB of files in your pocket .
These day swarm warehousing is another popular result , as it offers a childlike way to access your data point from anywhere , collaborate with teams of people , and it carry the amount of memory board useable on your Mac . With the advent of plate lick meaning fewer people are limit to the power , scads are turning to cloud memory board for collaboration , but there are downsides to this , not least the fact that typical swarm store solutions are not really suitable for endorse up ( iCloud does n’t go with Time Machine for example ) . There are various cloud backup services that we calculate at here : Best Cloud backup for Mac .
The third form of store is a NAS ( net - attach storage ) . A NAS drive is a expert result if you are looking for a shared storage solution for a squad of citizenry in an office , when you want to share data and projects between multiple workstations , or if you are calculate for a way to keep your Mac stake up without needing to forget it plugged into a drive .
Using a NAS to stack away your files means you are n’t reliant on a good internet connexion , you do n’t need to upload your data to an external table service , and you do n’t ( more often than not ) have to pay a monthly subscription .
So , in this article , we polish up the best NAS drive for a Mac owner . If you ’d like more advice about what to look for in a good NAS effort , such as the amount of memory board you ’ll need and the features to look for , jumpstart down to ourbuying advice .
Best NAS and PCS drives for Mac 2025
Western Digital My Cloud Home – Best overall
You ’re itch for choice when it comes to Western Digital ’s My Cloud range , with several models available for home users and small business , as well as a number of Expert and Pro model for bigger organizations .
The My Cloud Home is a little more expensive than other fashion model in the My Cloud image , but is fast and provide additional feature film such as support for the Plex Media Server software system ( although that ’s in all probability not a must - have for Mac users ) .
It come with a range of storehouse allocations ; 8 TB should be more than enough for most domicile , as well as small part and ego - hire users . The slimline blanched - and - silver grey whole is neatly designed and only measures 2 in wide , so it ’ll pose easy on your desk or on a shelf close to your router without taking up too much space .
There ’s also a enceinte double - drive example , called the My Cloud Home Duo , which house two pit drives and bid considerably more warehousing . That provides RAID 1 mirroring for surplus data auspices , but if you require more sophisticated RAID features , as well as the power to install and withdraw drives yourself , you ’ll want to step up to the My Cloud Expert or My Cloud Pro models .
Western Digital always does a good job with Mac support , and the My Cloud Home is no exception , with apps that handle a range of mountains of tasks quickly and easy . The iOS app can perform automatic stand-in of your picture and videos , while the Mac app lets you use Time Machine for your backups ( and there are Mac and Windows version of the apps available too ) .
There are some nice touches too , such as the power to mightily - click a folder on your Mac and automatically synchronise the contents of that leaflet on to the My Cloud Home . That will be ready to hand for masses who need an extra backup of their current work file or project in addition to the basic Time Machine backup . you’re able to also right - click any file that is stored on the My Cloud Home and beam a download tie to quickly partake in that file with admirer or co-worker .
And , if you also use an online backup armed service , such as Dropbox , then you could sync the contents of your Dropbox account on to the My Cloud Home too . you’re able to even back up photograph and albums from Facebook on to the driving force for safekeeping if you want to .
There are a duo of rough edges . You ca n’t simply double - snap the driving force ’s ikon on the Mac background in lodge to open up the drive and then drag - and - drop to replicate folder or files on to the ride . For some reason you have to open up the app ’s pulldown fare and view the content of the drive through the app instead . You ca n’t create individual exploiter account on the Mac either , so you ’re squeeze to use the app on an iPhone or iPad if you require to tempt someone else to produce their own personal folders on the My Cloud Home drive . Most Mac users will have an iPhone or iPad , of line , but we ’d like to see the Mac app update to let you full exemption to manipulate the My Cloud Home with your Mac as well .
TerraMaster F8 SSD Plus – Uber-fast network/workgroup storage
pro
Cons
The TerraMaster F8 SSD Plus is an 8 - bay laurel / slot NVMe NAS box with an 8 - core Intel Core I3 CPU , 32 - execution unit of measurement GPU ( part of the CPU ) , 16 GB of DRAM , and 10Gbe ethernet connectivity .
Ports admit 10Gbe ethernet , three 10Gbps USB ports ( two Type - A , one Type - C ) , and an HDMI embrasure for diagnostics rather than direct video outturn .
It ’s 7 - inch tall , by 2.25 - inch wide , and 5.5 - inch . It ’s not especially hefty , weighing only 1 lbf. , 10 oz. with eight SSDs set up . The eight let in heat swallow hole add another 5 ounces if you need them ( that depends on how much dealings the devotee - cooled boxful is subjected to ) .
It opens via a individual thumb nooky and rests on rubber feet . It is stable despite its perpendicular orientation course , but you might want to dwell it on its side . Of course , SSDs are n’t as delicate as hard drive that normally dwell NAS boxes , so a tumble likely would n’t be ruinous .
NAS / server features let in security , single file sharing , medium cyclosis , BitTorrent downloads , telecasting surveillance , Docker and VM hosting . These all command installing applications from TerraMaster . There are numerous backup solutions useable , and the File Manager countenance you append distant folders from Dropbox , OneDrive , Google Drive , and Amazon S3 / S3 - compatibles .
The operating organization , TOS 6.0 , is n’t quite as refined as those offered by QNAP and Synology . I could n’t track down file manager or anything else while install an app , for example .
Also , the programme did n’t register a deleted storage puddle , an sum online terminus , or a new book directly . I had to reboot each time to get alteration to register .
Despite this , I find TOS 6 attractive , decently intuitive , light to utilize , and stable . But it could use some exquisitely - tuning ( and multi - tasking ) , even if none of the issues are particularly deathly .
Synology DiskStation DS723 – Best for small offices/working from home
Many multitude now rely on cloud memory board , such as Apple ’s iCloud Drive or Dropbox , for personal manipulation or working from house , but Synology is one of the few companies that still makes conventional NAS parkway that allow for physical storage for menage web and small offices . The late addition to its range is the Diskstation DS723 + , which provides an affordable and easy - to - use of goods and services storage arrangement that can be further expanded in the future if required .
The thickset drive enclosure metre just 166 millimeter high , 106 millimeter full and 223 mm deep , so it ’s easy to set up on your desk or any commodious ledge . There are two alcove for heavy drives on the front , along with two lowly slots for SSD drive that are located on the underside of the social unit . Advanced users who desire to configure their own system can purchase the DS723 + as an empty enclosure ( unpeopled ) for around £ 575/$450 and then provide their own option of HD or SSD drives . Or , if you ’re await for a simple , all - in - one depot scheme then some of Synology ’s specialist dealer also sell the DS723 + with drive building block already installed ( populated ) . The price for ‘ populated ’ drives will obviously depend on the amount of storage you require , but the 8 TB simulation that Synology provide for our review should cost around $ 800/£850 . Prices do vary widely online , though , so it ’s definitely deserving patronise around to obtain the best price ( the starting damage quoted above will rise depending on the storage selection . )
There ’s a Gigabit Ethernet interface on the back of the for get in touch to your home or office internet , but the DS723 + also has two expansion port wine that allow you to upgrade to 10 Gigabit Ethernet if want , and even to link some additional movement bay laurel so that you could add even more storage in the hereafter . Synology ’s manuals may look a bit daunting for people who have n’t used a NAS drive before – there ’s a 50 - page PDF just for the initial jell - up process , and another 80 - page manual of arms covering all the features offer by Synology ’s DSM software system ( Diskstation Manager ) . However , you do n’t have to memorise all that information straight aside , as there are quick and easy apps for iOS , Android , Mac and PC that can help oneself you with the set - up mental process , and we had no worry at all connect the DS723 + to our office web and then using the apps to link up our Mac and iPhone to the movement .
Synology Beestation – Good for beginners
The widespread use of swarm computer storage inspection and repair such as iCloud and Google Drive mean that NAS drives are n’t as democratic as they used to be , and Synology is one of the few companies still making NAS drives that cater to the SOHO market place ( small post / home office ) with its DiskStation orbit . In fact , Synology is expanding its product grasp with the introduction of the BeeStation .
The BeeStation looks like a somewhat conventional background hard drive , and it provides 4 TB of storage so you ’ve stick plenty of room for your piece of work or personal files . Like most NAS drives it expend an Ethernet interface to link up to your family or office connection , but once you ’ve connect it to your Wi - Fi router , you could simply scan a QR code with your iPhone or iPad to connect to the ride remotely and set it up using a web web browser ( although you ’ll demand to provide an e-mail destination to position up your Synology chronicle first ) . You are then propel to download two mobile apps scream BeePhotos and BeeFiles , which , as the names suggest , permit you to back - up photos and other file onto the BeeStation . Once the drive is go down up , you’re able to enter via a entanglement web browser on your Mac , and then download the BeeStation screen background app for Macs ( running macOS 12 or later ) and Windows PCs .
These apps offer peck of utilitarian features , including the power to automatically upload photos and videos from your mobile devices onto the BeeStation . you’re able to deal file with friends , family or fellow , and synchronize specific folders on your Mac with the BeeStation . However , these apps can be a bit wily to use – they be given to throw a lot of place setting and information onto the screen , and the Help single file on Synology ’s website use a lot of techno - lingo that might be discombobulate for less experienced user . Mac users , for instance , will notice that instructions for using the BeeStation with Time Machine are hidden within a rather convoluted supporter lodge about ‘ local access ’ preferences .
So it may take a little work to get the BeeStation the right way set up , but its power to provide both online store for mobile gadget and a NAS effort for your nursing home or situation web make it a very versatile back - up gadget for place and small business organisation users .
Western Digital My Cloud EX2 Ultra – The quick and easy option
Western Digital ’s My Cloud Home crusade supply a flying and easy choice for home users who are n’t conversant with NAS drives and networking engineering . In fact , the company does n’t even call it a ‘ NAS thrust ’ , opting for the more exploiter - favorable ‘ personal swarm ’ recording label alternatively . ( If you sense a act more comfy with jargon such as NAS and RAID , you might desire to ill-treat up to WD ’s ‘ expert ’ cooking stove with the My Cloud EX2 Ultra alternatively . )
The EX2 Ultra is a no - compromise NAS driving with additional features and customisation options , while remaining affordable enough for home users or self - employed masses , such as photographers or couturier , who need a really reliable backup parkway for of import oeuvre files .
It ’s a ‘ two - bay ’ drive that holds two separate difficult drives , and allows you to remove the top panel so you’re able to remove the drives for repairs or adding more storage in the time to come . you may buy the EX2 Ultra with a pair of crusade pre - installed , with a across-the-board range of Price bet on the warehousing you select .
WD includes its eminent - performance Red Drives and 1 GB of memory to help the EX2 Ultra multi - task when unlike people are using the movement on the meshing at the same time . There ’s a Gigabit Ethernet embrasure for connecting to your internet , and the EX2 Ultra also has two USB embrasure that reserve you to link up an external USB driveway for extra storage .
Alternatively , you have the alternative of buying the EX2 Ultra ‘ unpopulated ’ – with no drive at all – and then supply your own campaign to befit your special needs . This is the best option if you think you might want to add extra storage in the future , and instalment is really gentle : the top panel only drink down open at the printing press of a button to give away the home effort bays .
Using two separate hard drive also intend the EX2 Ultra can work as a ‘ RAID ’ driving , with either RAID 0 – which better public presentation by splitting files across both drives ( called ‘ striping ’ ) – or RAID 1 ‘ mirroring ’ , which makes freestanding copy of your file cabinet on each drive for excess dependability . If you require even more safeguards for your important files , there ’s also an selection to back up information from the EX2 Ultra on to an extraneous difficult drive connect to one of its USB ports .
Despite all these extra feature , lay out up the EX2 Ultra is still very straight , as the driving force corroborate Time Machine for mechanically second up file from your Mac . There ’s also a My Cloud app for iOS / iPadOS and Android that leave you to back up and share files using non - Apple gimmick as well .
The app render remote accession to the drive over the net , and there ’s a web web browser app interface also uncommitted for Macs and PCs , which permit more sophisticated substance abuser to configure foray preferences and features such as the FTP server – and even to practice it as an ‘ iTunes Server ’ for stream music across your mesh .
It ’s deserving check out the change made by theMy Cloud O 5 software update , however ; this summate several newfangled feature article , but reduces compatibility with some web avail .
Buffalo LinkStation 220D – Versatile & affordable
Buffalo ’s LinkStation 220D is a versatile and affordable NAS cause that ’s worthy for both home and business users . But , as we ’ve find out with Buffalo in the past , its products sometimes miss the straightforward informality of habit that Mac and iOS users take for concede .
The LinkStation 220D is a dual - alcove NAS drive that put up two separate backbreaking drives . you may buy it ‘ unpopulated ’ – with no drives at all – and then provide the ride that you want to use for yourself . Alternatively , you could buy it with 2 TB , 4 TB or 8 TB .
There ’s also a more expensive model called the 220DR that ’s designed for use with Western Digital ’s high-pitched - focal ratio Red drives , but the received 220D model that we critique here should be absolutely decent for most homes and small businesses .
The dual - bay laurel setup also think you may utilise the LinkStation as a RAID drive , supporting either RAID 0 for maximum performance , or RAID 1 for maximal data protective cover ( hive away separate written matter of your data on both drives ) . next rising slope are childlike as well , as you’re able to promptly remove the front panel of the LinkStation and pluck out the drives by their handles , with no prison guard or tools required . There ’s also a USB port on the back of the LinkStation that can be used to make additional championship to an external USB drive for special condom .
Getting set out is quite straightforward , as the 4 TB LinkStation that we tested automatically designate up on our authority net once we connected it to our router with an Ethernet cable . That allow us to simply scuff - and - drop files onto the LinkStation for quick backups , but things get a bit more complicated when you start up to move beyond the basics . The LinkStation does work with Time Machine so that you could back up your Macs over the web , but setting up Time Machine and a ‘ share booklet ’ for your backups turn out rather complicated .
Buffalo ’s NAS Navigator app for Macs allows you to view the LinkStation on your connection and display basic data , such as its IP address . However , using any other features requires you to open up a World Wide Web browser app so as to view the LinkStation ’s web interface .
This does let in a variety of useful features , including Time Machine keep , remote ‘ web approach ’ for when you ’re away from home or the office , BitTorrent downloads , and the power to expend the LinkStation as an iTunes waiter for stream your euphony across the web . But this browser app interface is very complicated and wo n’t be well-off for non - technical users to understand – and Buffalo ’s 125 - page jargon - heavy PDF manual does n’t really make life any easy .
And neither do Buffalo ’s mobile apps . Buffalo supply two freestanding apps for iOS devices : Smartphone Navigator for basic apparatus , and WebAccess to provide admittance to your single file via Wi - Fi when you ’re out and about .
These apps are pose on a bit , and some users have complained that they ’re unreliable . In fact , the apps seemed to lean on our office iPhone and iPad without any problem , but they ’re still quite complicated and unhelpful for people who are n’t conversant with NAS drive and networking technology .
So while the LinkStation is a good choice for more experienced home or business users who already know a bit about NAS drives , it ’s probably not the best option for first - sentence substance abuser who are still learning the ropes .
NAS drive features to look for
Here are some essential features you should depend out for when selecting a NAS campaign for your Mac .
Time Machine support
One of the great unknown feature of macOS is Time Machine , the package that sits inside your System Preferences venire and quietly perform an automatic backup of the full contents of your Mac ’s gruelling disk every hour , on the hour .
If you unintentionally delete a file you may go back and check out all the former version of that file that youbacked upin the yesteryear . And if your Mac bulge out behaving oddly and you recall you might have been infected by malware , you could just reboot your Mac anduse Time Machine to restorethe total macOS to an earlier , untarnished state .
But , of course , so as to habituate Time Machine you do necessitate to have an external hard drive connected to your Mac that can store all your old computer backup . Hard drivesare moderately garish these day , but as we all get down to own more and more desktop computers , laptop and roving devices , it starts to become both expensive and rather impractical to buy a separate backup campaign for every single equipment in our family or part . The answer to this problem is a NAS private road .
Most NAS drives are ‘ Mac - compatible ’ – but not all of them are what we might call ‘ Mac - friendly ’ . For instance , not all NAS movement will leave you to use Time Machine to make backups over the web , so support for Time Machine is a key feature that you should check on when think about bribe a NAS drive for use with one or more Macs .
User accounts and sharing
Another of import feature film is the ability to produce case-by-case exploiter accounts , so that each person in your home or position can have their own private expanse on the NAS ride for store their personal files . And , at the same time , it ’s also ready to hand to make ‘ shares ’ , which are like public brochure that can be shared by everyone – perhaps for stack away euphony or pic for the whole family .
Most NAS thrust will allow you to do this , but sometimes you need a piece of connection know - how to figure out how each drive handles this process ( and some drives , such as Apple ’s now - discontinued Time Capsule , just ignore this side of things altogether and focus on the basic task of handling Time Machine backups ) .
Mobile device support
And , of class , you ’ll also want to check that your new NAS driving force provides an app for your iPhone or iPad . Most of us now tend to use iCloud for backing up photos , videos and other files from our mobile equipment , but it can give you extra serenity of creative thinker to hump that you ’ve contract a spare backup on your NAS drive in case anything proceed wrong .
A upright NAS drive will also let you apportion your photos and videos with other people by stream them to wandering devices over your meshing , or mayhap even provide a remote accession option that allows you to retrieve single file over the internet when you ’re aside from habitation ( a feature that producer often look up to as a ‘ personal cloud ’ ) .
File streaming
Many people also use their NAS crusade as a form of central media server for their nursing home , perhaps streaming music and TV to a game cabinet that is connected to their television in the front room . Mac users should check to see if a NAS ride can stream file to an Apple TV , or represent as an ‘ iTunes server ’ , storing your iTunes / Music subroutine library on the NAS drive so that it can stream music to every Mac or iOS gadget on the meshwork .
How much storage do I need?
That ’s something you ’ll need to decide for yourself , but it ’s worth mentioning that some NAS drive are more flexible on this point than others .
Some of the less expensive NAS drives are sold with a built - in operose effort – generally at least 2 TB – but the heavy drive is fixed and ca n’t be interchange once it ’s full ( although the NAS drive may have a USB port that let you connect a conventional USB hard drive to contribute some extra storage ) . This is the simple choice , favored by most home users and small businesses , as it mean you may just unpack the NAS drive and link it to your router to get started .
The unpopulated option
However , many NAS drives are sell ‘ unpeopled ’ – without any inner backbreaking drives already install – and just allow two or more empty drive bay into which you stick in your own choice of hard drive . This pick is more expensive , but it allows you to customise the NAS by buy your own hard in orderliness to provide as much storage as you take . And , if you run out of storage outer space , you’re able to just take out the sure-enough drives and insert raw , larger crusade in the future .
This character of NAS drive more often than not also offers a figure of ‘ foray ’ options – this bear for “ redundant array of independent disks ” – which utilise multiple severe drives to bring home the bacon additional carrying out and data protection .
