Both of these 4 bay NAS devices provide a private, safe, and user-friendly solution for data storage and collaboration.
Let’s start off with some similarities and differences of both devices.
Some of the common things between them, include:
- Both NAS have the identical design layouts and the same physical dimensions.
- Both gadgets have the same reading and streaming ability.
- cloud storage interface is similar for both of these tools.
Here the Synology DS418 Play:
- Is a lightweight device in comparison.
- produces lesser noise than the contestant.
- Operates at a higher frequency and shows a better writing rate.
The DS418 Play has a dual-core processor but operates at the frequency of 2GHz (may burst up to 2.5GHz).
So, it gives faster performance while encoding new files, presenting higher writing efficiency.
Similarly, this device allows you to share and backup your data more efficiently.
And the Simple Synology DS418:
- integrates a quad-core processor which simultaneously handles more data volume.
- Provides better surveillance facilities than the competitor.
DS418 is a quad-core device and possesses an installed memory of 2 GB.
Besides a high core CPU, it also has a well-built hardware casing.
Resultantly, it comes with a replacement warranty from the manufacturer.
Table of Contents
Side By Side Comparison:
In comparison with DS418, Synology DS418 Play works at a higher frequency, provides faster writing speed, has a large backup volume, performs better folder synchronization, and produces lesser noise.
| DS418 Play | DS418 | |
| Processor | Dual core Intel Celeron J3355 | Tetra Core Realtek RTD1296 |
| Integrated memory | 2 GB DDR3L SO-DIMM | 2 GB DDR4 |
| Drives included | None | None |
| Drive types | 3.5″ SATA HDD 2.5″ SATA SSD/HDD | 3.5″ SATA HDD 2.5″ SATA SSD/HDD |
| Warranty time | 2 years | 2 Years |
| Supported Protocols | SMB, AFP, WebDAV, FTP, SSH, CalDAV, iSCSI, VPN (L2TP, PPTP, OpenVPN™ ) , SNMP, NFS , Telnet | NFS, AFP, SMB, WebDAV, CalDAV, FTP, Telnet, SSH, VPN (OpenVPN™ , PPTP, L2TP) , SNMP, iSCSI |
| Data Encryption | AES-NI | AES-NI |
Design and Software
Both Synology devices present an identical outlook with a blackish, minimalistic tower-form design. Size dimensions and design elements are the same for both of these.
Their front side possesses four drive bays with a peripheral bar containing status indicators, a USB 3.0 port, and a switch button.
While the other USB port, a reset button, the power slot, cooling fans, Kensington slot, and RJ-45 GbE ports are located on the rear side.
Their working and storage temperature ranges are the same and these gadgets can also endure extreme humidity levels.
Synology DS418 possesses a quad-core processor, thus, it has the ability to deal with four data streams at the same time.
But its performance is minimized due to lesser frequency in comparison.
It weighs relatively heavier and produces more noise than its contestant.
In contrast, Play is a lightweight and quieter device. it has a dual-core processing chip and handles two information threads simultaneously.
However, it wins over its competitor for processing efficiency as it operates at a higher speed.
| DS418 Play | DS418 | |
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 166 x 199 x 223 mm | 166 x 199 x 223 mm |
| Processing frequency | 2GHz, burst up to 2.5GHz | 1.4GHz |
| Weight | 2.23 kg | 2.28 kg |
| USB 3.0 ports | 2 | 2 |
| Noise rating | 19.4 decibel | 20.9 decibel |
Speed
Although Synology DS418 Play has a dual-core processor, its high processing frequency makes its reading efficiency equal to the competitor.
However, it presents a faster writing speed in comparison due to its high frequency.
On the other side, DS418 possesses a quad-core CPU which makes its reading speed equal to the competitor despite a lower frequency.
But it takes a longer time to download and store new data.
| DS418 Play | DS418 | |
| Reading speed | 226 Mb/s (sequential throughput) 226 Mb/s (Hardware encryption) | 226 Mb/s (sequential throughput) 224 Mb/s (Hardware encryption) |
| Writing speed | 220 Mb/s (sequential throughput) 185 Mb/s (Hardware encryption) | 170 Mb/s (sequential throughput) 139 Mb/s (Hardware encryption) |
Cloud storage
Both these tools are associated with Synology Drive for storing and sharing files across a variety of platforms.
This cloud provides a safe, personalized remote database that retains up to 32 historical versions of your files. Users can transfer up to 200 files at the same time on this cloud.
You can access the NAS data through the Android and iOS apps or Windows applications including the Synology drive app, Moments, or DS cloud/file/photo/video.
It also allows you to link and synchronize data with your accounts on various commercial cloud platforms.
OS and Internet browsers
Both these devices show compatibility with Windows 7 and 10, Mac OS X 10.11 onwards.
You can access your files through any device as these NAS support cross-platform sharing on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android devices.
Likewise, various web browsers including Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer 10 onwards, Safari 10 onwards, iOS 10 onwards, Android 6.0 onwards are supported by these NAS systems.
Backup
Both these Synology gadgets offer multi-tier backup systems to ensure complete retrieval of information in case of accidental loss or disk failure.
Local backup efficiency of these tools is credited to Synology Hybrid RAID and advanced RAID level up to RAID 10.
Similarly, Synology Hyper Backup offers multi-version remote backup through block increments and deduplication mechanisms.
However, Synology DS418 provides a larger backup volume for surveillance.
On the other side, Synology DS418 Play can backup data from fewer IP cameras.
Nevertheless, its backup and retrieval efficiency is relatively higher as it employs superior snapshots technology.
Sharing ability
These cloud devices resemble each other when it comes to data sharing. the same number of local users are allowed to connect with the network.
Likewise, their ability matches for collaboration through shared folders and local groups.
Admin can also set specific space quotas for each user and group to manage the storage volume efficiently.
However, Play does a better job at keeping the NAS database updated for everyone as its ability to handle sync tasks is relatively higher.
Warranty
Hardware casings of these devices are made from robust materials and they integrate efficient processing chips.
That is why both these systems provide optimized performance for several years.
Their long-lasting performance is supported by 2 years warranty from Synology.